Sunderland – Chelsea, Sunday 4pm (CET)

Book Makers have Chelsea as huge favourites to win with betting odds of 1.7. Sunderland pays out nicely at 5 times your money for a win and betting odds for a draw 3.75. Bet this match and the entire EPL season at UniBet and get a 25€ Free bet.

How to score?

Sunderland opened the season with promising display and draw at Anfield (1-1), but after that followed three games without a single goal scored (Newcastle 0-1 at home and two goalless draws on the road – Swansea in league and Brighton in Carling Cup). So, main question for the manager Steve Bruce is how to make some scoring threat. At the last day of transfer market, he made (in my opinion a problematic) decision to sign on loan Nicklas Bendtner from Arsenal. After spending some time among fringe players at Emirates, I doubt he could produce a firework at his debut. Next, they sold excellent Jordan Henderson to Liverpool and used that cash to bring a wunderkind from Ipswich, Connor Wickham. He’ll also needs some time to start producing some good on the pitch and I even feel there’s a danger that more bad results could cost Steve Bruce a job (currently 12.00 at Paddy Power). Additionally, Sunderland have a horrible history against Chelsea with 12 defeats of last 13 games (at home, six in the row).

Villas-Boas demands improvement

Good news for the Blues’ fans is they’re still keeping the pace with seven points of first three games. Bad news is they didn’t look like serious title contenders in any of those three. An opening draw at Britannia was followed with two home wins when Chelsea were torturing fans and themselves, securing the victories in the later stages. Against West Brom Malouda brought the victory with five minutes left on the clock, while against Norwich team looked clueless until John Ruddy got a red card for the visitors and victory again came in the last ten minutes. Juan Mata made an encouraging debut and scored third goal, he should be in the starting eleven. Oppositely, Fernando Torres’ poor form continues and according to Vicente Del Bosque his place in Spanish national team is in doubt, unless “El Nino” starts scoring for Chelsea. Big boost for the team is a return of injured duo, David Luis and goalkeeper Pert Czech. Didier Drogba, who suffered concussion against the Canaries, is unlikely to appear.

Chelsea should dominate

Bookmakers had every right to price Chelsea as favourites to win the game. They have an obvious advantage in quality (and millions of pounds), they should keep the ball in their possession and dominate through the game. Players need some time to adjust on Villas-Boas demands and their performances will be improving every week. Pert Czech returns to the squad which gives me much more confidence to back Chelsea, than it was a case with Hilario. Away win.

Recommended bet:

Chelsea to win @ 1.7 (Bet365)

Other bet:

Correct score Chelsea 2-1 @ 9.00 (UniBet)