Chelsea seek to continue their strong October as they face a tough Premier League test at home to Sunderland.
Sat on 14 points apiece coming into this match, victory would see Chelsea or Sunderland climb to second for at least a few hours, with Liverpool not in action until late-evening.
Team News
Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns after their 5-1 Champions League victory against Ajax.
Malo Gusto is suspended as his ban is only applied to domestic league games, following his red card in their 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Cole Palmer (groin), Benoit Badiashile (muscle), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh), Liam Delap (hamstring) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
Sunderland will be without Omar Alderete due to concussion protocols,
Reinildo is back from suspension but Habib Diarra (groin), Aji Alese (shoulder), Leo Hjelde (Achilles), Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Dennis Cirkin (wrist) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea host Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 25 October at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea have avoided defeat in five of their last six league meetings against Sunderland (W4, D1, L1).
- Sunderland have won one of their last six league trips to Chelsea (W1, L5).
- Both Chelsea and Sunderland have scored in their last five meetings at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues having scored 14 goals to Sunderland’s six goals.
- Only five of Chelsea’s 16 league goals this season have been scored at home.
- Sunderland are yet to lose against an London-based club this season (W2, D1).
Prediction
Having romped to four consecutive wins in all competitions and looked absolutely ruthless against Ajax on Wednesday, Chelsea now know that this is a big opportunity to go second and put pressure on those around them if can produce another top attacking display.
Sunderland meanwhile were outplayed by Wolves but they ultimately were the most clinical whilst their defence were energetic enough off the ball to keep pressure on Wolves, which is something that they must do once again if want any hope of a result.
Regis Le Bris meanwhile has to get his tactics spot on from the first whistle and be quick to tweak if concede early after their loss at Manchester United in their last away game, otherwise this could be another tricky game for Sunderland if he gets it wrong.
I however do expect this to be a home win and will be a question of whether Sunderland can take the fight to Chelsea’s defence, which seems to lack discipline at present in domestic games.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland
Result: Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland
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