Premier League preview: Chelsea's morale is high and they are aiming for five consecutive wins, while Sunderland is looking for a counterattack after a bitter away game.
6686 Sports, October 25th, at 22:00 on October 25th, Beijing time, in the ninth round of the 2025/26 Premier League season, Chelsea faced Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.
After 8 rounds of league matches, Chelsea ranks fifth in the Premier League standings, 5 points behind the pace leader Arsenal. This weekend, Chelsea will usher in their fifth home game in the past six games in all competitions. Since entering 2025, Chelsea has recorded 10 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss, and 33 points in home league matches. Only Manchester City, which has 34 points, has more points than them.
Blues coach Maresca continues to implement youth tactics. The average age of Chelsea’s starting lineup in the Premier League this season is the youngest among the 20 teams, only 24 years and 116 days, and no player who has played for the Blues this season is over 28 years old. The effect of fearing young players is also gradually emerging. Chelsea beat Ajax, another European powerhouse known for its youth training, 5-1 in the Champions League in midweek. Maresca used 10 players under the age of 21 in the game. With the goals of Giu, Esteban and George, Chelsea also became the first team in the history of the Champions League to have three teenage players score goals in a single game.
Sunderland scored 14 points in the first 8 rounds of the Premier League this season, which is their best record in the top league since the 1999/00 season. Before the international competition week, Sunderland lost 0-2 to Manchester United at home, but the "Black Cats" responded quickly. They defeated the deputy squad leader Wolves 2-0 in the last round of the league and are currently ranked seventh in the Premier League standings.
Sunderland’s trip to Stamford Bridge this time is a bit complicated. On the one hand, they have a lot of experience in the away game against the London team. Since the away team lost 1-2 to Fulham in April 2018, they have remained unbeaten in 13 consecutive games (4 Wins, 9 draws), setting the longest unbeaten record in team history against a London team in away games; on the other hand, Chelsea can be called the out-and-out sufferer of Sunderland. In the last 26 Premier League encounters between the two sides, Sunderland only won 3 games, and suffered 2 draws and 21 losses in the remaining games.
In terms of personnel, Maresca still needs to use flash maneuvers to calmly face the serious injury problems in the team: Gusteau was sent off and suspended, and Palmer, Delap, Colwell, Esugo, Badi Shearer and Mudrick were all unable to play due to injuries (bans). The good news for the Blues is that captain James is expected to return to the game, which will allow Caicedo to return to the midfield. Esteban, who has been in excellent competitive form recently, is also expected to enter the starting lineup.
On Sunderland's side, coach Le Bris confirmed that Alderet was unable to play due to the concussion maintenance agreement. In addition, Diarra, Mundel, Serkin, Alesse and Jilder were all absent due to injuries. Mandawa has ended his 3-game suspension and is available to play. This also allows Mukiele to move to the central defender position and partner with Ballard to guard key points.
Sunderland, who have had a promising start to the season, have the ability to cause problems for Chelsea this weekend, but the Blues will still be regarded as the more likely side to win. It is worth noting that in the 16 Premier League clashes between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, there was no tie (Chelsea won 13, Sunderland won 3), and the winning pattern in this game is already quite obvious.
