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Chelsea vs Sunderland match preview for October 25 — Get the latest team news, stats, prediction, and possible lineups ahead of this Premier League round 9 games.
A Premier League match is set to take place at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will host Sunderland on October 25, 2025. The Blues, comfortably in fifth place with their impressive attacking style, face off against the newly promoted Sunderland, who have exceeded expectations to secure seventh place.
Both sides are level on 14 points from eight games, but Chelsea could tip the scales. Sunderland's gritty defense has kept them in fights, yet facing Chelsea's home fortress might expose cracks.
Chelsea started strong but hit a bump with back-to-back losses to Brighton 1-3 at home and Manchester United 1-2 away. They bounced back though, nicking a 2-1 over Liverpool and then smashing Nottingham Forest 3-0 on the road.
That's two clean sheets in their last three, showing the defense is tightening up under pressure. At home, they've won two of four, drawing one and losing once, with 16 goals scored in total.
Intriguing fact: the Blues have scored in every game this season, averaging nearly two per match, but they've leaked nine overall – a sign that high lines can bite back. Their last five reads W-W-L-L-D, so momentum's building just in time.
Sunderland, the surprise package after promotion, have been all about that dogged spirit. They kicked off with a bang, winning three of their first four, including a 3-0 thumping of West Ham at home.
But tougher tests came: a 0-2 loss to Man United away, then draws with Aston Villa 1-1 home and Palace 0-0 away, before a solid 1-0 win at Forest and a 2-0 over Wolves.
Away form's their Achilles heel – just one win in four, with two losses and a draw, scoring only three on the road. They've conceded just six all season, the joint-best defense in the league, but their attack's lean at nine goals.
Last five: W-L-W-D-D, so unbeaten in three, but low-scoring affairs.
Intriguing facts: they've kept four clean sheets, all thanks to Robin Roefs' heroics in goal, with a 50% shutout rate. Can they frustrate Chelsea or will the Blues' pace overwhelm?
Chelsea own this fixture. In 15 meetings of the recent date, the Blues have 10 wins, Sunderland four, with one draw. Last time out in 2015 Chelsea won 3-1 at home.
At the Bridge, Chelsea's unbeaten in the last five against them, scoring 14 and conceding just five. Average goals per game? A hefty 3.55 – these rarely end goalless.
Sunderland's away woes against top sides continue; they've lost four of their last five Premier League trips to London. Chelsea's home edge is massive – they've scored first in 12 of their last 20 overall.
If history repeats, the Blues cruise, but Sunderland's current grit could make it closer than odds suggest.
For Chelsea, the big worry is Enzo Fernandez – he picked up a minor knee knock on international duty and is touch-and-go for this one. That's a blow, as he's been their midfield engine with three goals already this season.
Cole Palmer's out for about six weeks with a groin strain, which robs them of that creative spark up front.
Liam Delap's hamstring keeps him sidelined until December.
Levi Colwill's ACL tear means he's gone until next spring.
Benoit Badiashile's muscle issue has him out too
Malo Gusto serves a ban after his red card last time out against Nottingham Forest.
On the bright side, Tosin Adarabioyo is back fit and could slot into the bench, while Wesley Fofana's ready after shaking off his niggle. Manager's got some headaches, but the squad depth might just cover it.
Sunderland have got their own issues.
Aji Alese's shoulder injury has a return date till late November and that's a hit to their backline.
Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde are still a couple of weeks from full training – they'll need time to get sharp.
Romaine Mundle's fitness push means he's likely missing until after the international break in November.
Habib Diarra won't be back until December.
Noah Sadiki's nursing an ankle from duty with his country, but he gritted through the Wolves game, so fingers crossed he manages it here.
The good news? Reinildo's back from his three-game suspension after that Villa red – expect him to add steel at the back. No other fresh faces returning, so Regis Le Bris will lean on his core group that's been punching hard.
Chelsea's netted 16 goals from eight games, with a shots-on-target average of 5.39 per outing – they're clinical, converting 0.14 goals per shot.
Sunderland? Just nine strikes, but they're stingy, allowing only 3.50 shots on target against. Both love a 4-2-3-1 setup, but Chelsea dominate possession at 55%, completing nearly 500 passes a game, while Sunderland sit deeper, averaging 10 fouls but fewer cards.
Over 2.5 goals has hit in 12 of Chelsea's last 20 across all comps, but only five for Sunderland – expect fireworks if the hosts break through early.
Discipline-wise, Chelsea's picked up two reds already, Sunderland one. And here's a quirky one: Chelsea's won eight of their last 20 without conceding, but Sunderland's blanked in eight games themselves. Goals could come late – both sides score more in the second half.
For Chelsea, without Gusto, expect Reece James to slot in at right-back with Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana partnering at center-back, Marc Cucurella left.
Midfield: Moises Caicedo alongside Romeo Lavia, as Fernandez might sit out.
Attacking trio: Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, and Garnacho, with Guiu up top – he's yet to fire fully but has pace to burn.
Bench: Adarabioyo for defensive cover, Gittens and Estevao.
Reinildo back means he starts left-back, with Trai Hume right, Omar Alderete and Daniel Ballard center.
Midfield anchor: Granit Xhaka next to Neil.
Wing threats: Traoré and Enzo Le Fee,
supporting Riggs through the middle, with Wilson Isidor up front.
Nordi Mukiele could rotate in defense.
Bench: Mayenda if not starting, and youngsters like Neil for energy.
Chelsea take this 3-1. Their home form and attacking depth should overwhelm Sunderland's solid but limited setup. Expect an early Blues goal, Sunderland equalize on a counter, but Chelsea's bench seals it late.
Intriguing bet: over 2.5 goals, given history. Sunderland might nick a point if they park the bus, but I see Chelsea edging it 65% win chance.