With just one match remaining in the Premier League season, both Sunderland and Chelsea face contrasting fortunes as they prepare for a decisive clash at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats, newly promoted, have defied expectations with a remarkable campaign, while the Blues struggle to recover from a season of dashed hopes.
Sunderland’s journey back to the top flight has been nothing short of extraordinary. After years of instability and relegation battles, the club has transformed under the ownership of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori. Their rise from League One to the Premier League was swift, culminating in a thrilling playoff final victory over Sheffield United last May. A bold summer transfer window saw the arrival of stars like Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, Brian Brobbey, and Nordi Mukiele, injecting newfound ambition into the squad.
Under the guidance of Régis Le Bris, Sunderland has shown resilience, sitting comfortably in 10th place. Their recent 1-3 triumph at Everton has reignited hopes of a top-seven finish—a historic achievement that would secure a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League. A single point separates them from eighth place, but the Black Cats remain in the hunt with a realistic chance of surpassing their best-ever Premier League finish from 2010-11.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s season has been marred by inconsistency. Once tipped for a return to the UEFA Champions League, the Blues have stumbled badly, enduring seven league matches without a win—six of them defeats. A humiliating exit to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last-16 followed by a loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup final has left Stamford Bridge in turmoil. Managerial changes have only added to the instability, with Calum McFarlane now at the helm as the club prepares for yet another reset with the appointment of Xabi Alonso incoming.
Currently eighth, Chelsea faces the prospect of playing UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers at best—or missing European football entirely. Their form remains erratic, though recent performances suggest a fragile recovery. A draw at Liverpool and a victory over Tottenham have offered glimmers of hope, but the damage has already been done.
sunderland vs chelsea: key details
- Date: Sunday, 24 May 2026
- Kick-off time: 17:00 BST
- Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
- Referee: Chris Kavanagh
- VAR: Yes
- TV broadcast: CANAL+ Live 6 (France)
- Live streaming: CANAL+ digital platform
sunderland’s predicted lineup
Sunderland (4-2-3-1):
Robin Roefs – Lutsharel Geertruida, Nordi Mukiele, Luke O’Nien, Reinildo Mandava – Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki – Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fée, Nilson Angulo – Brian Brobbey
In doubt: Simon Moore (out), Daniel Ballard (suspended), Romaine Mundle, Bertrand Traoré
chelsea’s predicted lineup
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Robert Sánchez – Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella – Moisés Caicedo, Andrey Santos – Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández – João Pedro
In doubt: Estêvão Willian, Jamie Gittens (injured), Mykhaïlo Mudryk (suspended), Malo Gusto, Roméo Lavia, João Pedro
where to watch the match
In France, the Sunderland vs Chelsea fixture will be broadcast live on CANAL+ Live 6 starting at 17:00 BST on Sunday, 24 May 2026. The game will also be available for streaming via the CANAL+ digital platform.
head-to-head history: sunderland vs chelsea
Chelsea holds a commanding lead in the all-time record against Sunderland, with 61 wins to the Black Cats’ 43 in 126 meetings. The gap widened significantly in the 2000s, particularly after Roman Abramovich’s takeover in 2003 transformed Chelsea into a European powerhouse. While Sunderland battled relegations and crises, Chelsea established itself among England’s elite.
The last meeting at Stamford Bridge in October ended 2-1 in favor of the Blues, but that result doesn’t reflect the current balance of power. Sunderland’s victory over Chelsea earlier this season marked a symbolic turning point, signaling their resurgence as a team capable of competing with England’s top clubs.
players who’ve worn both shirts
Over the years, more than 30 players have represented both Sunderland and Chelsea. Many careers followed divergent paths: stars who shone at Chelsea in their prime often ended up at Sunderland during its darker days. Notable examples include Bertrand Traoré, a Burkina Faso international who rose through Chelsea’s academy before later joining the Black Cats; and Marcos Alonso, whose loan spell at Sunderland in 2014 laid the foundation for his later success at Chelsea, where he won the Premier League and Champions League.
Other players, like Boudewijn Zenden and Tore André Flo, bridged the two eras with impactful spells at both clubs. Their journeys reflect the contrasting fortunes of the two sides over the decades.
sunderland vs chelsea: betting odds
- Sunderland win: 3.53
- Draw: 3.60
- Chelsea win: 1.97
Odds provided by Betclic and subject to change before kick-off.
