Sheffield United vs Sunderland Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Sheffield United are slight favourites for the Championship playoff final, when they take on a Sunderland side looking to make a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.

Sheffield United are in better form than Sunderland, as the Blades are unbeaten in their previous four matches, with three victories in those four matches. Chris Wilder's side have been assured defensively, with three clean sheets in their last four games.

Sunderland have only won once in their previous seven matches, and left it late against Coventry City to reach the playoff final. Defensively, Sunderland have been poor, with the Black Cats failing to keep a clean sheet in their previous seven matches and conceding first in four of their last five games.

The Black Cats have also been suspect defensively against Sheffield United in recent meetings, with no clean sheets in four matches. Goals are to be expected in this fixture, as Over 2.5 goals have been scored in six of the last eight meetings between the two sides.

Chris Wilder's side are in slightly better form than Sunderland, and we believe that momentum will carry the Blades over the line and back into the Premier League.

Sheffield United 2-1 Sunderland

Sheffield United are looking for an immediate return to the Premier League, when they take on a Sunderland side who hope to return to the top flight of English football for the first time since 2017.

Date: 24/05/2025

Location: Wembley Stadium, London.

Kick-Off: 3 pm

The first and arguably biggest playoff final of the football season takes place on Saturday (24/05/2025) with Sheffield United facing Sunderland at Wembley, with a place in next season's Premier League at stake.

Sheffield United hopes to achieve promotion at the first attempt, considering the Blades fell short at the final huddle of the Championship automatic promotion race. Chris Wilder's side had finished third in the regular league standings, 10 points adrift of Leeds United and Burnley. Sheffield United missed out on automatic promotion because of a run of four defeats in their final seven matches in the Championship, which included pivotal defeats to Burnley (2-1) and Millwall (0-1).

The Blades then faced Bristol City in the playoff semi-finals, in which the tie was comfortable for Chris Wilder as they recorded a 6-0 aggregate victory over the Robins. Harrison Burrows was excellent across both legs, providing four goal contributions.

Sunderland have enjoyed an excellent debut season under former FC Lorient manager, Régis Le Bris. The highly ambitious Frenchman has led the Black Cats to the verge of being a Premier League club once again, with notable performances from Wilson Isidor, Jobe Bellingham, Enzo Le Fee (former FC Lorient) and Eliezer Mayenda. Sunderland finished in fourth place in the Championship, 14 points behind Sheffield United in the league standings.

The Black Cats then faced Coventry City in the playoff semi-finals and secured a priceless 2-1 victory at the CBS Arena in the first leg. Ephron Mason-Clark restored parity for the Sky Blues in the second leg, before a 122nd-minute winner from Daniel Ballard sparked mass celebration at the Stadium of Light.

The game will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Sheffield United Team News

Ollie Arblaster, Harry Clarke, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Sai Sachdev are all unavailable for Chris Wilder's side due to injury concerns. Harrison Burrows is expected to start considering his excellent performances for the Blades.

Sunderland Team News

Patrick Roberts, Jobe Bellingham, Dan Ballard, Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor were all booked in Sunderland's second leg tie against Coventry City. Jayden Danns and Ian Poveda are both unavailable because of long-term injury concerns.

Sheffield United:

Sheffield United are coming into this game with no losses in their previous four matches and have also won three of the last four meetings between the two sides in the Championship. The Blades have recorded three wins from their last four games, with two victories against Bristol City (0-3 & 3-0). Sheffield United's other victory came in the penultimate game of their league season, where they beat Stoke City (0-2) away from home, with goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks.

Prior to this run, Sheffield United had lost four of their previous five matches, with defeats to Burnley (2-1), Plymouth Argyle (2-1), Millwall (0-1) and Oxford United (1-0).

Sunderland:

Sunderland are unbeaten in their previous two matches, having gained a win and a draw against Coventry City (1-2 & 1-1) in the semi-finals of the playoffs. The Black Cats have beaten the eBlades this season at the Stadium of Light, thanks to goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor in a 2-1 victory for the home side.

Sunderland's last two results would have been a welcome sight for the club, as previously they had lost their last five league games with defeats against QPR (0-1), Oxford United (2-0), Blackburn Rovers (0-1), Bristol City (2-1) and Swansea City (0-1).

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