As di 2025/26 Premier League season dey reach final whistle, Chelsea go travel go Sunderland for Stadium of Light on Sunday, and plenty things dey at stake. Di Blues dey currently sit for eighth place, but with a win dem fit jump to seventh or even secure Europa League or Conference League spot. Di match na one of many final-day games wey get big meaning, as only top three clubs don know dia final position.
Sunderland, wey dey two places and one point behind Chelsea, get worse goal difference. But dem don show fight, coming from behind to beat Everton away last weekend. For di reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, di Black Cats claim victory, so dis go be tough test for di London side. However, Chelsea get good record for Wearside, winning 10, drawing two, and losing only one of dia 13 Premier League visits.
Di Blues go also hope to leapfrog Brighton & Hove Albion, wey dey seventh and go host Manchester United. Brentford, wey dey level on points with Chelsea but lower on goal difference, go visit Anfield. All these results go affect where Chelsea finish.
For team news, manager Calum McFarlane confirm say no fresh injury worries after di midweek win over Tottenham. He say Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill train on Friday and dey hopeful for Sunday. Reece James also train, but dem go manage am carefully after im play plenty minutes for di FA Cup final. McFarlane talk say dem no want risk am for Tuesday, but dem hope to get am available for Sunderland.
Historically, Chelsea don win game number 38 for nine of dia past 14 seasons, drawing three and losing two. For 2024, dem finish with 2-1 win over Bournemouth to secure top-six. Last season, dem beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 to claim fourth place and Champions League spot. A win on Sunday go almost guarantee Europa League or Conference League, except Brentford beat Liverpool by at least four goals to catch Chelsea’s goal difference. A draw go mean eighth place and Conference League, if Brentford no win. If Brighton drop points and Brentford no catch goal difference, a win go put Chelsea seventh for Europa League. But if dem lose, Sunderland and Brighton go finish above dem, and Chelsea go miss out on Europe altogether.
Sunderland get di lowest final-game win rate for Premier League clubs wey don play five or more seasons, winning only one out of 16. Meanwhile, Chelsea dey unbeaten for eight Premier League derby games, dia best run since May 2015. Di win over Tottenham also give dem third league double dis season, all against bottom-four clubs.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
