Matthew has three bet builder tips for the Championship playoff final - from just better than evens to a massive price.
Championship Playoff Final
Saturday sees Sheffield United and Sunderland face off in the ‘richest game in football’ with the winner set to bank a cool £220m.
Our football tipster Matthew O’Regan has a variety of bet builders for the game on Saturday at Wembley, ranging from 6/5 to 170/1 on bet365 – open a new account with them for the Championship Playoff final, bet £10 and get £30 in free bets.
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The sides finished third and fourth in the league, so will feel they deserve to be in the final. Sheffield United reached the final by breaking the record of the heaviest win in Championship playoff history, sweeping past Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate.
Sunderland qualified the hard way, with Dan Ballard scoring the winner in the last minute of extra time, causing pandemonium in the Stadium of Light crowd.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland Bet Builder Tips
Gustavo Hamer has become a firm fan favourite at Bramall Lane since signing two seasons ago. The Brazilian-born midfielder has registered 16 goal contributions this campaign but has endeared himself to the United faithful with his hard work and endeavour.
The 27-year-old will likely partner Vinicius de Souza Costa and Sydie Peck in midfield, with de Souza Costa’s defensive nous providing a solid foundation for Chris Wilder.
While Hamer has caught the eye for his attacking statistics, he is averaging 1.65 fouls and 1.32 tackles per 90. With Sunderland’s side packed with plenty of exciting young talent, Hamer may be forced to defend more, which should see an upturn in his fouling statistics in what may be a niggly, cagey game.
Peck and Hamer are allowed more attacking freedom in the side, with Peck’s attacking output increasing greatly in recent weeks. The 20-year-old has averaged 2.6 shots per game over the last 10 matches, registering a shot in all 10 matches and at least two shots in eight (with sub on play on).
Dan Neil is also a player who has seen an upturn in recent weeks – this time with fouls. The academy graduate now captains the side and shoulders a lot of responsibility leading the young side – despite being just 23.
He has made a foul in 10 of his last 11 starts and at least two fouls in four of these games. Neil has also made four fouls in two games against Sheffield United this season so has previous.
Sheffield United finished the season on 90 points – a tally normally good enough to secure automatic promotion with ease. However, the Blades finished 10 points off the automatic places, so had to settle for the playoffs.
The gulf between Chris Wilder’s side and the rest of the league was evident in the fact that their semi-final opponents, Bristol City, finished closer to the relegation zone (points wise) than they did to Sheffield United. The Blades also finished 14 points clear of Sunderland.
While the Black Cats are packed with exciting talent, Sheffield United have the promotion know-how and momentum going into the playoffs – a luxury Sunderland did not have. United also conceded just 36 goals and kept a clean sheet in both semi-final legs against Bristol City. In what should be a low-margin, cagey game, I expect the Blades to come out on top.
If his side are holding onto the lead, it would not be a surprise to see Michael Cooper booked for time wasting. The 25-year-old has been booked three times already this season so has previous.
Two goalkeepers were booked in the three EFL playoff finals last year, with goalkeepers willing to do anything to secure the victory for their sides.
