Match Preview: Sunderland vs Watford 16/12/16

Let's be honest, did we really expect to pick up anything against a rampant Chelsea side? Possibly a draw at the very most. Ten straight league victories has seen the Londoners stretch their lead at the top to six points, cementing the belief that this team is back to its best. Granted, it wasn't the most vintage of displays from Conte's side, but it was workman-like, disciplined, patient and professional. His three at the back, with Moses and Alonso operating on the flanks is a system that is working wonders at the moment. Their greater quality, particularly in the final third, told in the end, although Patrick Van Aanholt could have pinched us a point, only to see Courtois pull off a brilliant save. Sunderland didn't do a lot wrong, but Chelsea were just too strong on the night. Not many teams will take points from them in the second half of the season, and these are not the matches in which our destiny will be shaped. 

We move swiftly on to Watford this coming Saturday. The games come thick and fast as we enter the middle of December and the next one represents a great opportunity to get back on the winning trail and breath some life into our season. After enjoying a great result against Everton last weekend, winning will not be easy but I do think that there is a chance for Sunderland to take this game by the scruff of the neck, come quickly out of the blocks and really take the game to the opposition. Key man Roberto Pereyra is out, Younes Kaboul is set to return at the back and with Troy Deeney up top, the Hornets always remain a goal threat.

On the subject of injuries, Sunderland themselves have been rocked this week by another long term lay-off for a key player. Jan Kirchhoff is once again on the treatment table, this time it's a knee injury and one that looks like it could have long-term effects for the big German. I'm a real fan of Kirchhoff but keeping him fit seems to be an impossibility, having been plagued by numerous hamstring and knee injuries since he joined the club in January. It has even been suggested that some supporters can't see any justification in presenting him with a new contract in the near future. Kirchhoff is a class act as I've said before, but questions are now rightly being asked about his suitability as a viable long term option for Sunderland as his injury jinx continues, which for me, is a real shame. Victor Anichebe faces a late fitness test and we'll need him to pass, as his physical presence was a great miss on Wednesday evening. David Moyes looks set to stick with Adnan Januzaj, leaving the out of favour Wahbi Khazri warming the bench once again this season. My how his star has fallen in recent weeks. 

If Sunderland match their efforts with the games at home to Hull and Leicester, I can see them adding to their points total this Saturday. We are looking a lot more solid at the back, and with Jermain Defoe in the side we will always possess a goal threat in the opposition box. The big question mark will be whether Anichebe starts this game. He has become vital to how the team operates and his physicality is greatly important in the final third of the pitch. If he plays, we have a great chance of winning this game, and I believe we will, just!

Verdict: Home win, 2-1