Sunderland and Sheffield United will face each other on May 24 to determine the final team promoted to the Premier League. The match will be available on Paramount+. Both teams aim to join Leeds United and Burnley in the next Premier League season, but their journeys to this final have been quite different.
Sheffield United`s last spell in the Premier League was the 2023-24 season, from which they were relegated after conceding a record 104 goals. Sunderland, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back after their relegation in 2017. The Black Cats dropped as low as League One but are now back in the Championship and performing well, relying on young talents like Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg.
Although Sunderland finished the Championship season in somewhat shaky form, they managed to reach the final with a winning goal from defender Dan Ballard in extra time. Sheffield United, on the other hand, comfortably defeated Bristol City with six goals to secure their place in the final. Sheffield United benefits from the experience of manager Chris Wilder, and many of their key players have Premier League experience, which presents a significant challenge for the young Sunderland squad in the final. Nevertheless, anything can happen at Wembley. The Premier League awaits one of these teams.
This EFL season has already seen historic moments: Leeds United secured the Championship title over Burnley on goal difference. What`s even more remarkable is that both clubs amassed 100 points. This is the first time ever that two teams have reached 100 points in the same division. Coupled with Birmingham City`s record-breaking season where they achieved 111 points (a world record for points in a season), this season also holds the record for the most teams across the EFL leagues to accumulate 100 or more points simultaneously.
Let`s review the outcomes of the EFL season and the playoff schedules, which are available to watch on Paramount+:
Promoted to the Premier League
- Burnley
- Leeds United
Qualified for Championship Playoffs
- Bristol City
- Sheffield United
- Coventry City
- Sunderland
Championship playoff schedule
Thursday, May 8
- Bristol City 0, Sheffield United 3
Friday, May 9
- Coventry City 1, Sunderland 2
Monday, May 12
- Sheffield United 3, Bristol City 0
Tuesday, May 13
- Sunderland 0, Coventry City 1 (Sunderland advances 3-2 after extra time)
Saturday, May 24
- Sheffield United vs. Sunderland, 10 a.m. ET Paramount+
Relegated to League One
- Luton Town
- Plymouth Argyle
- Cardiff City
Promoted to the Championship
- Birmingham City
- Wrexham
Qualified for League One playoffs
- Stockport County
- Charlton Athletic
- Wycombe Wanderers
- Leyton Orient
League One playoff schedule
Saturday, May 10
- Leyton Orient 2, Stockport County 2
Sunday, May 11
- Wycombe Wanderers 0, Charlton Athletic 0
Wednesday, May 14
- Stockport County 1, Leyton Orient 1 (Leyton Orient advances after penalties)
Thursday, May 15
- Charlton Athletic 1, Wycombe Wanderers 0
Sunday, May 25
- Charlton vs. Leyton Orient, 8 a.m. ET Paramount+
Relegated to League Two
- Cambridge United
- Shrewsbury Town
- Bristol Rovers
- Crawley Town
Promoted to League One
- Doncaster Rovers
- Port Vale
- Bradford City
Qualified for League Two playoffs
- Walsall
- AFC Wimbledon
- Notts County
- Chesterfield
League Two playoff schedule
Sunday, May 11
- Chesterfield 0, Walsall 2
- Notts County 0, AFC Wimbledon 1
Friday, May 16
- Walsall vs. Chesterfield, 3 p.m. ET Paramount+
Saturday, May 17
- AFC Wimbledon vs. Notts County, 7:30 a.m. Paramount+
Monday, May 26
- League Two playoff final Paramount+
Relegated to the National League
- Carlisle United
- Morecambe
Adrian Whitmore