Comments on the £200 million match Sheffield Utd vs Sunderland, 9:01 p.m. May 24: Welcome back, Black Cats

TPO - Football commentary Sheffield Utd vs Sunderland, Premier League 2025/26 play-off final at 9:01 p.m. on May 24 - squad information, expected lineup, form, head-to-head history. For the past 8 years, Sunderland has been struggling in the lower divisions, even falling to the 3rd division. But with incredible determination, the Black Cats are on their way back to the Premier League, where they once belonged.

Pre-match comments Sheffield Utd vs Sunderland

Sheffield Utd and Sunderland overcame Bristol City and Coventry City in the semi-finals, before reaching the play-off final, which if won would see Leeds United and Burnley promoted to the top flight next season.

Sheffield finished the Championship season 14 points clear of Sunderland, the biggest gap between two play-off finalists since 1988/89. The Blades also became only the third team in the history of the competition to win 90 points and still miss out on automatic promotion, after Sunderland in 1997/98 and Leeds United last season. Sunderland, meanwhile, spent 266 days in the top six, more than any other team to secure a play-off spot.

Sheffield United are hoping to return to the Premier League after just one season in the Championship, with a relatively good squad still in place. Sunderland are even more desperate to make it to the top flight after eight years in the lower divisions. While winning the play-off final will earn them a minimum £220m, the Black Cats are also well aware of the price they will pay if they fail. They will face a broken squad, debt pressure and a long wait before they have a similar opportunity again.

Form, head-to-head history Sheffield Utd vs Sunderland

Sheffield have never won in their previous nine appearances in the play-offs. Sunderland have been in eight and have one win in 2022 in League One.

In the most recent match, Sunderland won 2-1, ending a series of 3 previous losses.

Sheffield United go into the final with a disappointing record. They have not won any of their last seven games at Wembley (D1 L6), with their last victory coming exactly 100 years ago against Cardiff City in the 1925 FA Cup final.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have plenty of experience in promotion. If they win, the Black Cats will be promoted to the Premier League for the fifth time since the tournament was founded in 1992. This achievement will put them on par with Norwich, West Brom, Leicester and Burnley for the most promotions.

Sheffield Utd vs Sunderland squad information

Sheffield are without Ollie Arblaster due to a knee injury, while Rhys Norrington-Davies is also absent for the same reason.

For Sunderland, Jayden Danns and Ian Poveda are definitely out, while Patrick Roberts is still struggling to recover from a calf problem.

Expected lineup Sheffield Utd vs Sunderland

Sheffield United: Cooper; Choudhury, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows; O'Hare, Peck, De Souza Costa, Hamer; Cannon, Moore

Sunderland: Patterson; Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Cirkin; Roberts, Neil, Bellingham, Le Fee; Isidor, Mayenda

Score prediction Sheffield United 0-1 Sunderland

Thanh Hai

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