Chelsea remain in with a chance of qualifying for the Europa League on the final day of the Premier League season.
Calum McFarlane’s side currently sit eighth ahead of their trip to Sunderland on Sunday afternoon. Finish eighth, and they secure a place in the UEFA Conference League.
The Champions League is already out of reach. But the Europa League, a competition Chelsea won in 2013 and 2019 is still a possibility.
The Brighton factor
Qualification for the Europa League depends on Brighton’s result at home to Manchester United.
If Fabian Hurzeler’s side beat United, Chelsea cannot finish in the Europa League place. Simple as that.
European places if Aston Villa finish fourth
Competition Teams
Champions League Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Aston Villa, Liverpool or Bournemouth
Europa League Bournemouth, Brighton or Liverpool
Europa League Bournemouth, Brighton, Brentford, Chelsea or Sunderland
Conference League Brighton, Brentford, Chelsea or Sunderland
What Chelsea need
Because of their superior goal difference over Brentford, if Chelsea beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and Brighton draw or lose to United, they will almost certainly finish seventh.
If Brighton lose to United by two goals and Brentford fail to win away to Liverpool, Chelsea can also finish seventh with a draw.
But a defeat for Chelsea? That means no European football at all. Sunderland would overtake them.
‘It’s going to be a great game’
Chelsea’s interim head coach McFarlane is under no illusions.
“Both teams need to win as well. Sunderland have had a brilliant season. They’re a really good side, a really challenging side, causing you problems.
“We need one more push, one more big game, three points, and hopefully get ourselves up that table.
“We’re more than capable of going there and winning that game, but we know we have to be at our best to get three points because they’re a very good side.”
The bottom line
Chelsea’s fate is in their hands but only partially.
Win, and hope Brighton slip. That’s the formula.
A draw might be enough if other results go their way. A defeat ends the European dream entirely.
Sunderland await. Brighton loom. And Chelsea face a final day of anxiety, calculation and hope.
Europa League or nothing. The margins couldn’t be tighter.
