Raul Meireles makes his Chelsea debut and Juan Mata his first start. Nicolas Anelka is preferred to Fernando Torres as centre-forward.
Meireles comes in for John Mikel Obi who is not involved today following long-distance international duty. Mata replaces Florent Malouda on the left of the attack with Daniel Sturridge returning on the right. David Luiz is back on the bench.
For Sunderland, Nicklas Bendtner comes in for departing Asamoah Gyan. John O'Shea is injured so Kieran Richardson will play right-back. Titus Bramble replaces Anton Ferdinand in central defence.
Chelsea will line-up in the following 4-3-3 formation:
Subs: 40 Hilario, 4 David Luiz, 6 Oriol Romeu, 20 Josh McEachran, 21Salomon Kalou, 15 Florent Malouda, 9 Fernando Torres.

Sundeland are expected to line up in the following (4-4-1-1): Mignolet; Richardson, Bramble, Brown, Bardsley; Larsson, Gardner, Cattermole (c), Colback; Sessègnon; Bendtner.
Subs: Sorensen, Pugh, Collins, Diao, Tonge, Shotton, Arismendi.
The referee is Lee Probert.
-All right reserved to chelseafc.com