Sunderland will face Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Sunday as a memorable return to the Premier League comes to an end.
Sunderland will find themselves in a European showdown when they host Chelsea on the final day of the Premier League season this weekend.
First and foremost, a win against the Blues is a necessity. Anything else would put an end to any thoughts of landing only the second European campaign in the club’s history. That will be the main focus for Regis Le Bris and his players as they bring down the curtain on a memorable season at the Stadium of Light.
However, two former Premier League forwards have both predicted the Black Cats could be in for a disappointing afternoon and will fall short in their bid for a top eight place.
Writing for Sportskeeda, former Arsenal star Paul Merson said: “Chelsea produced a great result against Tottenham on Tuesday. That was their cup final and they will be delighted with the win. This is a big football match because Sunderland are at home and looking to sign off an incredible campaign in the best possible way.
Chelsea are in pole-position to qualify for the Europa Conference League. But if Sunderland win this game, they will leapfrog Chelsea. That just adds an additional and important layer to this match. I think Chelsea playing the Conference League next season is a good thing for their young players. The homegrown players can get a chance to impress in that competition. I know how many people say it's not a great tournament, but if you look at it from a perspective of giving chance to the youth, it's perfect in my opinion. The Conference League will give Xabi Alonso the chance to improvise stuff. He can use that competition to find out more about his squad. For a new manager at a big club, that is an asset. Prediction: Sunderland 2-2 Chelsea.”
‘Hardly count as a surprise’
Chris Suttonplaceholder image
Chris Sutton | Getty Images
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton stressed Sunderland finishing above the Blues would not be a surprise - but insisted his old club will get the result they need at the Stadium of Light to ensure they will compete in European competition once again next season.
In his BBC Sport predictions column, he said: “Sunderland will finish above Chelsea if they win this and that would hardly count as a surprise. The Black Cats come into this game off the back of beating Everton away and another win here would secure a top-10 finish and, possibly, European football. That is what Chelsea are playing for too, after that run of six straight league defeats saw them fall away from the Champions League places. Chelsea got a good win over Tottenham on Tuesday but I am expecting this to be close, and I can see it ending up in a draw. Prediction: 1-1”
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