Chelsea aim to extend their four-game winning streak when they host newly promoted Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Blues sit fifth in the Premier League with 14 points from eight games, level with the seventh-placed Black Cats. Enzo Maresca's side comes off a 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax amid an injury crisis.
Chelsea enter the match in strong form, having won four of their last five games across all competitions, including a 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest that ended Ange Postecoglou's tenure there and a commanding 5-1 home win against 10-man Ajax in midweek Champions League action. At Stamford Bridge, they have recorded four wins and one defeat in five home games this season, with the loss coming to Brighton after a red card while leading 1-0. Despite a significant injury list, Maresca has guided the Blues to 14 points from eight Premier League matches, placing them fifth.
Sunderland, under Regis Le Bris, have adapted well to top-flight football since promotion, sitting seventh with 14 points and just one loss in six games—a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on October 4. Their away form is mixed, with one win from four road games, including a 2-0 loss to Burnley and only one goal scored in those fixtures. Historically, Chelsea hold the edge, winning three successive matches against Sunderland before the Black Cats' 2017 relegation.
Maresca faces selection choices with no new injuries reported. Malo Gusto is suspended after a red card at Forest, while Levi Colwill (ACL tear, return June 2026), Benoit Badiashile (muscle, December 2025), Cole Palmer (groin, December 2025), and Dario Essugo (thigh, unknown) remain sidelined. Liam Delap is back in training after a thigh injury and could feature midweek against Wolves. Mykhailo Mudryk is unavailable due to a doping suspension since December 2024.
A predicted Chelsea lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation includes Robert Sanchez in goal; Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella in defense; Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in midfield; Pedro Neto, Estevao, Joao Pedro behind Marc Guiu. Joao Pedro returns from a Champions League suspension, while Guiu, who scored his first European goal against Ajax, spent the early season on loan at Sunderland before an August 31 recall. Betting tips highlight Estevao to score or assist at 13/8 odds and Fernandez to score anytime at 7/2.