After a promising start to their Premier League campaign, Chelsea have hit a major slump, dropping seven straight games in the top flight. A Champions League exit at the hands of PSG and a FA Cup final loss to Manchester City have compounded their struggles, leaving the London side in 8th place heading into the season finale. While this position would secure Europa Conference League playoff qualification, Chelsea still have a mathematical chance at the 7th spot and a potential Europa League berth.
Sunderland vs Chelsea: key details
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
Betting odds and match expectations
The clash at the Stadium of Light presents intriguing betting opportunities. Current odds suggest Chelsea as favorites at 1.97, while a Sunderland victory is priced at 3.53. A draw stands at 3.60, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding both teams’ form entering the final day of the season.
Sunderland’s remarkable resurgence
Sunderland return to the Premier League after eight years in the lower divisions has been nothing short of remarkable. Once on the brink of administration and League One football, the club’s fortunes changed dramatically under new ownership. A £100 million-plus summer spending spree brought in high-profile talents like Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, Brian Brobbey and Nordi Mukiele, transforming a mid-table Championship side into a competitive Premier League outfit.
Under manager Régis Le Bris, who arrived in 2024, Sunderland defied expectations by challenging for European spots for much of the season. Their recent 3-1 victory at Everton kept their European dreams alive with just one point separating them from 8th place. A win against Chelsea could secure their best league finish since 2010-11—a stunning achievement for a newly promoted side.
Team news confirms Simon Moore remains sidelined, while Daniel Ballard serves a suspension. Romaine Mundle and Bertrand Traoré face fitness doubts, but Enzo Le Fée and Brian Brobbey are expected to lead the attack, supported by midfield general Granit Xhaka.
Sunderland probable 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 2025-26 campaign has been a tale of missed opportunities. Despite a League Conference title and Club World Cup triumph in 2025, the Londoners have spiraled into inconsistency. Seven winless league games, including six defeats, have left them in 8th place—nowhere near their season targets.
The managerial carousel continues with Calum McFarlane at the helm after a turbulent winter that saw Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior depart. The club’s heavy investment in young talent has yet to translate into sustained success, with Xabi Alonso set to take over next season in another reset.
Recent form offers slight encouragement: a draw at Liverpool and a win over Tottenham followed a defeat to Nottingham Forest, but a FA Cup final loss to Manchester City underscored their inconsistency. Key absences include injuries to Estêvão Willian and Jamie Gittens, while Mykhaïlo Mudryk remains suspended.
Chelsea probable 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
Historic rivalry: Sunderland vs Chelsea
The head-to-head record overwhelmingly favors Chelsea, with 61 wins in 126 meetings compared to 43 for Sunderland. The gap widened significantly after Chelsea’s takeover in 2003, while Sunderland endured financial and sporting turmoil, including multiple relegations.
Recent encounters reflect changing fortunes. Chelsea dominated the last 14 fixtures, but those matches occurred between 2011 and 2017 when both clubs were in different leagues. Sunderland’s 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge earlier this season marked a symbolic moment, signaling their return among England’s competitive elite.
Players who wore both colors
Over 30 footballers have played for both clubs, though their trajectories often mirrored the teams’ contrasting fortunes. Many arrived at Chelsea as young talents before joining Sunderland in different circumstances.
Bertrand Traoré stands out as a current link. The Burkina Faso international joined Chelsea in his teens but never established himself, featuring in loans before moving to Sunderland this season. Marc Guiu, another La Masia graduate, had a brief stint at Sunderland on loan from Chelsea before being recalled.
The most successful example is Marcos Alonso. His loan spell at Sunderland in 2014-15 revitalized his career before he became a Chelsea legend, winning the Premier League and Champions League under Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel.
Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden and Norwegian striker Tore André Flo also played for both clubs, with Flo famously scoring for Chelsea in European campaigns before struggling at Sunderland during their relegation battle.
