The Championship Play-Off Final is one of the biggest games in English football, and Sheffield United will battle Sunderland today.
Dan Ballard’s goal in the last minute of extra time saw the Black Cats beat Coventry 3-2 on aggregate to set up a clash with the Blades.
5
24 hours earlier, Chris Wilder’s side had breezed past Bristol City in their semi-final, winning both legs 3-0 to claim a spot at Wembley.
They missed out on automatic promotion after Leeds United and Burnley confirmed their spots in the top two.
But now they’re on the brink of the Premier League as they target an immediate return to the top-flight after relegation in 2023/24.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have not graced the top division of English football since the 2016/17 season, which ended a 10-year stay in the elite.
When is the Championship Play-off Final?
The 2024/25 Championship Play-Off Final will take place on Saturday, May 24, at Wembley Stadium.
Kick-off time is scheduled for 3:01pm.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will have live coverage of the final.
Adrian Durham will be your presenter, with commentary from Sam Matterface, former Sunderland striker Darren Bent and ex-Blackpool boss Ian Holloway.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
It will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
5
5
Championship Play-Off fixtures
Play-Off Semi-Finals
Monday, May 12
- Sheffield United 3-0 Bristol City [6-0]
Tuesday, May 13
- Sunderland 1-1 Coventry AET [3-2]
Play-Off Final
- Saturday, May 24 – Sheffield United vs Sunderland
Championship Play-Off Final 2024/25: Team news
The Blades hope to have Jesurun Rak-Sakyi fit to start at Wembley.
The Crystal Palace loanee returned from injury during the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Bristol City from the bench.
Femi Serki is also expected to be in contention to start at right-back.
Meanwhile, Sunderland have Romain Mundle back and might even have Aji Alese available as well.
But Ian Poveda is expected to miss out.
5
Championship Play-Off Final: What has been said?
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris is determined for his side to get to the Premier League.
He said: “Our players never give up. They are really connected — it’s a really special group with great character.
“Even when we’re not great with the ball, we’re still hard to beat because of our togetherness and spirit. That character helps us stay in games.”
“Sheffield United will now be another very tough game,” he continued. “Coventry were really good in both legs, and Sheffield will be just as strong.
“We’ll be prepared for the fixture, and we’ll fight until the end.
“Our focus is now fully on the final. It’s really clear — this is the main objective of the season.
“We have to take the final step. It will be tough, but we must put the work in now to make sure we’re ready.”
5
Elsewhere, Sheffield United boss Wilder said: “It’s going to be a proud moment for anybody in my position.
“My history and connection with the football club, to lead the club out at Wembley Stadium in front of over 80,000 supporters, one of the biggest games in world football, as people talk about, it’s a great honour, and privilege and a responsibility.
“But I’ve got to do my job right, that’s first and foremost. And we’re here to win.”
He added: “Wembley is a place for winners, it’s not the place to lose.
“Everybody talks about the Play-Offs being the best way to go up, but I’ve consistently said I would have rather gone up automatically.
“But we’ve been given an opportunity and we have taken it, and now we have another opportunity awaiting us on Saturday.”
Championship Play-Off Final: talkSPORT BET Odds
Match odds:
*odds subject to change. 18+ gambleaware.org
Visit talkSPORT BET for all the latest football betting odds and bet boosts
