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Sports fans prepare for one of the richest games in club football: Sheffield United versus Sunderland in the English Championship play-off final. Wembley provides a fitting backdrop to this shootout, as the Blades and Black Cats aim for a spot in next season's Premier League.
Sheffield United eased past Bristol City over two legs in the semi-finals and are 5/4 favourites with online sportsbook bet365 to win again. Sunderland needed a goal from the final passage of play in extra time to beat Frank Lampard's Coventry City and are 21/10 to win at the National Stadium. Can't split them? The draw trades at 23/10.
There's everything to play for here as one team will look forward to rubbing shoulders with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City next season, sending the loser back to the drawing board. But which team will grab this incredible opportunity? Football writer Frank Monkhouse brings FlashScore readers up to speed on the Sheffield Utd v Sunderland betting.
Sheffield United v Sunderland; Saturday, 15:00 BST
Blades slice through Bristol City
Sheffield United finished as the highest-ranked team in the play-off positions, ending third behind runaway leaders Leeds United and Burnley, who secured automatic promotion with 100 points. The Blades posted regular season stats of 28 wins, eight draws and ten defeats, scoring 63 goals and conceding 36. They ended 14 points clear of Sunderland in fourth.
Crossing the finish line with an away win over Stoke City and a 1-1 home draw with Blackburn Rovers, Chris Wilder's men set their sights on beating sixth-place Bristol City in a two-legged play-off. Sheffield United were firm betting favourites to progress, and they had no problems living up to expectations. A convincing 6-0 aggregate win kept them on course to reach the cash-rich English Premier League.
Sheff Utd moved into a commanding position in the tie with an effortless 3-0 away win in the first leg. Goals from Burrows, Brooks and O'Hare had the Robins on the ropes. They finished the job with another 3-0 win at Bramall Lane, thanks to strikes from Moore, Hamer and O'Hare.
Over 2.5 goals in the final is 13/10 (bet365)
Black Cats enjoy good fortune
Sunderland wrapped up the Championship regular season with a fourth-place finish, making the play-offs despite losing each of their final five games. Stats of 21 wins, 13 draws, and 12 defeats with 58 goals scored and 44 conceded kept the Black Cats' season alive. They were 22 points off the top two automatic promotion places, and ten points inside the prize places.
Sunderland's reward for finishing fourth was a play-off semi-final against Coventry City. Traders working at major betting apps had Regis le Bris and his men as the most likely winners, and that proved the case, but Coventry refused to go down without a fight. Sunderland won 2-1 in the first leg away from home following second-half goals from Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda.
Enjoying a home advantage and an aggregate lead, most football fans and pundits expected an easy night for Sunderland against Coventry on Tuesday, but things rarely go to plan at this level. Mason-Clarke fired the Sky Blues level on 76 minutes before Ballard bundled home a header with the final passage of play in extra-time. The teams were seconds away from penalties before Sunderland equalised.
Both teams to score in the playoff final is 10/11 (bet365).
Sheffield United v Sunderland betting predictions and odds
The head-to-head stats associated with this game show these teams have met twice already this season, with Sheff Utd winning 1-0 at home and Sunderland claiming a 2-1 win on their patch. Interestingly, 2-1 was the final score in three of the last four meetings. Fans packing Wembley on Saturday and the millions more watching worldwide hope this game follows the trends and delivers another goal-fest.
Which team will win the final and secure a spot in the 2025/26 Premier League season? Sunderland impressed in the semi-finals, progressing without fuss when scoring six goals without reply. When you compare that to their opponents, who were dragged into extra-time by a hard-working Coventry, it's plain to see the Blades have the edge.
Sheffield United were beaten finalists in 1997, 2003, and 2009. I expect them to go one better this season and finally get over the line. They have the better form, had an easier semi-final and are capable of taking advantage of any tired legs in the opposing camp. Back Sheffield United to win as a single or add the Blades to your weekend multiples.
Tip: Sheffield United win @ 5/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Sheffield United win the game in regulation time, you land the profits.
Tip: Sheff Utd 2-1 Sunderland @ 17/2 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If the score is Sheff Utd 2-1 Sunderland at full-time, your bet wins.
Championship play-off final betting promotions
Online bookmaker bet365 offers a wealth of pre-match and live betting markets on Sheffield United v Sunderland. If you have an active account at bet365, you can make predictions, place bets and target a profit using the bet365 app or website.
Access your account, click on the football tab > Championship > Sheffield United v Sunderland. Browse the markets and click the odds of your pick to add it to the bet slip. Input a stake, check the details, and confirm. Your wager is now live, and a cash-out value will appear.
If you don't already have an account with bet365, the Championship play-off final is an excellent time to join. New customers qualify for a £30 welcome bonus when they create an account, deposit £10 or more and wager on a qualifying sportsbook market. When your first bet results, the bet credits will quickly appear in your balance.
Ready to claim your welcome bonus and bet on the main attractions from this week's football schedule? Click any link to bet365 on this page to get started.
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.