In-form Chelsea host the decide of the promoted sides Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues have received every of their previous 4 matches in all competitions, with three of these victories coming at house, together with a 5-1 thrashing of Dutch giants Ajax in midweek.
Commercial
A lot was product of the beginning XI chosen by head coach Enzo Maresca for that match which, with a median age of simply 22, was the second youngest named by an English aspect in Champions League historical past.
His daring choice was vindicated by their emphatic win, with Marc Guiu, Estevao and Tyrique George discovering the goal – the primary time within the competitors’s historical past that three youngsters have scored for one crew in a single match.
Marseca stays the one supervisor in Premier League historical past to not choose a participant over the age of 30, though a few of his extra skilled names ought to return on Saturday, with the likes of Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Pedro Neto all rested for his or her European fixture.
One participant who won’t return this weekend is Cole Palmer. The 23-year outdated has solely featured fleetingly this season due to a groin subject however his absence has largely been masked by the emergence of Estevao, who was distinctive towards 10-man Ajax on Wednesday.
[BBC]
The 18-year outdated is the youngest Blues participant to arrange a Premier League aim, the youngest Brazilian to attain a winner within the Premier League and the youngest Chelsea participant to attain within the Champions League. His head coach has additionally hinted at a likeness between him and Chelsea’s lacking star.
Commercial
“Cole began vast at Manchester Metropolis then constructed some physicality,” mentioned Maresca. “Sooner or later, Estevao can do the identical and change into a quantity 10.”
Sunderland head to the capital with confidence and rightly so.
The Premier League newcomers have made their joint-best begin to a Premier League season, matching the efforts of the 1999-2000 squad managed by Peter Reid. His aspect went on to complete seventh.
[BBC]
The Black Cats have additionally gone 13 away league video games towards London sides with out dropping since a 2-1 defeat at Fulham in April 2018, successful 4 of these matches and drawing 9.
Sunderland made sweeping modifications to the aspect that received Championship promotion and the vast majority of the membership’s raft of summer time signings have hit the bottom operating.
Commercial
Robin Roefs, 22, has arguably been the decide of the bunch and in keeping with Opta’s knowledge he has prevented a complete of three targets this season, greater than some other Premier League goalkeeper.
[BBC]
Not one of the previous 16 Premier League conferences between these sides at Stamford Bridge have resulted in a draw, with Chelsea successful 13 and Sunderland the opposite three.