This meeting marks the first time the two sides have faced each other since May 2017, when Antonio Conte’s Chelsea came from behind to crush the Black Cats 5-1 on the final day of that Premier League season.
Chelsea come into this weekend in fine form. Since a 3-1 home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in late September, the Blues have gone on a four-game winning streak across all competitions, scoring 11 goals and conceding only two.
Enzo Maresca’s young side have shown growing confidence, following up victories against Benfica (1-0), Liverpool (2-1), and Nottingham Forest (3-0) with a dominant 5-1 win over Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday night. That game made history, as Chelsea became the first team ever in the competition to have three teenagers Marc Guiu, Estevão, and Tyrique George all score in the same match.
Maresca’s commitment to youth continues to define Chelsea’s season. Against Ajax, 10 players aged 21 or younger featured for the Blues. In the Premier League, they currently boast the youngest average starting lineup (24 years and 116 days) and remain the only club yet to use a player over 28 this season.
Sitting fifth in the table with four wins, two draws, and two defeats, Chelsea have been especially strong at home. They’ve played five of their last six matches at Stamford Bridge, where they’ve collected 33 league points in 2025 — only Manchester City (34) have earned more. Their lone home defeat this year was that setback against Brighton.
The Blues have also enjoyed a strong record against Sunderland, winning 61 of their 125 all-time meetings and each of their last three home league games against the Black Cats by an aggregate score of 11-3.
On the other side, Sunderland have made an impressive return to the Premier League. With 14 points from their first eight matches, it’s their best start to a top-flight campaign since the 1999–2000 season, when they also tallied 14 points at this stage.
After a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United before the international break, the Black Cats bounced back last weekend with a 2-0 home win over Wolves. Nordi Mukiele opened the scoring in the first half before an own goal sealed the points at the Stadium of Light.
Currently seventh in the standings, Sunderland are showing they can hold their own after eight years out of the Premier League. They sit just two points behind Manchester City in second and nine clear of the relegation zone — an impressive feat for a newly promoted side.
Head coach Régis Le Bris knows his team faces a tough challenge at Stamford Bridge but believes his players are ready. Sunderland are unbeaten in their last 13 away league matches against London opposition (four wins and nine draws) since a 2-1 defeat at Fulham in April 2018 — the longest such run in the club’s history.
However, history isn’t on their side when it comes to facing Chelsea. Sunderland have beaten the Blues only three times in their last 26 Premier League meetings (two draws and 21 losses) — a far cry from their early record between 1996 and 2001, when they won four of their first six encounters.
With both teams brimming with confidence, Saturday’s clash at Stamford Bridge promises to be an intriguing battle — one between a youthful Chelsea side looking to break into the top four, and a fearless Sunderland outfit determined to keep their remarkable start going.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Chelsea will be forced to make several changes ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Sunderland.
Right-back Malo Gusto is suspended following his red card in last weekend’s win over Nottingham Forest. The Blues are also missing a number of key players through injury and suspension, including Cole Palmer (groin), Liam Delap (hamstring), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh), Benoît Badiashile (muscle), and Mykhaylo Mudryk, who remains unavailable due to a doping ban.
There is, however, some good news for manager Enzo Maresca, as captain Reece James is expected to return at right-back. His comeback should allow Moises Caicedo to move back into his preferred midfield role alongside Enzo Fernández, with the in-form Estevão likely to continue as the creative spark in the number 10 position.
Up front, João Pedro, who missed the midweek Champions League win through suspension, is available again and could replace Marc Guiu, the former Sunderland loanee. Pedro Neto should keep his place on the wing, while Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens are competing for the final attacking spot.
On the Sunderland side, manager Régis Le Bris also has injury concerns to contend with. Omar Alderete will miss out due to concussion protocols, while Habib Diarra (groin), Romaine Mundle (hamstring), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Aji Alese (shoulder), and Leo Hjelde (Achilles) all remain sidelined.
The visitors are boosted by the return of Reinildo Mandava, who has completed a three-match suspension and is expected to reclaim his spot at left-back. His return should allow Nordi Mukiele to shift into central defence alongside Daniel Ballard in Alderete’s absence.
Chemsdine Talbi, who made a lively impact off the bench against Wolves, is pushing for a starting berth on the right flank, potentially in place of former Chelsea winger Bertrand Traoré. Meanwhile, Enzo Le Fée is likely to operate from the left wing, with Wilson Isidor continuing to lead the line for the Black Cats.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Estevao, Garnacho; Pedro
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo; Rigg, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Isidor, Le Fee
EXPERT PREDICTION
Chelsea 2-1 Sunderland
