Chris Wilder makes Sheffield United starting XI revelation ahead of Sunderland clash | OneFootball

Sheffield United will face Sunderland for a place in the Premier League this weekend

Chris Wilder has claimed he knows his starting lineup for Sheffield United’s play-off clash with Sunderland this weekend already.

The Blades are one game away from a return to the Premier League, with just Régis Le Bris’ side standing in their way.

Victory at Wembley Stadium will see the Yorkshire outfit make an immediate return to the division after suffering relegation last season with a 20th place finish.

Sunderland finished right behind Sheffield United in the table, and came through a dramatic semi-final with Coventry City to earn their place in this weekend’s final.

Chris Wilder makes Sheffield United lineup claim

Wilder has confirmed that he’s already decided his starting XI for Saturday’s clash in London, but he emphasised the importance of substitutions for those who will miss out.

He believes they will be just as crucial to the team getting a result against Sunderland as those that start the game.

"Of course [I know the starting XI]. We've worked on that,” said Wilder, via The Star.

"But the way modern football is now is about the use of your substitutions.

“We've always been proactive in terms of the use of our substitutions.

“There's always a go-to if we're chasing the game or needing to change it up or see a game out. That's the modern way.

"Just looking at the last two games we've played, the substitutes have had an impact.

“I was a little bit critical towards the back end of the season in terms of the impact the substitutes should have made but now they're really making an impact.

"Everyone's had a part to play since the start of the season. I've not wavered from that. We're an all-in football club.

“It's not about you, it's about what happens with the group and the team.

“The group wins and the group loses. We're in a good place.

"We've won 30 games out of 48 this season.

“We're a winning football team, we're going for wins. We know how to win and that has got to be our focus on Saturday.”

Sheffield United injury boost

Wilder confirmed that everyone is physically available to perform this weekend, giving him a full squad to choose from.

This could lead to some real selection dilemmas, with Callum O’Hare proving quite impactful off the bench in the play-off semi-final victory over Bristol City, scoring in both legs after coming on.

However, it remains to be seen whether that will be enough to convince Wilder that the ex-Coventry player should go back into the Sheffield United team.

The clash against Sunderland will take place on 24 May in a 3pm kick-off.

Sheffield United couldn’t ask for better play-off preparation

The 6-0 aggregate victory over Bristol City in the semi-final was a perfect way to prepare for the final against Sunderland.

Having an entirely fit squad is also very encouraging, and gives Wilder plenty of options to choose from, both in his starting lineup and with who can come off the bench.

Sheffield United will have a lot of confidence after the manner of their win over the Robins as well.