Sunderland’s fight until the very end finally comes to a head this Saturday (KO 3pm), as the Lads meet Wycombe Wanderers under the Wembley arch for the final place in next season’s Sky Bet Championship.
Completing a third League One Play-Off campaign in four seasons, and with Alex Neil’s men having overcome Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-finals to make it 15 matches unbeaten in all competitions, supporters now eagerly anticipate a triumphant Wembley trip against what will be a stern final test from Gareth Ainsworth’s Chairboys.
Team news
Head Coach Neil has suggested there could be a chance of an involvement for Carl Winchester as he nears a quicker return from injury than first anticipated.
Aiden McGeady is also in contention to feature in the matchday squad, and Leon Dajaku has progressed well in this week’s training sessions.
Long-term duo Niall Huggins and Jordan Willis are the only confirmed absentees from action at Wembley.
Opposition
Wycombe Wanderers have now reached their second Play-Off final in as many League One seasons, emerging successful in 2020 after beating Oxford United, narrowly suffering the drop from the Championship last term.
Ainsworth – who is approaching his 10-year anniversary in charge at Adams Park – has brought an exciting feel to the supporters in Buckinghamshire, where they came out victorious on aggregate against neighbours MK Dons in their semi-final tie.
As they search for only their second ever spell back at Championship level, Wycombe were themselves 13 games unbeaten prior to their second leg defeat at MK – still not enough to displace them from the Wembley final.
The two regular league fixtures between the sides this season brought plenty of goals, as a 3-3 draw at Adams Park followed a 3-1 Sunderland win on Wearside.
Travel and Supporter Guide
Information for all Sunderland supporters travelling to London this weekend is available via the EFL’s official Supporter Guide here.
Tickets & coverage
The increased allocation of tickets for Black Cats fans, housed in the West End of Wembley, has now sold out.
Saturday’s Play-Off final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning from 2pm.
Social media coverage will be as ever active via the club’s official accounts, on Twitter @SunderlandAFC, and Instagram @sunderlandafcofficial.