Chelsea will wrap up their unremarkable 2025/26 campaign at the Stadium of Light, where they’ll take on Sunderland with their European ambitions hanging by a thread.
The Black Cats also stand a fair chance at snagging a spot in Europe on the last day, although they’ll need results elsewhere to go their way.
A win against Chelsea on Sunday could help them secure a European berth for the first time in 53 years, while the Blues are hoping for a Europa League spot to spare their blushes.
Only two places and a point separate these two sides in the Premier League table, making this a must-win encounter with a place in Europe up for grabs.
Match preview
After winning promotion back to the Premier League, many people expected Sunderland to struggle and head straight back down.
However, they have defied expectations with an impressive campaign that has placed them firmly within reach of a European spot heading into Sunday’s final round of matches.
The Wearside club currently sit above fierce rivals Newcastle United, which they’d have considered a success at the start of the season.
A victory over Chelsea could move Sunderland into a Europa Conference League play-off spot if results elsewhere go in their favour.
There is even a slim possibility of reaching seventh place and securing Europa League football.
However, for that dream scenario to happen, Sunderland need help from Manchester United and Liverpool while also taking care of business at home.
History is not on Sunderland’s side, as they have not completed a league double over Chelsea since the 2000/01 season.
But they’ve already beaten the Blues once this season, and there’s no reason why they can’t repeat that trick on home turf.
Chelsea head into Sunday’s trip fairly confident after their midweek result.
Tuesday’s win over Tottenham Hotspur finally ended a frustrating seven-match wait for a league victory, giving interim manager Calum McFarlane hope of finishing his short spell in charge on a high.
However, another victory could improve their chances of securing Europa League qualification. But like Sunderland, they’ll need other results to go their way.
The Blues need to win and hope Brighton & Hove Albion fail to beat Man United at the Amex Stadium.
However, Chelsea will need to overcome their woeful away record, having failed to win on the road since their 4-1 victory against Aston Villa in early March.
Team news
Sunderland could be without Omar Alderete, who went off after 23 minutes in last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Everton.
Romaine Mundle, Bertrand Traore, Simon Moore and Dan Ballard will miss the game.
Chelsea are sweating over the fitness of Brazilian striker Joao Pedro, who missed Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham due to a knock.
Romeo Lavia is touch-and-go due to a minor issue, but Estevao, Jesse Derry and Jamie Gittens are all ruled out of the final fixture.
Sunderland potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Robin Roefs; Lutsharel Geertruida, Nordi Mukiele, Luke O’Nien, Reinildo Mandava; Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki; Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fee, Nilson Angulo; Brian Brobbey.
Chelsea potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez; Joao Pedro.
