Chelsea eager to keep strong form vs. surging Sunderland

Fifth-place Chelsea will try to continue their strong run of form on Saturday when they host a newly promoted Sunderland side that sits seventh after surpassing early expectations. Chelsea (4-2-2, 14 points) have won four straight matches in all competitions, with half of those coming in the first phase of UEFA Champions League play. Their league performances have been just as impressive. They dealt a second loss to a Liverpool side that entered Stamford Bridge leading the league, then hammered Nottingham Forest 3-0 in a result that cost Trees manager Ange Postecoglou his job. Even so, the Blues are ahead of Sunderland (4-2-2, 14 points) only on goal difference. And manager Enzo Maresca says there's nothing fraudulent about the Black Cats, who are contesting their first Premier League season since 2016-17. "I think they have shown since the start of the season that they are a very good team," Maresca said. "They play together, they work together, and they play as a team. In terms of results, they have the same points as us, so they are showing how good they are. It's a Premier League game, and I don't think any game at this level is easy." And while Chelsea have been good, they're also decidedly less than full strength. Versatile attacker Cole Palmer (groin) and summer striker signing Liam Delap (hamstring) have both been injured for the majority of the early campaign. Palmer is not expected back until at least next month, while Maresca said Delap could be available next week but will miss Saturday's match. Without them, it's been an attack by committee, with three goals each from Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo leading five Blues who have scored multiple times. Objectively, the quality of Sunderland's results are less impressive, with three of their four wins coming against sides currently in the relegation zone. But in contrast to sides like Luton Town and Burnley, whose failed recent attempts at Premier League survival featured an attack-minded tactical setup, Sunderland have built their strength through the back, keeping four clean sheets and conceding only six goals. "I think it's important to build consistency, especially in this league," Cats manager Regis Le Bris said. "If you are solid, to protect your goal, you don't concede many goals, I think it's better to build confidence and to be able to be competitive." Le Bris will be without Paraguayan center back Omar Alderete, who originally returned from international duty with a thigh injury but has since been treated for concussion symptoms. French striker Wilson Isidor has three of Sunderland's nine league goals. –Field Level Media

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