Calum McFarlane will look to end this stint as Chelsea interim manager on a positive note today as he takes the side to Sunderland with targets set on a last-gasp European qualification. The Blues make the long trip up to Wearside sitting eighth, which should be good enough to qualify for the Conference League, but three points this afternoon and a convenient result between Brighton and Liverpool could see them step up into the Europa League places.
Sunderland have enjoyed a superb campaign - it can be easy to forget they were one of the three promoted sides this season - and could also secure themselves a trip to the continent with three points. They are only one point shy of the Blues ahead of kick-off but the Black Cats will require a win if they are to leapfrog them.
Chelsea will be desperate to end the campaign on a positive note, though, as they prepare to welcome new head coach Xabi Alonso to the club on July 1. Follow the match below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, with expert insight and analysis from Arthur Ferridge.
How to watch Sunderland vs Chelsea
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports+, with coverage starting at 3.45pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Sunderland vs Chelsea!
The day we all dreaded is finally here - the final day of the Premier League season. We do, of course, have the World Cup to look forward to in just a few weeks, but we must now also reckon with the prospect of three months without club football.
Sunderland have made this campaign one to remember and Chelsea could still do the same with a win, which would qualify them for Europe. Can Calum McFarlane get the job done in this final match of this, his second stint as the club’s interim manager?
All will be revealed! Stick with us right here for all the latest from the Stadium of Light, where today’s match will get underway at 4pm BST.