Times have changed since Sunderland last beat Chelsea at the Stadium of Light in a Premier League game.
The Black Cats on Saturday will seek their first home league win over the Blues since 2000. Sunderland now controls its own destiny in its relegation battle against Newcastle and Norwich City, but such a situation heaps even more pressure onto its shoulders amid a race from the bottom of the standings.
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois returns to the squad, having served his two-game suspension for a red card. Whether manager Guus Hiddink starts the Belgian remains to be seen, as the ninth-placed Blues already are looking ahead to next season — one in which Antonio Conte will be their manager — with three games remaining in 2015-16.
Sunderland hopes Jermaine Defoe can continue his hot streak in front of goal. The veteran striker has scored 14 times this season — his second-highest total for a campaign — but only three of them have come at the Stadium of Light.
Here’s how to watch Sunderland vs. Chelsea online:
When: Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m. ET
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Thumbnail photo via LiverpoolFC.com
