Sunderland vs Chelsea prediction, team news and lineups on Nov. 8, 2026

Sunderland vs Chelsea on Sunday, November 8, pairs the Premier League's bottom club with a Chelsea side in fourth place. Sunderland have taken one point from their last five league games, while Chelsea have won three of their last five.

The table points one way and recent history the other. Sunderland beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in October 2025 and again 2-1 at the Stadium of Light on the final weekend of last season, and Chelsea go north without striker João Pedro.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

When is Sunderland vs Chelsea?

• Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
• Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. GMT / 9:00 a.m. ET
• Competition: Premier League
• Sunderland win: 26%
• Tie: 26%
• Chelsea win: 48%

Sunderland host Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday, November 5, at 3 p.m. ET, three days before this game. Chelsea have no midweek fixture and host Leeds United on November 21 after the international break. Other games on the weekend schedule appear in the daily sports prediction markets listings.

What is the Sunderland vs Chelsea prediction?

Chelsea are favorites at 48%, with the Tie at 26% and Sunderland at 26%, according to market data as of 5 Nov 2026. For the latest probabilities, check OG.com.

These percentages reflect the market's expectations, not guaranteed outcomes. Prediction market prices are implied probabilities that can change as traders react to new information. In sports prediction markets, the Tie is its own outcome beside each team's win, so check the contract terms for settlement details.

Chelsea have the clearer route. They are fourth on 16 points from nine games and have scored nine goals in their last five league matches, while Sunderland, 20th on five points, have conceded 12 in theirs.

Sunderland's best answer is direct play, and Chelsea's thin options at center back give it more to work with. Omar Alderete is suspended, Dan Ballard is injured and Nordi Mukiele is still in concussion protocol, so a back line that has already leaked goals may change again.

What could shift that reading is Chelsea's attack without João Pedro, who has missed their last three games. Chelsea lost to Tottenham in the league and Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in that stretch before beating United. The question most likely to decide Sunday is whether Sunderland's reshuffled defense can survive Chelsea's opening spell.

Sunderland vs Chelsea win probabilities

• Chelsea win – 48%
• Tie – 26%
• Sunderland win – 26%

The three prices describe a game where Chelsea are clear favorites, while a draw and a Sunderland win sit level. Sunderland's route to either is a tight, low-chance game like their 0-0 draw with Leeds on October 25, which depends on getting through the opening quarter hour intact.

What is the latest Sunderland team news?

Alderete was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time of the 3-1 loss at Coventry on October 31 and serves a one-match league suspension against Chelsea. He can play against Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday.

Mukiele missed the Coventry game after a collision with teammate Luke O'Nien against Leeds. Head coach Régis Le Bris said on November 1 that Mukiele should be available for Chelsea, though he was not at open training this week and is set to miss Thursday. Kevin Danso is the alternative at center back.

Habib Diarra has a new muscle injury of unknown severity, which leaves Noah Sadiki and Granit Xhaka as the midfield pair. Ballard (hamstring) is not expected back until after the international break, and Romaine Mundle (knee surgery) is out until around the new year.

What is the latest Chelsea team news?

João Pedro has a thigh injury and manager Xabi Alonso said he will be out for a few weeks, with the Leeds game on November 21 reported as his earliest return. Maxence Lacroix (hamstring) is not expected back before the international break ends, and Jorrel Hato has missed two games with a back problem and is a doubt. Captain Reece James is out after knee surgery.

Emiliano Martínez is recovering from jaw surgery after a collision at Everton. Alonso said there is a chance he returns on Sunday and that he would need a face mask, and he trained in one on Wednesday. Mike Penders, who kept a clean sheet against United, is the projected goalkeeper unless that changes.

Jordan Henderson missed the United game with a fever and could return in midfield. Alonso said Romeo Lavia is "in top form" after the United win, so Lavia keeps his place beside Moisés Caicedo in the projected lineup. With João Pedro out, Pedro Neto has led the line, with Cole Palmer behind him. Chelsea have no suspensions.

How could Sunderland line up?

Sunderland are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1, assuming Nordi Mukiele is available:

• Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
• Right back: Trai Hume
• Right center back: Luke O'Nien
• Left center back: Nordi Mukiele
• Left back: Reinildo Mandava
• Right center midfield: Granit Xhaka
• Left center midfield: Noah Sadiki
• No. 10: Enzo Le Fée
• Right wing: Chris Rigg
• Left wing: Nilson Angulo
• Striker: Brian Brobbey

How could Chelsea line up?

Chelsea are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1:

• Goalkeeper: Mike Penders
• Right back: Josh Acheampong
• Right center back: Wesley Fofana
• Left center back: Levi Colwill
• Left back: Marco Palestra
• Right center midfield: Romeo Lavia
• Left center midfield: Moisés Caicedo
• No. 10: Cole Palmer
• Right wing: Estêvão
• Left wing: Morgan Rogers
• Striker: Pedro Neto
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What could decide Sunderland vs Chelsea?

The first goal, Chelsea's chance creation, Sunderland's direct routes and the Thursday fixture are the main questions.

Can Sunderland stop conceding first?

Sunderland have conceded first in four of their last five league games, against Manchester City, Brighton, Bournemouth and Coventry, and have not led at any point in those five matches. Chelsea scored twice in the first three minutes against Bournemouth on October 10, through Jordan Henderson and Morgan Rogers, so an early deficit is a realistic problem. Sunderland's Coventry loss also included a Trai Hume clearance that struck O'Nien and set up the first goal.

Can Chelsea keep creating without João Pedro?

Chelsea had 18 shots and nine on target against United, and Rogers broke the deadlock with a solo goal before Palmer converted a penalty. In the loss to Tottenham on October 24 they managed seven shots to Tottenham's 15 and had 31.5% of the possession. Chelsea's output has swung from game to game, and one win is a small base for judging their finishing.

Can Sunderland's direct play trouble Chelsea again?

Sunderland's goals in the last two meetings came from a long throw, a counter-attack after a long ball, a long pass flicked on by O'Nien and a cutback from Le Fée. Hume, Brobbey, O'Nien and Le Fée, who were involved in those goals, are all in the projected lineup. Chelsea have a different coach now, but Fofana and Colwill still anchor the back four.

Does Thursday's Europa League game change Sunderland's selection?

Sunderland have three days between the Dinamo Zagreb game and this one, while Chelsea have had eight days since their last match. Alderete can play only on Thursday and Mukiele, if he clears protocol, only on Sunday, so Le Bris cannot use the same center back pairing in both games.

What does the Sunderland vs Chelsea head-to-head history show?

Sunderland won both meetings last season. Alejandro Garnacho put Chelsea ahead after four minutes at Stamford Bridge on October 25, 2025, but Wilson Isidor equalized and Chemsdine Talbi won it in stoppage time.

On the final weekend at the Stadium of Light, Hume volleyed Sunderland ahead, a deflection off Malo Gusto made it 2-0 and Palmer pulled one back. Fofana was sent off after two yellow cards, and the defeat left Chelsea 10th, outside the European places.

What could move Sunderland vs Chelsea prediction before kickoff?

Confirmed lineups are the first thing to watch. Mukiele's clearance from concussion protocol decides whether Sunderland keep a settled center back pair, and the choice between Penders and Martínez, who would wear a face mask, decides who starts in Chelsea's goal.

Hato's back problem, Henderson's return and any knocks from Sunderland's Thursday game could also change selections. Prices can move quickly when team news lands, and a limit order lets a trader set the price at which an order fills.

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