The last ticket to the Premier League, Black Cat playoff record crushes the Blade

As in previous years, the semi-finals of the Championship upgrade playoffs this season have once again staged an amazing drama. The four teams tried their best to step into the ultimate showdown at Wembley Stadium, just to realize their dream of advancing to the Premier League.

Sheffield United set a record of promotion but carried the historical curse

On May 13, Sheffield United defeated Bristol City 3-0 in the second leg, setting a record of the largest score difference in the play-off semi-finals 6-0, and successfully locked the finals place. Although Blades fans are excited about their chances to return to the top league, the dark cloud of historical data still lingers the team - Sheffield United has all failed in its nine EFL play-offs, setting the worst play-off record in the English Football League.

However, head coach Wilder still showed full confidence in this: "I don't think the historical record will have a negative impact. On the contrary, we feel the atmosphere of breaking the old and creating the new. I firmly believe that this time it can create history and end all doubts. "The data proves this confidence: the expected goal value of 2.77 in the first leg is the team's second highest single-game performance this season. Although Bristol City has made every effort to counterattack at Bramo Lane Stadium, only 10 teams in history have been able to reverse and advance with a loss at home, and no team has ever been able to turn the tables after a net loss of 3 goals at home. The only three shots in the penalty area of ​​the visiting team were from McCrory, Scott and Wells, and they failed to rewrite their fate.

Sunderland broke the 16-year curse and advanced to the next level of another semi-final at the Light Stadium on May 14. The 2-1 score in the first leg gave Sunderland its first victory against Coventry since February 2007, ending the embarrassing record of losing money in the previous 10 games (5 draws and 5 losses). Although Coventry equalized the total score by Clark in the 76th minute, Ballard's header in the 121st minute allowed the Black Cats to continue the unbeaten myth of home playoffs (7 wins and 1 draw in 8 games).

data reveals this heart-stirring reversal: Coventry lost 181 goals in the whole game, in sharp contrast to Sunderland's 36 bombardment waves. Although the visiting team controlled 67% of the second half possession rate, the inefficiency of only 1 goal was converted into 45 crosses, which ultimately cost Lampard's team a heavy price.

Decisive battle between Wembley: The most valuable contest in football On May 24, this game, known as the "most valuable game in football", will kick off at Wembley Stadium. Sheffield United, designated as the home team, will face Sunderland, and the two Championship teams will hold the ultimate showdown for Premier League seats. On one hand, there is the Blade who is eager to break the curse of losing all nine playoffs, and on the other hand, the Black Cat, who has the unbeaten halo of home playoffs. This peak battle with new and old hatreds is destined to be recorded in the history of English football.