We take a look at what the managers have said ahead of the 24/25 Championship playoff semi final 1st legs which get underway this week.
Sheffield United and Sunderland are slight favorites due to their higher seeding and squad depth, but Coventry’s form and Bristol City’s momentum make this unpredictable.
The final could hinge on defensive resilience and clutch moments, with Sheffield United’s experience giving them a narrow edge to win promotion at Wembley. But as we all know with the playoffs, anything can happen. You’re not even safe at 4-0 up in the first leg.
SCHEDULE:
Semi-final first legsThursday May 8: Bristol City vs Sheffield United – Ashton Gate, kick-off 8pmFriday May 9: Coventry City vs Sunderland – CBS Arena, kick-off 8pm
Semi-final second legsMonday May 12: Sheffield United vs Bristol City – Bramall Lane, kick-off 8pmTuesday May 13: Sunderland vs Coventry City – Stadium of Light, kick-off 8pm
FinalSaturday May 24: TBC vs TBC – Wembley, kick-off TBC
SKY BET ODDS:
Sky Bet – 8th MaySheffield Utd – 13/8Coventry – 11/4Sunderland – 11/4Bristol City – 5/1
SHEFFIELD UNITED’S CHRIS WILDER:
“We’ve got two very difficult games first and foremost against a very talented group of players, who were very good on the night we played them at Bramall Lane. We’ve had two tight games against them this season, so I’m expecting nothing different over both legs.
“We will be going there looking to get the win and they’ll be doing the same coming back up the road, there will be no negative approach because we believe at our best we can compete against anything in the division and our away record has been outstanding.
“We might have to suffer, and we might get pushed back and have to deal with their threats, but they will also recognise that in possession we’ve got players that can hurt anyone in this division.
“Full credit to Liam (Manning) and his team for getting in the play-offs and extending their season, like us they’ve done a lot of things right, unlike some big clubs who have been in the Premier League who have fallen through the trap door.
“Technically Bristol City are a good team who have caused people problems with their shape, they caused us problems at Bramall Lane, it was possibly a fair result in the most recent meeting.
“We’re not an arrogant football club.”
Chris Wilder is looking forward to Sheffield United’s Championship semi-final first leg against Bristol City ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/w0vXIcVWdT
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 8, 2025
“The preparation going into the play-offs has been very good and getting back to winning ways in the manner and style that’s got us into the position we’re in with 90 points.
“I’ve had a little taste of (play-off success) in 2010 and as everybody says, the way to go up is through the play-offs and at Wembley.
“But we’ve got two unbelievably difficult games before that.
“I’ve got too much respect for the game, the opposition, their manager and their club to think that because we are points ahead in the league standings and come out of the Premier League that this is going to be straightforward. It isn’t.”
BRISTOL CITY’S LIAM MANNING:
“We don’t change how we approach anything,” Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.
“We know the level of opposition we are up against, we know we are underdogs. There is a different level of expectation but it’s an opportunity for us to surprise some people. Whatever happens we want to have no regrets.
“We know what we are capable of. If we are clear on what we are trying to do and have an element of toughness to us that will stand us in good stead in the two games.
“We have 180 minutes of football to try and get there. All the grind, the marathon you have to go through it is a release and a relief now.”
“We performed well against Sheffield United in the league, they have just missed out on automatic promotion and they have got some hugely talented players,” Manning added.
“We know how difficult it will be but we played well against them in the two games.
“Are we capable? Of course we are. Let’s relish it, let’s go and have a right go, it has been a long time since we were in the play-offs at this level. We haven’t achieved anything yet, we are driven and ambitious.”
“If you think of the squad they’ve got and how well they’ve done this year, they’re probably disappointed they didn’t go up automatically. It’ll be tough but we’ve played well against them this year,” Knight added.
“We want to get to Wembley; that is the goal and we want to try and make that happen.”
COVENTRY’S FRANK LAMPARD:
“We have to focus on three games, and specifically one now, and then the away leg to see what we can do,” Lampard told BBC CWR.
“It’s exciting that we’re here because everyone wants to be in the play-offs.
“Yeah, for sure, it would be magical [promotion] but we’ve got three games before we get there – we can’t get caught up in all that.”
“Considering where we were November and December, [going up] would mean a lot,” said Lampard, 46.
“The players have worked hard and owned it and worked up the table.
“The club has a great history of FA Cup finals and playing top-tier football. So I understand the responsibility of that.
“Personally it would mean a great deal. We want success.
“This club’s had some great success in recent years – moving up the leagues, play-off final, FA Cup semi-final.
“If I’d have expected to make the play-offs when I came in that would have been the wrong position – we needed to take it step by step, we were 17th for a reason.
“We were in a relegation fight and I’d didn’t expect it at all. When I came in it was a case of how many steps can we take?
“It doesn’t mean anything at the moment – it’s what we do from now.”
“Sunderland’s momentum maybe has been hit by how good they been over the whole season,” he said.
“It can be natural. They’re been in the play-off places for a long time, so we can’t disrespect the team they’ve been.
“We have to expect their best version but hopefully our momentum can work for us.”
“We have to maximise home advantage – we’ve been strong this season,” Lampard said.
“We’ve drawn confidence from that and worked out what we want to try to be at home – how we want to feel about ourselves – and we’ve managed to get good form out of it.
“We have to trust in ourselves. Everyone will be drawn to our home form but we know it may not go that way and we may have to go to our away form.
“I understand nothing will be done after the first leg.”
🗣️ “It would mean a great deal because of where we’ve come from”
Frank Lampard on what it would mean for himself and his Coventry side to beat Sunderland in the Championship play-off semi-final 💪 pic.twitter.com/2fZiBTl403
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 8, 2025
SUNDERLAND’S REGIS LE BRIS:
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris said to BBC Radio Newcastle ahead of the game at Coventry: “Now we’ll play for a specific event and with something to chase, so the mindset will be completely different.
“This started with a massive achievement. We were in the top four all season.
“After Leeds and Hull (defeats), we felt that automatic promotion became unrealistic and at the same time, fourth place was secured very early.
“We had nothing to chase and in that situation, it’s very difficult for all the teams in the world.
“Look at Paris St Germain, for example. They won the title and went unbeaten all season. But as they started to prepare the (Champions League) semi-final, they lost two games in a row.
“If one of the biggest teams in the world can struggle in that situation, it can be the case for us, as well.
“We’re happy to play these games, with strong ambition, strong confidence and the desire to play our best football possible.”
