For a spot in next season’s Premier League, Sheffield United and Sunderland do battle at Wembley Stadium in the Championship playoff final on Saturday night.
The Blades demolished Bristol City in their semi-final to make the showpiece match, whilst the Black Cats squeezed past Coventry City in dramatic fashion.
Match preview
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After a 20th-placed finish in the Premier League during the 2023-24 term – collecting just 16 points and winning three games all year – Sheffield United are one victory away from having another crack at the top flight, with the Yorkshire-based club hitting form at the right time.
Massive favourites for their semi-final battle against Bristol City earlier this month, the Blades showed their undoubted superiority over the Robins, who were smashed 3-0 during both legs, leading to a six-goal aggregate success for Chris Wilder‘s boys, allowing them to advance into the final with ease.
Judging off the regular season, Sheffield United are the side deserving of the final spot in the Premier League next campaign, with the Blades finishing a comfortable third in the Championship table this term, a mammoth 14 points ahead of this weekend’s opponents Sunderland in fourth.
Making the famous trip down to the home of English football on Saturday afternoon, United should be relatively confident of getting the job done, especially considering their stellar away record, with only Scott Parker‘s Burnley (49) earning more than the Blades’ 43 points on the road in 2024-25.
A man for the big occasion and a moment of individual genius, Gustavo Hamer will be looking to have a telling impact on the playoff final on Saturday afternoon, with the influential Dutchman scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists for Sheffield United in the second tier.
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Last competing amongst the glamour of the Premier League during the 2016-17 campaign, North-East giants Sunderland are looking to make amends following a painful eight-year absence from the top table of English football, a spell which saw them drop down into League One for four seasons.
The Black Cats advanced through their semi-final the hard way against Frank Lampard‘s Coventry, who took the contest to extra time during the second leg courtesy of a goal from Ephron Mason-Clark, however the hosts at the Stadium of Light enjoyed the last laugh when Dan Ballard headed home a 122nd-minute winner.
All-but secured of their spot in the top-six picture months ago, Sunderland concluded their regular season with a whimper – losing five straight matches – although the North-East outfit turned on the style in the semi-final, going unbeaten across both legs versus the Sky Blues.
Hated by large sections of Lorient supporters following a relegation to Ligue 2 under his watch last campaign, Regis Le Bris is loved at the Stadium of Light and has the opportunity to become an icon by restoring the Black Cats to the Premier League after a heartbreaking hiatus.
A number of Sunderland stars are threatening to hit top form at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, including French marksman Wilson Isidor, who was influential and netted against Coventry earlier this month after failing to find the net in his previous 13 Championship appearances.
Team News
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Sheffield United remain without the services of Ollie Arblaster, with the promising youngster picking up a serious knee injury at the start of November.
Last in a matchday squad in February for the clash with Luton Town, Rhys Norrington-Davies (groin) is not expected to feature at Wembley this weekend.
Apart from the aforementioned duo, the Blades have a clean bill of health, so expect Ben Brereton Diaz and Femi Seriki to play a part in the capital contest.
Sunderland’s medical room is pretty full ahead of Saturday’s winner-takes-all battle, with the absences of Jayden Danns (back) and Ian Poveda (leg) limiting options in attacking areas.
The Black Cats are also sweating over the fitness of winger Patrick Roberts, who was struggling with a calf issue during the second leg versus Coventry.
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Cooper; Choudhury, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows; O’Hare, Peck, De Souza Costa, Hamer; Cannon, Moore
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O’Nien, Cirkin; Roberts, Neil, Bellingham, Le Fee; Isidor, Mayenda
We say: Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
With recent experience of gaining promotion to the Premier League, Sheffield United should be confident of controlling proceedings at Wembley Stadium this weekend.
A cagey affair is expected with so much on the line for both sides, although we feel that Wilder’s Blades will narrowly come out on top in the capital.
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