Playoffs

It’s the overwhelmingly favourites v 2000-early 2010s PL side now on the road to Wembley for the richest game in English Football come at the early hours of Sunday 25th May, 2025 (AEST/AWST).

That’s when either one will be able to clinch that 3rd and final promotion ticket to the big time Premier League ahead of August whereas the losing team will have to spend another year in the 2nd tier.

Who could it be? Let’s find out now.

First of all, Sheffield United has been on song very easily across both legs including the 2nd leg v Bristol City.

It’s never an easy feeling from the Robins going into this stage with against a team whose always been in and then straight out of the PL over the last few years. 

If Bristol handled their attacking chances right by not just hitting and missing on the buzzer, at least we could’ve seen them try to tear them up apart with a fighting chance. Instead, it led to nowhere where Blades swept those stakes all day.

Final score: Sheffield 3-0 Bristol City, 6-0 aggregate.

Meanwhile, other than that odd late GK mistake, Coventry seems to be the other better team that isn’t to do with the Play-Off Final. Although they had possession but just could’ve done any better with converting chances so Coventry can continue adding goals, especially when going into a must-win situation.

If they’ve gone up against Bristol City or even Sheffield United instead of Sunderland, maybe Coventry would be the one going to Wembley instead.

But you know, early favourites Sunderland seems to have made a huge escape that Coventry failed to do (such as safeguarding games in the same way they do defensively) like it was last time and yet again this time – right at the edge of extra time in the 122nd minute of play courtesy of centre-half Daniel Ballard.

A draw isn’t enough unfortunately and if we applied it with that away goals rule, Sunderland would be the one going into the next round which is the Play-Off Final.

Final score: Sunderland 1-1, Coventry City, 3-2 aggregate.

Don’t know what to say which one will be the last to go up, Blades or the Black Cats? 

Feels like Leeds v Burnley again but in the circle of Play-Offs rather than for the 1st-place Championship trophy.

Again, Sheffield United is going to be too good to resist who always escape the 2nd tier many times before and no doubt they will do it again. Sorry Sunderland as they could give them a real shock but if not, they can always at least target Top 2.

After a week of Championship-winning celebrations by Leeds and Burnley following their journey back into the PL land ahead of the next term this August, the race is still on when it comes to the Play-Offs with the final to decide later.

Bristol City could’ve done any better like that almost first goal attempt where it hit the upper woodwork by Joe Williams.

Then more silly mistakes gave Sheffield United the benefit of taking advantage with three clear goals including one penalty to lead the opening leg out of two.

Sure, Blades are overwhelmingly favourites who always get out of trouble from the 2nd tier, even though they go straight back following a couple of tough season in recent times at PL level.

If Bristol needs to stir up a surprise, they better cut those fouls and put those conversion efforts in the attacking third – especially inside the six-yard box.

Coventry City v Sunderland

Meanwhile, it was a little more tight over in the other first-leg semi the next day between Coventry and Sunderland. 

Both teams chased hard to find a winner where Sunderland scored first before Coventry replied not long later. However, sloppy defending unfortunately from Coventry including the keeper itself – what was he doing getting out of his own danger zone? Both net and the box.

Didn’t take a few seconds to blink and say Sunderland won that first game by 2-1 courtesy of striker Eliezer Mayenda.

Honestly Coventry shouldn’t take that almighty risk that backfired in the worst possible way. But they’re a goal behind Sunderland though and they better not make any more silly mistakes again if they want to have another crack at the Final.

On Sunderland, they know what they’re doing by finding those right moments at the right time where Coventry hesitated as said defensively. 

Now they have the perfect opportunity to cement their Play-Off Final on the home stage at the Stadium of Light where one more spot is up for grabs for the 3rd and final PL promotion ticket later this month.

The 2nd leg matches resume on Tuesday and Wednesday nice and early next week.

Meanwhile in PL land with a touch of European Football…

And yes, I hear there could be a change of PL TV rights here in Australia soon. No doubt this would make a huge difference if one takes away from Optus and I’m talking about Stan Sport via Nine. 

Although as far as concerned, that arrangement will likely be a separate transaction.

For now, they got us covered which will be made available on free-to-air with the all-English Europa League Final on Thursday, May 22nd between Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United. 

The ball is on Ange especially being an Aussie with his job currently on the line amid a poor PL season but so does Man Utd despite their change of coach in Ruben Amorim. Would love an Aussie win but sure passionate Man U fans want it badly too and if so, either of them could somehow play in the Champions League where the winners go there next season.