With just a few games, time is rapidly running out for Sunderland if they want to be featuring in the top flight for the 2016/2017 Premier League season. The Black Cats will be battling it out with both Newcastle and Norwich for that coveted 17th placed spot that will guarantee safety and will need to win in order to keep their survival ambitions intact.
Meanwhile, all Chelsea have left is to try to finish as high in the table as possible. The Blues presently sit in ninth spot and will be looking to wrap this term up as they look forward to beginning the upcoming campaign under upcoming boss Antonio Conte.
Sunderland
Sam Allardyce's side have only won a disappointing seven matches all season and will be coming into this game having won just one out of their past five games. Fortunately, they do have a game advantage over Newcastle, which leaves them in a better position to save themselves from the drop. However, at home, Sunderland have struggled, and goals have truly been really hard come by.
How difficult? Well, to date, Saturday's hosts have just managed a dismal 17. And out of their past seven games, they have only managed to score more than one goal in just one of those matches. Key, of course, to survival hopes has been the revival of veteran striker Jermaine Defoe, who has netted an impressive 14 goals this season and Allardyce will be hoping that he will be again able to help the team's effort as they aspire to overcome a bad track record against the Blues.
Sunderland have not beaten Chelsea since October 2000. In their past 22 meetings, the Black Cats have only won twice and lost the reverse fixture earlier this season 3-1.
Chelsea
Meanwhile, Chelsea may not be winning the league title this season, but the Blues certainly will be satisfied nonetheless with the outcome with the title race. By drawing city rivals Tottenham in a very entertaining 2-2 clash on Monday, Chelsea made sure that Leicester City won their first every Premier League title - and denied Spurs the chance to do so in the process.
Eden Hazard in particular was in excellent form earlier this week. The general feeling among most Blues fans certainly must be bittersweet: had the Belgian star and the team overall showed the same kind of verve and passion displayed on Monday, then perhaps things may have turned out differently for the reigning Premier League champions this term.
Thibaut Courtois will likely return to his spot in between the posts after serving out his suspension, and Hazard could get to feature from the start after scoring the equalizing goal against Spurs following coming on a substitute on Monday.
Which channel is broadcasting Sunderland vs Chelsea on TV or Online?
Not able to head over to the famed Stadium of Light to catch the Black Cats taking on the Blues in person? Don't fret! LiveSoccerTV.com has put together plenty of ways for you to tune in via TV, computer, phone, or tablet.
Here are some options for fans residing in the following countries:
- In the USA at 10.00 EST on: USA Network, SiriusXM FC, Westwood One Sports, NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra
- In the UK at 15.00 BST on: BBC Radio 5 Live
- In Canada at 10.00 ET on: TSN4, RDS 2
Live elsewhere? Check out our special Sunderland vs Chelsea broadcast page for viewing times and options for your current location.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Follow the game on-the-go
Download our iOS and Android apps to follow soccer on-the-go. It comes packed with features - live scores, fixtures, results, tables, line-ups, stats, TV schedule and much more! Sorry, no live streaming within the app.
