Sunderland v Chelsea: Preview, expected line-ups and where to watch

Where to watch Sunderland v Chelsea: TV and online streaming

Sunderland vs Chelsea kicks off at 14:00 GMT on Sunday 8 November at the Estadio de la Llum.

The match is live on Sky Sports in the UK and can be streamed via the Sky Go app. In the US, it starts at 9am ET.

Here is the full list of International broadcasters of the Premier League.

Before Sunderland-Chelsea

The last time these teams met, on the final day of last season, Sunderland’s win secured European football for the first time in half a century. Six months on, the mood on Wearside couldn’t be more different. Régis Le Bris’ side are bottom of the Premier League, and Chelsea arrive on Sunday afternoon looking to send them into the international break in the relegation zone.

Sunderland’s form is alarming. They have gone seven league games without a win and have just five points from nine games. They have failed to score in their last three at the Stadium of Light, losing 2-0 to Arsenal and Brighton and drawing 0-0 with Leeds.

Thursday’s 2-0 home defeat to Dinamo Zagreb was another blow. It was Sunderland’s first defeat in the Europa League this season, following wins over AZ Alkmaar and Torreense and a draw at Lech Poznań.

Le Bris insists he has the support of the club and remains defiant. “When you’re in that position, you don’t give up,” he said. “We have to push and show the same ambition, and we will do that against Chelsea. This team has the potential to bounce back and change history.

“We have had many conversations with our leadership group, they are important because they will show us the way.

“I will show the way and the club will do it, but inside the dressing room our leaders set the tone with their mood, their ability to tackle problems, stay united and show the foundations for improvement.

“They’re doing their job, but now it’s a matter of levels. They’re doing the best they can.”

Chelsea is fourth with 16 points, with 19 goals scored and 15 conceded. He got back on track with a 2-0 win at Manchester United last weekend, his third win in four league games.

However, there was disappointment for Cole Palmer on Friday as Thomas Tuchel was again left out of the England squad.

“He has to focus on his, and his is to play good football and enjoy his game with us, with Chelsea,” manager Xabi Alonso said.

“We talked about the red card after the Spurs game but most things apart from that are about our game, our football and what we can do better.

“We’re very happy with Cole. I think he’s enjoying his game, he’s connecting really well with the rest of the forwards, he’s helping the team and helping the team to develop and improve what we want and what we want to achieve knowing that everything takes time, but I’m very happy with his quality, his attitude and the impact he’s having on the rest of the team.”

Premier League table

Team news for Sunderland v Chelsea

Le Bris have received a boost with Nordi Mukiele expected to be fit. Sunderland will be without centre-back Omar Alderete through suspension, and Dan Ballard, Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle are injured.

Chelsea welcomed Emiliano Martinez back to training this week. The Argentinian is wearing a protective mask after jaw surgery and could return to goal, although Alonso could stay with Mike Penders after his opener against Manchester United.

Sunderland-born Jordan Henderson missed the United game through illness and will be assessed. Willian Estêvão impressed against United and should keep his place on the right.

Maxence Lacroix, Reece James, João Pedro and Jamie Gittens are all out.

Expected line-ups for Sunderland-Chelsea

Sunderland: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Danso, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee; Meunier, Angulo, Brobbey

Chelsea: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill; Neto, Caicedo, Lavia, Chavarria; Stephen, Palmer; Rogers

Recent form for Sunderland-Chelsea

Prediction for Sunderland-Chelsea

If Sunderland can rediscover the formula that made them so difficult to play last season, they have an excellent chance. But they must eradicate the defensive issues that have marred their season so far.

Sunderland

1-1

Chelsea