Chelsea go to Sunderland this afternoon needing a win to be absolutely certain of playing European football next season.
Three points on Wearside could see them clinch either a Europa or Conference League spot at the end of a season that promised so much but has ended in disappointment.
It will be the final game in charge for interim boss Calum McFarlane with Xabi Alonso ready to take over at Stamford Bridge.
For Sunderland, the equation is simple: win and hope one of Brentford or Brighton lose and the Wearsiders will secure a European place for just the second time in the club’s history.
101 Great Goals has the team news from the Stadium of Light.
Table of Contents
SUNDERLAND TEAM NEWS
Sunderland would love to secure a spot in Europe on their return to England’s top flight and their starting XI suggests it is full steam ahead of the Black Cats.
Granit Xhaka once again marshals the midfield alongside Enzo Le Fee, while the Stadium of Light crowd will be hoping to see Brian Brobbey put the Blues to the sword and finish the season on a high.
Sunderland: Roefs, Geertruida, Mukiele, O’Nien, Reinildo, Hume, Xhaka, Sadiki, Angulo, Le Fee, Brobbey
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
There was a lot of talk around what Chelsea’s team would look like in this match considering they may end up with a Conference League spot, but they have gone strong.
Joao Pedri is back into the starting XI, and will be playing alongside a frustrated Cole Palmer after he missed out on a spot in England’s World Cup squad.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Hato, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Palmer, Neto, Pedro
Where to watch Sunderland v Chelsea: TV and online streams
Sunderland v Chelsea will be broadcast on Sky Sports Plus and will be available to stream via Sky Go.
If you’re watching from outside the UK, click HERE for details of the channels showing the game in your region.
Stats for Sunderland v Chelsea
- Following their 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in October, Sunderland are looking to complete the double over Chelsea for the first time since 2000- 01.
- Chelsea have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League away games against Sunderland (W10 D2), going down 3-2 in May 2016.
- Of all teams to have played in more than five Premier League campaigns, Sunderland have the lowest win rate in their final game of the season, winning just one of their 16 matches (6% – D3 L12).
Chelsea have lost their final league match in just two of the last 14 seasons (W9 D3), going down 3-0 at Newcastle in 2017-18 and 2-1 at Aston Villa in 2020-21. - Chelsea won 2-1 against Spurs last time out, ending a seven-game winless run in the league during which they’d scored just twice (D1 L6). The Blues last won consecutive league games in January/February (a run of four).
- Following their 3-1 win at Everton, Sunderland are looking to win consecutive Premier League games for the third time this season after October (v Wolves & Chelsea) and March/April (v Newcastle & Spurs).
- Sunderland have recovered a league-high 22 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season. This is the second-most ever by a newly promoted side in a single campaign in the competition, behind only West Brom’s 27 in 2010-11.
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