Sunderland XI vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news

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·25 October 2025

Sunderland XI vs Chelsea – Predicted lineup and team news

Sunderland travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday aiming to continue their impressive return to the Premier League against an in-form Chelsea side.

Régis Le Bris’s team currently sit seventh in the table. They have accumulated an impressive 14 points from their opening eight games. In fact, this represents their best start to a top-flight season in over two decades.

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Furthermore, the Black Cats will draw confidence from their remarkable unbeaten run in London. This streak currently stands at 13 league games. However, they face a Chelsea team hitting their stride and seeking a fifth straight win. Therefore, another resilient defensive display will be crucial for Sunderland today. This might involve Le Bris reshuffling his backline to cope with absences.

Sunderland team news

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris faces a forced defensive reshuffle for the trip to Chelsea. Key defender Omar Alderete is out as he follows concussion protocols. Fortunately, his absence is offset by the timely return of Reinildo Mandava from suspension. The team expect Reinildo to start immediately.

Consequently, this will likely see Nordi Mukiele move to centre-back to partner Dan Ballard. Trai Hume will probably then shift to right-back. These changes are necessary due to a lengthy injury list. Defenders Ajibola Afolarin Alese, Leo Fuhr Hjelde, and Dennis Cirkin all remain unavailable. Additionally, midfielder Mouhamadou Habib Diarra and winger Romaine Mundle are still on the sidelines. The club do not expect either back until after the November international break.