Sunderland and Sheffield United meet at Wembley on Saturday in the Championship play-off final as both bid to return to the Premier League.
Sunderland and Sheffield United meet in a winner-takes-all play-off final on Saturday afternoon. It all comes down to this for SAFC and the Blades, who will be determined to end their impressive campaigns with Wembley glory.
The Black Cats have been out of the Premier League for eight years now. They have suffered throughout those eight years, which included five seasons in League One after back-to-back relegations.
The 2024/25 season has been a breath of fresh air for Sunderland fans as their youthful side have been a joy to watch. If they manage to get over the line, it would be a testament to the club and how they have turned things around over the past few years.
SAFC - Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
For Sheffield United, they will ultimately feel like they deserve to win this game. The Blades finished in 3rd place and were 14 points clear of Sunderland in 4th, pushing Leeds United and Burnley for automatic promotion for much of the season before failing off at a crucial stage.
Chris Wilder’s side took the top-two fight all the way to the final month of the season. It has been a brilliant year for SUFC, who are looking for an immediate promotion back to the Premier League.
There was perhaps disappointment over how the automatic promotion bid tailed off. However, Wilder and co have embarked on a huge rebuild over the course of the season and it has been an admirable effort to put themselves in this position.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game…
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Charlie Hodgson
“Sunderland have very little pressure on them ahead of this game. They got to the final in the most dramatic fashion, and they are very much the underdogs having punched above their weight to make it into the play-offs in the first place.
“On the other hand, Sheffield United have the majority of the pressure on them. The Blades know that they are the better side on paper and have several quality players who can be difference makers on the big stage at Wembley.
SUFC - Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder and striker Ryan One
Image courtesy of: PAUL CHILDS/REUTERS.
“With all that said, I just have a feeling Sunderland come through at Wembley. They suit playing the better sides, and the game could just swing towards them, especially if they defend how they did under the cosh against Coventry City.”
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Prediction: Sheffield United 0-1 Sunderland
James Ray
“This is such a hard game to call.
“I don’t think there are many out there who will argue Sunderland are stronger in terms of the personnel within their squad. Sheffield United have players who have tested themselves in the Premier League and played in these big games, and with an experienced boss in Chris Wilder at the helm too, they will hope their pedigree shines through.
“However, the dramatic fashion in which SAFC won the semi-final against Coventry City makes it feel as though they might’ve just got over their play-off hoodoo. The Blades are yet to prove they can do so, and it might play on their minds.
“In terms of mentality, the Black Cats might be in the stronger position. That said though, I think the star power of Sheffield United might just get them through in dramatic circumstances.”
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Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Sunderland