Sheffield United vs Sunderland prediction: Blades to return to the Premier League | OneFootball

Sheffield United take on Sunderland in the Championship play-off final this weekend, with a place in the Premier League on the line at Wembley on Saturday (3pm, Sky Sports Main Event).

The Blades had an easier run in the semi-finals, facing Bristol City and earning two straightforward 3-0 wins for a superb 6-0 aggregate win over Liam Manning’s side.

Sunderland had an altogether more difficult and dramatic route to the final, beating Coventry 2-1 away before requiring a last-gasp Dan Ballard goal in extra-time at the Stadium of Light to book their place at Wembley.

Regis Le Bris’s side finished 14 points below the Blades in the regular season, with Chris Wilder’s side winning at home but losing away when the two teams met in November and January respectively.

And ahead of the final on 24 May, it’s the Blades who are the favourites at 8/11 with football betting sites, with Sunderland priced at 11/10 to lift the trophy.

Sheffield United vs Sunderland betting tips: Blades to return to the Premier League

Over the course of the season, Sheffield United showed that they were one of the best sides in the division, perhaps unlucky to fall into third in a season in which two sides accumulated 100 points.

The Blades still managed to grab 90 points on the way to a third-place finish in the Championship, and with Sunderland next in fourth on 76 points, there was a clear gap between these two in the regular season.

In their two meetings this term, each side won at home and lost away, with the Blades winning 1-0 before Sunderland got revenge in the reverse fixture with a 2-1 victory two months later.

But Sunderland’s win over Coventry was just the Black Cats’ second in their last 10 matches, having last won against Millwall at the end of March.

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To add to that, Le Bris’ side have just six goals over their last 10 matches. Sheffield United have won five of their last 10, scoring 16 goals in that time.

And that could explain why the Blades are such favourite on betting sites, offered at 29/20 to win in 90 minutes versus 21/10 for Sunderland.

So, if a punter wants slightly more potential value, a wager on Sheffield United to win and both teams to score could offer it at 11/4.

Callum O’Hare has been a surprise play-off hero for Sheffield United so far, scoring in both legs off the neck as the Blades secured two 3-0 wins in each leg of the semi-finals.

Though O’Hare only bagged two goals and two assists in the regular season, the Irishman seems to have found form at the right time, and could be in with a shout of starting at Wembley for Chris Wilder’s side.

So, for an outside shout ahead of the final, a wager on O’Hare to score or assist could be worth a punt at 12/5 with various betting apps.

New and existing customers claim NetBet’s free bet offer for the Championship play-off final between Sheffield United and Sunderland on Saturday.

Customers must place a £5 bet builder on the Championship play-off final with three selections or more at odds of 2/1 or greater before kick-off to qualify for the bonus.

Once you confirm your £5 bet builder, you’ll receive £5 in free bets to use on the sportsbook, excluding horse racing. Free bets are active for seven days.

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