Chelsea go dey eye top four spot for Premier League table as dem prepare to welcome Sunderland come Stamford Bridge this Saturday afternoon. Na the first time wey both sides go jam since May 2017, when Antonio Conte own Chelsea knack Sunderland 5-1 for Bridge after dem first go behind.
Match Preview
After dem lose 3-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion for Stamford Bridge towards the end of September, Chelsea don bounce back strong with four straight wins for all competition, score 11 goals and concede just two inside that run.
Enzo Maresca boys don collect win back-to-back against Benfica (1-0), Liverpool (2-1), Nottingham Forest (3-0), before dem carry Ajax punish 5-1 for Champions League midweek.
That Ajax game na one for record book as three Chelsea teenagers — Marc Guiu, Estevao, and Tyrique George — all score, make dem the first club for Champions League history wey three under-20 players go find net for same match.
In fact, 10 players wey feature that day never reach 22 years. For Premier League sef, Chelsea get the youngest average starting lineup this season (24 years, 116 days), and none of their players don pass 28 years under Maresca reign.
Right now Chelsea dey sit fifth for the table (W4 D2 L2) after eight matches. Dem go still enjoy another home fixture this weekend — their fifth home game out of six.
Na only Manchester City (34 points) don collect more home points for Premier League in 2025 pass Chelsea (33 points — W10 D3 L1). The only team wey don beat dem for Bridge this calendar year na Brighton that period dem lose 3-1.
Historically, Chelsea don win 61 out of their 125 total meetings with Sunderland, and dem don win each of their last three home league clashes by 11-3 aggregate scoreline. That kind record no be beans.
Meanwhile, Sunderland don start this season like team wey no fear anybody. Dem don gather 14 points from their first eight Premier League games — their best start since 1999-2000 season.
After dem lose 2-0 to Manchester United before the international break, dem bounce back sharp last weekend beat Wolves 2-0 for Stadium of Light. Nordi Mukiele score first-half goal, before one Wolves player knack own goal for second half seal am.
Even though season still long, the Black Cats don prove say dem ready to survive and compete proper for Premier League after eight years wey dem disappear.
Right now dem dey 7th for table, just two points behind Man City for 2nd and nine points clear from relegation zone. Head coach Regis Le Bris don call this Chelsea match “a big test” against “top-four team”. But he still dey confident say him boys go show courage for Stamford Bridge.
One thing wey dey shock be say Sunderland never lose any of their last 13 away league games for London (W4 D9) since 2018.
That kind unbeaten run for capital never happen for their history before. But when you check their Premier League history against Chelsea, dem don win only 3 of the last 26 meetings (D2 L21). Between 1996 and 2001 dem actually win four out of six before things begin spoil.
Form-wise, Chelsea don win four of their last six league games (W D L L W W) while Sunderland get mixed but solid form (W D D W L W). Both sides dey in okay rhythm, but Chelsea still get edge when you look experience, squad depth, and home record.
Team News
For Chelsea side, Malo Gusto go miss this one due to suspension after him red card against Nottingham Forest last weekend. Cole Palmer (groin), Liam Delap (hamstring), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh), Benoit Badiashile (muscle), and Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping ban) all dey unavailable too.
But small good news dey as captain Reece James fit return for right-back, wey go allow Moises Caicedo move back into midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez.
If Estevao still hold that number 10 role, then Chelsea fit line up with Pedro Neto and maybe Garnacho or Jamie Gittens for wing, while Joao Pedro lead attack after missing the Champions League game through suspension. Marc Guiu go likely drop to bench for this one.
For Sunderland, Le Bris confirm say Omar Alderete still dey under concussion protocol, while Habib Diarra (groin), Romaine Mundle (hamstring), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Aji Alese (shoulder) and Leo Hjelde (Achilles) still dey injury list. The good side be say Reinildo Mandava don finish him three-match suspension and go return for left-back, meaning Mukiele fit shift go centre-back pair with Daniel Ballard.
Chemsdine Talbi wey impress against Wolves fit get starting chance this weekend, maybe go replace former Chelsea man Bertrand Traore for right wing. Enzo Le Fee go dey left, while Wilson Isidor go lead the line as usual. That setup go give Sunderland solid shape both for attack and defence.
Possible Lineups
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Estevao, Garnacho; Pedro.
Sunderland XI: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo; Rigg, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Isidor, Le Fee.
Match Prediction
Sunderland fit come Bridge with confidence and enough ginger to disturb Chelsea small, but Maresca men still go dey favourite to collect full three points. None of the 16 Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Sunderland for Stamford Bridge don end draw — Chelsea win 13, Sunderland win 3 — so history still dey the Blues side.
Even though Sunderland fit defend well and counter fast, Chelsea home form too strong. Expect say dem go control possession, create more chances, and finally edge am with one goal difference. Our prediction na Chelsea 2–1 Sunderland.
This page go dey update live as new gist drop.
