Confirmed Chelsea line-up vs Sunderland, Fofana and Henderson start

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has named his starting line-up for the Premier League game against Sunderland on the road today.

The Blues are currently fourth in the table with 16 points, 11 adrift of leaders Arsenal. They have the opportunity to close the gap with a win at the Stadium of Light.

Ahead of the game, Alonso has made a couple of changes from the 2-0 league win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Mike Penders continues in goal, with Emiliano Martinez deemed unfit.

It will be a back four today. Marco Palestra and Pep Chavarria start in the right and left-back positions. Wesley Fofana partners Levi Colwill in the heart of the defence, with Josh Acheampong absent.

Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson make up a three-man midfield. Estevao surprisingly drops down to the bench to compensate for Henderson's return in a 4-3-3 formation today.

In the final third, Morgan Rogers and Pedro Neto look set to start on the left and right wings, respectively. Cole Palmer is poised to operate as the false number nine against the Black Cats.

Confirmed Chelsea line-up (4-3-3) vs Sunderland: Penders; Palestra, Fofana, Colwill, Chavarria; Lavia, Henderson, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Rogers.