PREVIEW: Sunderland host Chelsea in showdown for European football | OneFootball

Sunderland host Chelsea at the Stadium of Light knowing that a win could see them reach Europe for the first time in more than four decades, while a win would all but seal qualification to a continental competition for the Blues.

The Black Cats are 10th on 51 points, the sixth highest tally of any newly promoted side in Premier League history, and will leapfrog Chelsea with a victory and a first league double over the Blues for a quarter of a century.

But their opponents will be no pushovers, knowing that three points would likely deliver at least a Europa Conference League spot knowing that they have a four-goal advantage over Brentford, who face Liverpool, in terms of goal difference.

After their 3-1 victory over Everton last Sunday, the Black Cats have lost just once in their last six away games which has been a turnaround in comparison to their early season away form where they only one away three times up until March.

Goals from Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor have left Le Bris’ side just a point behind Chelsea in seventh. In order to qualify for Europe on the final day, Sunderland need to win and either Brentford or Brighton need to drop points on Sunday.

Sunderland secured a memorable 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture to gatecrash the top four and rise to second, and will reach a European competition for the first time since 1974 if they bag a first league double since the 2000/01 campaign.

Sunderland have an almost entirely fit squad to face Chelsea. Winger Bertrand Traore has been set for a return to action for several weeks and could be available to face his old side, but Dan Ballard will miss this game through suspension after he was dismissed during the 1-1 draw with Wolves last month.

There was slight concern for Paraguayan defender Omar Alderete after he was taken off in some discomfort during the victory over Everton last week, but Régis Le Bris has insisted it was only precautionary, suggesting he may be fit for Sunday’s final day.

Chelsea at one point looked on track to maintain their Champions League status under Enzo Maresca, only to be sacked on new year’s day after his relationship with the BlueCo hierarchy broke down and replaced by Liam Rosenior.

Although there were initially signs of improvement, Chelsea lost six of Rosenior’s final seven games in charge without a goal as the 3-0 loss to Brighton proved to be the final straw before Calum McFarlane was once again promoted to interim manager.

Chelsea’s form has improved slightly under McFarlane, leading them to an FA Cup final and a win over Spurs in their last Premier League outing.

Coupled by the fact that it was announced last week that coveted manager Xabi Alonso would join the group next season, this is ample reason to have hope heading into the final day and the 2026/27 season. But Europe must first be secured.

Chelsea will be without Brazilian winger Estevao as he continues to recover from a serious hamstring injury and fellow winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.

Top scorer Joao Pedro will have been disappointed to miss out on Brazil’s World Cup squad and it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to play a role on Sunday after a slight knock ruled him out for the sides midweek victory over Tottenham.

Defender Levi Colwill made his return to the side in the FA Cup final last week and may retain his place in the starting line-up on Sunday after an impressive display on his return following an ACL injury.

Sunday could throw up many surprises and one of the main talking points left in the Premier League is who will clinch those final two European spots.

Chelsea will hope that Brentford fail to get a result against Liverpool, but have to do their job themselves if they are to avoid a season without Europe since they finished 10th in José Mourinho’s final season at the club nine years ago.