Sheffield United vs Sunderland Preview
Sheffield United and Sunderland clash in the EFL Championship Playoff Final on May 24th at 3:00 pm in a huge tie at Wembley Stadium. The Blades are looking to get back to the Premier League at the first time of asking after their relegation last season.
Since exiting the Premier League in 2017, Sunderland has been through some tumultuous times. They fell into League One after back-to-back relegations and took four years to recover. They have clawed their way back and now look to reach the promised land after nearly a decade away from the pinnacle of English football.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland Predictions
Score prediction: Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
This week, our soccer predictions point to Sheffield United winning this game and gaining their second promotion in three years. The Blades finished 10 points behind the automatic promotion places, but were 14 points ahead of Sunderland. They were comfortably the best team in the league outside of Leeds and Burnley. All that remains is for Chris Wilder’s men to finish the job.
The Blades had one of the best defences in the league this season. They conceded just 36 goals, an average of 0.78 per game. Anel Ahmedhodžić and Jack Robinson have been at the heart of their backline, forming an excellent partnership. Their contributions will be key here, and United’s defensive stability will be the basis of their game plan on Saturday. They are also vital in building from the back. If Sheffield can take the lead, it will become incredibly tough for Sunderland to find a way back into the game. United have the poise to see the game out from those positions.
5⃣4⃣ passes attempted
5⃣4⃣ passes completedAnel Ahmedhodzic didn't misplace a pass in last night's win against Bristol City.#twitterblades #sufc pic.twitter.com/k2w8A1QWfz
— The Bladesman (@The_Bladesman) May 9, 2025
Momentum is huge in football, but neither of these teams entered the playoffs riding a wave of it. Sheffield lost a lot of ground in the race for automatic promotion. They didn’t have the firepower of Leeds and Burnley above them at the backend of the season. However, Sunderland were confined to fourth place with a month remaining in the league and took their foot off the gas entirely. The Black Cats finished the season on a five-game losing streak and scored just one goal in their last six games.
That translated to the semi-finals as the Blades strutted past Bristol City, winning 6-0 on aggregate. However, Sunderland just about did enough to squeeze past Coventry City after a last-gasp header from Dan Ballard to send them into the final. Sheffield United are in better form and have more momentum heading into this game. They can use that to propel them to victory at Wembley Stadium.
There could also be an experience element that can sway the game in the Blades’ favour. Regis le Bris has put together an excellent squad of youngsters at the Stadium of Light. Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg, and Eliezer Mayenda have all shone as teenagers this season. However, experience is vital in games like these.
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Rhian Brewster, Robinson, and Ahmedhodžić were all part of the United side that gained promotion in 2022/23. Plus, Keiffer Moore has been part of promotion-winning squads in two of the previous three seasons. Andre Brooks and Vinicius Souza were first-team players throughout the Blades’ Premier League campaign last season, and Hamza Choudhury has 57 appearances in the top English league. Wilder’s squad is teaming with experience, and that can prove the difference in these high-stakes games.
Players To Watch
- Gus Hamer (Midfielder, Sheffield United): Gus Hamer has been the standout player for Sheffield United this season. The Dutchman claimed the EFL Championship Player of the Season award, finishing with 16 goals and assists on the left or as an attacking midfielder. Hamer has the tools to carve this Sunderland side apart with pinpoint passing, crossing accuracy, and long-range shooting. He will be the key man for Wilder in this playoff final.
- Jobe Bellingham (Midfielder, Sunderland): Jobe Bellingham’s talent has been apparent for a couple of years, but this has been a breakout season for the 19-year-old. He has played in 85 out of a possible 92 league games over the last two years for Sunderland. The teenager is arguably their most important player. Bellingham’s contributions are vital on both sides of the ball, with accurate passing and attacking movement alongside defensive intelligence.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland Betting Tips
- Full-Time Result – Sheffield United to win: The Blades are narrow favourites in this game. Wilder already has a Championship promotion under his managerial belt, and they finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland in the league. The Blades have the best squad outside of the top two and stormed through the playoff semi-final with ease. A bet on Sheffield United to win is worth 7/5. If you want to cover the possibility of extra time and penalties, you can back them to be promoted, worth 8/11 with our online sportsbook.
- Over/Under – Under 2.5 goals: The Championship playoff final is historically a tight and tense game. Ten of the previous 12 finals have seen fewer than three goals, including the previous four. Over/Under betting on a cup final is often profitable, and you should pick under 2.5 goals in the game, worth 8/15 for anyone betting on soccer.
- Handicap – Draw (Sunderland +1): Seven of the last nine playoff finals have been separated by a single goal. These sides shared wins this season, both winning by one. Fourteen of United’s 28 league wins were by one-goal margins. Bet on Sunderland to cover a one-goal handicap draw, worth 14/5.
- Yellow Cards – Over 4.5 in the match: Both meetings in the league between these sides were feisty affairs. There were five yellows and two reds in their first clash, and another five yellow cards in their second. Bet on over 4.5 yellow cards in the game, worth 10/11.
- Player(s) to be Carded – Luke O’Nien, Gus Hamer and Jack Robinson: Sunderland centre back Luke O’Nien was yellow carded in both, as was Jack Robinson for the Blades. Both men received eight yellow cards during the season. We can see at least one of the two adding to their tally here. Gus Hamer has picked up a whopping 13 yellow cards this campaign. His competitive edge can sometimes lead to some rash challenges. Bets on Robinson and Hamer to be yellow-carded are 2/1. Placing a bet on the EFL Championship Final for Luke O’Nien to pick up a caution is worth 7/4.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These sides met twice in the season, with the home side winning in both games. Their last clash came at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day. The Black Cats came out on top with a 2-1 victory. All three goals came in an eight-minute spell during the first half. Eliezer Mayenda opened the scoring for the hosts on 26 minutes after capitalising on a defensive slip, but Sheffield United responded quickly when Gustavo Hamer’s cross-shot was turned into his own net by Luke O’Nien.
Just three minutes later, Sunderland regained the lead as Wilson Isidor beat Anel Ahmedhodžić and slotted into the bottom corner. United had earlier missed a penalty through Kieffer Moore and pressed hard in the second half. Rhian Brewster and Sam McCallum went close, while substitute Brooks forced a fine save from Anthony Patterson. United couldn’t find a leveller despite dominating possession, and Sunderland looked threatening on the counter. The Black Cats held firm under late pressure to claim all three points.
Sheffield United last played on May 12th, completing a 3-0 rout of Bristol City in the Playoff semi-final second leg. Despite a bright start from the visitors, with early efforts from Scott Twine and Nahki Wells, the Blades struck first. Moore headed home from a corner just before half-time, swinging the momentum firmly in United’s favour.
After the break, Hamer doubled the lead with a deflected strike before O’Hare tapped in late on to complete the rout. That booked the Blades’ place in the Championship Playoff final with a resounding 6-0 aggregate win.
Sunderland played on May 13th in a dramatic second leg against Coventry. Ephron Mason-Clark’s 76th-minute strike levelled the tie and sent it to extra time. Coventry had chances to win it in normal time, most notably when Haji Wright headed wide with the final touch of regulation play.
The Black Cats, who had edged the first leg 2-1, weathered second-half pressure and grew back into the contest during extra time. Just as penalties loomed, Ballard rose to meet Enzo Le Fée’s corner and powered in a dramatic winner off the bar to send the Black Cats to Wembley.
Sheffield United Team News
Chris Wilder will miss Jamie Shackleton and Oliver Arblaster due to injury. Hamza Choudhury is expected to start at right-back ahead of Alfie Gilchrist. The main question is in attack. Kieffer Moore scored in the last match and may start ahead top scorer Tyrese Campbell. Tom Cannon could support him up front. Callum O’Hare may enter the starting XI after scoring off the bench in both semi-final legs.
- Predicted lineup: Cooper, Choudhury, Ahmedhodžić, Robinson, Burrows, Peck, Vinícius Souza, Hamer, Brooks, Cannon, Moore.
Sunderland Team News
Régis Le Bris will be without the injured Niall Huggins and Aji Alese for the playoff final. Chris Mepham, despite starting 37 games, was benched for the semi-finals. Le Bris paired Luke O’Nien with Dan Ballard instead. Ballard played a key role in that match and is expected to start again. The Wembley lineup should mirror the one used against Coventry. That includes Luke O’Nien, Dennis Cirkin, and Patrick Roberts. All three played in the win over Wycombe three years ago and Le Bris is likely to stick with a settled and trusted team for the final.
- Predicted lineup: Patterson, Hum, Ballard, O’Nien, Cirkin, Neil, Bellingham, Roberts, Enzo Le Fée, Mayenda, Isidor.
