Chelsea can expect a difficult afternoon against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. The Black Cats are in dreadful form, having failed to win a Premier League game since August, but that will only make them more desperate for a result.

Sunderland can take confidence from beating the Blues home and away last season, including a crucial victory on the final day that secured Europa League qualification. Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso’s side have shown vulnerabilities against supposedly weaker opposition at times.

Despite winning just once in the league all season, Regis Le Bris is quietly confident that his players can cause another upset. Chelsea may be a better team than they were last season, but they are far from unbeatable.

Regis Le Bris backs Sunderland to beat an improved Chelsea side again

The Chelsea Chronicle has already assessed how Sunderland’s encouraging underlying numbers and Trai Hume’s description of this fixture as their “biggest game of the season” suggest the Black Cats should not be overlooked. Now, Regis Le Bris has given Xabi Alonso’s side another reason to be wary ahead of this weekend’s meeting.

Le Bris insisted his team view the Chelsea game as an opportunity to change the narrative before the November international break. A victory would likely lift Sunderland out of the relegation zone, potentially transforming the mood around the club.

“Absolutely. We see it positively and we’ll give the best version of Sunderland to beat Chelsea,” Le Bris said in his press conference on Friday.

“The opponent is strong. They have a good team; good dynamic; good coach. They are in a better place. So, it’s going to be a big challenge, but at the same time, this is what we like.”

One reporter also reminded Le Bris of Sunderland’s two victories over Chelsea during the 2025/26 campaign. The Frenchman responded: “Yeah, we did it with more or less the same squad. So, it’s possible.”

Le Bris is right about the similarities in Sunderland’s squad, with the Black Cats having made relatively few changes during the summer transfer window. That could be one reason behind their struggles this season. However, Alonso now has the likes of Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Martinez at his disposal, which could make a difference for the Blues as they look to avenge last season’s defeats.