Sky Bet Championship Playoff Teams Confirmed

Who’s in the Play-Offs?

After 46 game weeks, the Championship season has reached its apex. Leeds United and Burnley have made history both finishing on an astonishing 100 points, securing automatic promotion.

Meanwhile the remaining four teams meet in a series of play-off matches to secure the final promotion spot.

The play-off final will take place on the 24th May 2025, at the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium, the winners of the semi-finals will meet in the final thats worth an estimated £265 million on the line.

Bristol City are set to host Sheffield United in the first leg of their play off semi final. Meanwhile Coventry face Sunderland.

The first leg will take place on the 8th May, followed by the second leg just under a week later on the Monday 12th May.

According to Opta the current favourites are Sheffield United who have a 36% chance of winning overall. Coventry 25.1%, Sunderland 19.3%. Finally Bristol City sit at a respectable 19.6%.

All of the teams have played in Premier League promised lands barring Bristol City who have only played in Division One in 1979-80.

Bristol City v Sheffield United

Ex-Oxford United Manager Liam Manning has brought new found fortune to Ashton Gate, the Robins will be playing in their sixth EFL play-off campaign ever. This being their first since 2007/08, in which they lost 1-0 to Phil Brown’s Hull City.

Although Bristol City have never earned promotion via the play-offs.

Liam Manning’s side have been rejuvenated with players such as the like of Max Bird who have created the fifth-most chances domestically with 75, meanwhile Jason Knight has won more possession than any player in the championship with 293.

Despite the Blades finishing 22 points ahead of the Robins and the Wilder’s side remaining unbeaten in the last 7 meetings. Opta place Bristol City as favourites for this tie. Mainly due to Bristol City having the fourth-best home record in the Championship this season (W13 D7 L3).

Amalgamated by the fact Sheffield United’s record in the playoffs is woeful. In the previous 22 play-off matches, they’ve NEVER been promoted through the play-offs. In addition they have never won at Wembley in the last 100 years. Last winning in 1925 against Cardiff City.

Although Wilder will take hope in history points that the side who finishes third in the Championship, gets promoted with the previous Nine teams who have finished 3rd in the past 20 seasons have been promoted. A solid 45%.

Coventry v Sunderland

Frank Lampard has brought the Sky Blues from 17th place after 14 matches to 5th. Picking up 52 points from their 29 games. Only Leeds, Burnley, and Sheffield United picking up more in that time. Allowing Coventry to reach their play-offs for the second time in three years.

Coventry have previously reached the play offs in 2023, when Fankaty Dabo missed from 12 yards losing to Luton 6-5 on penalties.

Frank Lampard has also experienced play-offs final heartbreak before with Derby County. The ex-Chelsea midfielder losing out to Dean Smith’s Aston Villa in 2019.

This season, Lampard will be hopeful regarding the spread of goals from his side. Namely, Haji Wright reaching double figures in goals. While Jack Rudoni has a combined 21 G/A. Although simultaneously, they have the worst defensive record of all teams in the play-offs conceding 58 goals. The side will be weary when going forward when the club sit this close to the promised lands.

As one of the inaugural members of the Premier League in 1992, Coventry City will be eager to reclaim the top-flight status they lost in 2001.

Sunderland will be coming into the semi-finals off the back of five straight losses in the Championship. No team in EFL history has gone into the playoffs with a worse run of defeats.

Although amongst the clubs within the playoffs, Sunderland have the most Premier League pedigree with the side competing in 608 games.

Sunderland have gone into their third successive Championship season, with the side fielding the youngest average starting XI in the Championship (23 years, 316 days old).

Their two youngest regulars, 17-year-old Chris Rigg and 19-year-old Jobe Bellingham, both of which have been linked to Premier League sides namely Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Both had particularly strong seasons and clearly have bright futures ahead of them. The youthful feature of the side has been developed well by Regis Le Bris.

The Frenchmen’s first year in English football is seemingly becoming an impactful one. Playing a more structured football in and out of football. Will only aid their Premier League chase for the first time since being relegated in 2017.

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