Sunderland and chelsea clash: key details for the final premier league showdown

With just one match remaining in the Premier League season, the stage is set for a dramatic finale at the Stadium of Light, where Sunderland will host Chelsea. The Black Cats, making a strong return to England’s top flight after years in the lower divisions, are on the brink of a historic European qualification. Meanwhile, Chelsea, despite their massive financial investment, finds themselves mired in mediocrity, clinging to a Europa Conference spot.

Match preview: Sunderland vs Chelsea

Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026

Kickoff: 5:00 PM BST

Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Referee: Chris Kavanagh

VAR: Available

TV Broadcast: CANAL+ Live 6

Live Streaming: CANAL+ digital platform

Sunderland’s remarkable resurgence under Régis Le Bris

Eight years after their dramatic relegation to League One, Sunderland has staged a remarkable comeback. Once on the brink of collapse, the club has transformed under the ownership of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori, climbing back to the Premier League in May 2025 after defeating Sheffield United in the playoff finals. This season, with an ambitious summer transfer window that saw the arrivals of Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, Brian Brobbey, and Nordi Mukiele, the Black Cats have defied expectations.

The team, now 10th in the table, has already surpassed many predictions by competing for a top-half finish—a rarity for promoted sides. Their recent 3-1 victory over Everton has kept European dreams alive, with just one point separating them from the 8th position and two points from 7th, which would secure Europa League qualification. A top-seven finish would mark their best league performance since 2010-11.

However, key absences loom: goalkeeper Simon Moore is sidelined, defender Daniel Ballard serves a suspension, and forwards Romaine Mundle and Bertrand Traoré are doubtful. Brobbey and Le Fée, who scored against Everton, alongside midfield general Xhaka, are expected to lead the charge.

Predicted 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 season of unfulfilled promise

Chelsea’s campaign has been a rollercoaster of missed opportunities. After winning the UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, the Blues appeared poised for a resurgence under Enzo Maresca. However, inconsistency and managerial instability have derailed their ambitions. Four years after the BlueCo takeover, the club remains in a cycle of perpetual upheaval, with frequent coaching changes and extravagant but ineffective transfer spending.

Currently eighth, Chelsea’s position is precarious. A defeat at Sunderland would jeopardize their Europa Conference hopes, while a win could secure 7th place and Europa League qualification. Recent form offers little reassurance: after a poor start under interim manager Calum McFarlane, Chelsea salvaged a draw at Liverpool and a victory over Tottenham, but their FA Cup final loss to Manchester City underscored their season-long struggles.

Injuries and suspensions further complicate matters. Estêvão Willian and Jamie Gittens are injured, while Mykhaïlo Mudryk remains suspended. Malo Gusto, Roméo Lavia, and João Pedro are also questionable. Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, and Pedro Neto are expected to start in midfield and attack.

Predicted 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

TV and streaming details

In France, the match will air live on CANAL+ Live 6 at 5:00 PM BST, with streaming available via the CANAL+ digital platform.

Head-to-head history: Chelsea’s dominance, Sunderland’s resilience

In 126 competitive meetings, Chelsea holds a commanding 61-43-22 record over Sunderland. The gap has widened since the early 2000s, particularly after Roman Abramovich’s takeover in 2003. While Chelsea ascended to European elite status, Sunderland endured a long decline marked by relegations and instability. Their last victory over the Black Cats in October (2-1) was a symbolic moment, signaling Sunderland’s resurgence into the Premier League’s competitive mix.

Historically, the clubs’ trajectories have diverged sharply. Chelsea attracted global stars and competed for titles, while Sunderland oscillated between survival battles and lower-league football. Yet, several players have bridged both eras, leaving their mark at both clubs.

Players who left their mark at both Sunderland and Chelsea

A handful of footballers have donned the jerseys of both clubs, though their journeys often reflected the contrasting fortunes of the sides. Bertrand Traoré, now at Sunderland after stints at Chelsea, Ajax, and Lyon, is a prime example. Once a highly touted prospect at Chelsea, he never established himself permanently but brings valuable experience to the Black Cats’ attack.

Marc Guiu, a La Masia graduate, briefly joined Sunderland on loan from Chelsea this season to gain Premier League experience before being recalled due to injuries. Marcos Alonso stands out as the most successful crossover player. After reviving his career at Sunderland in 2014, he later became a key figure at Chelsea, winning the Premier League and Champions League under Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel.

Other notable names include Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden, who played for both clubs in the early 2000s, and Norwegian striker Tore André Flo, who starred for Chelsea in the late 1990s before a less successful stint at Sunderland in the early 2000s.

Betting odds: Sunderland vs Chelsea

Sunderland win: 3.53

Draw: 3.60

Chelsea win: 1.97

Odds provided by Betclic; subject to change until kickoff.