Sunderland already have one major advantage over Sheffield United ahead of Championship play-off final

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We now know the two teams that will fight it out in the Championship play-off final, with Sunderland clinching their place alongside Sheffield United in midweek.

On paper, Sheffield United are the favourites to go all the way at Wembley and secure promotion back to the Premier League.

Chris Wilder’s squad is full of top flight quality, and the Blades were way ahead of Sunderland and the chasing pack in the play-off places across the general season.

However, United were also miles off the level of Leeds United and Burnley in the end, and will need to produce something special against the Black Cats on May 24.

And, based on one thing we’ve seen across the season, Sunderland could end up having the upper hand under the Wembley arch.

• READ MORE: EFL Analysis experts share Championship play-offs predictions

Sunderland’s massive fanbase will be key to Wembley clash

Frankly, on Tuesday night, Sunderland proved they are massive, with a Premier League crowd and an electric atmosphere at the Stadium of Light.

This club is the true definition of a sleeping giant, having been away from the top tier for eight seasons now, but they are finally showing signs that they really do deserve to be back in the Premier League.

Now, the players at Regis Le Bris’ disposal are very good, of course. The likes of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg, Eliezer Mayenda, and Enzo Le Fee will certainly have their say in the play-off final.

Sheffield United’s squad is a different kind of quality, though. Gustavo Hamer and Vini Souza ooze class, and there is a resilience, experience, and drive about the Blades that puts them a step ahead of Sunderland.

But, if the football phrasebooks have taught us anything over the years, it’s that the 12th man can make all the difference in any game, and Sunderland pack quite the punch in that regard.

Sunderland played their part in filling the CBS Arena and Stadium of Light to set a new EFL record attendance across a two-leg play-off, and they’re sure to take an absolute army down to Wembley, too.

Throughout the season, Sunderland have pulled in an average of 39,182 fans to their home games, against a supposed capacity of 48,707 (although the 46,500 tickets sold for Tuesday’s game was the limit they are actually allowed in the ground).

United attract a decent crowd, too, of course, with an average of just over 28,000. As for the final, the allocation of tickets will have a say on matters, but there is no doubting that Sunderland could sell out Wembley twice over if they were given the chance.

With that fiery, passionate crowd behind them, the Black Cats may just pull off one more surprise this month.

• READ MORE: How to watch the Championship play-offs

Sunderland have proven they can beat Sheffield United already this season

Sheffield United were obviously one of the top teams in the Championship this season, but they proved on a number of occasions that they are very much beatable.

Sunderland managed it on New Year’s Day, in fact, with a resolute and hard-earned 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light, which should give them hope of overcoming the Blades on the big stage.

Sheffield United’s play-offs record of eight failed attempts may well come back to haunt them at the end of the month, but we know Chris Wilder is desperate to end that curse.

Still, Championship fans voted Sunderland as the team to beat in the play-offs a week ago… maybe they know something we don’t?