Why Sunderland will be hoping Championship play-off final vs Sheffield United doesn’t go to penalties
Sunderland have suffered a worrying penalty-kick record in the Championship this season ahead of the play-off final.
Sunderland take on Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon in the Championship play-off final under the Wembley arches.
The Blades beat Bristol City comfortably over the two legs and head into the weekend’s showpiece with boss Chris Wilder hoping to protect his impressive play-offs record.
Regis Le Bris’ side booked their final spot dramatically thanks to Dan Ballard’s last-second header that sent the Stadium of Light into scenes of carnage.
Sunderland’s record in the play-offs is a worry for the red and white faithful ahead of Saturday’s clash, as is one statistic from this season that could potentially decide the Premier League promotion victor.
Sunderland’s penalty-kick record in Championship ahead of play-off final
If Sunderland and Sheffield United remain in deadlock after 120 minutes of football on Saturday, Premier League promotion will be decided by a dreaded penalty shoot-out.
As recently as the 2022/23 second tier play-off final, Luton beat Coventry 6-5 on penalties to reach the top flight, highlighting how cruel the Championship play-offs can be.
Penalties and play-off finals mix like oil and water for the Wearsiders, with Sunderland losing the greatest play-off final ever against Charlton Athletic in 1998, following a dramatic spot-kick showdown with Peter Reid at the helm.
Sunderland have endured a dreadful record from 12 yards across this season, with just a 20 percent conversion rate from five spot-kicks, across three different takers.
Sunderland’s worrying penalty-kick conversion rate in 24/25 Championship
After designated penalty taker Jack Clarke’s departure to Ipswich Town, Patrick Roberts took up penalty duties and scored his first against Plymouth Argyle in September, which is worryingly the last time the Black Cats scored from the spot.
Roberts’ next penalty was missed, against Saturday’s opponents Sheffield United, back in late November and Wilson Isidor took up the penalty mantle.
Isidor infamously missed two injury-time penalties at Burnley thanks to outstanding goalkeeping from James Trafford.
This led defender Luke O’Nien to step up, and fail to convert, against Millwall in the Black Cats’ most recent penalty-kick ahead of the play-off final.
Sheffield United have enjoyed a far more impressive penalty-kick record than Sunderland this season. Harrison Burrows has converted three from three, and Kieffer Moore has missed only once from his three penalties this season, which leaves the Blades at an 83.3% conversion ratio.
Who will Regis Le Bris choose as potential penalty-kick takers in play-off final
If the Premier League return is to be defined by penalties on Saturday afternoon, Le Bris must select his penalty-kick takers with utmost care.
Despite Roberts’ experience at 28-years-old, his barren goal record of two strikes in the last two seasons proves he doesn’t have the clinical edge needed to convert on the big stage.
Isidor will want to get the Turf Moor monkey off his back and will be filled with renewed confidence after his first-leg strike at Coventry City ended his lengthy goal drought.
Le Bris introduced defender Leo Hjelde moments before Ballard’s last-second header in the second leg, which implies that the Norwegian centre-back may be an unknown spot-kick specialist.
Taking into account their set-piece abilities, goal records this season and mental strength, Le Bris’ five first-choice penalty shoot-out takers should be: Trai Hume, Jobe Bellingham, Enzo Le Fee, Romaine Mundle, and Eliezer Mayenda, with Isidor and O’Nien stepping up if needed.
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