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Sheffield United’s play-off history is not strong and Sunderland will be hoping to inflict further heartbreak on their opponents in the final on Saturday at Wembley.
The two sides were separated by 14 points in the regular Championship campaign, although the Blades and Black Cats’ head-to-head record this season is even, and the final is sure to be an incredibly tight affair.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 46 | 29 | 13 | 4 | 95 | 30 | 65 | 100 |
| 2 |  BurnleyBurnley | 46 | 28 | 16 | 2 | 69 | 16 | 53 | 100 |
| 3 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 46 | 28 | 8 | 10 | 63 | 36 | 27 | 90 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 46 | 21 | 13 | 12 | 58 | 44 | 14 | 76 |
| 5 |  CoventryCoventry | 46 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 64 | 58 | 6 | 69 |
| 6 |  Bristol CityBristol City | 46 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 59 | 55 | 4 | 68 |
Sheffield United’s dominant 6-0 victory over Bristol City on aggregate in the semi-final was a demonstration of the class that Chris Wilder possesses in his team, and Regis Le Bris will need his players to be defensively strong if they are to have a chance of returning to the Premier League after an eight year absence.
While the Blades have a poor play-off history, supporters may have new belief this season due to one significant reason and Sunderland may fear their opponents on May 24.
Chris Wilder has previous play-off success, he has to repeat it with Sheffield United
With eight play-off campaigns, and eight failures to their name, the South Yorkshire outfit are hoping it’s ninth time lucky in 2024/25.
They are in their first Championship final since 2009, when Wade Elliott scored one of the great play-off goals to send Burnley to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history, and belief will be strong in their camp.
This will have only been strengthened by Wilder’s personal record in the competition, as he has never lost a game in this format in his career.
He took Oxford United to National League play-off glory in 2010, beating Rushden & Diamonds 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals before the U’s ran out 3-1 winners in the final against York City to secure their EFL return.
He continued his unbeaten run against Bristol City ahead of Sheffield United’s clash with Sunderland, beating them 3-0 in both games and he knows that if he maintains this record, then the Blades will return instantly to the top flight.
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Chris Wilder has to ensure his team do not allow past disappointment to impact them
Sheffield United have had a rollercoaster of a season, and despite starting the year with a two point deduction, they were able to fight for automatic promotion until the final weeks of the campaign.
While disappointing, the Championship play-offs have allowed the Blades to reset and have a new focus. They were brimming with confidence against the Robins, and this must be carried over to the final at Wembley.
The squad is extremely different compared to the one that missed out on promotion in 2022, as they were beaten by Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals, and this new attempt at Wembley glory feels like a fresh start for a club that has suffered so much heartbreak in the past.