Sunderland host Chelsea at the Stadium of Light with both teams seeking European football next season. Chelsea arrive eighth after beating Tottenham 2-1, and eighth would secure Conference League qualification while seventh would earn Europa League. Chelsea can move to seventh with a win if Brighton fail to beat Manchester United, and a draw could be enough for eighth if Brentford do not win at Liverpool. Sunderland would welcome any European place after a standout first Premier League season, having last appeared in continental competition in 1973-74. A Sunderland win would guarantee at least eighth and Conference League entry unless Brighton and Brentford both win. Manager Régis Le Bris frames the match as a chance to celebrate at home and potentially complete a double over Chelsea.
"Having overcome Tottenham 2-1 on Tuesday, Chelsea head to Wearside in eighth position in the Premier League table and primed to ensure Xabi Alonso will be inheriting a team in a European competition. Eighth would secure a place in the Conference League, which Chelsea won last season, while seventh would be good enough for Europa League football."
"The Blues will move into seventh with a win if Brighton and Hove Albion fail to beat Manchester United. A draw will be enough for eighth if Brentford fail to win at Liverpool. Chelsea would surely prefer Europa League football as it would open up an extra potential pathway into the Champions League."
"By contrast, Sunderland would be delighted with any form of European football to cap a superb first season back in the top flight. Sunderland have made just a single appearance in continental competition, which came in the 1973-74 European Cup Winners' Cup after their FA Cup triumph over Leeds United the previous season."
"A win will be enough for Sunderland to at least finish eighth and get into the Conference League, unless both Brighton and Brentford win their respective games. And manager Régis Le Bris is relishing the opportunity to write another chapter in the club's history by completing a double over the Blues."
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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