This weekend, we will see Sunderland head to Stamford Bridge for a tough test against Chelsea, but Regis Le Bris will be buoyed by the fact the Black Cats always seem to get a result in London.
Sunderland have made a blistering start to the Premier League season and currently sit in seventh place going into this weekend’s round of games.
They are only behind their next opponents, Chelsea, on goal difference. But, this will no doubt be Regis Le Bris’ biggest challenge of the season so far.
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Sunderland look like they can avoid relegation this season, but can they get a result against the Blues on Saturday? Recent history tells us they can, and here’s why.
Sunderland Head Coach Regis Le Bris is present during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Aston Villa at the Stadium Of Light.
Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Sunderland love a trip to London
The fact that should fill Sunderland fans with positivity is that their team has not lost on their travels to London since way back in 2018, when they were defeated by Fulham at Craven Cottage.
That’s a 13-game unbeaten run in the league — Sunderland’s longest run in London ever — that includes four wins and nine draws in the capital. If they can make that 14 games unbeaten, the Wearside faithful will be very happy indeed.
With the impactful Granit Xhaka leading the team, a player who knows all about performing at elite levels in London, Sunderland will certainly fancy their chances.
The balance in Le Bris’ side is fantastic at the moment, with a solid defence, combative midfield, and flair-filled attack all combining to produce results no one really expected at this stage of the season.
Another shock win in West London would be massive in helping Sunderland push on and leave the relegation zone in their rearview mirror.
Enzo Maresca managing Chelsea in the Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
All signs point to a Chelsea win vs Sunderland
While that particular record in London bodes well for Sunderland, there are plenty of other statistics that will leave the Black Cats worried.
For a start, Chelsea have won their last three home games against Sunderland. Not only have they won, they’ve battered the Mackems at an aggregate scoreline of 11-3, including a 5-1 win in 2017.
Date Result Competition
17 Dec 2013 Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea League Cup
19 Apr 2014 Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland Premier League
29 Nov 2014 Sunderland 0-0 Chelsea Premier League
24 May 2015 Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland Premier League
19 Dec 2015 Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland Premier League
07 May 2016 Sunderland 3-2 Chelsea Premier League
14 Dec 2016 Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea Premier League
21 May 2017 Chelsea 5-1 Sunderland Premier League
Recent head-to-head record for Sunderland and Chelsea
Way back in the early years of the Premier League era, Sunderland beat Chelsea four times out of six between 1996 and 2001. However, in the more modern era, they’ve lost 21 of 26 meetings with the Blues.
But, this is a very different Sunderland side to the one we last saw in the Premier League back in 2017; not only in terms of the obvious personnel changes, but in terms of the ambition, transfer strategy, and footballing system.
While Sunderland will be anticipating a stern test against Chelsea, there’s every reason for Enzo Maresca to be fearful of the challenge the Black Cats pose, too.