Can Chelsea continue their, relatively, strong start to the season? Last weekend, in a true game of two halves, Xabi Alonso's side eventually rather easily beat Manchester United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge; Morgan Rogers with a solo run and dink, before Cole Palmer converted a spot-kick. The Blues have now won three of their last four in the Premier League, moving up to fourth.

Opponents Sunderland, in stark contrast, are rock-bottom. Régis Le Bris' side are without a win in seven league games, yielding just two points from these matches, and were beaten 2-0 by GNK Dinamo Zagreb at home in the Europa League on Thursday.

Thus, this should be a routine Chelsea win at the Stadium of Light, albeit the Blues' recent results against the Black Cats suggest they must guard against any complacency.

Sunderland vs Chelsea all-time head-to-head record

• Matches Played: 127.

• Sunderland Wins: 44. Draws: 22. Chelsea Wins: 61.

• Sunderland Goals: 187. Chelsea Goals: 225.

Sunderland vs Chelsea: Last five results

• 24 May 2026: Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea - Cole Palmer 56'.

• 25 October 2025: Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland - Alejandro Garnacho 4'.

• 21 May 2017: Chelsea 5-1 Sunderland - Willian 8', Eden Hazard 61', Pedro 77' & Michy Batshuayi 90' 90+2'.

• 14 December 2017: Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea - Cesc Fàbregas 40'.

• 7 May 2016: Sunderland 3-2 Chelsea - Diego Costa 14' & Nemanja Matić 45+4'.

Last season, Sunderland completed a first league double over Chelsea since the 2000/01 season, this the only other time they have achieved this since 1956. Little over 12 months ago at Stamford Bridge, after some excellent hold up play by Brian Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi snatched a last-gasp victory for the visitors.

Then, on the final day, with Calum McFarlane in the away dugout, a 2-1 Sunderland victory secured their spot in the Europa League, thereby participating in UEFA competition for only the second time, 53 years after a brief Cup Winners' Cup campaign.

This though is not a flash in the pan. Sunderland have actually won five of their last ten meetings with Chelsea, while the Blues have claimed just four wins during this period. Their most-recent victory over the Mackems was a memorable one in fairness.

With Sunderland already relegated and Chelsea already champions, the pair met on the final day of the campaign in 2017. John Terry made his 717th and final appearance for the club, replaced in the 26th minute, as Antonio Conte's team came from behind to win 5-1, presented with the trophy after full time; this remains the most-recent time the Premier League trophy has been hoisted aloft in West London.

On Wearside however, Chelsea have won just one of their last five visits, this a battling 1-0 victory during that victorious 2016/17 campaign; Cesc Fàbregas the only scorer on a freezing cold night. So, can Sunderland secure a third successive victory over Chelsea for the first time in a quarter of a century, or will Alonso's side be too strong for the division's basement boys?