Sheffield United vs Sunderland Predictions

• Sunderland have lost three of their last four meetings with Sheffield United.
• The last four Championship play-off finals have featured fewer than three goals.

Favourites carry confidence into final

Sheffield United went into the Championship play-offs as favourites to earn promotion, and they did their chances no harm with a 6-0 demolition of Bristol City across two legs.

The third-place finishers have regained the confidence they lost from their late capitulation in the race for automatic promotion, and they should be able to get over the line and return to the Premier League at Wembley on Saturday.

Black Cats ride their luck

Sunderland ended the regular campaign with a five-match losing streak, and while they did edge past Coventry to make it to the final, that two-legged tie could easily have gone the other way.

They had fewer shots than the Sky Blues in both legs and managed just six on target across the two games, generating 2.6 expected goals to Coventry’s 3.3.

Hamer can lead Blades to Wembley glory

The Black Cats did manage a win over Saturday’s opponents at the Stadium of Light in January, but the Blades had won the three meetings before that and, after their dominant semi-final displays, they should get their own back on Regis Le Bris’ side on Saturday.

Each of the last four Championship play-off finals have featured fewer than three goals, and two of those have been won by a 1-0 scoreline. Considering Sheffield United kept a clean sheet in both legs of the semi-final and allowed Bristol City just 0.6 expected goals in total, a win for the favourites and a 1-0 correct score prediction appeal.

Anytime goalscorer punters may be tempted by Blades star Gustavo Hamer, who netted in the second leg against Bristol City. He has two goals and two assists in his last six appearances, and he could make the difference at Wembley.