Sheffield United vs Sunderland: Championship Play-Off Final Showdown Awaits, But Who Needs Promotion to Premier League More?
The Wembley showpiece is here, with Sheffield United set to face Sunderland at Wembley on Saturday, with the winner sealing a spot in next season’s Premier League. Sheffield United are aiming to bounce back at the first time of asking, but for Sunderland, it has been eight long years away from the Premier League.
The Blades are the favourites, but they have never won a play-off campaign in nine previous attempts. Sunderland have a mighty one win from eight, but that came as recently as 2022. The tension will shred your nerves, and there will be elation for the winner of the richest game in football – worth up to a potential £220m – and devastation for the defeated.
According to Sky Sports, the Essential EFL podcast panel looked ahead to the Championship play-off final between Sheffield United and Sunderland. Sky Sports’ Andy Hinchcliffe said: “It’s clear the team Sheffield United have assembled is a competitive Championship team, and if they don’t get promoted, they are going to be very much in the mix next season.”
As Sky Sports reported, “I don’t see them losing too many players, and that puts them in a strong position. Perhaps that was part of the plan.” Hinchcliffe added that Sunderland have far more uncertainty, with Tommy Watson leaving and serious talk about Jobe Bellingham leaving, too. Dan Neil might be looked at, as well as a few others.
As quoted by Sky Sports, Hinchcliffe said: “So you wonder, if they don’t go up now, what happens next? While they’ve done a good job replacing players in the past, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep doing that in such a competitive league. I’d say Sunderland probably need promotion more right now. If they don’t, they could be facing another five years in a really tough Championship.”
The EFL Play-Off Finals look a little different this year, with all three matches now set to kick-off one minute later than scheduled. Launching at last season’s Play-Offs, Every Minute Matters has already surpassed the initial target of encouraging 270,000 people – three times the capacity of Wembley Stadium – to learn CPR.
The winners of the 2024-25 Championship play-off final are set to receive a minimum of £220m in extra income. Next season, Sky Sports will show up to 215 live Premier League games, up from 128 games this season. The minimum figure in Premier League income has increased from £170m to £220m extra income with the new TV deal.
As reported by Sky Sports, both teams have sold out their ticket allocation – Sheffield United in the east end and Sunderland in the west end. Sheffield United will play in their home kit, while Sunderland will play in their change kit of all white. VAR will be used for the fourth successive season in EFL play-off finals.
Sheffield United finished third, and Sunderland fourth in the Championship – Sheffield United finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland – the biggest points difference between two finalists in EFL play-off history since the current format was introduced in 1988/89.
Sheffield United and Sunderland have never been promoted via the second-tier play-offs – despite reaching a combined five finals. Sky Sports revealed that Don Goodman said: “These are two of the more versatile, flexible coaches who are comfortable using different systems depending on their opponents.”
Sunderland have used the 4-4-2 more consistently throughout the season, while Sheffield United have turned to it more recently, and with greater success. Looking at a broader season comparison between the two teams, the league table shows there was a 14-point difference.
In essence, that gap is really 16 points when you account for the two Sheffield United were deducted. But when you look at the underlying metrics, there isn’t much separating the sides. Andy Hinchcliffe and Don Goodman looked at how both Sheffield United and Sunderland have used the 442 formation and compared their records this season.
As Sky Sports quoted Hinchcliffe, “Unless one team completely implodes under pressure, I don’t see either team winning this by two or three because I don’t think either side has the capacity to completely dominate the other.” Hinchcliffe added that it will be tight, and Sheffield United, player for player, probably have the stronger team.
There are key individual battles, with Dan Ballard vs Kieffer Moore a natural one-on-one contest. Then there is Harrison Burrows vs Patrick Roberts. Burrows gives United great width down the left and allows Gus Hamer to drift inside into those pockets of space.
Sheffield United will likely aim to dominate possession and apply sustained pressure, while Sunderland will look to strike quickly on the counter-attack. Hinchcliffe wouldn’t be surprised if it’s decided by a single goal.
Chris Wilder has insisted Sheffield United’s historic play-off record means nothing heading into Saturday’s final. The Blades are yet to triumph in a play-off campaign in nine previous attempts in their history. Wilder told Sky Sports: “If I listen to all the narrative, we might as well not turn up and might as well give myself a holiday.”
Wilder added that the players are playing with a real light shirt, and they’re really positive. The feel about the place has been completely different, and a real freshness that this could be their year.
Regis Le Bris says his Sunderland squad needed a bit of time to recuperate after their dramatic semi-final win over Coventry, but they are now raring to go for the final. Le Bris told Sky Sports: “The players needed a couple of days to recover after such an incredible moment.”
The end of the game was absolutely outstanding, and the connection with their fans made it all the more special. Le Bris added that they welcome the challenge and are ready for the intensity Sheffield United will bring.
From next season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live. And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports.
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