**Date:** Sunday 24th May 2026
**Venue**: Stadium of Light
**Kick-off:** 16:00 BST
At last, the end is here—break out the bunting and breathe a collective sigh of relief. We’ve actually made it to the final day of the season, and honestly, it can’t come soon enough.
Sure, there may have been seasons in the distant past I wanted over, but I can’t recall ever pining for the finish line quite like this. The sooner it’s wrapped up, the sooner we can all engage in some healthy collective amnesia. And our grand finale? Why, it’s a glamorous away day to Sunderland! Aren’t we just spoilt for choice?
Sunderland, who managed an unexpected win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, are now giddy at the prospect of doing the double over us for the first time since the mists of the 2000/01 season. Yes, that long ago—back when dial-up internet was a thing and people still worried about the Y2K bug.
As for us, we’re perched in 8th – which sounds better if you say it quickly and don’t look at the table for too long. Meanwhile, Sunderland are 10th and still fancying a European adventure, just a point behind us. Let’s be honest, if they beat us, they’ll be readying their passports quicker than you can say ‘Ryanair sale’.
Sunderland thumped Everton 3-1 last time out, while we finally broke our seven-game winless streak on Tuesday – naturally, it was against Sp\*rs, which is about as surprising as a British bank holiday being rained off. But don’t get too giddy if we grab the lead today – Sunderland have collected 22 points from losing positions this season, and we all know how much we love to help with other people’s stats! Sure, a win (and a cosmic alignment of results elsewhere) could see us in a European competition – but do we really fancy another thrilling Thursday night in some far-flung outpost? I suspect the players’ enthusiasm this afternoon will give us all the answer we need.
**MANAGER’S VIEWS**
Going into today’s game, Sunderland manager, Regis Le Bris, says _“This game is a good opportunity to celebrate the season at home in front of our fans. At the minute, we have 51 points and the opportunity to get three more, which is impressive for our first season back in the Premier League. We have grown, learned, improved and struggled at times which is normal in the league. If everything aligns elsewhere, maybe something exceptional can happen, but it’s not fully in our hands._
_Chelsea is a really strong opponent. We can’t underestimate Chelsea, it’s impossible. They have game-changers, they have talent everywhere on the pitch. We have to play our best football and that’s enough.”_
Calum McFarlane, meanwhile, says _“It’s going be a great game. Both teams need to win as well,’ said McFarlane in his pre-match press conference at Cobham. Sunderland have had a brilliant season. They’re a really good side, a really challenging side, they cause you real problems. So we need one more push, one more big game, another three points and hopefully get ourselves up that table. We need to face what’s in front of us. We’re more than capable of going there and winning the game, but we know we have to be at our best to get three points because they’re a very good side.”_
**SQUAD NEWS**
For Sunderland, Romaine Mundle (thigh), Bertrand Traore (knee) and Simon Moore (wrist), are injured and Dan Ballard is suspended. Omar Alderete faces a late assessment.
For Chelsea, Jamie Gittens (thigh), and Estevao Willian (knee) are injured. Mykhaylo Mudryk continues to serve a 4-year ban pending appeal and Romeo Lavia (knock), is a doubt – as ever!
**TEAMS**
SUNDERLAND (Possible line-up): Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, O’Nien, Mandava; Xhaka, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill; Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos, Neto; Palmer, Fernandez; Joao Pedro
**LAST SEASON**
N/A
**CURRENT FORM (PL)**
SUNDERLAND: WLLDDW
CHELSEA: LLLLDW
**OTHER STUFF**
* Sunderland won the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge in October.
* Chelsea have lost 1 of their last 13 away to Sunderland
* Chelsea have lost their final game of the season twice in the last 14
* Chelsea last won consecutive league games in January/February
* Sunderland are looking to win consecutive league games for the third time this season
**PREDICTION**
[Sportsmole](Preview: Sunderland vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups - Sports Mole): Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea