Sheffield United will need to end worrying statistic to beat Sunderland in Championship play-off final

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The most lucrative game in English football takes centre stage on Saturday afternoon as Sheffield United clash against Sunderland in the Championship play-off final.

Sheffield United thrashed Bristol City across two legs to book their ticket to Wembley, whereas Sunderland edged past Coventry City thanks to a 122nd-minute winner from Dan Ballard.

After finishing third in the normal season, 14 points above Sunderland, Sheffield United enter the Championship play-off final as favourites.

Chris Wilder is also protecting an impressive play-off record, having never lost a game in this format during his managerial career.

Sheffield United, on the other hand, have never won in the play-offs, with the Blades posting eight defeats and one other worrying statistic to their name.

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Sheffield United’s worrying play-off final record

Ahead of their showdown against the Black Cats, the South Yorkshire outfit have been involved in four play-off finals, and of course, lost on each occasion.

Their first defeat came in the 1996/97 First Division at the old Wembley, losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the final.

Six years later, Sheffield United met Wolves at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, but unfortunately, their fortunes didn’t change with a 3-0 loss.

In 2008/09, meanwhile, Wade Elliott scored one of the great play-off goals as Burnley beat United 1-0 in the Championship play-off final to seal their place in the Premier League.

Sheffield United have also been on the wrong end of a penalty shootout defeat to Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town, losing against them in the 2012 League One play-off final.

With four defeats, five goals conceded, and zero goals scored, surely the Blades can turn the tide with Wilder at the helm and prevail at Wembley.

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Who is the referee for the Championship play-off final?

Supporters will already be biting their nails in the build-up to the biggest game of their season, with a place in the Premier League at stake.

That means the referee appointment for the clash is crucial, and it’s been revealed that Chris Kavanagh will officiate the Championship play-off final.

Worryingly for Sheffield United, Wilder has had trouble with Kavanagh in the past, including in the Blades 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in 2019.

The referee looked to have impeded United midfielder John Fleck in the build-up to Sergio Aguero’s opener, but as he did not come into contact with the ball, the goal was given after a VAR review.

“He’s affected the game. I believe if he blows up there wouldn’t have been a big debate about it. What I will say is if it happened on the other way around there might have been a little bit more to say than what I’m saying,” an angry Wilder said post-match.

Sheffield United will be hoping there isn’t a controversial decision on Saturday that impacts their chances of winning the final.