Retour
Bottom of the table Sunderland host top-four chasing Chelsea on Sunday, with the Black Cats in desperate need of a shock win.
Regis Le Bris’ side are struggling for confidence and have won just once in nine league games this season and lost 3-1 at new boys Coventry City last weekend. They’re bottom of the league and struggling to juggle the demands of Europa League action.
Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-0 as they bounced back from their loss at home to Spurs. Xabi Alonso is dealing with plenty of key injuries but has found some much-needed balance and Chelsea sit fourth in the table.
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (November 8)
Venue: Stadium of Light — Sunderland
TV Channel: Peacock
Stream link: Watch live on Peacock
Dan Ballard is out injured, while Omar Alderete is suspended so Sunderland’s top two center backs are out. Nordi Mukiele and Juan Angulo are both doubts, while Habib Diarra and Romain Mundle are both out. Sunderland edged so many tight games last season but this season they haven’t been as clinical and they’ve scored just seven goals in the opening nine games.
Emiliano Martinez remains out with a fractured jaw as youngster Mike Penders was really good in the shutout win against Man United last weekend. Key center back Maxence Lacroix is out injured with captain Reece James and leading scorer Joao Pedro also out. Alonso is likely to stick with Estevao on the right as he was superb last weekend, while Pedro Neto up top worked better in the second half but Danny Welbeck is an option to start. Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers are the leading lights in attack and both scored last weekend, while Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo were excellent as a duo in central midfield. Wesley Fofana could be replaced at center back as his struggles continue.
Chelsea are heavy favorites heading into this game and they should be able to deal with the physicality of Sunderland and open them up on the break. Sunderland 1-3 Chelsea.