Charlton vs Sunderland: Preview and Prediction

Sunday 26th May 2019

England League One - Play-off Final
Sunday 26th May 2019
Kick off at 3pm BST
Venue: Wembley Stadium

Match Preview:

Charlton and Sunderland will come together at Wembley Stadium to contest the League 1 play off final and see who will be playing Championship football next season.

The mere mention of the teams and one thinks back to some years ago when these two clubs were staple additions to the Premier League, how times have changed for both teams.

But there is a chance of climbing high now and having that opportunity within a few seasons to get back to the top-tier of football and there is a lot on the line for the winners.

Charlton had a superb season finishing in 3^rd with a massive 88 points and they were just 3 points from an automatic qualification to the Championship and just the difference of two wins away from the eventual league winners Luton Town. Charlton won 26 of their 46 games.

In the play-off semi-finals they overcame Doncaster Rovers in a thrilling 2 legged game. The first leg finished 2-1 to Charlton at Doncaster, but Doncaster came back in the 2^nd leg and won 3-2 and so the game went down to the dreaded penalties where Charlton came up trumps winning 4-3. Some people would see that as justice given that in the league Charlton had finished a whole 15 points in front of Doncaster.

Sunderland finished in 5^th place in the league on 85 points. In the play-off semi-finals they overcame Portsmouth in a very close 2 legged game. Sunderland won at home 1-0 and the 2^nd leg finished 0-0.

Charlton come into this game as the side in form, winning 8 of their last 10 league games, however Sunderland have the stronger record away from home this season, so this game could be fairly evenly matched.

Team News:

Charlton: Charlton have no new injury concerns coming into this game

Sunderland: The big news is the possible return of Aiden McGeady who has missed the last four games due to a foot injury. Other than McGeady’s return there are no concerns or injury updates from the club

Charlton vs Sunderland Head to Head:

The teams last played in January at Charlton where the game ended 1-1.

Earlier in the season Sunderland beat Charlton 2-1.

3 of the last 4 meetings has seen both teams to score.

Charlton vs Sunderland Prediction:

Sunderland have been installed as the very slight favourites to win the game. Manager Jack Ross’s side have already played at Wembley this season which he emphaised in a recent press interview, there is a determintaion and focus within the club. Charlton managed by Lee Bowyer will take the occasion in but seem a little unpredictable at times, with more wins than Sunderland this season but also more losses, which Charlton will turn up? We can see Sunderland getting the better of their opponents here and having too much for them through using their pace and quality. Also back a red card for smaller stakes.

Charlton vs Sunderland Betting Tips:

Asian handicap (0.0 Sunderland) at 1.80

A red card to be shown at 4.50