Perhaps the best question in all of Europe this week is whether Jose Mourinho is going to make it as Chelsea's manager to the weekend. By reading the tea leaves, it's very possible that he won't. Whether he is or isn't still at Stamford Bridge come Saturday, Sunderland could be at a real advantage even though it's sure to be a huge underdog.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Chelsea -300
Sunderland +800
Draw +400
Over/Under 2.5 (over -120)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Even though Mourinho insists that Chelsea isn't in the midst of a relegation fight, it would be irresponsible to ignore the fact that these two teams are separated by just three points, and a loss for the Blues would drop them into the red one game shy of the halfway point of the season.
That said, if you've bet against Chelsea this year, you've made a mint, and this is yet another perfect example of that. The Blues are -300 on the moneyline and are favored by a goal and a half on the Asian Handicap.
The total is fairly average at 2.5 and -120 vig on the over.
KEY INJURIES
We're not all that sure if Eden Hazard is going to be ready for this match or not. He left the pitch with a knock against Leicester City on Monday, and with this being a short week and a quick turnaround, it's not likely for that to happen.
The Black Cats won't have Lee Cattermole on Saturday thanks to a back problem, while Erik Larsson is likely out for the rest of the calendar year. Aside from that though, Sunderland is a relatively healthy, albeit a team which is still incredibly thin.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"These two goals, the movement of Vardy between the two center backs, the cross with the left foot, where we have one against one that I want one against two, because I want a midfielder to come and help, are two goals very difficult to accept, a big frustration to accept because I feel like my work was betrayed." – Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on the two goals allowed on Monday against Leicester City
RECENT FORM
Sunderland wrapped up November in fine form, taking six points from Crystal Palace and Stoke City, but now, it's back to the norm. The Black Cats were beaten 1-0 at home against Watford in a match they really had to have to help get out of the relegation zone. That came on the heels of a 3-1 loss on the road at Arsenal, a defeat which seemed like a given.
Boy, oh boy, Chelsea! The Blues were beaten 2-1 on the road at Leicester City on Monday, and that came after a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth. Sure, Chelsea beat FC Porto in the Champions League, but the last time it won a game in the Premier League was way back on November 21 against Norwich City at home, and even that 1-0 win wasn't anywhere near the result that everyone expected.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Sharp bettors tend to bet on trends, while square bettors tend to go against them. That said, the only thing we can do here is keep betting against Chelsea. Many say that the Blues are a sinking ship right now, but for our money, they've already sunk. There isn't a way this season doesn't end in disaster, though of course, it could always get worse with each passing defeat.
Sunderland stinks, and there's no two ways around it. Not having Cattermole is going to be a big loss.
However, can the Blues really score in this match? We're doubting it.
Chelsea 0, Sunderland 0
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Chelsea and Sunderland will take place at 10:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at Stamford Bridge. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Live Extra.
