Chelsea visit the Stadium of Light on Sunday, looking to secure their spot in the top four against a struggling Sunderland team. Xabi Alonso’s side will look to boost their position against a team in poor form.
The Blues are currently sitting in fourth place after nine games with 16 points, scoring 19 and conceding 15. They got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United last Saturday, after a 2-0 loss at home to Tottenham the previous week.
Sunderland have struggled badly since the end of last season. The Black Cats have a paltry five points from their nine league games so far, with just one win. They lost 3-1 at Coventry City last weekend. Their attack has only managed to score seven goals, and their defence has leaked 17.
Their mood was further dampened on Thursday after losing 2-0 in the Europa League to Dinamo Zagreb. First-half goals from Luka Stojkovic and Dion Beljo meant that the Black Cats’ unbeaten start to the league phase was ended. The home fans turned on their team with boos at half-time and full-time.
Regis Le Bris has insisted that he has the support of the club but has admitted that Sunderland are in a relegation battle. His side have three days to recover from their game on Thursday, while the Blues have had a full week of preparation.
Chelsea will be missing Joao Pedro, Maxence Lacroix, Reece James and Jamie Gittens. Emiliano Martinez, Moises Caicedo, Jordan Henderson, Jorrel Hato and Aaron Anselmino are all doubts. Alonso is expected to give an update on them on Friday.
Sunderland will be missing their centre-backs Dan Ballard (injury) and Omar Alderete (suspension). They will also be missing Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle. Nordi Mukiele is a doubt.
The Final Day Defeat That Cost Chelsea Europe
The last time Chelsea visited Wearside, it was one of their worst days of a difficult 2025-26 season. They entered the game in eighth place and needed to win to get into Europe.
Sunderland took the lead in the 25th minute with Trai Hume scoring. Malo Gusto then put the Blues further in a hole with an own goal after just five minutes of the second half. Cole Palmer pulled one back in the 56th minute. But Wesley Fofana was sent off for a second yellow card six minutes later and the hosts held on for ten minutes of added time.
The 2-1 defeat left the Blues in tenth place, missing out on Europe by one point. Sunderland moved up to seventh place and secured their first European campaign since 1973-74. They also completed their first league double over the Blues since 2000-01 after beating them 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in October 2025. This is the first time that this side will have the chance to respond.