Sheffield United face Sunderland today, Saturday, May 24th, 2025, in the Championship Play-off Final. This highly anticipated match will be held at Wembley Stadium in London, with kickoff scheduled for 19:31 IST. Both teams are battling for the ultimate prize: promotion to the English Premier League, a game often dubbed the richest in football due to the substantial financial rewards for the winning club.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland Form (Last 5 Matches – All Competitions)
Sheffield United: W-W-D-L-L
Sunderland: D-W-L-L-L
Sheffield United vs Sunderland Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- Jan 1, 2025: Sunderland 2 – 1 Sheffield United (Championship)
- Nov 29, 2024: Sheffield United 1 – 0 Sunderland (Championship)
- Mar 15, 2023: Sunderland 1 – 2 Sheffield United (Championship)
- (Prior to these, their last play-off meeting was in the 1997-98 semi-final, where Sunderland won 3-2 on aggregate)
Sheffield United have won five of their last seven meetings with Sunderland in all competitions, though they did lose the most recent fixture.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland Team News
Sheffield United: Chris Wilder’s side will be without Ollie Arblaster due to a long-term knee injury, and Rhys Norrington-Davies is also expected to miss out with a groin problem. However, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Ben Brereton Diaz, and Femi Seriki are all fit again and could feature. Other players like Tom Cannon and Andre Brooks are pushing for starts after impressive semi-final performances.
Sunderland: Manager Régis Le Bris has some fitness concerns to manage. Jayden Danns (back issue) and Ian Poveda (leg injury) are both ruled out. Patrick Roberts is battling a calf problem and his fitness for a start is uncertain. Aji Alese is also hoping to be fit for the final. Chris Rigg and Chris Mepham may also be pushing for a return to the starting XI after missing out on recent play-off matches.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland Predicted Lineups
Sheffield United Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Cooper; Burrows, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Choudhury; Hamer, Peck, Souza, Brereton; Moore, Campbell.
Sunderland Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Patterson; Cirkin, O’Nien, Ballard, Hume; L. Fée, Bellingham, Neil, Roberts; Isidor, Mayenda.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland Match Facts
- Sheffield United finished 3rd in the Championship, 14 points ahead of 4th-placed Sunderland. This is the biggest points difference between two play-off finalists in the current format.
- Sheffield United cruised past Bristol City with a 6-0 aggregate victory in their semi-final.
- Sunderland edged past Coventry City with a dramatic extra-time goal in their semi-final, winning 3-2 on aggregate.
- Sheffield United has a poor play-off final record, having failed to earn promotion in any of their four previous finals.
- Sunderland, by contrast, has won their last two matches at Wembley (2021 Football League Trophy and 2022 League One play-off final).
- Both teams have sold out their allocation of 35,531 tickets for the match at Wembley.
- VAR will be used for the fourth successive season in EFL play-off finals.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland Score Prediction
This match promises to be a tense and hard-fought affair, given the high stakes. Sheffield United comes into the final on the back of a dominant semi-final performance and a stronger regular season. However, Sunderland’s recent Wembley success and their dramatic semi-final win will give them confidence. Both teams have managers who prefer an attacking style, but the pressure of the final could lead to a cautious approach. Ultimately, Sheffield United’s overall quality and a desire to bounce straight back to the Premier League might just see them through. **Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Sunderland.**
Where to Watch Sheffield United vs Sunderland
The match kicks off at 19:31 IST. Here’s how you might be able to watch in some regions:
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
- In India, the Championship play-off final will be available on **FanCode**.
- In the United Kingdom, the match will be shown live on **Sky Sports Football** and **Sky Sports Main Event**, with streaming available via Sky GO and Now TV.
- In the United States, you can watch the match on **Paramount+**.
- In Canada, the match can be streamed on **DAZN**.
- In Australia, the match will be broadcast on **BeIN Sports**.
- Check your local listings for other broadcasters in your region.
Looking for Free Ways to Watch?
For viewers seeking **free live stream options**, it’s advisable to check if any streaming services offer free trials that include access to channels broadcasting the Championship play-off final. Always ensure you are using legal and reliable sources for streaming to avoid any issues and to enjoy the highest quality viewing experience.
