After a rollercoaster season, Sunderland and Chelsea will face off in a high-stakes Premier League finale that could redefine both clubs’ futures. The Black Cats aim to secure their highest finish in 15 years, while the Blues fight to salvage a European spot after a campaign marred by inconsistency.
match details and broadcast info
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
Kickoff: 5:00 PM BST
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
VAR: Active
TV: CANAL+ Live 6 (France)
Streaming: CANAL+ digital platform
what’s at stake for each side
sunderland’s historic push for europe
Eight years after plummeting to League One, Sunderland has orchestrated a remarkable recovery under owners Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori. Promoted back to the Premier League in 2025, the club has invested over €100 million in players like Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, Brian Brobbey and Nordi Mukiele, transforming it into a competitive force. Currently 10th, a win could propel them to 7th place—securing a UEFA Europa League berth for the first time since 2011. Their lone European campaign (1973–74) ended in disappointment, making this run a defining moment for the club’s modern era.
Despite a mid-season slump, Sunderland’s 3–1 victory at Everton last weekend reignited European dreams. With just two points separating them from 7th place, manager Régis Le Bris’s squad faces its ultimate test against a struggling Chelsea side.
Key absences: Simon Moore (injury), Daniel Ballard (suspension). Doubts remain over Romaine Mundle and Bertrand Traoré, but Le Fée and Brobbey—who scored against Everton—are expected to lead the attack.
Projected lineup:
Robin Roefs – Lutsharel Geertruida, Nordi Mukiele, Luke O’Nien, Reinildo Mandava – Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki – Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fée, Nilson Angulo – Brian Brobbey
Manager: Régis Le Bris
chelsea’s fading european hopes
Chelsea’s season has been a tale of unfulfilled potential. Once tipped for Champions League glory, the Blues have endured a catastrophic run: seven winless games in the league (six losses), an early Champions League exit to PSG, and a humiliating FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City. Now 8th, they’re precariously close to missing out on Europe entirely—a stark contrast to their pre-season ambitions.
The club’s chronic instability has resurfaced yet again. Managerial changes, bloated squads, and a revolving door of signings have failed to yield consistency. With Xabi Alonso set to take over next season, this campaign will be remembered as another missed opportunity under BlueCo’s ownership.
Recent form offers minimal consolation. Despite victories over Tottenham (2–1) and a draw at Liverpool (1–1), the FA Cup loss underscored their inability to deliver when it mattered. Calum McFarlane, their interim manager, now faces the unenviable task of guiding them to a top-seven finish.
Injury concerns: Estêvão Willian, Jamie Gittens (out), Mykhaïlo Mudryk (suspended). Enzo Fernández—who scored last time out—should partner Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer in midfield.
Projected lineup:
Robert Sánchez – Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella – Moisés Caicedo, Andrey Santos – Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández – João Pedro
Manager: Calum McFarlane
betting odds and match outlook
Bookmakers favor Chelsea at 1.97, reflecting their Premier League pedigree. However, Sunderland’s home advantage and momentum post-Everton win have pushed their odds to 3.53, with a draw at 3.60. The underdog narrative adds intrigue, especially with European qualification hanging in the balance for both teams.
head-to-head: chelsea’s dominance, but can sunderland rewrite history?
In 126 meetings, Chelsea leads with 61 wins to Sunderland’s 43, but most clashes occurred between 2011–2017 when the latter languished in lower divisions. Sunderland’s 2–1 victory at Stamford Bridge in October shattered that narrative, proving their resurgence is real. A win here could further cement their status as a Premier League mainstay.
players who bridged both clubs
Over 30 footballers have donned the jerseys of both teams, though their careers often tell contrasting stories. Marcos Alonso stands out as the most successful, winning the Premier League and Champions League with Chelsea after revitalizing his career at Sunderland. Others, like Bertrand Traoré and Boudewijn Zenden, saw their trajectories diverge—from Chelsea’s youth ranks to Sunderland’s veteran core. These cross-club journeys highlight the fluidity of football careers amid shifting club fortunes.
