Sheffield United vs Sunderland Prediction: Championship Play-Off Final Preview & Starting Lineups

The stage is set at Wembley for one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season: the Championship play-off final between Sheffield United and Sunderland, which kicks-off shortly at 3:01pm, live on Sky Sports Main Event.

The atmosphere is electric, with Wembley awash in red and white as both sides aim to crown impressive campaigns with a return to the Premier League.

EFL expert Gab Sutton has delivered his in-depth preview of the showdown, highlighting three key betting tips and the confirmed starting line-ups ahead of this winner-takes-all encounter.

Sheffield United vs Sunderland Preview

With the two teams having been comfortably better than their Play-Off Semi-Final opponents over the course of the league campaign, it seems fitting that the Final pits Sheffield United against Sunderland.

Both showed solidity in their respective Semi-Final ties, but in different ways.

The Blades’ sturdy shape helped them keep Bristol City firmly at arm’s length in a 6-0 aggregate victory, that was decided within the first half hour of the 1st leg.

Whereas, the Black Cats had to wait until Dan Ballard’s injury-time winner in the 2nd leg to secure their own passage, having demonstrated a dogged determination to see off Coventry, with a few last-ditch blocks and challenges along the way.

The defensive qualities both have offered, both in their Semi-Finals and over the season, suggests a tight affair that could be decided by either the odd goal or penalties.

There may be an initial stalemate in which neither side wants to break from the compact shape that served them well in the Semis, and while Sheffield United are understandably Championship promotion favourites, Sunderland’s counter-attacking threat makes them a serious danger.

Sheffield United vs Sunderland Tips

For the aforementioned reasons, it could be a game low on chances, with both sides reluctant to push the envelope and risk leaving themselves exposed. This makes Under 1.5 Goals an appealing price at 7/4 with Paddy Power.

Plus, United have a tough defensive midfielder in Vinicius Souza, who has brought steel to the Blades this season, while their opponents have a holder in Dan Neil who has adjusted to the responsibilities - both as captain and the deepest CM - with admirable maturity.

Meanwhile, there will be great defenders on the pitch like Anel Ahmedhodzic and Dan Ballard, of their respective Steel City and Wearside representatives.

What Sunderland have in their favour is pace: Eliezer Mayenda, Wilson Isidor, and Romaine Mundle can all cut teams open, if they’re on the pitch simultaneously, especially if they share it with a technical wizard in Enzo Le Fee, who can slot people through with real flair and precision.

If the Mackems can ally that transitional threat with their strong defensive shape, they have a great chance of returning to the big-time, with the club available at 6/5 To Lift The Trophy.

With two goals in his last five games, Eliezer Mayenda is finishing the season in good form, providing a potent threat in behind with his pace, strength and selfless link-up play.

Sheffield United may need left-back Harrison Burrows to fly forward on the overlap to bring the best out of their wide midfielder, star man Gustavo Hamer, but that carries risk: if Burrows gets caught too high up, then Mayenda has a favourable one-v-one against left centre-back Jack Robinson who isn’t the quickest. In that scenario, only one man wins the footrace.

If Mayenda can stay high up on the right channel, he may have some joy in transition, and catches the eye at 4/1 to score anytime during the 90mins.

Sheffield United vs Sunderland Bet Boosts

Sky Bet are offering a couple of attractive bet boosts for today's final, including the Super Boost of Hamer to have 1+ Shot on Target in 90 mins, which has been boosted from 4/5 to 6/4.