2018-19 League One Play-off Final – Sunderland vs Charlton Athletic Preview & Prediction

THE FACTS

When does Sunderland vs Charlton Athletic kick off? Sunday 26^th May, 2019 – 15:00 (UK)

Where is Sunderland vs Charlton Athletic being played? Wembley Stadium, London

What television channel is Sunderland vs Charlton Athletic on? Sky Sports Football (UK) / International can be found here

Where can I stream Sunderland vs Charlton Athletic? The match can streamed live on Sky Go

Where can I get tickets for Sunderland vs Charlton Athletic?

Sunderland – www.eticketing.co.uk/safc/

Charlton Athletic - https://booking.cafc.co.uk/

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last meeting: Sunderland 1–1 Charlton Athletic (5^th January 2019)

League position: Sunderland: 5^th with 85 points / Charlton Athletic: 3^rd with 88 points

Last match: Portsmouth 0-0 Sunderland: / Charlton Athletic 2-3 Doncaster Rovers

TEAM NEWS

SUNDERLAND

Sunderland scraped past Portsmouth in their play-off semi-final as they managed to hold on to their 1-0 first leg advantage and earn a goalless draw in the second game as they managed to do just enough to reach Wembley.
There will be a degree of frustration that they have to go via the play-offs after just one win in their last seven regular season matches saw them throw away a good chance of automatic promotion but they will have to put that to the back of their minds ahead of this game.
The biggest question mark is whether Aiden McGeady will be passed fit or not after missing the last month of action and they could desperately do with his trickery and creativity although a substitute appearance may be the best he can hope for.

Predicted line-up (4-3-3): McLaughlin; O'Nien, Ozturk, Flanagan, Oviedo; Power, Cattermole, Leadbitter; Honeyman, Wyke, Maguire

Unavailable: James (Injured)

Doubtful: McGeady (Injured)

CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Charlton came through the drama of a penalty shootout against Doncaster to get through to the final and face Sunderland who they drew with at home and lost against away in their two League One matches in the regular season.
In contrast to their opponents here, they ended the regular season in outstanding form as they finished top of the form table and won seven of their last eight matches so they will be full of confidence making the short trip to Wembley.
There is every chance that veteran midfielder Darren Pratley will come into the midfield at the expense of Albie Morgan but they could otherwise go unchanged from the last match against Doncaster.

Predicted line-up (4-3-1-2): Phillips; Dijksteel, Bauer, Sarr, Purrington; Cullen, Bielik, Pratley; Aribo; Parker, Taylor

Unavailable:

Doubtful: Vetokele (Injured)

EXPERT ANALYSIS

Sunderland lost just five of their 46 matches in League One all season which was the fewest in the division and sometimes being difficult to beat is as crucial to anything else in these crunch play-off finals. They face a Charlton team that come into this game in the better form based on the last couple of months of the season however. Lee Bowyer’s men will be fired up as slight underdogs for this game and will use that fact as motivation. Their defensive deficiencies shown in the semi-final against Doncaster could be their downfall however and ultimately Sunderland’s organisation may give the edge to the northern club.