Hazard Out? Predicted Chelsea Starting XI To Face Sunderland

Chelsea entertain Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening looking for a win to take them back to the top of the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho is due to hold his pre-match press conference on Friday when we should get a team news update with the focus being the fitness of key attacker Eden Hazard.

The Belgian international missed last weekend’s 1-0 win away at Swansea after limping out of their Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain four days before with a hamstring problem.

While assistant coach Steve Holland said last week that Hazard is expected back ‘sooner rather than later‘, he’s not likely to be risked from the start against Sunderland this weekend with Mourinho having one eye on Tuesday’s crucial Champions League semi final clash with Atletico Madrid.

Ashley Cole is pushing for a recall but the Portuguese boss is expected to stick with his first-choice back five after seeing the Black Cats dent Man City’s title bid with a shock 2-2 draw at the Etihad on Wednesday night.

Frank Lampard could come into the midfield to give David Luiz a breather ahead of Tuesday, while Oscar and Willian are also likely to be rested meaning Ramires, Mohamed Salah and Andre Schurrle could all start in attack.

Demba Ba has forced his way into the Chelsea first team after scoring two goals in two games and he could continue up front with Samuel Eto’o possibly being kept in reserve. Here’s the team Mourinho could go with:

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