PREMIER LEAGUE: STADIUM OF LIGHT, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011. KICK-OFF 1500 BST.
They are impressive statistics in anyone's book. No fewer than six consecutive victories, seven games unbeaten. In fact, their most recent defeat arrived almost 11 years ago.
If Chelsea could hand-pick any Premier League venue at which to play an away fixture, with such a fine record on Wearside, it would probably have to be the Stadium of Light.
Add into the mix the fact that they come up against hosts who're yet to taste victory this season, and who are clearly in need of installing barn doors to replace goal posts for their so far hopeless forward line.
Given the circumstances, only those looking through the most red and white tinted glasses would predict anything other than Andre Villas Boas' side stretching their somewhat under-stated though nevertheless unbeaten start to the campaign.
Of course, such an outcome would only serve to further increase the pressure on manager Steve Bruce after what has been a largely miserable start to the season for the Black Cats.
Key Match-Up: Lee Cattermole v Frank Lampard: Only a few days ago, this had the makings of England past against England future. Scrub that. Lampard is well and truly back in the international fold, while the Sunderland skipper needs to up his game in order to fulfil the rich promise that once saw the young Teessider marked out as a soon to be regular with the national side.
Form Guide: Sunderland are without a victory so far this season, with a modest two points from their three Premier League games and a Carling Cup exit at the first hurdle to Brighton. Chelsea are unbeaten, with seven points from a possible nine.
Match Odds: Sunderland 7/2, Chelsea 9/5, Draw 15/2
SUNDERLAND:
It's safe to say that after a single goal in six-and-a-half hours' football, Nicklas Bendtner doesn't have the toughest of acts to follow as the Denmark international prepares to make his debut in the wake of sealing a season-long loan move from Arsenal.
Without a goal between them so far this season, neither Asamoah Gyan or Stephane Sessegnon could complain should they be the one to make way for the new man.
Alternatively, Bruce could accommodate all three players by pairing the former with the 6ft 5in Bendtner up front, and dropping the latter into his more preferred midfielder role.
Given their abject home record against these opponents, there's little doubt Bruce will use last season's stunning 3-0 upset win at Stamford Bridge as a motivational tool in a bid to help engineer a first win on Wearside against the Blues since October, 2000, back in the day when the Premier League was a very different animal.
"I remember watching last season's game at Stamford Bridge on TV, and Sunderland were fantastic," John O'Shea, the summer arrival from Manchester United recalls.
He added: "It was a fantastic display and the confidence and ability they showed against such a strong team means they should hold no fears coming into the game this weekend."
Strategy: It could be two up front for the hosts, rather than Gyan on his own and Sessegnon playing just off him, a formation that has failed to produce a goal since the opening day of the season, and that came from the midfield.
Injury Update: O'Shea is set to miss out with calf and hip problems aggravated on international duty. Phil Bardsley will be checked over for a calf strain sustained playing for Scotland, but the full-back is expected to be fit. Gyan has recovered from a thigh injury. David Meyler is nearing a return from a lengthy lay-off following knee surgery, though no firm date has been set.
CHELSEA:
Manager Villas-Boas is hoping to keep pace with both Manchester sides, but he is unconcerned about the way the Premier League's top two have scored so heavily in their first few games.
"Good for them," said the Portuguese coach. "They've scored a lot of goals and that's good for British football. We just hope to score one more than the opponents.
"It is not a common result (to win 8-2 like United did against Arsenal). It doesn't happen a lot. Manchester United played to perfection and managed to score a lot. Manchester City also lead and we're two points behind them. We want to get nearer. Our objective is shortening the distance."
Villas-Boas believes the title race goes beyond United, City and Chelsea. He added: "We've discussed this before. There are five teams challenging. I wouldn't be stupid enough to leave Tottenham out and it's not impossible they can join the group and challenge."
The clash at Sunderland could also feature Villas-Boas' new signing Raul Meireles, while David Luiz and Petr Cech return from injury.
"We spoke about wanting to fill a space in midfield and bring one more in," Villas-Boas said. "Yossi Benayoun could play in the middle, in the channels or behind the striker.
"We felt that towards what we wanted to achieve in terms of playing style, Raul will fit. It was an extremely good deal for us and we're happy to have him."
Strategy: There is likely to be an air of caution in the early stages as Chelsea know how dangerous Sunderland can be after their victory over them in the capital last season. They will look to control possession and hope to turn the home crowd against Bruce's side.
Injury Update: Didier Drogba is out for another two games with concussion. Cech (knee) and Luiz (thigh) return but Michael Essien (knee) is a long-term absentee.