Mourinho Makes 3 Changes: Predicted Chelsea Starting XI To Face Sunderland

Chelsea will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening. This is the team we think Jose Mourinho will select:

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois started in midweek after Petr Cech had come in for their previous two Champions League games and the Belgian is expected to keep his place this weekend.

Defence: Mourinho has played a settled back-four for much of the season but he may decide to give Filipe Luis a run-out at left-back on Saturday to keep him match sharp. Cesar Azpilicueta is likely to be the man to make way meaning Branislav Ivanovic will start along with Gary Cahill and John Terry.

Midfield: Cesc Fabregas was magnificent again during Tuesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Schalke and there’s no reason why he won’t continue his excellent partnership with Nemanja Matic this weekend.

Attack: Mourinho may opt to make a couple of changes in attack with Oscar and Willian possibly being given a rest ahead of next Wednesday’s clash with Tottenham. This could see Ramires and Andre Schurrle come in while Eden Hazard is likely to keep his place in support of Diego Costa – with the Spaniard expected to shake-off a minor leg injury that forced him off early on Tuesday.

So this is how we think Chelsea will line-up this weekend:

What do you think of the team? What side would you put out?