A place in the Premier League is at stake on Saturday when Sheffield United and Sunderland face off in the Championship play-off final.
The battle to win the Championship play-offs concludes at Wembley with third-placed Sheffield United taking on fourth-placed Sunderland in a heavyweight clash.
Little more than 12 months on from relegation there is an opportunity for redemption for the Blades, who have been in the Championship’s top three since early November.
But they will be up against a Sunderland side desperate to end their eight-season exile from the top tier.
The contest is the subject for Saturday’s bet builder which, if successful, will return at around 11/1 with Betway.
Championship Play-Off Final Tips
Blades can win high stakes clash
Sheffield United were disappointed to be the odd one out in a three-horse race for automatic promotion but they can make amends by defeating Sunderland in the play-off final.
The Blades finished rock bottom of the 2023/24 Premier League standings with just three victories but they soon readjusted to second tier football and finished with 90 points.
Sunderland also started the season strongly and were top of the table during the November international break but they couldn’t maintain those high standards and limped into the play-offs having lost their final five league matches.
The Black Cats dug deep in their play-off semi-final against Coventry, winning 3-2 on aggregate with the help of Dan Ballard’s dramatic stoppage-time headed goal in extra-time at the Stadium of Light.
However, they were largely outplayed by the Sky Blues, who dominated possession and won the cumulative shot count 34 to 26.
Sunderland are expected to persist with a low defensive block, but it may be less effective in the final.
Chris Wilder’s United are a multi-faceted side with numerous threats and they should find a way to get the job done.
Leg 1: Sheffield United to be promoted @ 4/6
Hamer could have his say
United are a hard working side with a strong team ethic but they have some talented individuals, including Gustavo Hamer, who could be their Wembley match winner.
Hamer registered 91 shots during the league campaign which is more than any United player.
The 27-year-old scored in the 3-0 semi-final second leg triumph at home to Bristol City and can make his mark against Sunderland.
Leg 2: Gustavo Hamer anytime scorer @ 4/1
Low-scoring trend could continue
Recent Championship play-off finals have been low-scoring affairs with each of the last four generating less than three goals.
And the trend may continue this weekend because neither United nor Sunderland are accustomed to conceding many goals.
The Blades have kept things tight in recent weeks with three clean sheets secured in their last four games, but their main challenge will be working out how to break down a deep-lying Sunderland defence.
Eight of Sunderland’s last 10 games have featured less than three goals, so it makes sense to side with under 2.5 goals for the Wembley encounter.
Leg 3: Under 2.5 goals @ 1/2
