Sunderland v Chelsea Preview | Payback

Sunderland did the double over Chelsea last season, and Sunday at the Stadium of Light is our chance to hand it back. They’re bottom with five points and a Europa League night against Dinamo Zagreb in their legs, so a win sends us into the break with four from five and makes up for the Brentford hangover before the last one. Most of the team picks itself, but three calls don’t. Mike Penders or Emi Martinez in goal, with a face mask and one more week of rest in the balance. Danny Welbeck or Pedro Neto leading the line against a more physical Sunderland. And one name at the back we’d rather not see start again. Get those three right and keep it simple. Romeo Lavia’s run of 90 minutes changes the midfield conversation, and in January it’s Alex Scott first, then a centre-back. Win on Sunday and Xabi Alonso’s start is an eight out of ten. — ★ ★ — Chapters00:00 Payback: Sunderland v Chelsea01:00 Four from five, and why draws kill you01:30 Sunderland: bottom with five points03:00 Why Chelsea need the ball at the Stadium of Light05:00 Penders or Martinez in goal06:30 Joe’s back four: natural positions08:00 Lavia, Caicedo and the Henderson role09:00 Estêvão, Rogers and Palmer10:00 It’s a Danny Welbeck game12:00 Chris picks his XI (and mostly agrees)13:00 January wish list: Alex Scott15:30 Centre-back targets: Koundé and Jacobo Ramón18:00 What is Alonso’s shape?19:00 Estêvão’s new contract and the dropping dilemma20:00 Sunderland’s Thursday night in Europe20:30 Alonso’s score: seven, going on eight23:00 Chris at the Stadium of Light: Quinn, Phillips and Hazard — ★ ★ — Meet the HostsChris Sheen and Joe Kevin are lifelong Chelsea fans who’ve been going to Stamford Bridge for over 30 years.What started as swapping post-match voicenotes has grown into a fan pod capturing the highs, the lows, and everything in between from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand. — ★ ★ — The 1905 PodcastChelsea FC Founded: 1905European Champions: 19/05🌐 www.1905podcast.com📧 hello@1905podcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices