Chelsea will be looking for their tenth win in a row when they travel to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night to face Sunderland in the Premier League.
The North East club will be hoping they can bounce back from their 3-0 defeat at Swansea Cityon Saturday, but they could not be facing a tougher test.
The London club currently sit top of the table after another victory alongside their eight clean-sheet in 10 games, and will be expecting to extend their run against the Black Cats, who currently sitbottom of the league.
Will Sunderland be able to pull off the impossible or will the Blues go marching on?
Classic Encounter
Last season's encounter between these two sides at the Stadium of Lightwas a 3-2 thriller. The result allowed thethen Sam Alladyce's men to climb out of the bottom three with just two games to go.
The three points were monumental in the Black Cats annual successful survival.
Two goals in three second-half minutesby Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe was enough to counteract Chelsea's 2-1 lead.
Diego Costa netted early to put the Blues one up, but a wonder-strike byWahbi Khazri put the Black Cats level beforeNemanja Maticcapitalisedon sloppydefendingby Lamine Kone to tap the London side into the lead at half-time.
John Terryreceiveda second yellow card in extratime and the result typified Chelsea's disappointingseason.
Key Battles
Lamine Kone vs Diego Costa
Lamine Kone has struggled to show his form of last season so far this campaign. He seems unable to concentrate for a full 90 minutes and will face no tougher test this season than in-form Diego Costa.
The Spain international is currently the Premier League's top goal scorer with 12,and will certainly fancy his chances against the Ivoriandefender.
The 28-year-old has played a huge part in Chelsea's season, none more so than their last six outings bynetting five times and assisting three.
His movement, cunning and overall ability should be too strong for a struggling Black Cats defence.
Jan Kirchhoff vs N'golo Kane
One positive on the injury front for Sunderland is the return of midfielder Jan Kirchhoff. The German ball-winner played 45 minutes in the North East side's 3-0 home win over Hull City the last time they were at the Stadium of Light.
His ability to maintain possession is something David Moyes' men have lacked, especially with other injuries to Lee Cattermole and Sebastian Larsson in midfield.
The 26-year-old will however come up against one of the best midfielders in the league on Wednesday night when he takes on N'Golo Kante.
Since the France international's big money summer move from Leicester City, Chelsea have been untouchable in the middle of the park.
The 25-year-old has given other Blues players the opportunity to express themselves more freely in attackknowing they have an enforcer behind them.
This will be something the Black Cats will have to neutralise if they stand any chance of even earning themselves a point.
Team News
Sunderland's returningFabio Borini was an unused substitute in their 3-0 defeat in South Wales at the weekend, however, he may be ready to play some part midweek.
"Are you joking? Are you joking?"
Chelsea could face a points deduction, but Conte is seeing the funny sidehttps://t.co/6XSTTU4qEb #CFC pic.twitter.com/WEFfI3RWbt
Chelsea club captain John Terry will face a late fitness test in order to be a part of Antonio Conte's travelling party but the game will come too soon for Oscar.
Prediction
Even though Sunderlandmanaged to stage a great comeback last season and collect all three points, it is unlikely the story will repeat itself.
Chelsea have brushed asideall that has been put in front of them in their previous nine Premier League matches and bottom of the league strugglers will not be the team to halt their run.
Score Prediction: Sunderland 0-4 Chelsea