Sunderland vs Chelsea Predictions

• Both teams have scored in ten of the last 12 head-to-heads
• Only Bournemouth and Leeds have drawn more games than Sunderland’s 12 this season
• Joao Pedro has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season

European showdown on the cards

Chelsea started this season as fancied runners in the race for the Premier League title after winning the Club World Cup under Enzo Maresca.

Fast forward to the final game of the campaign and they are in danger of missing out on European football altogether under their third manager of the season, a demonstration of how disappointing recent times have been for the Blues.

Xabi Alonso will take over next season but this final game of the season against Sunderland will have a huge say on what kind of environment the former Real Madrid boss comes into, with a place in Europe on the line.

If Chelsea win and Brighton don’t against Manchester United, the Blues will secure seventh place and a Europa League spot, barring a huge victory for Brentford over Liverpool.

However anything but a win leaves Calum McFarlane’s team vulnerable to being overtaken in eighth and missing out on the Conference League spot they are currently set to secure.

One of the teams who could overtake them is today’s opponents Sunderland, setting up a blockbuster clash.

The Black Cats need to win to have any hope of securing European football and they also need to hope Brentford fail to get all three points against Liverpool.

The fact that Sunderland are in this position at all is extremely impressive given the struggles of promoted clubs in the Premier League in recent years.

There have been some slight warning signs in recent weeks however, with a 4-3 loss to Aston Villa and a 5-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest particularly concerning.

However they were 3-1 winners over Everton last time out and have been solid at home this season, losing just four of their 18 games at the Stadium of Light.

Stalemate not written off

Neither of these teams have been particularly defensively secure as of late and in a game in which they both may have to go for it at some point, both teams to score is the selection.

Both teams have scored in ten of the last 12 head-to-heads and the pair could put on another show in this clash.

Considering the inconsistent recent form of this pair, it’s hard to be overly strong on either team and the draw looks a tempting proposition. Only Bournemouth and Leeds have drawn more games than Sunderland’s 12 and they may miss out on Europe with another. Side with a 2-2 correct score selection. 

Joao Pedro missed out on the Brazil squad but he is expected to shake off a knock to feature and has 15 league goals this season, he could record another.