The Championship’s evening game on New Year’s Day sees two promotion contenders clash as Sheffield United visit Sunderland.
EFL Championship
Our Three Predictions For Sunderland vs Sheffield United
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- Prediction 1 – Both Teams To Score – 10/11
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- Prediction 2 – Over 2.5 Goals Scored – 23/20
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- Prediction 3 – Sheffield United To Win – 21/10
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First Prediction For Sunderland vs Sheffield United – Both Teams To Score – 10/11
Both sides have not had the best of games in their recent fixtures and their defences are there to be exploited in this game. Sunderland have conceded seven times in five games, scoring eight times across that period. Sheffield United have not been at the races in their two most recent games, losing to Burnley before being held to a draw by West Bromwich Albion. With the attacking talent both teams have at their disposal, both defences may be breached.
Second Prediction For Sunderland vs Sheffield United – Over 2.5 Goals Scored – 23/20
And on that, those frailties could lead to a high scoring game. Whilst Sheffield United’s games have been more controlled, Sunderland’s injury issues have led to more open matches, with a 2-3 win away at Swansea City and the 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers being prime examples. Whilst The Blades will be without top scorer Tyrese Campbell for this contest, both Gus Hamer and Kieffer Moore are both capable of getting on the scoresheet.
Third Prediction For Sunderland vs Sheffield United – Sheffield United To Win – 21/10
Sunderland are currently in a very tricky place with injuries and lost key player Chris Rigg during their draw with Blackburn Rovers, but he could return in this fixture from that knock. Either way, Sheffield United are at near-full strength and are only behind Burnley with the number of points they have gained on the road. With The Clarets playing a managerless Stoke City earlier in the day, the pressure will be on The Blades to keep their automatic promotion place but they should be able to do it in this game.
Best Odds For Sunderland vs Sheffield United
| Bookmaker | Sunderland | Draw | Sheffield United |
| Betarno | 5/4 | 21/10 | 85/40 |
| Gentleman Jim | 13/10 | 9/4 | 21/10 |
| Myriadplay | 129/100 | 11/5 | 43/20 |
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head-To-Head
Sheffield United are currently going through a blip which has seen them lose the lead of the Championship to Yorkshire rivals Leeds United thanks in part to a loss against Burnley and a draw in their most recent game against a managerless West Bromwich Albion side. They sit two points behind Leeds United going into New Year’s Day and will have the benefit of already knowing the result The Whites have got against Blackburn Rovers ahead of this match. Across their last five, Chris Wilder’s team have beaten Millwall, Plymouth Argyle and Cardiff City.
Sunderland suffered a hammer blow with a late loss at the hands of Stoke City in their last game with Tom Cannon scoring in added time. That defeat leaves Sunderland four points adrift of the top three but still have a strong cushion to the sides behind them due to poor results for both Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers. The Black Cats drew to the Ewood Park club and also have recorded wins against Swansea City and Norwich City in their last five games.
Sheffield United hold the upper hand in this fixture, winning the last three games on the bounce, with the last contest coming in November. Tom Davies won the game at Bramall Lane for the home side, with both teams down to ten men within the first half. Sunderland’s only win in the last six came in an EFL Cup game in 2019.
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Last Results - Sunderland 
05/01/2025
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Portsmouth
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Championship Championship
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2
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Championship Championship
Sunderland
Norwich
2
1
W
Last Results - Sheffield Utd
09/01/2025
FA Cup FA Cup
Sheffield Utd
Cardiff
0
1
L
04/01/2025
Championship Championship
Watford
Sheffield Utd
1
2
W
01/01/2025
Championship Championship
Sunderland
Sheffield Utd
2
1
L
29/12/2024
Championship Championship
Sheffield Utd
West Brom
1
1
D
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Championship Championship
Sheffield Utd
Burnley
0
2
L
Where To Watch Sunderland vs Sheffield United
Where can I watch the game, either on TV or in person?
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- Location: Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
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- Date: January 1st, 2025
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This game is available to watch in the UK on Sky Sports Football, with kick-off at 8 pm.
Probable Lineups For Sunderland vs Sheffield United
What sort of lineup can we expect from this important Championship clash?
Predicted Sunderland Lineup
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- Lineup: Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham; Isidor, Poveda, Mayenda; Connolly
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- Injured/Suspended: Abdullahi, Browne, Rigg, Ballard, Seelt, Huggins, Mundle, Abdul Samed, Watson
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- Manager: Regis Le Bris
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Predicted Sheffield United Lineup
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- Lineup: Cooper; Gilchrist, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows; de Souza Costa, Peck; Brooks, O’Hare, Hamer, Moore
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- Injured/Suspended: Arblaster, Campbell, Seriki, Souttar
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- Manager: Chris Wilder
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Media Centre – News About Sunderland vs Sheffield United
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
