Sunderland will play host to Sheffield Wednesday in their League One play-off semi-final at the Stadium of Light on Friday evening at 9:45 pm.
Sunderland ended the 2021-22 League One season with 24 wins, 12 draws, and 10 defeats from 46 matches, which brought them 84 points, enough to claim the fifth spot in the table.
The Black Cats have been attempting to escape League One since their relegation from the Championship in 2017-18, falling in the playoffs in two of their last three campaigns in England’s third tier.
A victory over Wednesday would see them take on either Wycombe or MK Dons in the playoff final. They’ll bring a long unbeaten run into the semi-final first leg: Their last loss came home to MK Dons in February. When Broadhead scored what proved to be the winning goal—and they ended their regular League One campaign with a 1-0 success over Morecambe on April 30.
Wednesday was relegated from the Championship last season after finishing in 24th position, but they will have the chance to secure an immediate return to the second tier for the 2022-23 campaign.
The Owls won 24, drew 13, and lost nine of their 46 league games this term to sit fourth, one point clear of fifth-placed Sunderland.
Sunderland vs. Sheffield Wednesday Head to Head
Both sides have five games against each other, with the hosts taking one win while the visitors have three wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Morecambe 0-1 Sunderland
- Sunderland 1-1 Rotherham
- Sunderland 5-1 Cambridge
- Plymouth 0-0 Sunderland
- Sunderland 3-2 Shrewsbury
Away
- Sheffield 4-1 Portsmouth
- Fleetwood 2-3 Sheffield
- Wycombe 1-0 Sheffield
- Sheffield 1-0 Crewe Alexandra
- MK Dons 2-3 Sheffield
Sunderland Team News
Aiden McGeady returned to the Sunderland squad against Morecambe last time out, so the experienced attacker is in line to play some part in the first leg of the semi-final. If Broadhead isn’t fit enough to start the game, Jack Clarke could be an option on the wing.
Sheffield Wednesday Team News
The two teams are evenly matched, and the match could go either way.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Both Teams to Score
