Chelsea approach the final day of an under-par season with their involvement in European football next season still up in the air.
The Blues travel to Sunderland to finish off the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, with Chelsea currently sat in 8th, level on points with 9th-placed Brentford.
Chelsea could yet grab Europa League football if they are victorious against the Black Cats and Brighton drop points at home to Manchester United.
Conversely, Chelsea could have to settle for a spot in the Europa Conference League - or miss out on Europe completely if they do not match Brentford’s result away at Liverpool on the final day.
With Xabi Alonso set to take over in the summer, interim boss Calum MacFarlane has one last selection headache on his hands.
Robert Sanchez has been included in Spain’s World Cup squad at the expense of Arsenal’s David Raya. A strong performance in the final game of the season will boost his admittedly slim chances of game time this summer.
Reece James’ inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad will be a big boost to Chelsea’s captain. Rested in midweek, James should start at right-back to give Chelsea leadership at the back. In contrast Levi Colwill would have been disappointed to miss out on the World Cup.
Another player to sit out of Tuesday’s win over Spurs, Colwill’s quality can be leaned upon by Chelsea. With the left-footed centre-half selected, it is likely that Wesley Fofana will start as the right-half of the centre-back partnership.
Marc Cucurella has been one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers this term, and he will be expected to round off the back four.
The midfield portion of the side has looked fairly settled in recent games, with MacFarlane preferring a partnership of Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos in the middle of the park.
The attacking trio that links the midfield to the lone striker has consisted of Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Neto the past two games, and it seems likely they will be trusted again.
Joao Pedro missed the Spurs game due to a minor hamstring issue - absent from Brazil’s World Cup squad, Chelsea could afford to risk starting the former Brighton man over Liam Delap, who is goalless in the last 15 Premier League appearances.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Fernandez, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro
Doubts: Gittens (hamstring)
Injured: Estevao (hamstring)
Time and date: 4pm BST on Sunday, May 24, 2026
Venue: Stadium of Light
How to watch: Sky Sports
