Chris Wilder is protecting an impressive play-offs stat vs Sunderland, Sheffield United fans will have renewed hope.
Sheffield United has a poor play-off record, and Sunderland will be hoping to inflict even more heartbreak on their opponents in the final on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
The two sides were separated by 14 points in the regular Championship season, but the Blades and Black Cats have an even head-to-head record this season, and the final will undoubtedly be a close one.
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts | |
| 1 |  |
46 | 29 | 13 | 4 | 65 | 100 |
| 2 |  Burnley |
46 | 28 | 16 | 2 | 53 | 100 |
| 3 |  Sheff Utd |
46 | 28 | 8 | 10 | 27 | 90 |
| 4 |  Sunderland |
46 | 21 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 76 |
| 5 |  Coventry |
46 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 6 | 69 |
| 6 |  Bristol City |
46 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 4 | 68 |
Sheffield United’s dominant 6-0 victory over Bristol City on aggregate in the semi-final demonstrated Chris Wilder’s team’s quality, and Regis Le Bris will need his players to be defensively strong if they are to have a chance of returning to the Premier League after an eight-year absence.
While the Blades have a poor playoff record, fans may have new hope this season for one reason, and Sunderland may fear their opponents on May 24.
Chris Wilder has previous play-off success; he needs to repeat it with Sheffield United.
With eight play-off campaigns and eight failures to their name, the South Yorkshire club is hoping for ninth time lucky in 2024-25.
They are in their first Championship final since 2009, when Wade Elliott scored one of the great play-off goals to send Burnley to the Premier League for the first time in club history, and confidence will be high in their ranks.
Wilder’s personal record in the competition, in which he has never lost a game in this format, will only add to his confidence.
In 2010, he led Oxford United to National League play-off glory, defeating Rushden & Diamonds 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals before winning 3-1 against York City in the final to secure their return to the EFL.
He extended his unbeaten streak against Bristol City ahead of Sheffield United’s match against Sunderland, winning both games 3-0, and he knows that if he keeps this record, the Blades will return to the top flight immediately.
Chris Wilder must ensure that his team does not allow past disappointment to affect them.
Sheffield United have had a rollercoaster season, and despite starting the year with a two-point deduction, they were able to compete for automatic promotion until the final weeks of the season.
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