Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2025/26 English Premier League
Matchday 38
Sunderland v Chelsea
Stadium of Light
Sunderland, England
Sunday, 24 May 2026
Kick-off is at 16h00
European qualification will be up for grabs when Sunderland lock horns with Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on the final day of the season on Sunday, May 24.
Not many gave the Black Cats a chance of beating the drop after they gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time in nine years via the Playoffs in 2024-25.
But Regis Le Bris has done an impressive job as the Wearsiders turned their home stadium into a fortress, losing just four games and nine overall in the top flight.
A 3-1 victory over Everton on May 17 arrested a four-match winless run and kept their European hopes alive, with Le Bris' side just two points behind the eighth-placed Blues in 10th position.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
The West Londoners have endured another tumultuous season after seeing Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior depart, although they still reached the FA Cup final before losing 1-0 to Manchester City on May 16.
Calum McFarlane has overseen five league games in two separate stints this term and a 2-1 success against Tottenham on May 19 took his team within a point of seventh-placed Brighton.
Sixth spot is out of reach for Chelsea as Bournemouth are four points clear of them, but they could still qualify for the Europa League which is also being contested by Brentford and Sunderland.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Le Bris admits the Black Cats are viewed as underdogs again despite coming away 2-1 victors in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge on October 25.
"[Chelsea] now is going to be like a cup final," he said. "They are one of the best teams in the league and maybe they have struggled a bit this season, but they want to be in Europe.
"We will have this underdog mindset and we will fight until the end."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Sunderland wins - 2
Chelsea wins - 3
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 38 fixtures:
Sunday, May 24
16h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United
16h00: Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers
16h00: Crystal Palace v Arsenal
16h00: Fulham v Newcastle United
16h00: Liverpool v Brentford
16h00: Manchester City v Aston Villa
16h00: Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
16h00: Sunderland v Chelsea
16h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Everton
16h00: West Ham United v Leeds United
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