Frank Christian
Welcoming what is known as the “richest game in football,” Sheffield United and Sunderland gear up for this season’s Championship play-off final at Wembley on Saturday, where Premier League riches await the victor.
As fans from both clubs make their way to the capital, the paths to this final were quite distinct. United claimed an impressive 6-0 aggregate win over Bristol City, while Sunderland needed a dramatic late header from Daniel Ballard in extra time to edge out Coventry City, narrowly avoiding penalties.
Both teams, however, finished the season in a less-than-stellar fashion; United fell away from contention for automatic promotion and Sunderland faced a challenge, managing only one victory in their last seven league matches as they prepared for the play-offs.
For Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, this upcoming match is a chance to return to the Premier League following their relegation last season. Meanwhile, Sunderland is eager to return to the top tier for the first time since their drop in 2016/17.
In anticipation of the match at Wembley, we’ve compiled the most competitive odds, insightful tips, and predictions for bettors.
Odds are accurate with the mentioned firms at the time of writing but may fluctuate.
Sheff Utd vs. Sunderland predictions, insights, and odds
Under 2.5 goals in regulation time — 8/15, Betfair
While Saturday’s atmospheres will surely be charged, the game may lack a frenzy of goals.
Play-off finals, though always thrilling given the stakes, often unfold more cautiously than one might expect in terms of scoring.
This trend is particularly noticeable in Championship play-off finals, where only 18 goals have been netted in the last 12 matches since Crystal Palace triumphed over Watford in 2013 following a penalty by Kevin Phillips.
Wilson Isidor to score the final goal — 6/1 (AK Bets)
Another noteworthy trend: the last three finals decided by a single goal featured teams that finished third and fourth in the regular season. Notably, Fulham overcame Aston Villa in 2018, Nottingham Forest defeated Huddersfield Town in 2022, and Leeds lost to Southampton last year.
Although past performance isn’t everything, a closely-fought contest appears likely based on the playing styles of both teams.
Chris Wilder is known for his pragmatic approach, leading a Sheffield United side that boasts one of the best defensive records in recent Championship history, having allowed just 36 goals in 46 matches, with dependable goalkeeper Michael Cooper in goal.
Meanwhile, Sunderland has found it difficult to score, achieving more than one goal in only three of their last 16 matches, not having netted more than twice since their 3-2 away win against Middlesbrough in early February.
Betting on the last goal scorer seems like a prudent choice in this match, as a single goal could very well decide the outcome. Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor stands out as this season’s leading scorer for either side with 13 goals, offered at a compelling 6/1 for this wager.
Predicted score for Sheffield Utd vs. Sunderland
TSN Pick: Sheffield Utd (11/8, Betfair)
Score prediction: Sheffield Utd 1-0 Sunderland (11/2, Paddy Power)
Taking everything into consideration, the most likely result for Saturday appears to be a narrow win for either side, with United slightly favored.
The Blades finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland in the regular league standings and seem to have moved past their disappointment in missing out on direct promotion, efficiently overpowering Bristol City in their semi-final bout.
Conversely, Sunderland has an array of talented players who seem to be struggling to work together effectively. The individual brilliance of Isidor, Jobe Bellingham, and Enzo Le Fee, while impressive, is matched by the depth and quality of Sheffield United’s squad at this level.
Here are the probable outcomes for this match, as per Paddy Power.
Viewing Details for Sheffield Utd vs. Sunderland Championship play-off final
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Date: Saturday, 24th May, 2025
- Location: Wembley Stadium, London
- Time: 15:01 BST
- Broadcast: The Championship play-off final will air live on Sky Sports and can also be streamed through the Sky Go app.
RELATED LINKS:
- Guide to betting on football for beginners
- Understanding betting odds: how to read fractional, decimal, and American formats
