Premier League action returns this weekend as bottom-placed Sunderland prepare to host fourth-placed Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Xabi Alonso’s side head into the encounter buoyed by a decisive weekend victory over Manchester United.

Sitting fourth in the table, a win on Tyneside would offer the Blues an ideal send-off into the final international break of 2026. However, Chelsea must navigate a mounting injury list as they look to secure all three points.

Blues injury crisis

Despite injury setbacks, several key figures, including Roméo Lavia, Cole Palmer, and Morgan Rogers, were active on the grass at Chelsea’s training complex.

In a major boost to squad morale, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez returned to the training pitch and engaged in gym work.

The Argentine stopper has been sidelined since undergoing jaw surgery following the victory against Everton, and Alonso faces a key selection decision on whether to immediately reinstate his first-choice keeper.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Neto, Caicedo, Lavia, Chavarría; Estêvão, Palmer; Rogers.

Doubts: Moisés Caicedo, Jordan Henderson, Emiliano Martínez, Jorrel Hato, Aarón Anselmino
Unavailable: João Pedro, Reece James, Maxence Lacroix, Jamie Gittens

Sunderland under pressure after Europa’s misstep

Sunderland return to domestic duties following a frustrating 2–0 Europa League loss to Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday, November 5—marking their first European defeat of the campaign.

The Black Cats find themselves in starkly contrasting circumstances compared to six months ago, when a historic 2–1 victory over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light secured European qualification for the first time in 53 years. Without a win in their last five league games, Regis Le Bris’s squad sits at the bottom of the table, placing immense pressure on the manager to engineer a turnaround.

Le Bris rallies Black Cats

Despite recent form, Le Bris remained defiant ahead of Sunday’s clash:

“When you’re in this position, you don’t give up. We have to push and show the same ambition, and we will do that against Chelsea. This team has the potential to bounce back and change the story. We can do it, and we will do that.”