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The richest game in football is just mere hours away, with Sunderland facing Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
The Championship play-offs are one of the greatest inventions in the sport’s history, having been introduced back in 1987 in the EFL. It’s a huge day for whichever side comes out on top.
Not only that, but they could secure a jaw-dropping play-off prize fund in the process. Billy Sharp has offered the Blades advice but anything can happen in a one-off game where nerves will be tested to the limit.
It’s third against fourth, much like last season’s play-off final. Sunderland and Sheffield United won one apiece this season in the regular league season, with an aggregate score of 2-2 heading into Wembley.
Unwanted record awaits loser of Sunderland vs Sheffield United
Chris Wilder has previous play-off success but not with a Sheffield United team who have struggled in these tournament-style matchups historically. Another concern is Sunderland also have the better of Sheffield United in the head-to-head battle.
That is perhaps compounded by the fact Wilder will be unhappy with the EFL’s decision to have Chris Kavanagh as the referee in charge today as well. That being said, they finished 14 points ahead of the Wearsiders and had the more impressive campaign overall up to this point.
Sam Parkin is concerned by Sheffield United’s end of season form during the run-in when they dropped off and he believes Sunderland vs Sheffield United will be decided by the odd goal today.
Whatever happens, one side will have an unwanted record hanging over them. Sheffield United losing will mean they have outright suffered the most play-off defeats of any team since 1987.
Sunderland’s failure to win would mean that they join Sheffield United, Brentford, and Reading on the joint-most defeats. Regis Le Bris will be looking to do to the Blades what his side did against Coventry City in the semis.
- READ MORE: The new rule Sunderland or Sheffield United must adhere to if they win Championship play-off final
Opta’s supercomputer predicts play-off final between Sunderland and Sheffield United
Even Gary Neville has had his say on the play-off final at Wembley but the Opta supercomputer has also decided whether Sheffield United or Sunderland win.
It states that Sunderland have a 26.5 percent chance of winning across a 90-minute game of football. However, Sheffield United are the clear favourites according to their model, with a 49.4 percent chance of lifting the trophy in normal time.
Many neutrals would love to see the excitement of penalties, but the supercomputer cannot decide a winner from that, given there are even more random variables at play.
Tactics obviously still matter in a game of this magnitude but it’s more of a test of character, resolve, and holding your nerve in big moments when it comes to both boxes.