Chelsea will be hoping to end an underwhelming season on a high note when they face Sunderland this weekend.
The Blues have endured a real slump in the second half of the campaign, in a run that has seen Liam Rosenior sacked as head coach and European qualification look far from certain.
It leaves Calum McFarlane’s side with work to do if they are to play on the continent next term, when Xabi Alonso takes the reins as BlueCo’s first ‘manager’ rather than head coach.
Chelsea will need all three points and hope that they better Brighton’s result against Manchester United in order to finish in seventh, which would see them into the Europa League next term.
Currently, they sit eighth, which would be enough to qualify for the Conference League, which they won in 2025.
They will also need to look anxiously over their shoulders as well, with Brentford and Sunderland hot on their heels in the race for Europe.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Sunderland vs Chelsea is scheduled for a 4pm BST kick-off on Sunday, May 24 2026.
The match will take place at the Stadium of Light.
Where 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.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Sunderland vs Chelsea team news
The Black Cats are hopeful to have three players back for this final game, with Romaine Mundle, Bertrand Traore and Omar Alderete all hoping to make a return on Wearside.
Regis Le Bris will also be missing Dan Ballard, who is suspended after his red card against Wolves.
Simon Moore is out long-term with a wrist injury.
For Chelsea, Joao Pedro is expected to return after a knock kept him out of the game against Tottenham last weekend.
Jamie Gittens, Estevao and Jesse Derry are all out for the remainder of the campaign, while there is hope that Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill make a comeback after they were given time to recover after the FA Cup final.
Sunderland vs Chelsea prediction
This is a big game for Chelsea, and it could set the tone for the Alonso era before the Spaniard even steps through the door.
Europa League would give them a second potential pathway into the Champions League for the season after next, but Conference League is not what the former Real Madrid boss would have signed up for.
Sunderland could end a superb first term back in the top flight with a ticket to Europe, which would underline how good a job Le Bris has done in only his second season in England.
Draw, 1-1.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Sunderland wins: 43
Chelsea wins: 61
Draws: 22
Sunderland vs Chelsea match odds
Sunderland to win: 9/4
Chelsea to win: 10/11
Draw: 2/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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