Chelsea’s once-promising Premier League campaign has collapsed spectacularly, leaving the London club in a precarious 8th position with just one match remaining. The Blues’ Champions League exit against PSG in February was followed by a disastrous seven-game winless streak in domestic competition, including six defeats, and a humiliating FA Cup final loss to Manchester City. A place in the Europa Conference League playoffs now hinges on their ability to salvage something from this final fixture against Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Sunderland are on the brink of one of the most remarkable turnarounds in modern English football. Eight years after a harrowing slide into League One, the Black Cats have clawed their way back to the Premier League under the guidance of manager Régis Le Bris. Their rise has been fueled by ambitious signings totaling over €100 million last summer, including stars like Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, and Brian Brobbey, transforming the club’s stature overnight.
Currently sitting 10th, Sunderland are tantalizingly close to a top-seven finish—potentially Europa League qualifying—following last week’s 3-1 victory at Everton. With just two points separating them from 7th place, the Stage of Light could host one of the most historic European campaigns in the club’s history. Sunderland have only played in one European competition, the 1973-74 Cup Winners’ Cup, and a top-half finish would mark their best league performance since the 2010-11 season.
key details for sunderland vs chelsea
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
Kickoff: 5:00 PM BST
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
VAR: Active
TV Broadcast: CANAL+ Live 6
Live Stream: CANAL+ digital platform
sunderland’s 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
Doubtful: Simon Moore (injured), Daniel Ballard (suspended), Romaine Mundle, Bertrand Traoré
chelsea’s 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
Doubtful: Estêvão Willian (injured), Jamie Gittens (injured), Mykhaïlo Mudryk (suspended), Malo Gusto, Roméo Lavia, João Pedro (uncertain)
Sunderland’s attack will rely heavily on Enzo Le Fée and Brian Brobbey, who have been in scintillating form recently. Granit Xhaka continues to anchor the midfield, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández lead a makeshift attack following a season of inconsistency.
a tale of two clubs: contrasting fortunes
Chelsea’s struggles this season epitomize the club’s chronic instability. Despite heavy investment under new ownership, the Londoners have cycled through managers and failed to build a cohesive team. Enzo Maresca’s departure in January and Calum McFarlane’s interim appointment have done little to halt the decline, with the Blues now clinging to a fragile 8th-place finish. A loss to Sunderland would likely relegate them to Conference League playoffs, while a win could still secure Europa League football.
In stark contrast, Sunderland’s renaissance under Le Bris has been built on resilience and vision. The Black Cats’ promotion via the Championship playoffs in 2025 followed years of turmoil, including two relegations and a near-death experience in League One. Their return to the top flight was complemented by high-profile signings that have turned the Stadium of Light into a fortress of ambition. A top-half finish would be a testament to their transformation.
historic rivalry: chelsea holds the edge
In 126 competitive meetings, Chelsea have dominated with 61 wins to Sunderland’s 43, and 22 draws. The disparity widened after Roman Abramovich’s takeover in 2003, as Chelsea ascended to European elite status while Sunderland battled relegation and financial crises. However, Sunderland’s 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in October ended a 10-game unbeaten run for Chelsea and signaled a shift in their competitive balance.
Among the notable players to have worn both shirts are Marcos Alonso, a symbol of success at both clubs, and Bertrand Traoré, who has found greater impact at Sunderland after struggling to break through at Chelsea. The Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden also left his mark, first as a flop at Stamford Bridge before becoming a leader at Sunderland in his later years.
where to watch the match in France
The Sunderland vs Chelsea clash will be broadcast live on CANAL+ Live 6 in France at 5:00 PM BST on Sunday, May 24. The game will also be available via the CANAL+ streaming platform for subscribers.
match odds: what the bookmakers predict
Sunderland win: 3.53
Draw: 3.60
Chelsea win: 1.97
Odds provided by Betclic and subject to change until kickoff.