Aston Villa v Newcastle preview: Match facts, TV schedule, manager quotes, team news, odds

The 61-year-old, who has managed nine clubs since 1991, partly attributes his longevity in the game to the technique and it could come in handy with the last three games of the season, starting at Chelsea on Saturday. Sunderland are in 18th, one point behind Newcastle with a game in hand.

"I do transcendental meditation and I have done for 12, 14 years now,” said Allardyce. "It's very relaxing, very calming and you can do it anywhere."

"It helps you cope with the pressure you come under in this job. When it was brought for the players by us at Bolton in about 2003-04, I was always one of those guys that says, 'try it yourself'.

"You have a better understanding then if you try it yourself and if the players talk about it and say, 'well, that's a load of rubbish, you can say, 'well, actually I use it and I don't find it to be like that, so you must be a bit of a non-believer'.

"But I read the science on transcendental meditation and if you read the science, it gives you a better insight into how it helps you reduce your blood pressure and keeps you calmer and how easy it is to carry out.

"Fifteen minutes, half an hour - you don't have to be going into a quiet room with music on or anything like that, you can be anywhere at any time finding a relatively quiet place and do 15, 20, 25 minutes and it refreshes you and makes you feel good to push on.

"But it has helped me cope with the pressure of management. That's why I am still doing it today, probably."

Allardyce is also aware that the match on Saturday will be a struggle despite Chelsea’s poor defence of their title this season. "It's the biggest surprise - apart from Leicester winning the league. It's the biggest surprise that they faltered, particularly in the early part of the season, as much as they did.

"Leicester have continued what they were doing and Chelsea have pulled away from down at the bottom now, but it's been a very poor season by their standards."

Allardyce only has one injury concern ahead of Sunderland's home match with Chelsea. Full-back Billy Jones has a hip injury and could miss out, but has not been a regular in the first team, with the last game he started back in February.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is ready to return to the team after a two-match ban, while Eden Hazard could be recalled after his goal and excellent play as a substitute in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham on Monday,

To follow.

Sunderland have lost nine of their last 11 home Premier League games against Chelsea (D2).

They last beat the Blues in October 2000 at the Stadium of Light.

Chelsea have won 19 and lost just two of their last 22 Premier League games against Sunderland.

Sunderland have failed to score in their last three Premier League games at home. Only once in Premier League history have they gone four on home soil without finding the net, back in December 2005.

Chelsea have won six and lost just one of their last nine Premier League away matches, conceding just four times in that run.

Sam Allardyce’s side have won just one of their last nine league games (D6 L2).

Cesc Fabregas has scored four Premier League goals against Sunderland, his joint-best haul against any opponent (along with Everton).

Just three of Jermain Defoe’s 14 goals for the Black Cats in the Premier League this season have been scored at the Stadium of Light.

Former Blues forward Fabio Borini has scored in two of his three Premier League appearances against Chelsea for Sunderland.

A league-high 19 different players have scored for Chelsea in the Premier League this season.

Sunderland have netted a league-low two headed goals this season (both courtesy of Steven Fletcher, who has since moved to Marseille).

No unfortunately not in the UK as it is a 3pm kick-off. International viewers can see their options here.

Sunderland: 9/5

Chelsea: 29/20

Draw: 5/2