Sunderland are under pressure going into Sunday's fixture against Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats beat Chelsea 2-1 home and away last season but they are bottom of the table after nine matches of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
There was no respite for manager Regis Le Bris in the UEFA Europa League as Sunderland lost 2-0 at home to Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday and they are clear underdogs for their clash with Chelsea.
Sunderland v Chelsea Tips Summary
Best Bet - Chelsea to win @ 19/20
Alternative Bet - Morgan Rogers to score @ 2/1
Bet Builder - Over 2 goals, Kevin Danso to be booked & Cole Palmer to score or assist @ 8/1
Sunderland v Chelsea Prediction
Best Bet: Chelsea to win @ 19/20
Sunderland had a memorable 2025/26 Premier League campaign, qualifying for Europe, but the Black Cats are struggling to build on that success.
They are bottom of the table, picking up just five points from nine games, and Thursday's UEFA Europa League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb increased the heat on Regis Le Bris and his players.
Key defender Dan Ballard is injured and fellow centre-back Omar Alderete is suspended so Chelsea should be confident of taking three points at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have lost 2-0 at home to champions Arsenal and high-flying Brighton this season and they were beaten 5-3 at Manchester City in September.
Chelsea, who are not playing in Europe this term, should be fresher than their hosts and they are the most efficient team in front of goal in the Premier League.
Their defensive record has also improved since a frantic start to the Xabi Alonso era.
The Blues have won three of their last four matches, thrashing a talented Bournemouth side 5-1 before 2-0 victories away to Everton and at home to Manchester United.
They lost 2-0 against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, where Spurs benefited from an own goal by Chelsea keeper Mike Penders and a red card for Cole Palmer.
Blues boss Alonso will demand a more disciplined performance at Sunderland and his players should be too strong for a home side who are lacking in confidence.
Alternative Bet: Morgan Rogers to score @ 2/1
Morgan Rogers has proved an instant hit after his big-money summer move to Chelsea and he should trouble Sunderland's depleted defence.
Rogers has struck five times in his first nine league starts for the Blues, opening the scoring in four of those games.
He also scored in last month's EFL Cup tie against Liverpool at Anfield, where he had six shots at goal, and in England's 7-0 Nations League rout of Croatia.
Rogers hit the target in his last appearance against Sunderland, a 4-3 home win for Aston Villa in April, and he can inspire Chelsea to victory over the Black Cats on Sunday.
Sunderland v Chelsea Bet Builder Tip
- Over 2 goals
- Kevin Danso to be booked
- Cole Palmer to score or assist
Pays 8/1
Sunderland's recent results include a 3-2 EFL Cup win over Brentford as well as a 5-3 league defeat to Manchester City and a 3-1 loss at Coventry. Over 2 goals looks a good bet when they face free-scoring Chelsea.
Kevin Danso shoulders plenty of responsibility in a depleted Sunderland defence but the Austrian was sent off against Bournemouth in October and booked in his last two UEFA Europa League starts.
Cole Palmer was overlooked by England manager Thomas Tuchel this week but he is in fine form for Chelsea, contributing five goals and three assists in all competitions.
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Key Match Stats
- Sunderland have lost six of their last 11 games
- The Black Cats scored only three first-half goals in nine league fixtures this season
- Sunderland won both of last season's meetings with Chelsea by a 2-1 scoreline
- Both teams scored in 10 of the last 12 league games between these clubs
- Morgan Rogers has scored first in four of his last eight starts for Chelsea
- One or both teams failed to score in four of Chelsea's last five league matches
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
