Jose Mourinho has named an unchanged team to the side that thrashed Schalke 5-0 in midweek - it is the third game in a row the Portuguese has picked this XI.
It means that hotshot striker Diego Costa, who scored his 11th Premier League goal of the season last week, starts despite being withdrawn in midweek with a knock.
Chelsea are currently 19 matches unbeaten in all competitions and the Blues could extend their lead at the top of the division to nine points, though they'd have played a game more, if they win.
For Sunderland, the team who ended Jose Mourinho's long unbeaten home record in April, Gus Poyer has made just one change to the team that drew with Leicester.
The Uruguayan boss has replaced Jordi Gomez with Jack Rodwell, in the hope that the former Everton and Manchester City midfielder will provide a more solid base.
LINE-UPS:
Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, Reveillere, Brown, O'Shea, Larsson, Johnson, Cattermole, Rodwell, Wickham, Fletcher.
Subs: Mannone, Bridcutt, Gomez, Altidore, Alvarez, Coates, Buckley.
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
Subs: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Schurrle, Remy, Drogba.
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