Chelsea will travel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday looking to build on their recent improvement, while Sunderland desperately need a response after a difficult run of results in the Premier League and Europe.
The two sides meet on 8 November, with very different objectives heading into the final fixture before the international break. Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea have won three of their last four league matches and moved into the top four following their 2-0 victory over Manchester United. Sunderland, meanwhile, are struggling near the bottom of the table after a disappointing sequence of results.
Régis Le Bris’ side have found it difficult to reproduce the form that helped them secure a seventh-place finish last season. Their 3-1 defeat away to Coventry City last weekend was followed by a 2-0 home loss against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League, ending Sunderland’s unbeaten start in the competition.
Their difficulties have been particularly noticeable in front of goal. According to BBC Sport’s latest analysis, Sunderland rank 10th in the Premier League for expected goals but have scored around six fewer goals than their chances would suggest, making them one of the division’s least clinical sides. Defensive concerns have also increased, with goalkeeper Robin Roefs conceding 17 goals from the 33 shots on target he has faced in the league.
Le Bris has acknowledged that his team need to improve their defensive organisation without losing the attacking qualities that have helped them compete against stronger opponents.
“We need more clarity as a team because at the minute we are a bit too exposed.”
The Sunderland manager also stressed the importance of finding the right balance between defensive responsibility and attacking ambition.
“We need to be pragmatic first because it is clear if you concede goals it is more difficult to win the game. But, at the same time, we need to keep the creativity and the bravery.”
Despite their recent struggles, Sunderland can draw encouragement from their previous success against Chelsea. Their 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light on the final day of last season secured European qualification for the first time in 53 years and demonstrated their ability to rise to the occasion against top-flight opposition. Le Bris believes his players can produce a similar performance again.
“We have done it before with more or less the same squad, so it is possible.”
Chelsea, however, arrive with renewed confidence after getting their Premier League campaign back on track against Manchester United. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring before Cole Palmer converted a penalty to secure a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, giving Alonso’s side their third league win in four matches and strengthening their position in the top four.
The attacking understanding between Rogers and Palmer has become an increasingly important feature of Chelsea’s play. The pair have created 14 shooting opportunities for one another in the Premier League this season, more than any other combination in the division. Rogers has provided 10 of those opportunities, while Palmer has created the other four.
Chelsea have also shown their ability to put opponents under sustained pressure. They recorded 39 touches inside Manchester United’s penalty area in their previous league match, their highest total in a Premier League game this season. Such attacking intensity could prove difficult for a Sunderland defence that has struggled to prevent opponents from creating clear opportunities.
Nevertheless, Alonso will be aware that the Stadium of Light can provide a challenging atmosphere, particularly when Sunderland are backed by their home supporters. The Blues also have to overcome the memory of last season’s defeat, which serves as a reminder that their opponents should not be underestimated.
There are also several fitness decisions for both managers to consider before kick-off. Sunderland will be without Omar Alderete, who is suspended following his red card against Coventry City. Nordi Mukiele is expected to be available after missing recent fixtures, while Daniel Ballard, Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle remain unavailable.
Chelsea have their own concerns, with Emiliano Martínez and Moisés Caicedo among the players whose fitness needs to be assessed. Martínez has returned to training wearing protective headgear following jaw surgery, while Caicedo has experienced discomfort since the Manchester United match.
Speaking about Martínez, Alonso said:
“Tomorrow we have our last training session before Sunday and we will decide. But he is training well.”
The Chelsea manager also confirmed that Jorrel Hato, Maxence Lacroix and João Pedro will miss the match, with their recovery expected to be reassessed during the international break.
The historical record offers Chelsea some encouragement, having won 10 and drawn two of their 14 Premier League visits to the Stadium of Light. However, Sunderland’s victory last season showed that past results offer no guarantee of success. The fixture has also produced 124 goals across 34 Premier League meetings, an average of 3.65 per game.
For Sunderland, the priority will be to restore defensive stability, improve their finishing and make the most of home advantage. Chelsea, meanwhile, will look to exploit the hosts’ weaknesses and maintain the momentum gained against Manchester United. With one side searching for a much-needed response and the other aiming to strengthen its position among the league’s leading teams, Sunday’s meeting promises to be an important test for both clubs.
