If Chelsea go to Sunderland and win, Xabi Alonso’s side will have picked up four Premier League wins from five since the first international break. Peter Crouch and Steve Sidwell think they’ll do it in style.

Going into the first break of the season, Chelsea were in disarray. Three games without a win, they had just been hammered by Brentford. Since then, the Blues have turned it around, despite losing to Spurs.

Wins over Bournemouth, Everton and then Man United have pushed Alonso’s side back into the top four. That is despite suffering the second-highest number of injuries among Premier League clubs this season.

Now, they go to Sunderland, the same fixture as on the last day of 2025-26. Chelsea were beaten 2-1, largely thanks to Wesley Fofana’s red card. It saw Calum McFarlane unable to deliver European football.

Peter Crouch and Steve Sidwell expect fireworks on Wearside

This season, however, Sunderland are rock-bottom of the Premier League as Regis Le Bris’ side struggle with juggling Europa League football alongside domestic duties. Just one win in their nine league games.

On That Peter Crouch Podcast, Crouch and former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell gave their predictions. Both expect Chelsea to go to The Stadium of Light and cruise to an easy win, predicting 3-0 and 4-0.

Crouch summarised: “Poor result on the weekend. They were brilliant last season. Could they carry it on? Too many sloppy errors; Chelsea, for me, still like watching them play. They’re very exciting to watch.”

Sidwell added: “I’ll go first on this one, boys. This will be on a Sunday, because Sunderland are in Europe on Thursday, always after a European game on a Thursday, they can get done. I’m going Chelsea 3-0.”

Crouch responded by going one better: “I’ll go 4-0 then.” Pressured to go to 5-0, Crouch joked: “I am my own person; it’s my head on the chopping block, and if I get fired, it’s my philosophy.”

Xabi Alonso’s selection dilemmas ahead of Sunday clash

The last thing Alonso will have wanted is to have to make changes to his starting XI, after beating Man United last time out. But the Spaniard certainly has some decisions to make when choosing his side.