Sunderland vs Chelsea: Premier League preview, predictions, team news and TV info

Sunderland completed the league double over Chelsea last season, so are seeking three successive victories in this fixture for the first time since 2001. The Blues have won only one of their last five visits to the Stadium of Light, losing three of them.

So, ahead of this Premier League clash on Sunday, check out our preview, predictions, team news and TV info.

Chelsea's form so far this season has been, at best, up and down, but will they go into the international break on a high? Last weekend, despite being significantly second best in the first half, the game completely changed after the break and the Blues ran out 2-0 winners against Manchester United. Morgan Rogers' sublime solo run and dink over Senne Lammens opened the scoring, before Cole Palmer secured victory at Stamford Bridge from the penalty spot.

This was a crucial victory for Xabi Alonso. Before this, Chelsea had been beaten at home by Tottenham, a cardinal sin, before crashing out of the EFL Cup against Liverpool at Anfield on penalties. Nevertheless, having won three of their last four in the Premier League, the Blues are back up to fourth place, and are firm favourites for victory on Wearside.

Sunderland, in contrast, are in desperate need of a lift. Régis Le Bris' side were swatted aside 3-1 by Coventry City last weekend; Enzo Le Fée's late spot-kick little more than a consolation. This means that the Black Cats are now without a win in seven Premier League games, from which they have yielded a miserly two points.

Then, on Thursday night, Sunderland's unbeaten start in the Europa league came to an end, defeated 2-0 by GNK Dinamo Zagreb at home. Their need for Premier League points is far more urgent, with a few murmurings that Les Bris might just be under pressure. So, can Sunderland spark their season into life, or will Chelsea's swat them aside at the Stadium of Light?

Régis Le Bris is continuing to struggle to find the balance between European and domestic commitments. Omar Alderete's red card at Coventry means he is suspended so, with Dan Ballard also sidelined, Kevin Danso is set to partner Luke O'Nien at the back.

Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fée, Reinildo and Noah Sadiki, all of whom came off the bench at 2-0 down on Thursday, are set to start this time.

Unlike their hosts, Xabi Alonso has had more than a week to prepare for this match. There is still no Reece James, Maxence Lacroix nor João Pedro, while Mike Penders is set to continue to don the gloves, even though Emi Martínez is back in training, following a broken jaw.

Estêvão Willian was the star of the show against Chelsea, having been handed his first Premier League start of the season, set to keep his place on Wearside. Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck could both feature against their former club.

Sunderland predicted lineup: Roefs; Hume, O'Nein, Danso, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fée; Angulo, Fofana, Brobbey.

Chelsea predicted lineup: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia, Estêvão, Palmer, Rogers, Welbeck.

Score prediction: Sunderland 0-2 Chelsea.