Head-to-Head Overview
- Total Meetings: 147 matches (since 1893), with Sunderland leading 67–54 and 26 draws.
- Recent Championship Clashes: In the last eight encounters, Sheffield United won five, Sunderland two, and one draw. The most recent meeting (January 2025) saw Sunderland win 2-1 at home.
- Playoff History: Notably, Sunderland defeated Sheffield United in the 1998 First Division playoff semi-finals.
Team Form & Key Statistics
Sheffield United:
- Recent Form: 5 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses in last 10 matches. Scored 16 goals (1.6 per game) and conceded 8 (0.8 per game).
- Strengths:
- Aerial dominance: 44% of goals scored in the first half, often through set-pieces.
- Defensive solidity: 22 clean sheets this season (3rd in Championship) and 0.78 goals conceded per game.
- Top Scorers: Oli McBurnie and Cameron Archer (combined 18 league goals).
Sunderland:
- Recent Form: 3 wins, 2 draws, 5 losses in last 10 matches. Scored 6 goals (0.6 per game) and conceded 9 (0.9 per game).
- Strengths:
- Midfield creativity: Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham average 85% pass accuracy.
- Late goals: 20% of their goals come in the 76–90 minute window.
- Concerns: Inconsistent defending, with only 17 clean sheets (4th in Championship).
Tactical Matchup
- Sheffield’s Approach: Likely to deploy a 3-5-2 formation, leveraging wing-backs for crosses and McBurnie’s aerial threat. Key midfielder Gustavo Hamer averages 2.3 key passes per game.
- Sunderland’s Strategy: Expected to use a 4-2-3-1, relying on Patrick Roberts’ dribbling and Wilson Isidor’s pace. However, injuries (e.g., Romaine Mundle) weaken their bench.
Key Battles
- McBurnie vs. Ballard: Sheffield’s target man vs. Sunderland’s center-back Dan Ballard, who scored the semi-final winner.
- Midfield Control: Oliver Norwood (Sheffield) vs. Dan Neil (Sunderland) – Norwood’s 89% tackle success rate could stifle Sunderland’s creativity.
- Wing Play: Jack Clarke (Sunderland) vs. George Baldock (Sheffield) – Clarke’s 1v1 ability (3.2 dribbles per game) may exploit Baldock’s defensive gaps.
Prediction
- Sheffield United’s Edge: Stronger defense (+8 goal difference vs. Sunderland’s -3) and set-piece efficiency.
- Sunderland’s Hope: Late-game resilience and Roberts’ form (4 assists in playoffs).
- Score Prediction: 2-1 Sheffield United, with McBurnie scoring from a set-piece and Sunderland netting a late consolation.