Often referred to as the richest single game in football, Saturday’s EFL Championship Play Off Final at Wembley Stadium carries enormous financial significance, and it’s easy to see why all eyes will be on the national stadium.
Some reports this week suggest that figure could rise as high as £220 million, factoring in broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, and the overall increase in commercial and matchday revenue that comes with competing at the top level of English football – Dave James, TV Wise Expert
How to watch Sheff Utd v Sunderland streams
The play off final match will be shown live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting ahead of the 3:01pm kick off. You also have the option of using Sky Go or Bet365’s in play service below.
Playoff Final Live! Go LIVE in play with Bet365 here
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With such staggering stakes, it’s no surprise the final sparks a betting frenzy and attracts global attention. For one club, 90 minutes at Wembley could define the next decade.
View from the Expert:
On paper, Sheffield Utd hold all the cards with their blistering form in recent weeks. It would be difficult to back against them in this one but I think Sunderland will be a tough team to break down. The under 2.5 goals looks a decent shout.
Sheffield United arrive at Wembley full of momentum after easing past Bristol City 3-0 in the second leg of their play off semi final.
The Blades took the lead just before half-time and added two more after the break to seal their place in the final with an emphatic aggregate win.
That victory means Paul Heckingbottom’s side have avoided defeat in five of their last six Championship fixtures.
They picked up regular season wins over Cardiff City and Stoke City, drew with Blackburn Rovers, and convincingly beat Bristol City in both legs of the semi-final. Their only recent setback came away at Burnley.
Defensively, the Blades have been solid, conceding just once in their last four Championship matches.
They’ve also had the edge in this fixture historically, winning five of their last seven Championship meetings with Sunderland.
Sunderland booked their place in the final in dramatic fashion.
Sunderland left it pretty late. After a 1-1 draw at home to Coventry in the second leg, the Black Cats struck a last-gasp equaliser in extra time to go through on aggregate, having won the first leg 1-0 away from home – Dave James, TVWise Expert
It was a dramatic end to what has otherwise been a shaky run of form for Tony Mowbray’s side. Sunderland have won just one of their last eight league matches and have struggled for consistency down the stretch.
They have drawn with Norwich and Coventry in recent weeks but suffered defeats to Swansea City, QPR, and Blackburn at home, along with away losses to Oxford United and Bristol City late in the season.
Sheffield Utd look the team to beat on paper, but with this being the playoff final, anything can happen.
Kick Off Delay for CPR Awareness
Saturday’s Championship Play-Off Final will kick off at 3:01pm, one minute later than scheduled, as part of the Every Minute Matters campaign.
The initiative, run in collaboration with the British Heart Foundation, aims to raise awareness about the life-saving importance of learning CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Fans in attendance and watching from home are encouraged to take a moment to recognise how vital every minute can be in a medical emergency.