Sunderland face Chelsea in a blockbuster final-day decider for an European qualification spot.
Victory could see Sunderland finish as high as seventh if Brighton and Brentford both lose elsewhere, whilst Chelsea can too finish seventh if Brighton lose at home to Manchester United and Brentford don’t better their result.
Team News
Chemsdine Talbi is ruled out for Sunderland with a muscle injury suffered in training.
Omar Alderete (knock) and Bertrand Traore (knee) face late fitness checks, whilst Simon Moore (hand), Dan Ballard (suspension) and Romaine Mundle (hamstring) will again be sidelined.
Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 2-1 home win over Tottenham, with Romeo Lavia, Joao Pedro (both knock), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (hamstring) and Levi Colwill (fitness) set to return.
Jesse Derry (concussion), Estevao (hamstring) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Chelsea at Stadium of Light on Sunday 24 May at 4pm BST, live on Sky Sports+ app in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland have claimed seven points from three of their last seven league meetings against Chelsea (W2, D1, L4).
- Chelsea have lost one of their last 13 league visits to Sunderland (W10, D2, L1).
- Sunderland have failed to score in two of their last three league matches at home to Chelsea, except for a 3-2 win in May 2016.
- Sunderland have failed to score in their last two home games (D1, L1).
- Enzo Fernandez has scored in both of Chelsea’s last two league matches (W1, D1).
Prediction
Having been tipped by many for a relegation scrap before the season even began, Sunderland have admirably punched above those expectations and now need a performance akin to their early-season home form if want to snatch European qualification.
Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats though can take heart from their second-half comeback at Everton last weekend whilst they did the same in the away leg of this fixture back in October, so I wouldn’t write Sunderland off until the final whistle given that a potential European spot is at stake.
Chelsea though clinically dispatched Tottenham by executing their chances when on top in their midweek clash so I would expect them to soak up Sunderland’s pressure and try to hit them on the counter-attack, but they haven’t won consecutive league matches since early February.
Neither team though are in a solid defensive place so I expect goals and with home advantage. I fancy Sunderland to a first league double over Chelsea since 2000-01 season.
Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea
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