Chelsea are out to continue their recent run of good form when they host Sunderland this weekend.
The Blues thrashed Ajax 5-1 in the Champions League in midweek as Enzo Maresca made 10 changes to the side that beat Nottingham Forest 3-0.
The west Londoners also defeated Premier League champions Liverpool 2-1 at the start of the month to follow a 1-0 win over former manager Jose Mourinho and Benfica.
Those four wins on the spin have helped Maresca’s side put their disappointing 3-1 home defeat by Brighton behind them.
That result continued the Blues’ poor run back in September, where they were beaten by Manchester United and Bayern Munich, while also being held to a 2-2 draw at Brentford.
Now, they are fifth in the table, five points off league leaders Arsenal, and just the one point adrift of the top four.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are flying since their promotion back to the top flight.
Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats were very active in the transfer market, picking up some notable names off the continent to supplement their play-off winning squad.
Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka knits everything together in the engine room, while Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete have arrived to great acclaim in the back four.
That is even before you consider Lutsharel Geetruida and Brian Brobbey, previously courted by some of Europe’s top clubs, who have had to settle for places on the bench in the early stages of their careers on Wearside.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Chelsea vs Sunderland is scheduled for a 12.30pm BST kick-off on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
The match will take place at Stamford Bridge.
Where to watch Chelsea vs Sunderland
TV channel and live stream: In the UK, the game is not on TV.
Live blog: However, you can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with insight and analysis from Sam Tabuteau at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs Sunderland team news
Chelsea’s injury list is a long one. They have six names on the treatment table, and a number of them are key players.
The most notable is talisman Cole Palmer, who continues to be sidelined by a groin issue that he initially sustained in the warm-up ahead of the 5-1 win at West Ham.
He is set to miss out until at least next month, with Maresca putting a six-week timeframe on the England international’s absence.
Palmer’s compatriot Levi Colwill is out for the season with an ACL injury, while Liam Delap and Dario Essugo, two summer arrivals, are both still out with thigh injuries.
Maresca said ahead of the Ajax game that Delap was “very close” to a return to action, but caveated that the striker had not begun training with the team.
Centre-back Benoit Badiashile is another out with a muscular injury, and he will be sidelined until December, while Enzo Fernandez played against Ajax in midweek after a knee scare.
Malo Gusto is suspended after his red card at Forest.
As for Sunderland, they have five players out for this one.
Big-money signing Habib Diarra is sidelined until December, while Leo Hjelde is also ruled out with an Achilles issue.
Winger Romaine Mundle and left-back Dennis Cirkin are also not expected to be involved with thigh and wrist injuries respectively, while Aji Alese is also out with an injured shoulder.
There is a boost, however, for Le Bris, with former Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo back from suspension after his red card against Aston Villa, where he kicked out at Matty Cash.
Chelsea vs Sunderland prediction
Seventh-placed Sunderland have been one of a handful of surprise packages this term, and perhaps the pick of the bunch.
They have quietly gone about their business, surreptitiously climbing the table and into European contention.
As already mentioned, they have plenty of weapons that can hurt Chelsea, but really, the Blues should still see this as a must-win game.
They have the firepower, regardless of their injury issues, and they have the form to go with it.
Chelsea to win, 3-1.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Chelsea wins: 61
Sunderland wins: 42
Draws: 22
Chelsea vs Sunderland match odds
Chelsea to win: 4/9
Sunderland to win: 13/2
Draw: 7/2
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
