Chelsea hosts Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon at Stamford Bridge in matchday nine.
The Blues enjoyed a 5-1 win against Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday night in their last outing.
They also defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 at City Ground and will be looking to extend their winning streak to five games in all competitions.
Sunderland had an impressive start to the season and are level on the same points with Chelsea (14 points), and they defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 last time out to continue their phenomenal campaign.
**Match preview**
Chelsea have won their last three home league games against Sunderland by an aggregate score of 11-3, most recently a 5-1 victory on the final day of the 2016/17 campaign.
Having won four of their first six Premier League games against Chelsea between 1996 and 2001 (L2), Sunderland have since won just three of their 26 against the Blues (D2 L21).
None of the 16 Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge have been drawn (13 Chelsea wins, 3 Sunderland). It’s the second most played specific fixture without seeing a single draw in the competition, after Fulham at home to Newcastle (17).
The Black Cats have won one of their last seven away league games (two draws, four defeats), failing to score in five of those games. Their sole win in that period came at Nottingham Forest last month (1-0).
Only Manchester City (34) have earned more home points in the Premier League in 2025 than Chelsea (33 – W10 D3 L1), with the Blues’ sole defeat at Stamford Bridge this calendar year coming against Brighton last month.
Sunderland have 14 points from their eight Premier League games this season, their best return at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1999-00, when they also had 14 points and won their ninth game.
Chelsea failed to score in their first Premier League game of the season (0-0 vs Crystal Palace) but have netted 16 goals in their seven games since. Only Manchester City (17) have scored more in the competition than the West Londoners this term.
Sunderland are unbeaten in their last 13 away league games against London sides (W4 D9), since a 2-1 loss at Fulham in April 2018. It’s the Black Cats’ longest ever unbeaten league run in the capital.
Excluding penalties, no team has scored more goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season than Chelsea (8, level with Arsenal). Six of these have come from corners, just one fewer corner goal than they netted in the whole of last season.
Reece James could make his 100th Premier League appearance after last week’s milestone 200th appearance for the club, and Pedro Neto his 50th game for the Blues in all competitions.
**Team news**
**Chelsea**
Malo Gusto is suspended for this fixture following his red card against Nottingham Forest last week.
Cole Palmer, Dario Essugo, Levi Colwill, and Benoit Badiashile are also unavailable due to injuries.
Meanwhile, [Liam Delap has returned to team training](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/enzo-maresca-confirms-chelsea-team-news-ahead-of-sunderland) this week after he suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham in August, but he isn’t fit enough to make the squad.
**Sunderland**
Le Bris confirmed that Omar Alderete is ruled 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 with injuries.
Reinildo Mandava returns from a three-match suspension, and he is expected to return at left-back.
**Predicted line-ups**
**Chelsea**: Robert Sanchez, Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, João Pedro, Estevao Willian, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto.
**Sunderland**: Robin Roefs, Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Reinildo Mandava, Chris Rigg, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Wilson Isidor, Enzo Le Fee.