Chelsea will not win the champions league, or the premier league this season, but that does not mean that the team's season is a complete loss.
Chelsea has a tremendously compressed schedule coming up with games against Manchester United in the FA Cup as well as a Europa League tilt. "It is better to have this problem than be at home watching it on the [TV]. It is better to have this schedule because it means you are still competing," said Manager Rafa Benitez about the tight schedule. "With a top side, the last month in the season is when you fight for trophies. We are still there and it is a positive.
"At this stage of the competition you have to win and then you can win trophies. It has to be now, in this period."
Chelsea can still win second place in the premier league as their 55 points are only four back of Manchester City's 59. More importantly, securing one of those two spots would ensure a return to the Champions league in fall 2013.
"We still have 10 games to go. It is a long race but we are in a good position and we have confidence we can finish in the top four," he added.
Their big challenge will come against Sunderland, a squad looking to avoid relegation. Chelsea has played poorly against some of the teams near the both of the standings including the Queens Park Rangers, a team that took four out of six points from Chelsea.
Prediction: Chelsea wins 1-0.
Start Time: 11 AM
TV: Fox Soccer Plus