The Championship Promotion Play Off Final takes place at Wembley on Saturday when Sheffield United and Sunderland will face off for a place in the Premier League next season.

 

 

 

Prices are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.

 

Sheff United

 

Sheffield finished third in the regular Championship season, 10 points shy of Leeds and Burnley who were promoted automatically. They were also in the mix for a top 2 finish until 4 defeats in 5 matches from early April onwards saw them lose ground. Still, the Blades bounced back at the tail end of the campaign and then went on to beat Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate in the play off semi finals, winning both legs by a 3-0 scoreline.

 

 

Sunderland

 

Sunderland were never out of the top 4 all season although their automatic promotion challenge faded a touch earlier than that of Sheffield and they finished fourth, 14 points shy of their opponents here. They embarked on a run of 5 straight defeats to end the regular season during which time they scored just 1 goal before a play off semi final with Coventry brought about a change of fortune.

 

Sunderland won the first leg away from home 2-1 but a nervy second leg display in the return on home turf saw Coventry finish regulation time 1-0 up and extra time was required. Just when it looked like a penalty shoot out would be needed decide the outcome Sunderland found a goal and went through 3-2 on aggregate.

 

Recent Head to Head

 

The first of two league meetings this season saw the Blades win 1-0 in Sheffield thanks to a late goal and Sunderland played more than half the game with 10 men and missed a penalty.

 

The return at the Stadium of Light saw Sunderland come out op top 2-1 and in this game it was Sheffield who missed from the penalty spot.

 

 

The Betting:

 

To be promoted by any method Sheffield are 0.68/1 and Sunderland are 23/20 with Sportingbet

 

Sheffield are 1.35/1 to win the match in regulation time, the draw is 2/1 and Sunderland are 9/4

 

Both teams to score in normal time is 21/20 and over 2.5 total goals is 14/10

 

The Verdict

 

The longer standing members of our community will know that I am a dyed in the wool Sunderland fan who has, on occasion, approached the betting angle of the more important Sunderland games donning the rose tinted spectacles. Remaining even handed when my team is involved in a game of such high stakes is proving difficult and I will once again let the heart rule the head.

 

Since he joined on loan from Roma in January I have been singing the praises of Sunderland's super talented midfielder Enzo Le Fee and even during the 6 weeks or so he was out with a hamstring injury I thought he completely outplayed his team mates. This mercurial footballer then repaid my faith by taking the best corner ever seen in a football match at the end of extra time in the semi final against Coventry and he is now just one more win away from triggering Sunderland's promotion dependant option to buy clause for a knock down price of 20 bar.

 

I see absolutely no reason to change my thinking at this very important time and will wager that next season's Ballon d'Or winner will provide an assist, probably with a slide rule, inch perfect through ball to an as yet unnamed team mate.

 

Bet: To provide an assist in regulation time, Enzo Le Fee at 11/2 with Sportingbet

 

Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

 

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