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: Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea
