Chelsea are seeking five consecutive victories in all competitions when Sunderland are their visitors in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Blues won 3-0 at Nottingham Forest last Saturday and thrashed Ajax 5-1 at home in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Championship play-off winners Sunderland have made an excellent start to the season and are seventh following their 2-0 home win over Wolves a week ago.
You can follow 101GreatGoals.com’s live updates from Chelsea vs Sunderland in the Premier League here. Read on for team news and line-ups, as well as details on how to watch the action live.
Chelsea lineup vs Liverpool
Prolific forward Cole Palmer remains out for Chelsea, while centre-back Benoit Badiashile is out until December with a muscle problem.
Defender Levi Colwill has a long-term knee injury and midfielder Dario Essugo has a hamstring issue.
Right-back Malo Gusto is suspended and the game comes too soon for striker Liam Delap, who has returned to training following a hamstring injury.
“They have shown they are a very good team,” manager Maresca said of Regis Le Bris’s players. “They play as a team.
“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.
“I’ve watched [them] since last season, when their manager arrived. They play good football and are quite strong physically, so I really like how they are doing things.
“The challenge is always the same: try to win the game knowing they want the same. They are going to try to create enough situations and a difficult situation for us.”
Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Joao Pedro, Garnacho, Guiu
Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen, Tosin, Fofana, Hato, Lavia, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Gittens, George
Sunderland lineup vs Chelsea
Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle is absent with a hamstring issue and defenders Dennis Cirkin (wrist) Leo Hjelde (Achilles) and Aji Alese remain out.
Paraguayan defender Omar Alderete is currently following concussion protocols over a head injury.
“We’re playing at Stamford Bridge and I was a Chelsea fan growing up,” ever-present defender Trai Hume told Sunderland’s website.
“It came through my family from my grandad all the way down, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“We know it will be a tough test and they are a top side with a lot of good players. I’ll have a lot of family there in the home and the away ends, but I am just looking forward to it all.”
Sunderland starting XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinaldo, Geertruida, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Traore, Isidor
Sunderland substitutes: Patterson, Neil, O’Nien, Talbi, Rigg, Brobbey, Mayeda, Jones, Masuaku
How to watch Chelsea vs Sunderland: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Saturday is at 15:00 BST (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT). This match is not being shown live in the UK.
Premier League results and fixtures this weekend
Matches start at 14:00 GMT / 09:00 ET / 06:00 PT unless stated otherwise.
Friday, October 24
Leeds United 2-1 West Ham
Saturday, October 25
Chelsea vs Sunderland (15:00)
Newcastle vs Fulham (15:00)
Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion (17:30)
Brentford vs Liverpool (20:00)
Sunday, October 26
Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Wolves vs Burnley
Everton vs Tottenham (16:30)
