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Chelsea will be looking to extend their superb four-game winning streak as Sunderland head to Stamford Bridge in Premier League action on October 25.
After a mixed start to the 2025/26 campaign, Enzo Maresca has steadied the Blues ship in recent weeks, with back-to-back wins in both domestic and Champions League fixtures.
Maresca’s charges cruised to a midweek 5-1 home win over 10-man Ajax at Stamford Bridge with his team looking to break into the top four by the end of the weekend.
However, they will expect a test against the travelling Black Cats, with Regis Le Bris’ team impressing on their top-flight return.
Defeat at Manchester United on October 4 is Les Bris’ sole loss in six games, but the historical head-to-head record is firmly in Chelsea’s favour, with three successive wins before Sunderland’s relegation in 2017.
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Chelsea vs. Sunderland: Projected starting XI
Sanchez (GK)
James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella
Caicedo, Fernandez
Neto, Estevao, Garnacho
Joao Pedro
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Chelsea team news
Maresca was already planning for Sunderland at half-time against Ajax, with Chelsea 4-1 ahead at the break.
Tosin Adarabioyo, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were all brought off with an eye on keeping them fresh for the weekend.
Malo Gusto serves a one-game ban following his red card in the 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest last weekend, so Reece James should slot in at right-back.
Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho were also given the night off against Ajax and the impressive form of Estevao could keep the teenager in Maresca’s starting XI.
Joao Pedro was suspended in midweek and the Brazilian should come back in after starting all eight league games so far this season.
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Chelsea injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Chelsea, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Levi Colwill
- Injury: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
- Expected return date: June 2026
Colwill suffered an ACL tear in preseason and will miss the full campaign. The England international still in the early stages of his rehabilitation.
Benoit Badiashiile
- Injury: Muscle injury
- Expected return date: December 2025
Badiashile’s injury woes continued at the start of October after the Frenchman was forced off in the win over Liverpool with another muscle strain. Maresca confirmed he will not be back in contention until December as the 24-year-old battles to prove his durability to remain part of Chelsea’s long-term plans.
Cole Palmer
- Injury: Groin injury
- Expected return date: December 2025
Maresca was forced to admit his mistake over talisman Palmer’s return after he missed out on England duty earlier this month. Initial estimates over his groin problem were increased to “at least six weeks” and he will not come back into the squad until mid-December.
Liam Delap
- Injury: Thigh injury
- Expected return date: November 2025
Summer signing Delap has endured a frustrating start to life following his switch from Ipswich Town. However, the striker remains on track to return at the start of November, with Maresca stating he’s ‘very close to taking a full part in training’.
Dario Essugo
- Injury: Thigh injury
- Expected return date: Unknown
Essugo arrived at Chelsea carrying a thigh injury following his loan return to Sporting CP from Las Palmas. There was no concern raised in his medical, but the Chelsea staff are unsure when he will be fit to play.
Mykhailo Mudryk
- Suspension: Doping
- Expected return date: Unknown
Ukraine international Mudryk has not been available for selection since December 2024 after failing a doping test.
Chelsea vs. Sunderland match details
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Kickoff time: 3 p.m. local / 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT / 1 a.m. AEDT (Oct. 26)
- Location: Stamford Bridge, London (England)
- Competition: Premier League matchweek nine
- Referee: Andy Madley
- VAR: Tim Wood
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