Recommended bets
First leg score: Sunderland 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Only once before have Sunderland won the first leg of a play-off tie, advancing past Portsmouth three years ago. Friday was the first time Sheffield Wednesday have ever lost the first leg of a play-off tie. The Black Cats have lost 12 of their last 22 visits to Hillsborough, dating back to 1956.
bet365 Sports
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
:quality(70)/res.cloudinary.com/xlmedia-alpha/image/upload/v1650901211/Salesforce_Logos/Bet365/Bet365_Logo_2022-04-25T15-40-05.png){kind=logo}
New Customers only. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* and £10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. Registration required.
Under 2.5 goals is 13/20.
Sunderland to win or draw is 4/6.
Lee Gregory is 5/1 to break the deadlock and 15/8 to score anytime.
Ross Stewart got the only goal on Friday night. He is 11/2 to open the scoring and 2/1 to repeat that feat.
Match preview
This truly is a heavyweight play-off tie, with two of English football's fallen giants slogging it out, as both seek to return to the second-tier.
On Friday night, these two met at a sold-out, raucous Stadium of Light, with almost 45,000 in attendance.
The only goal of the night came in first half stoppage time, and what a calamitous goal it was from a Sheffield Wednesday point of view.
Sam Hutchinson really should've dealt with a hopeful ball forward, but his pocket was picked by Ross Stewart.
The Scottish striker raced clear, had his initial effort saved by Bailey Peacock-Farrell, but managed to squirm home the rebound.
In truth, Sunderland really should've won by more, Alex Pritchard whacking the cross-bar, but it's only a one-goal margin they'll take to West Yorkshire.
Now, who will rubber stamp their ticket to Wembley for 12 days time?
Sunderland suffered back-to-back relegations in 2017 and 2018, and have been rooted at this level ever since.
The Black Cats fell in the play-offs to Charlton in 2019 and Lincoln last season, so will be hoping it is third time lucky.
Sheffield Wednesday meanwhile are still aiming for an immediate return to the Championship, after enduring their first League One campaign for a decade.
Darren Moore's men have the best home record in the division this season, winning 16 of 23 games, and will need another big performance in front of their own supporters.
Who will be celebrating after this huge Monday night second leg at Hillsborough?
Sheffield Wednesday team news
Lee Gregory and Saido Berahino scored 21 goals this season between them, and will be hoping to be the heroes again.
Barry Bannan will captain the side and be creator in chief.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell has kept 17 clean sheets in 46 appearances this season, and another one here will be key if they're to turn the tie around.
Sunderland team news
It was no surprise that Ross Stewart was the hero on Friday night, scoring his 25 goal of the season, since arriving from Ross County.
He, Alex Pritchard and Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead will continue to lead the attack.
Aiden McGeady hasn't featured since 23 November due to a knee injury.
Final League One table:
- 101 Great Goals may earn commission from links on this page. Our content is always original. Note that all of our reviewers are compensated for contributing content to 101 Great Goals. Learn more.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/xlmedia/31ed1d86-a42b-4acd-9517-813a526d3a0b.png)
