Sheffield United kick the new year off with a trip to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday and they should be good for a point against a Sunderland side who finished 2024 with a defeat.
The Black Cats were beaten at Stoke in their final game of the calendar year, but they are harder to beat on their own patch and should be able to avoid slipping any further behind their promotion rivals on New Year’s Day.
Draw - 12/5
Sunderland began the 2024/25 campaign with four successive wins in the Championship, but they have struggled to replicate that form since and head into 2025 on the back of a frustrating period of inconsistency.
The Black Cats lost 1-0 at Stoke last time out to make it just three wins from their last 12 in the second tier, but they remain a difficult side to beat, and that is especially true at the Stadium of Light.
They have drawn seven of these 12 recent fixtures and are yet to lose in front of their own fans, so Sheffield United will have their work cut out if they are to claim all three points in the north east.
The Blades, who sit five points clear of Sunderland and in second place, have only taken one point from their last two games, but their 2-0 loss at home to Burnley on Boxing Day is their only defeat in their last 13 assignments.
Away from home they have drawn two of their last four and, with their hosts playing out stalemates in four of their last six at home, the spoils could be shared again on Wednesday evening.
Both teams to score - 10/11
Top-spot holders Leeds United lead the way for goals scored in the Championship this term, but Sheffield United and Sunderland are not a million miles away with 33 goals and 36 goals respectively, so both will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet on Wednesday.
Sunderland have failed to score at home just once this term, but they have conceded in four of their last five at the Stadium of Light and their visitors have excelled on their travels in recent months.
The Blades have scored in each of their last six away games and have notched twice in five of those, so goals at both ends is expected for the fifth time in six games at this venue.
Gustavo Hamer to be booked - 9/4
Gustavo Hamer has been a crucial part of Sheffield United over the past couple seasons, and this year is no different as he heads into 2025 with five goals and five assists in his 23 appearances.
However, his propensity to score and create goals isn’t the only standout attribute in the Dutchman’s game.
Hamer has been booked nine times this season and was booked nine times in the Blades’ Premier League escapade last term, following on from three campaigns at Coventry which saw him amass a massive 29 yellow cards.
He picked up his ninth booking of the term at home to West Brom last time out and has now been carded in four of his last seven outings, so he looks a good bet to get on the wrong side of the referee against a Sunderland side that have seen their opponents booked 59 times this term, which is the third-highest in the Championship.
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site
Sunderland - 13/10
Draw - 12/5
Sheffield United - 3/1
View the full market and more odds for Sunderland v Sheffield United on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.