Why Sunderland will be hoping Championship play-off final vs Sheffield United doesn’t go to penalties
Ahead of the play-off final, Sunderland’s penalty-kick record in the Championship this season is concerning.
Under the Wembley arches, Sunderland will meet Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final on Saturday afternoon.
The Blades, led by manager Chris Wilder, defeated Bristol City handily in the two legs and are looking to maintain their stellar play-off record going into this weekend’s finale.
Dan Ballard’s header at the last second plunged the Stadium of Light into scenes of chaos, securing Regis Le Bris’ team’s final berth.
Ahead of Saturday’s match, the red and white supporters are concerned about Sunderland’s play-off record and one statistic from this season that could determine who gets promoted to the Premier League.
Sunderland’s Championship penalty-kick record prior to the play-off final
A feared penalty shootout will decide Premier League promotion if Sunderland and Sheffield United are still tied after 120 minutes of play on Saturday.
The brutality of the Championship play-offs was demonstrated as recently as the 2022–2023 second tier play-off final, as Luton defeated Coventry 6–5 on penalties to advance to the top flight.
Penalties and play-off finals are like oil and water for the Wearsiders. In 1998, Sunderland lost to Charlton Athletic in the best play-off final ever after a thrilling spot-kick battle led by Peter Reid.
Throughout the season, Sunderland has had a terrible 12-yard record, converting only 20% of five spot-kicks from three different takers.
| Sunderland player | Penalties taken | Conversion rate |
| Patrick Roberts | 2 | 1/2 – 50% |
| Wilson Isidor | 2 | 0/2 – 0% |
| Luke O’Nien | 1 | 0/1 – 0% |
Patrick Roberts took up penalty responsibilities after designated penalty taker Jack Clarke left for Ipswich Town. He scored his first penalty against Plymouth Argyle in September, which is concerning because it was the last time the Black Cats scored from the spot.
Wilson Isidor picked up the penalty mantle when Roberts missed his subsequent attempt in late November against Saturday’s opponents, Sheffield United.
At Burnley, Isidor notoriously missed two injury-time penalties because of excellent goalkeeping by James Trafford.
The Black Cats’ most recent penalty kick before the play-off final was against Millwall, when defender Luke O’Nien stepped up but failed to convert.
This season, Sheffield United’s penalty-kick record has been significantly superior to Sunderland’s. With Kieffer Moore missing just one of his three penalties this season and Harrison Burrows converting three of three, the Blades have an 83.3% conversion rate.
Which players would Regis Le Bris select to potentially take penalty kicks in the playoff final?
Le Bris needs to pick his penalty-kick takers carefully if Saturday afternoon’s Premier League return is to be determined by penalties.
Even with his 28-year-old experience, Roberts lacks the clinical edge necessary to convert on the big stage, as seen by his goalless record of just two goals in the previous two seasons.
After ending his long goal drought with a goal in the first leg against Coventry City, Isidor will be eager to get the Turf Moor monkey off his back and will feel more confident.
Ballard’s last-second header in the second leg was preceded by the introduction of defender Leo Hjelde by Le Bris, suggesting that the Norwegian center-back might be an unidentified spot-kick expert.
Le Bris’ five first-choice penalty shootout takers should be Eliezer Mayenda, Jobe Bellingham, Enzo Le Fee, Romaine Mundle, and Trai Hume, with Isidor and O’Nien filling in if necessary. This is based on their set-piece skills, goal totals this season, and mental toughness.
Leave a Reply