Championship expert backs play-off final to be decided by ‘odd goal’ in Sunderland vs Sheffield United score prediction

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All eyes will be on Wembley on Saturday afternoon as the Blades and the Black Cats go head-to-head in the Championship play-off final, and the Sunderland vs Sheffield United score prediction from Sam Parkin suggests we could be in for a tight game.

Sheffield United coasted past Bristol City in the semi-finals with a massive 6-0 aggregate win over the two legs and go into the final as the overwhelming favourites.

However, Sunderland’s dramatic two-leg victory over Coventry City will give fans hope of a surprise on Saturday. Indeed, before the play-offs began, neutrals backed Sunderland to go all the way.

That wasn’t the case for supercomputer predictions of the play-offs, though, with United expected to secure promotion at the ninth time of asking.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United have one statistic on their side in the Championship play-off final, they’ve been in this position before

Sam Parkin and Benjamin Bloom offer up Sunderland vs Sheffield United score prediction

It’s too close to call ahead of the big game. Even the Sunderland vs Sheffield United head-to-head record offers very little insight as to who could prevail.

Discussing the upcoming game on the Championship Check-In podcast, Sam Parkin and Benjamin Bloom offered their thoughts and suggested we’re in for a very ‘cagey’ affair, but the Blades are expected to snatch the win.

Parkin said: “It’s really difficult. It could be a case of both teams cancelling one another out, going all the way to extra-time and penalties; that’s what I’m feeling. But I want the supporters and the neutrals to enjoy the spectacle.

“I’m going to go for Sheffield United — with that additional depth, a bit more know-how — despite Sunderland having recent visits to Wembley; Sheffield United by the odd goal. Sheffield United 2-1… I’ll just caveat that by saying it could be in extra-time.”

Bloom was more decisive in his Sunderland vs Sheffield United score prediction, stating the Blades will be too solid on the day.

He added: “There are a few options, one of which I like. Sheffield United are stronger squad-wise and the league table tells us they’ve accumulated more points; not that that really matters now. But I am looking at a 1-0.

“Then you look at a few play-off games of recent past, including Sunderland’s win over Wycombe [in League One] where they just grabbed that second goal to close it out. I just don’t think it’s going to go to extra-time. I’ll take the 1-0 to Sheffield United. I think I speak for everyone, though, when I say let’s just hope it’s not too cagey.”

• READ MORE: Peter Reid’s one-word reaction summed up Sunderland’s last Wembley win perfectly, he will want it again

What do we know about the Championship play-off final?

The big game is not far away at all now, which means we know who the referee for the Championship play-off final will be. Chris Wilder might not be too happy with Chris Kavanagh’s appointment, though.

If you’re hoping to watch the Championship play-off final, you might be too late to get a ticket to Wembley but there are plenty of options on television to catch the action.

Be sure to keep an eye on the kick-off times for the game, though, as they’ve been pushed back a minute as part of an initiative promoting the importance of CPR procedures.