As the Premier League’s 2025-26 season intensifies, Chelsea vs Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 25, 2025, is a mouthwatering matchup between title challengers and surprise package Black Cats.
The Blues are reeling from a midweek Champions League draw against Ajax, compounded by a major injury blow to star Cole Palmer (hamstring), joining long-term absentees Levi Colwill (knee, out for the season) and Benoit Badiashile (foot).
Sunderland, flying high in seventh after four wins in eight, welcome back key defender Daniel Ballard from suspension, but lose Omar Alderete to concussion. With Chelsea third on 14 points and Sunderland chasing European spots, this clash could define both campaigns—expect fireworks under the London lights.
Chelsea vs Sunderland – Date, Time, Predictions, and More
Gameweek 9 serves up a classic at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea’s attacking firepower meets Sunderland’s resilient counter-game. The fixture kicks off on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 3:00 PM BST (10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT). North American and Aussie fans, set your alarms for prime morning viewing.
Predictions favor a Chelsea 2-1 win, with betting odds listing the Blues at -278 (74% implied probability), Sunderland at +700, and the draw at +425.
Over 2.5 goals hits at -120, aligning with Chelsea’s home average of 2.8 goals scored and Sunderland’s leaky away defense (conceding 1.5 per game).
This Chelsea vs Sunderland preview dives into Premier League betting tips, live streams, and must-know stats for your weekend wager.
Team News and Analysis
Chelsea enter on solid form—four wins, two draws, two losses in the league—but injuries are mounting under Enzo Maresca. Cole Palmer (hamstring) is a huge miss after five goals this season, while Levi Colwill (knee) and Benoit Badiashile (foot) remain sidelined long-term.
Chelsea’s injury list is a growing headache post-Ajax, but the win boosted spirits. Confirmed absences: Cole Palmer (hamstring, expected back post-international break), Levi Colwill (knee, ruled out for the season after pre-season blow), Benoit Badiashile (muscle, mid-November return), and Liam Delap (muscle strain, two weeks).
Malo Gusto is suspended after a red card last outing, with Mykhailo Mudryk sidelined for personal reasons and Dario Essugo recovering from thigh surgery. Enzo Fernandez is fit after international duty, and Nicolas Jackson’s form (five goals in eight) remains a bright spot. Maresca could hand starts to Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku in attack, with Robert Sanchez likely in goal.
Sunderland travel with a near-full squad, their seventh-place perch reflecting smart recruitment and youth integration. No major injuries reported—Omar Alderete has shaken off a minor knock, and Daniel Ballard is available post-suspension.
Noah Sadiki is a doubt with a niggle from Belgium duty, but Jobe Bellingham (four assists) and Jack Clarke (three goals) lead a potent front. Defensively tight (just nine goals conceded league-wide), they’ve frustrated big sides, but away woes (one win from four) loom large.
Match Analysis:
Chelsea’s 60% possession average should dominate, exploiting Sunderland’s midfield gaps post-Bellingham, but the visitors’ press (led by Dan Neil) could spark transitions. Set-pieces favor the Blues (league-high 32% goals from dead balls), though fatigue risks a cagey opener. Home form (three clean sheets in five) screams victory.
Head-to-Head Record
Chelsea utterly dominate this fixture, boasting 23 wins from 33 meetings against Sunderland’s eight, with two draws. The Blues have triumphed in the last five Premier League clashes, including a 3-1 home win in 2023.
Average goals per game: 3.55, fueling over bets, though recent encounters have tightened (under 2.5 in three of last four).
All-time H2H
| Date | Competition | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2024 | Premier League | Sunderland 0-2 Chelsea | 0-2 |
| Dec 3, 2023 | Premier League | Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland | 3-1 |
| Mar 19, 2022 | Premier League | Chelsea 2-0 Sunderland | 2-0 |
| Sep 4, 2021 | Premier League | Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea | 1-2 |
| Feb 4, 2017 | Premier League | Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland | 3-1 |
Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge fortress (11 straight home wins vs. Sunderland) sets the tone for this 2025 renewal.
Chelsea vs Sunderland Premier League form
- Chelsea Premier League form: W D L L W W
- Sunderland Premier League form: W D D W L W
Predicted XI Lineups
Chelsea Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
- Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto; Guiu
- Injured: Palmer, Colwill, Badiashile, Delap, Essugo
- Suspended: Gusto
- Unavailable: Mudryk
Sunderland Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
- Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo; Rigg, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Isidor, Le Fee
Lineups draw from Maresca’s presser hints, prioritizing midfield steel with Fernandez-Caicedo, while Le Bris unleashes youth like Chris Rigg. Subs like Pedro Neto (Chelsea) and Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) could ignite the bench.
Key Players
- Chelsea: Pedro – The Brazilian striker’s pace and finishing (2 goals, 3 assists) will terrorize Sunderland’s high line. His hold-up play unlocks transitions—prime for a brace.
- Sunderland: Wilson Isidor – The French forward (three goals) drives the Black Cats’ counters.
Match Prediction
This Premier League gem pits Chelsea’s firepower against Sunderland’s grit, but the Blues’ home edge and H2H mastery should prevail despite the injury toll.
Expect a competitive scrap with Chelsea edging it via second-half quality.
- Predicted score: Chelsea 2-1 Sunderland
Where to Watch in Chelsea vs Sunderland in USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe
Gear up for Chelsea vs Sunderland with these tailored streaming guides for Premier League action across the pond and beyond:
- USA: Live on NBC, Universo, or stream via Peacock Premium. Coverage starts at 10:00 AM ET.
- Canada: Exclusive on DAZN Canada. Kickoff at 10:00 AM ET.
- Australia: Optus Sport has full PL rights for $24.99/month (30-day free trial). Begins at 1:00 AM AEDT (Sunday, October 26).
- Europe: Sky Sports in the UK; TNT Sports across Spain/Italy; beIN Sports in France. EU options include Viaplay (Nordics) or DAZN (Germany).
Post-match highlights on the Premier League app. VPN fans, ExpressVPN bypasses geo-restrictions effortlessly. Enjoy the Chelsea vs Sunderland thriller—CFCTV or HA’WAY!