The 2025 Championship Playoff Final will see Sheffield United and Sunderland lock horns at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 24, with kick-off at 3:00 pm. This match will determine which team joins Leeds United and Burnley in making it to the Premier League for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Sheffield United, under the guidance of Chris Wilder, finished third in the Championship table and are looking to make an instant return to the top flight after relegation in the 2024/24 season, something football odds online suggested was very possible.
Sunderland, managed by Regis Le Bris, secured their spot in the final after a dramatic last-minute goal from Dan Ballard in extra time against Coventry City at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats are aiming to be playing Premier League football for the first time since the 2016/17 campaign.
Both teams have passionate fan bases and a rich history, and this will set the stage for what should be an intense battle under the iconic Wembley arch, and with a huge prize on the line, it’s a match not to be missed.
Sheffield United Season Review
Sheffield United’s 2024/25 season has been a journey of redemption, with a push for the Premier League from the get-go. After a challenging 2023/24 Premier League campaign that ended in relegation, the Blades, under the leadership of returning manager Chris Wilder, were looking to bounce straight back. They almost achieved automatic promotion but fell away after three straight defeats.
The key to United’s success has been the strategic recruitment of players all over the pitch. The likes of Hamza Choudhury, Harrison Burrows, and Kieffer Moore have been great additions. Midfielder Gustavo Hamer has lit up the second tier and was named the league’s best player of the season.
In the Championship playoffs, Sheffield United faced Bristol City, who the defeated 3-0 at Ashton Gate and then 3-0 at Bramall Lane in the return leg. It’s the largest margin of aggregate victory ever record in Championship playoff history.
Sunderland Season Review
Sunderland’s 2024/25 season has been a testament to their strategic growth, which has culminated in a return to the Championship Playoff Final. Under Regis Le Bris, who was appointed last summer, the Black Cats secured a fourth-place finish in the second tier, amassing 76 points. It was a league performance that marked the club making further progress in their third season in the Championship.
Key to what the Black Cats achieved this season was the signing of forward Wilson Isidor, who finished as the team’s top scorer. Midfielder Jobe Bellingham also made notable contributions throughout the campaign, earning the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season award as a result.
In the playoff semi-finals, Sunderland were drawn against Coventry City. Following a 2-1 victory over Frank Lampard’s side away from home, the second leg was Sunderland’s chance to finish the job. It was a dramatic match; Coventry levelled the aggregate score and forced extra time, but a 122nd-minute header from Dan Ballard sent Sunderland through.
What Happened When the Two Sides Met This Season?
Sheffield United and Sunderland have faced each other twice this season, with each team securing a home victory.
The first encounter saw United emerge as 1-0 victors at Bramall Lane on November 29, 2024, thanks to an 84th-minute goal from midfielder Tom Davies. The game was marred by disciplinary issues, with both sides reduced to ten men before the break. Sunderland’s Patrick Roberts also missed a penalty in the first half.
The two sides then met on January 1, 2025, at the Stadium of Light. Sheffield United made multiple defensive errors, and the Black Cats were able to capitalise on them to secure a 2-1 win. Eliezer Mayenda opened the scoring on 27 minutes, with a Luke O’Nien own goal, levelling the score shortly after. However, Wilson Isidor put Sunerland back in the lead on 35 minutes, and they held on from that point. Anthony Patterson had also saved a Kieffer Moore penalty early in this one.
Heading into Sheffield United vs Sunderland, it’s the Blades who start as favourites, primarily because they finished 14 points clear of the Black Cats in the league. However, the fact that Sunderland have beaten United this season, and things could have been different at Bramall Lane had Roberts converted his spot kick, will make things interesting and give Le Bris’s side confidence.
History in Playoff Finals
Sheffield United
Sheffield United have played in three Championship/Division One Playoff finals and lost all three games. They were defeated 1-0 by Burnley at Wembley Stadium in 2009. They lost 3-0 at the hands of Wolves at the Millennium Stadium in 2003. And Crystal Palace defeated them 1-0 at Wembley Stadium in 1997.
Sunderland
In their last five playoff final appearances, Sunderland have won on two occasions. In 2022, the Black Cats defeated Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in the League One Playoff Final; this was after losing 2-1 to Charlton Athletic in the 2019 League One Playoff Final. 1998 saw Sunderland draw 4-4 at Wembley with Charlton in the Division One Playoff Final; they lost on penalties. 1990 was the Second Division Playoff Final, a fixture Sunderland lost 1-0 at the hands of Swindon Town. But they tasted victory in the 1988 Division Three Playoff Final when they beat Gillingham in a two-legged final.
What to Expect
Apart from Leeds United and Burnley, the two best teams in the Championship this season have been Sheffield United and Sunderland, and even then, there was a gap between the two sides.
It seems fitting that it’s the third and fourth best teams in the second tier competing at Wembley for promotion to the Premier League, and as you will expect, it’s the Blades who start as favourites according to Championship betting online.
When the two teams met earlier this season, both matches saw a penalty awarded, and both were missed. There have also been disciplinary issues, too. So, expect a fiercely fought contest from start to finish.
Tactically, both managers prefer four at the back systems, with Sunderland likely to concede possession and look to catch United, who like to get on the ball and dictate proceedings, on the break.
Both sides have match winners in their teams, but the Blades may have the edge when it comes to being able to impact a game from the bench.
Conclusion
If the clashes between Sheffield United and Sunderland this season are anything to go by, the Championship Playoff Final at Wembley should be an exciting watch. As seen in their meetings in the league, things can change quickly in these games, which is why in-play betting could come in handy.
BetVictor sports betting has you covered across Playoff Final weekend in the EFL. The Championship Playoff Final remains the most lucrative match in football, with the riches of the Premier League up for grabs for the winner. But will it be Sheffield United making an instant return to the top flight? Or will Sunderland upset the odds?
