Last Word on Football brings you the latest Sunderland team news and their predicted lineup ahead of the Sunderland vs Chelsea EPL clash on the final day of the season.
A win for the Black Cats and other results going their way would see them qualify for Europe for the first time since 1973. It could be an historic day on Wearside and a capacity crowd at the Stadium of Light will be cheering on their team no matter what happens at the end of a campaign that has seen Sunderland exceed all expectations.
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Sunderland vs Chelsea: Black Cats Team News and Predicted Lineup
Sunderland Team News
Winger Chemsidne Talbi is out after picking up a muscle injury in training. Defender Omar Alderete is in a race to be fit after coming off during the first half of the last game at Everton. He will have a late fitness test. Should he not be ready, Luke O’Nien, who was impressive when he came on in last weekend’s 3-1 victory, will take his place.
Dan Ballard is also missing as he serves the final game of his suspension for his sending off at Wolves.
Sunderland vs Chelsea: Regis Le Bris on the Final Game of the Season
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Sunderland’s head coach said he is just concentrating on getting a win, and whatever else happens is out of his hands.
“At the minute we have 51 points, an opportunity to get three more points to reach 54, which is impressive for the first season back in the Premier League after eight years away.
“We played good football, we respected the identity, we grew, we learned, we improved, we struggled at times as well, which is normal in that league. We’ll have an opportunity to get three more points, and if the planets align elsewhere, maybe something exceptional can happen, but it’s not fully in our hands.”
“For us, the most important thing is to win. Chelsea is a really strong opponent. We can’t underestimate Chelsea; it’s impossible. They have game-changers; they have talent everywhere on the pitch. We have to play our best football, and that’s enough.”
Sunderland Predicted Lineup
Roefs
Mukiele
Geertruida
Alderete/O’Nien
Reinildo
Xhaka
Sadiki
Le Fee
Hume
Angulo
Brobbey
Featured image courtesy of Imago/Sportimage
