How to watch today's Sunderland vs Sheffield United Championship game: Live stream, TV channel, and start time

After both teams stumbled at the end of 2024, Sunderland and Sheffield United—two Championship promotion hopefuls—will face off at the Stadium of Light on New Year's Day.

Sunderland saw their five-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end on Sunday as Stoke City snatched a dramatic 1-0 win with a stoppage-time strike. The Black Cats, under the guidance of caretaker manager Regis Le Bris, rued missed opportunities, having hit the woodwork twice during the match. Meanwhile, Stoke ended a winless streak of 10 games with the victory, leaving Le Bris frustrated at his side's inability to convert key chances.

In contrast, Sheffield United have struggled to kick off the year on the right foot in recent seasons, failing to win any of their last five New Year’s Day fixtures since a 3-0 triumph over Wigan in 2019. However, the Blades have dominated their recent head-to-head encounters with Sunderland, winning five consecutive league meetings, all in the Championship. This run includes November's tight 1-0 win at Bramall Lane, where Tom Davies scored late after both sides were reduced to 10 men.

Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.

How to watch Sunderland vs Sheffield United online - TV channels & live streams

Sky Sports Football

Watch here

In the United Kingdom (UK), the Championship match between Sunderland and Sheffield United will be available to watch live on Sky Sports.

Check out GOAL's Live Match Centre for updates.

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Sunderland vs Sheffield United kick-off time

Championship - Championship

1 Jan 2025 - 20:00

Stadium of Light

The Championship match between Sunderland and Sheffield United will be played at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England.

It will kick off at 8:00 pm GMT on Thursday, January 1, 2025 in the UK.

Team news & squads

Sunderland vs Sheffield United lineups

SUN

4-4-1-1

Formation

4-2-3-1

SHU

1

A. Patterson

26

C. Mepham

42

A. Alese

32

T. Hume

13

L. O'Nien

10

P. Roberts

4

D. Neil

7

J. Bellingham

22

A. Aouchiche

12

E. Mayenda

18

W. Isidor

1

M. Cooper

19

J. Robinson

15

A. Ahmedhodzic

2

A. Gilchrist

3

S. McCallum

10

C. O'Hare

7

R. Brewster

22

T. Davies

8

G. Hamer

42

S. Peck

9

K. Moore

4-2-3-1

Sheffield United

SUN

-Line up

• 1

  A. Patterson

• 26

  C. Mepham

• 42

  A. Alese

  86’

• 32

  T. Hume

  52’

• 13

  L. O'Nien

  32’

  77’

• 10

  P. Roberts

• 4

  D. Neil

• 7

  J. Bellingham

• 22

  A. Aouchiche

  84’

• 12

  E. Mayenda

  27’

  35’

• 18

  W. Isidor

  35’

  73’

  90’ + 4’

Substitutes

• 15

  N. Rusyn

  90’ + 4’

• 50

  H. Jones

• 21

  S. Moore

• 24

  A. Connolly

• 3

  D. Cirkin

• 30

  M. Aleksic

• 41

  Z. Johnson

• 47

  T. Samuel-Ogunsuyi

• 33

  L. Hjelde

  84’

Manager

• R. Le Bris

SHU

-Line up

• 1

  M. Cooper

• 19

  J. Robinson

  88’

• 15

  A. Ahmedhodzic

• 2

  A. Gilchrist

  61’

• 3

  S. McCallum

  77’

• 10

  C. O'Hare

  77’

• 7

  R. Brewster

• 22

  T. Davies

• 8

  G. Hamer

• 42

  S. Peck

  61’

• 9

  K. Moore

  14’

Substitutes

• 17

  A. Davies

• 34

  L. Marsh

• 39

  R. One

  77’

• 33

  R. Norrington-Davies

  77’

• 26

  J. Baptiste

• 35

  A. Brooks

  61’

• 14

  H. Burrows

  61’

• 43

  H. Boyes

• 41

  B. Blacker

Manager

• C. Wilder

Sunderland team news

For Sunderland, injury concerns continue to mount. Playmaker Chris Rigg remains sidelined, likely allowing Adil Aouchiche to retain his place in the starting XI, supporting six-goal top scorer Wilson Isidor in attack.

Defensively, the Black Cats are without Dan Ballard, Jenson Seelt, and Niall Huggins, while midfielders Alan Browne and Salis Abdul Samed are also unavailable. Additionally, forwards Tommy Watson, Ahmed Abdullahi, and Romaine Mundle are out, though Mundle is nearing a return from a hamstring issue.

Sheffield United team news

Sheffield United are grappling with their own selection dilemmas, headlined by the absence of six-goal leading scorer Tyrese Campbell, who is recovering from a back injury. The Blades will also be missing Femi Seriki, Harry Souttar, Ollie Arblaster, and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

Wales international Kieffer Moore is expected to lead the attack for Chris Wilder's side, with creative support from Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare. Despite their injury woes, the Blades still have several alternative options to call upon as they look to extend their dominance over Sunderland.

Form

Head-to-Head Record

SUN

Last 5 matches

SHU

1

Win

0

Draws

4

Wins

• 29 Nov 2024

  Sheffield United

  1

  -

  0

  Sunderland

• 15 Mar 2023

  Sunderland

  1

  -

  2

  Sheffield United

• 17 Aug 2022

  Sheffield United

  2

  -

  1

  Sunderland

• 25 Sept 2019

  Sheffield United

  0

  -

  1

  Sunderland

• 26 Dec 2017

  Sheffield United

  3

  -

  0

  Sunderland

3

Goals scored

8

Games over 2.5 goals

3/5

Both teams scored

2/5

Standings

Useful links

• Latest betting updates
• Championship news
• Sunderland team page
• Sheffield United team page
• Football on TV in the UK