Sunderland and Chelsea meet at the Stadium of Light as both teams look to secure a place in European football for next season.
After beating Tottenham 2-1 on Tuesday, Chelsea heads to Wearside in eighth place Premier League table And he is ready to ensure that Xabi Alonso inherits a team in European competition. An eighth place would guarantee a place in the Conference League, which Chelsea won last season, while a seventh place would be good enough to play in the Europa League.
The Blues will move to seventh place with a win if Brighton & Hove Albion fail to beat Manchester United. A draw would be enough for eighth place if Brentford fail to beat Liverpool.
Chelsea would certainly prefer the Europa League as it would open a potential additional route to the Champions League.
By contrast, Sunderland will be happy with any form of European football to cap off an impressive first season in the top flight.
Sunderland made just one appearance in continental competition, which came in the 1973–74 European Cup Winners’ Cup after winning the FA Cup over Leeds United the previous season.
A win would be enough for Sunderland to finish at least eighth and qualify for the Conference League, unless Brighton and Brentford both win their matches.
Technical director Regis Le Press relishes the opportunity to write another chapter in the club’s history by completing the double over the Blues.
“This match is a good opportunity to celebrate the season at home in front of our fans,” Le Press said.
“At the moment, we have 51 points and the chance to get three more, which is impressive in our first season in the Premier League.
“We’ve grown, we’ve learned, we’ve improved and we’ve struggled at times, which is normal in the league. If things go somewhere else, maybe something extraordinary will happen, but it’s not entirely in our hands.”
Team news for the Sunderland vs. Chelsea match
Sunderland will be without Chamsedine Talbi due to a muscle injury, while doubts are hovering around Omar Al Direti after he suffered a knock in the win over Everton.
Chelsea talisman Joao Pedro and defender Levi Colwell are both in contention for a return to the Blues, as is Reece James after being rested against Tottenham.
