Key Facts
- Chelsea heads into the final match in eighth place with 52 points; Sunderland is just one point behind and could overtake the Blues with a home win.
- Sunderland is unbeaten in its last three league matches; the 3-1 win at Everton demonstrated the promoted side’s resilience after falling behind.
- Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Tottenham provided a boost, but pressure later on once again revealed problems converting possession into defensive authority.
- For Chelsea, João Pedro, Reece James, and Levi Colwill are questionable; with Gittens, Estêvão, and Wiley out, the team lacks additional options in several areas.
- The last five head-to-head matches have never ended in a draw; four saw over 2.5 goals, which suggests open games.
- Both teams to score seems likely, as Chelsea consistently delivers offensively but is shaky defensively, and Sunderland recently scored three goals at Everton.
Aston Villa’s triumph in the Europa League has tightened the race for European spots on the final matchday, and Chelsea travels to the Stadium of Light still seeking a redeeming turn in a turbulent season. Calum McFarlane’s team can no longer reach the Champions League, but a result against Sunderland on Sunday, May 24, still matters. For Régis Le Bris, it is also a chance to build on a surprisingly strong return to the Premier League. Chelsea go into the match in eighth place with 52 points, Sunderland sit in tenth with 51 points, Brentford are level on points with Chelsea, and Brighton are just one point ahead. Add to that Sunderland’s 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in October 2025.
- Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
- Date and time: May 24, 2026, 5:00 PM
- Competition: Premier League (Matchday 38)
The betting market clearly favors Chelsea as the away favorites, but the better form suggests caution. A Sunderland win or a draw remains an interesting option after three consecutive unbeaten league matches, especially since João Pedro, Reece James, and Levi Colwill are questionable, and Jamie Gittens and Estêvão are out.
Sunderland Form & Record Check
Sunderland’s most recent league outing was a result that could shift the mood ahead of the season finale. The team fell behind at Everton but responded through Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fée, and Wilson Isidor to win 3-1. Defensively, it wasn’t a clean afternoon, but the second-half reaction showcased the resilience Le Bris has instilled in this promoted side. In the league, Sunderland is unbeaten in three games, with the win at Everton following draws against Manchester United and Wolves.
That counts, especially after the home loss to Nottingham Forest—conceding five goals without scoring—and the wild 4-3 match at Aston Villa. Enzo Le Fée’s influence is growing at just the right moment, while Luke O’Nien could once again prove crucial if Omar Alderete isn’t fully ready yet. With 51 points, Sunderland sits in tenth place, just one point behind Brentford and two ahead of Newcastle. That pretty much sums up a season in which brave away wins have been interspersed with occasional heavy defeats. The lack of width from Nilson Angulo and Romaine Mundle takes some of Sunderland’s one-on-one threat away, so controlling Granit Xhaka and playing quick passes to Brobbey will likely be key.
Sunderland could line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Robin Roefs in goal behind a back four of Lutsharel Geertruida, Nordi Mukiele, Luke O’Nien, and Reinildo Mandava. Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki are likely to form the central midfield duo, while Enzo Le Fée should provide the offensive rhythm centrally behind Brian Brobbey. With Simon Moore unavailable due to a broken hand, Robin Roefs is expected to start again. Nilson Angulo and Romaine Mundle are also listed as out, so Chemsdine Talbi and Trai Hume could once again cover the wing positions, giving Régis Le Bris a more defensive-minded setup rather than a purely attacking one.
Chelsea Form & Record Check
Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Tottenham gave McFarlane a much-needed boost in the league. Enzo Fernández scored from distance and then set up Andrey Santos. For long stretches, the performance looked controlled, but the late pressure following Tottenham’s goal showed why Chelsea struggled to convert possession into real authority in the final stages of the season. Across all competitions, the picture is more inconsistent than simply weak. Chelsea beat Leeds in the FA Cup semifinals, lost the final to Manchester City 1-0 without scoring, drew 1-1 at Liverpool, and fell 3-1 to Nottingham Forest. Champions League qualification is out of reach, and the mood among the fans after the Tottenham match still suggested frustration rather than relief. Personnel decisions could shape the trip up north. João Pedro, Reece James, and Levi Colwill are being assessed following recent load management and a minor knock, while Jamie Gittens, Estêvão, and Caleb Wiley are listed as out. This is relevant because while Chelsea’s attack continues to score regularly, recent league matches haven’t exuded the defensive composure that the depth of this squad should actually promise.
Chelsea could line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Robert Sánchez in goal behind a back four of Reece James (24), Wesley Fofana (29), Levi Colwill (6), and Marc Cucurella (3). In midfield, Moisés Caicedo (25) and Enzo Fernández (8) look like the likely defensive anchors, giving Cole Palmer (10) more freedom further up the field. With Caleb Wiley out due to an adductor injury, Marc Cucurella (3) is likely to continue on the left. The thigh injuries to Jamie Gittens and Estêvão likely open the door for Pedro Neto (7) and Alejandro Garnacho (49) to start on the wings, while Liam Delap (9) is expected to lead the line.
Sunderland – Chelsea Head-to-Head & Stats
The last five meetings have produced no draws, with Chelsea winning three and Sunderland two. The most recent encounter was in October 2025, when Sunderland won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Prior to that, Chelsea won 5-1 in 2017 and 1-0 at the Stadium of Light in 2016, while Sunderland’s other recent victory was a 3-2 home win in 2016. The pattern is strikingly clear: four of these five matches went Over 2.5 goals, with Chelsea scoring in every game and Sunderland in four. Chelsea also scored in the first half in all five encounters, indicating a strong early trend. However, Sunderland’s victory in October shows that this matchup can quickly take a different turn.
