Reece James and Joao Pedro will return to the Chelsea starting lineup when they host Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Chelsea will be eager to continue the recent upturn in form when they welcome Sunderland to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Enzo Maresca has received a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Joao Pedro will return after missing the UEFA Champions League clash with Ajax due to a one-match suspension. However, Malo Gusto is unavailable after being sent off against Nottingham Forest last weekend. The French defender has joined Levi Colwill (knee), Benoit Badiashile (muscle), Dario Essugo (thigh), Cole Palmer (groin), and Liam Delap (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Mykhailo Mudryk also remains unavailable due to a suspension after failing a doping test several months ago. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Maresca provided a fitness update on Delap.

The Chelsea manager said, “We don’t have any new injuries for the game this weekend. Liam is doing well. He took part in the session yesterday with the team for the first time. He isn’t going to be available for tomorrow’s game, but maybe for the next ones.”

“The schedule [on when players can return] can change a little bit, it depends on whether they improve or not. Initially, we thought he might be back for October 25, but today, as you know, is October 24. So, he’s not quite on that initial schedule but he’s getting closer. Possibly for the cup game next week, he could be available.”

Robert Sanchez is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Sunderland on Saturday. The backline will feature Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Cucurella.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the double pivot. Estevao Willian will likely reprise the no. 10 role again, with Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joao Pedro will lead the line for the home side against Sunderland on Saturday.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Neto, Estevao, Garnacho; Pedro