The EFL Championship Play-Offs begin on Thursday night as Bristol City face Sheffield United in the first leg of their semi-final at Ashton Gate. Both sides will be looking to take an advantage into Monday’s second leg at Bramall Lane.
Both sides will be looking to make club history, with neither having previously won promotion through the play-offs. Bristol City have had four previous postseason campaigns without success, while Sheffield United have had eight.
Sheffield United’s most recent play-off campaign was in 2021-22 when they were beaten in the Semi Finals by Nottingham Forest. Bristol City, this season’s surprise package, are in the play-offs for the first time since 2007-08 when they reached the final and were narrowly beaten by Hull City
How they stood this season
Sheffield United finished the regular season third in the Championship table with 90 points, finishing 10 points behind Leeds United and Burnley. They challenged the top two for most of the season, but a run of three defeats in four games saw them fall short of automatic promotion.
They closed out the regular season with a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers thanks to an equaliser from Anel Ahmedhodzic. It means the Blades go into the play-offs with just one win from their last seven matches.
Bristol City also ended the season with a draw on home soil, 2-2 against Preston North End as they came from 2-0 down to share the points thanks to a brace from Ross McCrorie. They are unbeaten at home since losing 2-1 to Swansea on 9 February.
In the two regular season meetings between the sides, Sheffield United claimed a 2-1 win at Ashton Gate in November thanks to a 98th minute strike from Harrison Burrows. The meeting at Bramall Lane in March finished 1-1 with a 90th minute leveller from Mark Sykes for the visitors.
Key Team News
Speaking to local media ahead of the game, Bristol City boss Liam Manning described the play-offs as “a terrific opportunity to continue what we’ve done all year which is to surprise a few people and do it our way.”
Manning also confirmed that there are no new injury concerns following Saturday’s game, and Cameron Pring will be assessed to determine if he will be able to feature. He also spoke about the preparation for the game, which is mainly tactical work and their game plan.
In his own pre-match press conference, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder revealed that wingback Femi Siriki is definitely out of tomorrow night’s game due to a shoulder injury but will be assessed ahead of Monday’s second leg.
Forward Ben Brereton Diaz is a doubt for tomorrow night and faces a late fitness test, but Wilder is confident the Chilean international will be available for Monday
Premier League prize in sight
Whoever emerges triumphant from the tie will face either Coventry City or Sunderland in the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 24 May for a place in the Premier League, with a large contrast between the two sides in terms of top flight experience.
Sheffield United were one of the founder members of the Premier League and scored its first ever goal back in August 1992 when Brian Deane found the back of the net against Manchester United. Overall they have had four spells in the top flight in the modern era.
They have spent three of the last six seasons in the Premier League, but have mustered a combined total of just 39 points from their last two top flight campaigns as they finished bottom of the table both times.
Bristol City are looking to become the 52nd different side to play in the Premier League. They are one of 13 existing clubs who have competed in the old First Division but not the Premier League, their last top flight season coming in 1979-80.