Sky Sports pundit makes ‘completely wild’ claim in Bristol City vs Sheffield United score prediction

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The 2024/25 Championship play-offs are set to kick off with Bristol City hosting Sheffield United.

Sheffield United spent much of the campaign pushing for a top-two spot alongside Leeds United and Burnley.

A dip in form at the end of the normal season saw Chris Wilder’s side fall away, however, ending up third.

Sheffield United set an unwanted record in the process and will now have a second shot at promotion against Bristol City.

The Robins made a late charge into the top six, taking advantage of teams around them really struggling.

• READ MORE: ‘Some fella grabbed me’… Ross McCrorie on the ‘amazing’ full-time scenes after Bristol City secured play-offs

Bristol City vs Sheffield United score prediction

Bristol City have secured their highest finish in the second tier since 2007/08 when they ended up fourth.

However, they go into this game as slight underdogs, having finished the campaign a full 22 points adrift of Sheff Utd.

Sky Sports pundit Sam Parkin has now shared his score prediction for the clash when speaking on the Championship Check-In podcast.

When doing so, Parkin said the second legs of play-off games normally go ‘completely wild.

However, he’s predicting a tighter game on Thursday, backing a 1-1 draw between Bristol City and Sheffield United.

He said: “The first legs will be slightly easier to get near or in the right ballpark. I think the second legs often just go completely wild, don’t they, and probably going to be more goals invariably in the second games when teams after let the handbrake off

“I think tight. We spoke on the Check-In about the enormity, obviously for Bristol City, I think, to go to Bramall Lane with an advantage.

“However, I just think it’s been you know quite a few years since they’ve been here. I think there will be some nerves. I think Sheffield United are good for a draw, could be 0-0. I’ll go for 1-1 just so we get a couple of goals and a bit of excitement.”

Chris Wilder could make Sheffield United history

If the Blades do end up winning the play-offs, Wilder could make Sheffield United history.

George Elek discussed this recently, explaining: “Not only could Chris Wilder be the man to take Sheffield United back up to the Premier League again, because they keep getting promoted every time they come down.

“He could actually be the first Blades manager to win the play-offs. That in itself is probably even as big an opportunity for him to write himself into the folklore even further than he already has and add to his legacy.”

Sheffield United have competed in the play-offs on five occasions, last doing so in 2021/22.

They lost to Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals that season.