Sunderland welcome Chelsea to the Stadium of Light on Sunday for the 2025/26 Premier League season finale.
Following their 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in October, the Black Cats are aiming to complete a league double over the Blues for the first time since the 2000/01 campaign.
Match preview
Sunderland could crown their impressive return to the Premier League with a win over Chelsea, sealing a European berth for the first time in 53 years.
Sunderland sit a point behind the West Londoners, who occupy eighth place and a potential Conference League play-off spot. Although Brentford, also a point ahead of the Black Cats, is best placed to capitalize on any slip-up from the Blues.
The best-case scenario for Le Bris’ side would be a seventh-place finish, currently held by Brighton & Hove Albion, which would secure Europa League qualification.
However, that outcome hinges on Manchester United beating the Seagulls at the Amex, Liverpool overcoming Brentford at Anfield, and Sunderland winning their own match against Chelsea on Wearside.
Chelsea ended their seven-game winless run in the Premier League with a 2-1 London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
Calum McFarlane’s side currently occupy the Conference League spot, a competition they won in the 2024/25 season under Enzo Maresca.
However, the Blues could still secure a Europa League spot with a victory at Sunderland, provided Brighton draw or lose against the Red Devils, which would see them climb above the seventh-placed Seagulls.
Despite their poor league form, Chelsea will take encouragement from the fact they have lost just two of their last 14 final league matches (W9 D3) heading into this contest, while they have also lost just one of their last 13 Premier League away games against Sunderland (W10 D2), going down 3-2 in May 2016.
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Team news
Omar Alderete was forced off with an injury last time out against Everton and will be assessed before Sunday.
Sunderland will be without Romaine Mundle, Bertrand Traoré, and Simon Moore due to injuries, while Dan Ballard will serve the final match of a three-match suspension following his dismissal against Wolves.
Chelsea’s Player of the Year Joao Pedro missed Tuesday’s win over Spurs with a knock and is back in contention, while rested Reece James and Levi Colwill could also feature.
Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens are the only absentees with injuries.
Predicted line-ups
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Roefs, Geertruida, Mukiele, O’Nien, Mandava, Xhaka, Sadiki, Hume, Le Fee, Angulo, Brobbey.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez, Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Joao Pedro.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea.