Chelsea aiming to extend unbeaten run at Sunderland

Chelsea, quite simply, are in a league of their own. Undefeated in all competitions so far this season; Jose Mourinho is a man on a mission.

Ruthlessly sweeping Schalke aside in the Champions League with a 5-0 away victory, they have their sights set on Sunderland next, and are heavily odds-on at 2/5 with Coral for victory.

Diego Costa is just one goal off lead scorer Sergio Aguero, who has 12 in the Premier League, and is seeking his second in consecutive league games, having dispatched a delicious opener against West Bromwich Albion. He is 11/4 to break the deadlock.

In the reverse fixture last term, Sunderland recorded a 2-1 victory; hard to believe that Chelsea did lose games at all before this season. The Black Cats are 28/1 to pull off the exact result, this time on their home patch, while for the Blues to win by more than three goals, customers can get odds of 7/2. Please note there is a maximum stake of £20 on this matchday special bet punters.

Meanwhile, at the Stadium of Light, Chelsea won 4-3 with Eden Hazard bagging a brace last December. The Belgian is 8/1 to equal or better that, and has been one of their best players this term, though when you have Cesc Fabregas next to you, it would be hard for anyone not to raise their game.

Sunderland boss and Chelsea legend Gus Poyet agrees, to an extent, with Mourinho that the Blues have what the Portuguese manager called a “perfect team” after their Champions League win.

“It’s close to being the perfect team,” Poyet said. “Jose said the game against Schalke the other day was close to the perfect game. When you get close to perfection you are reaching your maximum.

“They defend well, they are difficult to attack because they have experience, they are organised, have strength, pace, read the game well.

“On top of that, they know how to play the game depending on the result. The players coming from the bench are desperate to take that 20 minutes and show they have to play. That is why they are unbeaten.”