Sunderland vs Chelsea Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds

Sunderland vs Chelsea Game Preview

Our Sunderland vs Chelsea prediction starts with the standings: the Premier League's bottom side hosts fourth-placed Chelsea at the Stadium of Light in the final game before the international break.

Sunderland sit bottom with just five points, and Régis Le Bris badly needs a result. Anything short of a win leaves the Black Cats stuck in last heading into the break.

Chelsea arrive under Xabi Alonso having gotten back on track by beating Manchester United last weekend. The first half of that win was sloppy, though, and the Blues need a cleaner performance.

The previous meetings ledger is dead even at three wins apiece, with no ties. Sunderland have seen over 2.5 goals in 6 of their last 7 games against Chelsea in all competitions.

Sunderland vs Chelsea Recent Results

Sunderland are in a full-blown slump, losing 5 of their last 6 Premier League games. A Sunderland win would have landed just 2 times in their last 10 against all opponents. A midweek Europa League game against Dinamo Zagreb only added to the load, and set pieces remain their best weapon.

Chelsea have won three of their last four games, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers driving the attack. Their road record is a coin flip so far, and losing João Pedro takes a key finisher out of the lineup. Still, few teams punish loose defending better than this group.

Sunderland vs Chelsea Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

Sunderland: Habib Diarra (Injured/out), Romaine Mundle (Injured/out), Dan Ballard (Injured/out), Nordi Mukiele (Injured/doubtful), Omar Alderete (Suspended)

Chelsea: João Pedro (Injured/out), Maxence Lacroix (Injured/out), Jamie Gittens (Injured/out), Reece James (Injured/out), Emiliano Martínez (Injured/doubtful), Pep Chavarría (Doubtful)

Sunderland

Kevin Danso is in line to return to the starting XI, with Omar Alderete suspended after his sending-off against Coventry. Nordi Mukiele could be back from a facial injury, but Habib Diarra has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring problem.

Chelsea

Emiliano Martínez is back ahead of schedule from the facial injury he suffered at Everton last month and could feature. Maxence Lacroix, Reece James and João Pedro all remain sidelined until after the international break, and Chelsea could stick with the same starting XI that beat Manchester United, which keeps the Sunderland vs Chelsea lineups picture simple on the visiting side.

Sunderland vs Chelsea Predicted Lineup

Sunderland

Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: Probable XI: Robin Roefs; Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele (doubtful), Kevin Danso, Reinildo Mandava; Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka; Chris Rigg, Enzo Le Fée, Nilson Angulo; Brian Brobbey

Chelsea

Formation: 3-4-3 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: Probable XI: Mike Penders; Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Jordan Henderson; Marco Palestra, Moisés Caicedo, Roméo Lavia, Pep Chavarría (doubtful); Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Estêvão

Sunderland vs Chelsea Key Stats & Game Facts

• Chelsea have had 16+ shots in 8 out of 10 games vs Sunderland in the Premier League.
• There have been 12+ shots on target in 6 of Chelsea's last 9 games in the Premier League.
• Morgan Rogers has scored or assisted in 6 of his last 9 appearances in the Premier League.

Sunderland vs Chelsea Prediction & Best Picks

Our Prediction

Our prediction is a 3-1 Chelsea win. Sunderland's defense has been too generous and too fragile against counter attacks, and Chelsea's finishing and individual skill are exactly the tools to punish that. The Black Cats can nick one from a set piece, where the Blues are vulnerable, but the Sunderland vs Chelsea betting odds rightly make Chelsea the favorite at +105 (DraftKings) on the moneyline.

Best Picks

Estêvão Over 2.5 shots in the Player Shots market. He is a Chelsea attacker, and Chelsea are the favorites. Chelsea take a lot of shots, and Estêvão is the probable starter on the right of their front three against a Sunderland side that struggles with skillful attackers. The bookmaker-implied probability undersells how often a winger in this attack gets three efforts away, which makes it our best value angle.

Cole Palmer to score or assist in the To Score Or Assist market. He is Chelsea's main creative threat and is expected to start. Palmer is a probable starter through the middle, and with João Pedro sidelined, even more of the attack runs through him. The bookmaker price still looks a touch stingy for his involvement, and a game shaping up for goals at both ends suits a player who creates as much as he finishes.

Sunderland vs Chelsea Same Game Parlay

Our Sunderland vs Chelsea same game parlay picks back Chelsea's shooters to stay busy and the referee to stay busier, pairing two shot props with two card legs.

Pedro Neto over 0.5 in the Player Shots On Target market is the anchor leg. He has put a shot on target in every one of his last six Premier League appearances.

Cole Palmer over 2.5 in the Player Shots market is the volume leg. He has attempted 3+ shots in 6 of his last 9 Premier League appearances.

Over 5.5 in the Total Cards market adds some edge. It has landed in 3 of Chelsea's last 3 games, and opponents tend to play aggressively against the Blues.

Cole Palmer in the To Be Shown A Card market closes it out. That leg has cashed twice across his last three outings, and a desperate home side makes for a messy afternoon.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Same Game Parlay with Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.

Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.

Sunderland vs Chelsea Talking Points

Sunderland have not led at halftime in any of their first nine Premier League games, and that is a brutal stat to carry into a matchup with a Chelsea side built to punish slow starts. The home side's clearest path is set pieces and direct free kicks, because the Blues defend dead balls poorly and have struggled to protect leads. Chelsea's attack has produced 19 Premier League goals already, though, and with this the last game before the international break, Sunderland cannot afford another flat opening half.

Sunderland vs Chelsea Predictions FAQs

When is the Sunderland vs Chelsea English Premier League game?

The game kicks off at 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Where is Sunderland vs Chelsea being played?

The game is being played at the Stadium of Light.

Who is expected to start for Sunderland and Chelsea?

Sunderland's probable starting XI includes Robin Roefs, Kevin Danso, Granit Xhaka and Brian Brobbey. Chelsea's probable starting XI includes Mike Penders, Levi Colwill, Moisés Caicedo and Cole Palmer.

Which side is the favorite to win Sunderland vs Chelsea?

Chelsea are listed as the favorite, with a 47.08% implied probability of an away win against 27.73% for a Sunderland home win and 25.19% for a tie.

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