Chelsea v Sunderland @ Stamford Bridge
Sunday, May 24 @ 3pm
Chelsea will be looking to mark their Premier League coronation with three points at Stamford Bridge today.
The Blues, will be presented with the trophy after the game, face Sunderland, who secured another season of Premier League football by drawing with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
The game could see emotional farewells for both sets of fans, with the futures of Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and Black Cats manager Dick Advocaat still unresolved.
Jose Mourinho has repeated his intent to keep Cech despite Arsene Wenger’s refusal to rule out a bid, while Advocaat is considering a u-turn on his retirement plans.
The Blues need three points to avoid becoming only the second champions in the last 12 years with fewer than 86 points.
After Chelsea’s drubbing at West Brom on Monday, Mourinho was bullish amid suggestions his players are in holiday-mode, claiming Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United should be blamed for making their title win too easy.
But the Chelsea boss will be keen to end the season on a high and is expected to hand Premier League debuts to Andreas Chistensen and Jeremie Boga.
If John Terry plays the full 90 minutes he will become the second player in the Premier League era to play every minute of a title-winning campaign, after Gary Pallister in 1992-93.
Eden Hazard is doubtful for the clash after undergoing emergency dental surgery to remove his wisdom teeth.
Cesc Fabregas will serve his one-game suspension following his bizarre dismissal against West Brom.
Kurt Zouma (knee), Ramires (kidney) and Oscar (thigh) are all definitely sidelined as Chelsea prepare to finally get their hands on the trophy in west London.
Feature image courtesy of Ben Sutherland, with thanks
