Sheffield United vs Sunderland Prediction: Black Cats could defend their way to victory

Sheffield United and Sunderland will contest the most expensive game in football - the Championship play-off final - when they meet at Wembley on Saturday (15:01, Sky Sports Main Event), with a place in the Premier League up for grabs. The Blades are hoping to return to the top flight at the first attempt, while Sunderland have experienced an eight-year hiatus from the promised land.

Read on for my Sheffield United vs Sunderland predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Sheffield United cruised their way into the play-off final against Bristol City in the semi-finals and Chris Wilder may be tempted to deploy the same XI that took to the field for the first leg.

Ollie Arblaster and Jamie Shackleton remain sidelined for the Blades due to injury. Callum O'Hare will be pushing to start at Wembley having scored from the bench in both legs against the Robins, although Wilder may consider him a stronger asset as an impact sub.

Tyrese Campbell and Kieffer Moore could be partnered up front again, although Tom Cannon will be itching to feature under the arch. Gustavo Hamer, Vini Souza and Sydie Peck look assured of places in the midfield, while Michael Cooper will continue in between the sticks.

Harrison Burrows poses a huge attacking threat from left-back and is a player Sunderland need to pay close attention to.

Sunderland are missing Aji Alese and Niall Huggins due to injury.

Boss Regis Le Bris named the same XI for both semi-final legs against Coventry City, in which his players were praised for their outstanding defensive work. He is likely to field the same team on Saturday and the game plan is expected to be the same against the Blades, who the Mackems will be hoping to blunt.

Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda should operate in attack, offering an outlet for the Black Cats to attack Sheffield United on the break. Enzo Le Fee, Jobe Bellingham, Dan Neil and Patrick Roberts are likely going to be the midfield four, although Romaine Mundle may be considered in place of the latter.

Sheffield United vs Sunderland Odds

Sheffield United have won three of their last four matches in all competitions and they are 11/8, which has an implied probability of 42.1%, to win in regulation time.

The draw is marketed at 2/1, if you think this final will require extra time.

Sunderland are 23/10 to prevail in 90 minutes, but have just one win in their past eight appearances across all competitions.

In the regular campaign, five of Sheffield United's previous seven fixtures produced under 2.5 goals, while this was a winning selection in seven of Sunderland's past eight outings in the league.

Draw or Sunderland and under 2.5 goals @ 6/5

Sheffield United cruised their way past Bristol City, and many think they look destined for an instant return to the Premier League. I'm not so sure.

Sunderland's end of season form was a huge concern as no one had ever gone into the play-offs with such a poor run of results (five consecutive defeats). The Black Cats showed it meant very little in the semi-finals as they frustrated the hell out of Coventry with their resilient defending.

It was a bold approach from Le Bris but it paid off. I was so impressed with how every player in the team got stuck into the defensive work, which was the key reason they got through to the final.

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I think they will back themselves to be just as strong at the back against Sheffield United, who they've also enjoyed victory against this campaign, and will rely on getting chances on the break through Isidor and Mayenda.

It's how they scored in the first leg against Coventry, with Isidor finishing off a precision pass from Le Fee. The Sunderland players dug deep against the Sky Blues, and they'll likely have to dig deeper against Sheffield United, who scored six goals against Bristol City.

Maybe I'm crazy but I think the Mackems may just defend their way back to the Premier League. I think the likelihood is that they will force extra time, so I'm covering double chance in their favour.

I've boosted the selection by combining it with under 2.5 goals, which was a successful bet in seven of Sunderland's last eight appearances in the league campaign.

Luke O'Nien to receive a card @ 11/5

If Sunderland are in for another backs-against-the-wall kind of performance, then I'm expecting defender Luke O'Nien to be in the thick of the action. Despite arriving on Wearside as a midfielder, the former Wycombe Wanderers man has mostly played as a centre-back for the Black Cats.

It's brought problems but it has also worked wonders. He's very physical and his slender frame requires him to be aggressive when competing against big centre-forwards, e.g. Sheffield United's Moore.

I think there's good value on him to get booked on Saturday as he was booked in both meetings with the Blades this season, while he collected nine yellows across the 46-game campaign.

Offers

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