Promotion hopefuls Sheff Utd and Sunderland clash at Wembley Stadium in the Championship Playoff final on Saturday, 24 May. Read our Championship predictions for the contest below.
Contents
- 1 Sheff Utd vs Sunderland prediction: Look to goal markets for success at Wembley
- 2 Pre-game odds and win probability: Sheff Utd favoured in the markets
- 3 Most recent H2Hs: Sheff Utd have had the edge
- 4 Sheff Utd preview: Blades could be unchanged
- 5 Sunderland preview: Rigg to remain on the bench?
- 6 Player to watch – Gustavo Hamer
Sheff Utd vs Sunderland prediction: Look to goal markets for success at Wembley
Key Stats
- Sheffield United won both legs of their playoff semi-final encounters with Bristol City 3-0.
- Four Sunderland players were booked when the Black Cats last faced Sheffield United in January.
- Sheff Utd have failed to score in only two of their last 19 Championship fixtures (including playoffs).
- Sunderland have failed to win seven of their last eight assignments.
Correct score prediction: Sheff Utd 2-1 Sunderland
Sunderland needed late goals in both legs to see off Coventry in the semi-finals, while Sheff Utd coasted to a comfortable 6-0 aggregate win over Bristol City. The Blades’ superior firepower could be the deciding factor at Wembley.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Sheff Utd favoured in the markets
- HOME: 13/10 (2.30) – 43.5%
- DRAW: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
- AWAY: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Sheff Utd impressed in their 6-0 aggregate win over Bristol City in the playoff semi-finals, and those performances have earned them the favourites tag ahead of Saturday’s climax with the Blades priced at 13/10 to triumph.
Sunderland, meanwhile, needed a 120th-minute Daniel Ballard goal to beat Coventry in the playoff semi-final second leg, though the Black Cats have been given just a 30.8% chance of pipping Sheffield United to promotion. View more of our latest football predictions on our dedicated page.
Most recent H2Hs: Sheff Utd have had the edge
Sheff Utd lost 2-1 to Sunderland in January but won three successive meetings with the Black Cats before that. BTTS has landed in three of the clubs’ last four encounters.
England Championship 01/01/25
Sunderland
Sheff Utd
England Championship 29/11/24
Sheff Utd
Sunderland
England Championship 15/03/23
Sunderland
Sheff Utd
England Championship 17/08/22
Sheff Utd
Sunderland
England EFL Cup 25/09/19
Sheff Utd
Sunderland
Sheff Utd preview: Blades could be unchanged
Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ollie Arblaster, Sai Sachdev, and Harrison Clarke are expected to miss out on Sheffield United due to injuries. Chris Wilder successfully used a flat 4-4-2 formation against Bristol City in the semis, and he is unlikely to deviate from that tactical plan on Saturday.
Predicted lineup: Cooper (GK), Choudhury, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows, Brooks, Peck, Souza, Hamer, Cannon, Moore
England Championship 12/05/25
W
Bristol City
0
Sheff Utd
3
England Championship 08/05/25
W
Bristol City
0
Sheff Utd
3
England Championship 03/05/25
D
Blackburn
1
Sheff Utd
1
England Championship 25/04/25
W
Stoke
0
Sheff Utd
2
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Burnley
2
Sheff Utd
1
Sunderland preview: Rigg to remain on the bench?
Sunderland have injury concerns over Ian Poveda and Jayden Danns, though Regis Le Bris's squad looks strong elsewhere. Chris Rigg was named on the bench in Sunderland's semi-final second-leg tussle with Coventry, and the 17-year-old could be kept in reserve again this weekend.
Predicted lineup: Patterson (GK), Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Cirkin, Roberts, Neil, Bellingham, Le Fee, Mayenda, Isidor
England Championship 13/05/25
L
Coventry
1
Sunderland
0
England Championship 09/05/25
W
Coventry
1
Sunderland
2
England Championship 03/05/25
L
QPR
1
Sunderland
0
England Championship 26/04/25
L
Oxford Utd
2
Sunderland
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Blackburn
1
Sunderland
0
Player to watch – Gustavo Hamer
Sheffield United fan favourite and classy Dutch midfielder Gustavo Hamer has been a good source of goals this season and the 27-year-old’s strike against Bristol City in the playoff semi-final second leg was his 10th goal of the campaign.
Influential Hamer to strike again?
Hamer’s knack for popping up with goals at crucial moments for Sheffield United should make him a major threat in Saturday’s playoff final against Sunderland. The attacking midfielder, who has been averaging 2.20 shots per game this season has also provided seven assists in the Championship, so don’t be surprised if he makes another telling contribution at Wembley.