The Overlap’s Stick to Football panel offered their predictions on Sunderland vs Sheffield United at Wembley.
The build-up to Sunderland’s Championship play-off final versus Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium continues, and it made its way to The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast this week, when a panel of high-profile analysts and ex-pros shared their predictions for the game.
Tension was palpable from the start, particularly from former Sunderland midfielder and England international Jill Scott, who admitted: “I feel really nervous.” While there was apparent fondness for Sunderland around the table, the majority leaned toward pragmatism, with Gary Neville predicting: “We’re probably going to go with Sheffield United. I’d want to see Sunderland in the Premier League, but I believe Sheffield United have a bit too much.
Scott was disappointed, so he turned to Jamie Carragher for support: “Oh, really? “What do you think, Carra?” Carragher responded, “Yeah, yeah.” Scott pressed again: “What’s that? Do you think about Sheffield United? Carragher confirmed, “Yeah.” Neville then resolved the issue from the panel’s perspective: OK, Sheffield. We’ll go with Sheffield United. Yeah, we’ll go 2-1 to Sheffield United.” Scott said with enthusiasm, “See, mine’s heart is over head.”
Roy Keane, the former Sunderland manager, wasn’t having it and made his opinions clear: “Who would you want back in the Premier League next year?” Neville responded, “I think Sunderland is back in the Premier League.” Keane continued, “You need Sunderland in the Premier League.” Neville responded, “I agree.” Scott added: “The fans, everything.” Neville went on to say, “I think the Sunderland-Newcastle game.”
Then came the forecasts. Ian Wright opted for a thriller: “2-2, penalties.” Scott answered, “Do you think penalties?” Wright affirmed, “2-2, penalties.” Keane also favored spot kicks: “I could see penalties. 1-1. Penalties.” Scott added, “I don’t mind as long as Sunderland. But Sunderland wins with pens.” Wright: “Yes, on pens.”
In a lighter moment, Keane teased Scott about her willingness to watch the big game: “But you’ll be watching. Oh, no, you’re doing a gig, right?” Scott corrected him: “No, I’ll still be watching. I am not doing a gig. It’s the Women’s Champions League Final.
What has Le Bris said about the play-off final against Sheffield United?
Régis Le Bris lauded Sunderland’s season as a huge success, regardless of the outcome at Wembley — but he insists his team is completely focused on ending the season in the best way possible.
The head coach is well aware of the battle that awaits in the Championship play-off final, with opponents Sheffield United scoring 92 points during the regular season despite starting with a two-point deduction and defeating Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate in their semi-final.
Sunderland’s players and staff were granted Wednesday off to recover from their thrilling and arduous two-legged win against Coventry City. Preparations for the Wembley duel will begin when they return to the training field on Thursday.
“Getting to the final shows that this season has been fantastic,” Le Bris advised. “It’s essential to say that because you might win or lose at the end, but what we’ve experienced together this season has been simply fantastic. That is something we cannot forget. But, at the same time, we must focus on Wembley and the final game. We’ve got one more game. It will be another difficult challenge, but we will be completely focused on that game immediately. We’ll shift our focus to Wembley before the end of the week, and we’ll have a full week to prepare for the game. “That is the next step for us.”
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