The richest game in English football takes place at Wembley on Saturday when Sheffield United face Sunderland for a place in next season’s Premier League.
The two sides finished third and fourth respectively in the Championship, so it’s only fitting that they are competing in the Championship play-off final. Fourteen points separated the two sides, with the Black Cats enduring a five-match losing run before entering the play-offs.
In contrast, the Blades had rather mixed form, winning two of their last four in the regular campaign. They finished 10 points behind the automatic promotion places though and with Sunderland already assured a play-off space too, little can be gleaned from these end-of-season results.
It is worth noting though that both sides were in contention for the automatic promotion places, with Sheffield United in particular tailing off. They were top of the league as recently as early April.
Sunderland were last in the Premier League in 2017, while Sheffield United are looking to bounce back at the first attempt.
SHEFFIELD UTD VS SUNDERLAND PREVIEW
Sheffield United hammered Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals, winning both legs 3-0. In contrast, Sunderland were taken to extra-time against Coventry City. They needed a 122nd minute strike from Dan Ballardto to give themselves a 3-2 aggregate lead and thus progression into the final.
It was honours even in the Championship this season, with both sides winning their home games. Sheffield United beat Sunderland 1-0 at Bramall Lane in November, with Sunderland winning the reverse fixture 2-1 at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day.
Sheffield United fans will know they have never won a play-off final, losing the four in which they have participated. They have never progressed through the play-offs in nine attempts.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have been involved in the play-offs in five of the last seven seasons. They got promoted to the Championship through the League One play-offs three years ago.
Ollie Arblaster and Harry Souttar have been long-term absentees for Sheffield United. Meanwhile, Tom Davies, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Ben Brereton Diaz and Femi Seriki are all at full fitness. The latter two in particular are likely to feature despite missing the semi-final wins.
Callum O’Hare scored in each of the semi-final legs and will be champing at the bit to start, having come on as a substitute in both games. Kieffer Moore also performed well against Bristol City and will be hoping to feature.
Winger Romaine Mundle returned for Sunderland against Coventry, coming off the bench. He is being monitored for this game. Patrick Roberts is the same – he completed 90 minutes of the second leg despite having a minor calf problem. Aji Alese may or may not be fit for the final.
SHEFFIELD UTD VS SUNDERLAND – PREDICTIONS
Sheffield United Win
The Blades have been in better form than Sunderland, while they also finished higher in the table. Their 6-0 demolition of Bristol City in the first leg highlighted their ruthlessness. The momentum is clearly with them.
Draw
The two teams are very evenly matched, with one win apiece in the league this season. They could easily cancel each other out.
Sunderland Win
No EFL team has poorer form in the play-offs than Sheffield United and Sunderland could capitalise on these doubts.
SHEFFIELD UTD VS SUNDERLAND – BETTING TIPS
Sheffield United Win
The Blades have been the strongest of the four sides in the play-offs all season and only missed out on automatic promotion after a poor run of form in April. They have returned to form since, with their emphatic demolition of Bristol City in the play-off semi-finals highlighting this. Sunderland struggled against Coventry, needing a last-minute winner to progress, and I feel this may be a game too much for them.
Over 2.5 Goals
Play-off finals tend to be edgy affairs, but both sides are dangerous in attack. Three of the last four games between the two sides had three goals, while the Blades netted three in each of their play-off semi-finals. With 63 goals, Sheffield United were the fifth-highest scores in the Championship, with Sunderland (58) not being far behind. I’m going for goals here.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Sheffield United and Sunderland have played each other 147 times, with the Black Cats winning 67. The Blades have won 54 times, while there have been 26 draws.
- Three of the last four matches between the two sides have ended 2-1.
- Sunderland have only won two of their last seven games against Sheffield United and three of the last nine. They have lost all of the rest.
- You have to go back 15 games, to April 1999, to find the last draw between the two sides.
- Sheffield United are unbeaten in four matches, winning three of them.
- Sunderland have only won one of their last eight fixtures.
