Good afternoon! It's just under an hour until
Sunderland and Swansea get their final match of the Premier League season underway at the Stadium of Light. Both teams can finish as high as 12th in the table with a victory this afternoon depending on other results. The visitors have already announced their squad, so let's take a look at the Swansea team.
SWANSEA STARTING XI: Tremmel, Tiendalli, Amat, Bartley, Taylor, Fulton, Shelvey, Dyer, Emnes, Routledge, Bony
SWANSEA SUBSTITUTES: Cornell, Williams, Davies, Britton, De Guzman, King, Vazquez
SUNDERLAND STARTING XI: Mannone, Vergini, Bardsley, Brown, O'Shea, Bridcutt, Larsson, Colback, Johnson, Borini, Wickham
SUNDERLAND STARTING XI: Mannone, Vergini, Bardsley, Brown, O'Shea, Bridcutt, Larsson, Colback, Johnson, Borini, Wickham
SUNDERLAND SUBSTITUTES: Celustka, Altidore, Ba, Giaccherini, Mavrias, Agnew, Ustari
SUNDERLAND SUBSTITUTES: Celustka, Altidore, Ba, Giaccherini, Mavrias, Agnew, Ustari
There are two changes for the home side to the side that beat West Brom during the week to secure the Black Cats' Premier League survival. Liam Bridcutt and Phil Bardsley come in for
Lee Cattermole and Marcos Alonso.
The home side make two changes to the starting lineup that helped the Black Cats secure their Premier League survival earlier this week. Liam Bridcutt and Phil Bardsley come in for
Lee Cattermole and Marcos Alonso.
Garry Monk has made a host of changes to his Swansea side.
Gerhard Tremmel comes in between the posts in place of Michel Vorm. Meanwhile, Jonathan de Guzman and Ashley Williams drop to the bench, while Pablo Hernandez is left out. In total, there are six changes to Swansea's starting lineup. With little to play for in this match, Monk may be using this match to take a look at some of the squad's fringe players ahead of the transfer window.
Jay Fulton is also included in Swansea's starting lineup, making his first start for the club. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Adam King is named on the bench for the first time since joining from Hearts in January.
There's not too much to play for for both of these sides this afternoon. Should West Ham lose to Manchester City, the winner of this tie would be able to climb up to 12th. However, Sunderland's Lee Cattermole told reporters: "I think finishing 12th would be a bit of a false position, really. From where we have been, I wouldn't say 12th is where we should be finishing. We need to be realistic and realise how close we have come [to relegation] and what we have done to be in the position we are in. I would have taken a point from the last two games and finished 17th."
This match does see two of the Premier League's in-form strikers go head-to-head.
Wilfried Bony has been a highlight in an otherwise forgettable campaign for Swansea, scoring 15 goals in the top flight, including four in his last three outings. Meanwhile,
Connor Wickham will look to continue his recent run, having scored five goals during the home side's five-match unbeaten run.
In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Swansea secure a 4-0 win over today's hosts. That match was
Gus Poyet's first game in charge of Sunderland, having replaced Paolo di Canio early in the campaign. At that stage, Sunderland had recorded seven defeats in their first eight games of the season.
Regardless of this afternoon's result, this will Swansea's lowest points finish in the Premier League. The Swans can reach 42 with a win, four lower than last year's 46-point total, although that was good enough to leave them ninth in the table.
The good news for both teams is that it's a nice bright day in Sunderland. Here's a shot of the Stadium of Light from earlier this afternoon courtesy of the club's Twitter feed:
Following his appointment as permanent manager at Swansea earlier this week,
Garry Monk told the club's website: "I will try my very best like I have been doing for the ten years I've been here. I have a plan of what I want to do and how to go about it, which is what I've been speaking to the Chairman about. We have done a lot of planning already for next season, and we have a full summer and pre-season to prepare, which will be of huge benefit to us. But my immediate focus is on this weekend's game. We really want to finish off with a positive result for our fans."
As ever, we have live commentaries from every Premier League match on
Sports Mole this afternoon. You can find links to follow the other matches on
our fixtures page.
While Swansea got the better of Sunderland earlier in the season, they haven't done well against the Black Cats historically. In their 11 previous league meetings, seven have resulted in defeats for Swansea, while three have been drawn. Since Swansea's promotion to the Premier League three seasons ago, three of their five matches have ended in draws.
PREDICTION! As we should be just a few minutes from the players heading out of the tunnel, it's time for a prediction. Swansea were easily the better team in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, but you can't ignore the home side's super form in recent weeks. I think I'm going for a 3-0 Sunderland win this afternoon.
Quite a few fans have come in fancy dress today. So far, I've spotted a giant banana, several pandas, Popeye, and a Pepperami!
Right then, here come the players, we should be just a couple of minutes away from kickoff now.
REFEREE WATCH! Chris Foy takes charge of this afternoon's clash at the Stadium of Light.
KICKOFF! Swansea get the match underway!
Vito Mannone gets an early touch in the Sunderland goal as
Jonjo Shelvey curls the ball in from out wide looking for Wilfried Bony, but the Sunderland keeper calmly claims it before the visitors can get the shot away. Swansea are quickly on the attack again, but this time the ball goes behind for a goal kick. It's been a bright start by the visitors.
Swansea are pressing forward again, with Wayne Routledge charging down the left wing before pulling the ball back for
Marvin Emnes, but once again Mannone is alert and snatches the ball away from the Swansea midfielder. The Swans are certainly looking the more likely at the moment, but haven't really threatened the Sunderland goal yet.
Jonjo Shelvey has scored some fantastic goals from long range this season, and tries to volley towards the goal from 30 yards out. It's not clear whether he was going for goal or trying to find Bony, but either way it's comfortably cleared by Bardsley.
GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 Swansea (Nathan Dyer)
Swansea make their dominant start to proceedings count as
Nathan Dyer scores a fantastic solo goal. The pacy winger picks the ball up 20 yards out, displays brilliant footwork to round a couple of defenders before unleashing a powerful strike from the edge of the box, squeezing it into the top corner.
Sunderland have a little more urgency about their play since Dyer's goal, trying to force their way down the other end, but a high ball into the box from Colback floats harmlessly to Tremmel. The hosts just don't look as well-organised and disciplined as they have in their last five outings.
Swansea are pushing again as Shelvey threads the ball through to Dyer out wide, but the goalscorer can't get the cross in to set up his sides second. Eventually, the visitors do manage to send the ball in for Emnes, but Vergini takes no chances and puts it behind for the first corner of the match.
GOAL! Sunderland 0-2 Swansea (Marvin Emnes)
What a start it's been for Swansea! Marvin Emnes, who is making just his second Premier League start, doubles the visitors' lead, controlling the ball superbly on the edge of the box before unleashing a superb strike into the top of the net.
CHANCE! Swansea have the chance to make it 3-0 almost straight away as Bony sets up Jonjo Shelvey for another effort from the edge of the penalty area, but the midfielder mis-hits it, sending the ball high into the stand.
Connor Wickham tries to create something for Sunderland down the other end, but his ball through for
Adam Johnson is blocked. It falls for Vergini, but his scuffed shot get deflected behind by one of his teammates. That's the best Sunderland have looked in front of goal so far this afternoon.
BOOKING! Jay Fulton is the first player to pick up a booking this afternoon, having carelessly charged into
Fabio Borini in midfield. Sunderland have a free kick as a result, but Larsson's delivery goes straight out the back for a goal kick.
Emnes is looking for his second goal of the game as Bony slides the ball forward for him, but Wes Brown manages to force is out for a corner, which is then cleared by O'Shea. The hosts look to get the ball down the other end quickly, but Routledge helps out at the back to prevent Larsson from getting his shot away.
CHANCE! Gerhard Tremmel has work to do for the first time this afternoon. Larsson believes that he should have had a free kick after tangling with Taylor on the edge of the area, but while he was appealing to the referee, Vergini reclaimed the ball for Sunderland before Johnson sent in a low cross in front of the goal, but the Swansea keeper managed to claim it. Sunderland are starting to look stronger on the attack.
OFF THE POST! Sunderland come within inches of getting a goal back, as Jordi Amat almost turns the ball into his own net while trying to clear from a Larsson ball into the box, but it bounces back off the post before Taylor lashes it behind for a corner, sparing his defensive colleague's blushes
Larsson and Johnson team up on the edge of the box as they try to set up another opportunity for Sunderland, but Swansea win the ball back. This has bee a fantastically open and entertaining first 30 minutes, and despite Sunderland being two goals down, I wouldn't say they were out of this yet, they're creating plenty at the moment, but just haven't been able to find the target yet.
CHANCE! Swansea obviously realise that a goal for Sunderland before the break would get the home side right back into this match, so they go on the hunt for a third. O'Shea manages to block a Dyer strike before Shelvey attempts a low drive from the edge of the box, but it's cleared for a throw in.
CHANCE! Sunderland have another chance down the other end when they win a corner. Larsson's delivery falls kindly for Wickham, but his header is just wide of the post.
The match has just quietened down a little in the last couple of minutes as the teams both battle for possession in midfield. Sunderland try to catch Swansea out with a quick break, but the visitors have numbers back, so Bardsley tries a shot from 25 yards out, and fails to trouble Tremmel.
CHANCE! Wayne Routledge is furious that none of his teammates were on hand to turn in his cross, after he made a superb run down the left wing, only to see his delivery headed behind by Bardsley. Bony and Emnes were both in the box, but neither made a run in as the ball was crossed in, much to the annoyance of Routledge.
CHANCE! Sunderland continue to try to cut the visitors' lead before the break, but Wickham slices the ball well over from the edge of the box. Sunderland have created some good chances since going two goals down, but just haven't put Tremmel under enough pressure.
CHANCE! Tremmel had to be alert there as Bardsley struck the ball well from the edge of the box, unleashing the shot with his first touch while looking for the top corner, but the Swansea keeper tipped it behind for the corner. It actually might have been heading behind anyway, but Tremmel made sure.
Wilfried Bony bursts free from midfield looking for a third Swansea goal, but he trips 20 yards out, allowing Sunderland to clear and head down the other end, but Tremmel gathers from a Bardsley ball into the box. What a frantic finish to the first half!
HALF TIME: Sunderland 0-2 Swansea City
So at half time, it's
Swansea City who are in control at the Stadium of Light, with goals from Nathan Dyer and Marvin Emnes coming inside the opening 15 minutes. Both sides had chances to add to the score at the first half progressed, but neither found the target again.
Here are some of the stats from the opening 45 minutes. Sunderland just edged the possession with 56%. Despite trailling, the Black Cats also had more shots, with eight compared to Swansea's five. However, just one of their shots was on target, with two on target for the visitors, both of which resulted in goals.
Of course, all 20 Premier League clubs are in action this afternoon. Here are the half-time scores from the other nine matches currently underway:
Cardiff 1-0 Chelsea, Fulham 0-1 Crystal Palace, Hull 0-1 Everton, Liverpool 0-1 Newcastle, Man City 1-0 West Ham, Norwich 0-0 Arsenal, Southampton 1-0 Man Utd, Spurs 3-0 Aston Villa, West Brom 0-1 Stoke.
As things stand, Man City will be crowned champions if they can maintain their lead for another 45 minutes. If you want to follow any of these matches, you can find links to our live commentaries on the fixtures page
The players are heading back out ready for the second half.
Sunderland get the final 45 minutes of their Premier League season underway.
Both sides are unchanged from the first half. Sunderland look to test Tremmel within moments of the restart, with Wickham sending a high ball into the box, but the hosts can't get the shot away. Swansea try to clear, but a foul by Bony gives Sunderland a free kick around 30 yards out.
GOAL! Sunderland 1-2 Swansea (Fabio Borini)
Sunderland looked sharp from the start of the second half and within five minutes they've pulled a goal back. It's another fantastic strike from Fabio Borini, as he curled the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area.
CHANCE! Sunderland come closee to an equaliser as Johnson fires the ball towards Tremmel. His shot is blocked, but Wickham has a chance from the rebound, but Shelvey gets back to help clear the danger.
GOAL! Sunderland 1-3 Swansea (Wilfried Bony)
Swansea respond quickly to restore their two-goal cushion. Emnes makes a brilliant run, but his cross is blocked, but Sunderland can only clear it as far as Bony, who takes a touch on the edge of the box before firing a low drive in to the back of the net. This has been a real treat goal-scoring wise so far, four goals, and not an average one among them.
SUB! Swansea make the first change of the match, and it's a bit of a surprise. Marvin Enmes, who scored their second goal and set up Bony for their third, makes way for Jonathan de Guzman. He takes his time making his way off, picking up a booking for time wasting.
CHANCE! Sunderland win a free kick out wide in a dangerous position, but Wes Brown puts far too much on the ball, and his teammates can't make create a decent chance from it.
The game is so open at the moment, it's been end to end stuff for the last couple of minutes, but few real chances to mention. It definitely feels like there are more goals to come this afternoon.
SUB! The home side make their first change of the game, with Phil Bardsley making way for Ondrej Celutska. There's quite a reception for Bardsley as he heads off, he's out of contract this summer so could be heading off at the Stadium of Light for the final time, and the fans are showing their appreciation.
CHANCE! Adam Johnson goes for the spectacular with a right-footed curling effort from just outside the box, but Taylor and Amat close in as he lines up the shot, and he mis-hits it under pressure, sending his finish well wide.
BOOKING! Jordi Amat is shown the yellow card for a reckless challenge on Borini, which appears to have left the Sunderland goalscorer in quite some pain. He has to be helped to the sideline for treatment, but it looks like he'll be carrying on.
CHANCE! Tremmel has to make a solid save to deny Larsson from the resulting free kick, but deny him he does.
SUB! That will be Larsson last contribution this afternoon, and possibly his last time in a Sunderland shirt, as he is also out of contract at the end of the season. El-Hadj Ba comes on as his replacement, who has only previously played in the FA Cup for Sunderland.
Sunderland are doing the majority of the pressing at the moment. Johnson tries to get one back for the home side with a low strike from 25 yards out, but it bobbles just wide of the right post.
CHANCE! Johnson continues to shoot on sight, attempting to lob the ball beyond Tremmel, but the Swansea keeper gets back in time to comfortably take the ball.
SUB! It's another change for Swansea as Ben Davies replaces Dwight Tiendalli at the back.
Having been under pressure for the last 10 minutes, Swansea try to get the ball back down the other end, with Shelvey sending a well-placed high ball into the box for Routledge, but the midfielder could not control it, giving Sunderland the goal kick.
Sunderland are awarded a free kick 25 yards out directly in front of goal. It's a good chance for the home side to pull one back and give themselves a chance of salvaging something in the last 10 minutes, but Borini's shot lacked confidence, and comfortably cleared the crossbar.
CHANCE! Wilfried Bony comes close to putting the result beyond doubt at the other end, but his deflected effort is well claimed by Mannone.
BOOKING! Fabio Borini is the latest player to be shown a yellow card following a foul on Shelvey.
SUB! Sunderland make their final change of the match, and it's an attacking one, with Jozy Altidore replacing John O'Shea.
Gus Poyet obviously thinks that his side can still get something out of this match.
CHANCE! Altidore tries to make an immediate impact, unleashing a volley from 25 yards out, but it's rising all the way and ends up in the crowd.
BOOKING! Liam Bridcutt is the second Sunderland player to pick up a booking for a foul on De Guzman. The Swans have a free kick as a result, put can't create anything from it.
As full time approaches, Swansea seem happy just to keep possession and run down the remaining time. It has been in impressive display from the visitors this afternoon, who could have easily been further ahead.
PENALTY APPEAL! The home side want a penalty as Altidore is brought down in the box while tangling with Kyle Bartley. It was a high leg from the Swansea defender, so the Sunderland striker might feel a big aggrieved not to have awarded the spot kick there. Meanwhile, there will be three minutes of added time.
Once again Swansea are just trying to keep possession and see out the win. There's just a minute to go at the Stadium of Light.
FULL TIME: Sunderland 1-3 Swansea City
FULL TIME: Sunderland 1-3 Swansea City
So Swansea City will finish the league in 12th following a comprehensive win over Sunderland this afternoon. Sunderland have been fantastic in recent weeks but were caught out by a series of fantastic strikes from the visitors.
Sunderland won't be too upset with the result. Despite the defeat, they remain 14th in the table, having at one point looked certain to be relegated.
Well that's all from the Stadium of Light this afternoon, and this season! Stick around to read reports and reaction from all of this afternoon's Premier League fixtures, and stick around for coverage of the Championship playoff match between Derby and Brighton, with both hoping to be in the top flight next season. Thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.