Sheffield United star wants to bury his play-off demons after two heartbreaking losses

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Sheffield United and Sunderland will battle it out for a coveted spot in the Premier League.

Promotion to the top flight is worth millions and both sides will fancy their chances – despite their patchy end of season form.

It’s expected to be a tense affair, with Sam Parkin predicting Sheffield United to win by the ‘odd goal’ and a win at Wembley Stadium and would secure an immediate return to the top flight for the Blades.

Sunderland have a terrible record in play-off penalty shootouts and will be hoping they can get the job done in 90 minutes.

For many of the Sunderland players, this will be their first taste of a play-off final but for Sheffield United, they have players who have done it all before.

One of those Blades players doesn’t have fond memories of his last Championship play-off final and wants to bury those demons once and for all.

• READ MORE: Championship play-off final will kick off one minute late, but there’s a brilliant reason for the delay

Callum O’Hare hoping to go one better with Sheffield United

Callum O’Hare’s last taste of the play-offs ended in heartbreak with Coventry City.

O’Hare missed the defeat against Luton Town due to an ACL injury in 2023, and also lost at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final in 2024. But, this time, the Blades number 10 wants to finally taste victory at the home of football.

He told the Sheffield Star: “That day for me was tough, because I wanted the boys to do it so badly.

“I wasn’t involved, I was there but I could barely walk. I want to do it really badly this time… that was the main aim coming here and hopefully we can do it. But it’s going to be a big game.”

The starting XI Sheffield United played in the 2012 play-off final vs the side that started against Bristol City

Sheffield United destroyed Bristol City across two legs – but don’t be fooled.

The Blades have never been promoted via the play-offs and are making their first appearance in the format since the 2021/22 season.

Their last play-off final was in the 2011/12 season, where they were beaten by Huddersfield Town and lost on penalties.

Only a handful of the players who started against Huddersfield still play today, most notably Harry Maguire at Manchester United.

After their failures 13 years ago, it’s time for someone to step up and become a hero.