After two tense semi-final legs, Sunderland and Wycombe Wanderers have booked their tickets to the League One play-off final later this month at Wembley Stadium.
The two third-tier sides have been impressive all season, yet only one will be promoted back up to the Championship, with Wycombe looking to return to the division after being relegated last year in dramatic circumstances ahead of Derby County.
As for Sunderland, this will be the Black Cats’ fourth attempt to escape League One after being relegated from the Championship in 2018, with the northeast side crashing out of the play-off semi-finals last year against Lincoln City.
Indeed, the showpiece event in the English capital will be one to remember for both fans, and here at HITC Sport, we take a crack at a combined XI from Sunderland and Wycombe ahead of their play-off final at Wembley.
GK – David Stockdale
The veteran EFL goalkeeper has been ever-present for Wycombe this season, and David Stockdale will be hopeful of repeating his incredible semi-final performance against MK Dons later this month against Sunderland.
The Wycombe no. 1 has played every minute of League One football this season, and at 36, the Leeds-born keeper is showing no signs of slowing down, with Stockdale no doubt eager to get Gareth Ainsworth’s side back into the Championship.
RB – Jason McCarthy
A toss-up between Jason McCarthy and Lynden Gooch for the right-back position, the Wycombe star just about edges it given his defensive performances in the role and how reliable the 26-year-old has been for the Chairboys this season.
A defender who has taken the armband on numerous occasions this season, McCarthy has been key to Wycombe’s play-off push in recent weeks, and the right-back will be crucial in keeping Sunderland’s dangerous wide players quiet at Wembley later this month.
CB – Ryan Tafazolli
Goalscoring centre-backs are hard to come by, yet Ryan Tafazolli has come up clutch numerous times this season for Wycombe, with his strike against MK Dons in the semi-final first-leg arguably the defender’s most important moment this campaign.
The highest-rated centre-back this season in League One as per WhoScored’s ratings, Tafazolli has been a mountain for Wycombe over the past few months, and the defender will be hopeful of ending the season on a high with the Buckinghamshire side against Sunderland.
CB – Bailey Wright
From one titan of a centre-back to another, Bailey Wright has been a force for Sunderland this season, with the Aussie’s performances in the final weeks of the campaign key to getting the Black Cats over the finish line.
A player who has already won the trust of new manager Alex Neil, Wright’s recent defensive displays have been seismic, and the 29-year-old centre-back will be looking to continue his impressive form against Wycombe.
LB – Joe Jacobson
Having a strong fullback pairing is key to any club’s success in the modern game, and for Wycombe, the combination of McCarthy and Joe Jacobson has worked wonders this season, with the left-back, in particular, having a very strong campaign.
Three goals and seven assists in the division is an impressive haul for a defender, let alone one who is now 35-years-old, and Jacobson will be hoping his Indian summer with Wycombe translates into the play-off final against Sunderland, especially after a phenomenal display against MK Dons in the second-leg.
CDM – Dan Neil
Sunderland’s success this season has been built on the work of the collective, hence why the Black Cats have so few players in this combined XI, yet for Dan Neil, the 20-year-old midfielder has been nothing short of a revelation for the League One side.
The Sunderland academy graduate has been an ever-present feature in the midfield this season, and Neil could complete the dream breakthrough year if the youngster plays his part in beating Wycombe at Wembley in the play-off final.
RM – Garath McCleary
Another Wycombe player who is enjoying a stellar season in the twilight years of their career, 34-year-old Garath McCleary has been a regular for the Chairboys since joining in 2020, and this year has been the winger’s best in some time.
11 goals and seven assists in League One has seen McCleary become a fan favourite at Adams Park this season, and the Jamaica star could become an icon at Wycombe if he delivers on the biggest stage of all in late May against Sunderland.
LM – Jordan Obita
With Jacobson starring at left-back, Jordan Obita has been used further up the pitch this season by Ainsworth in a left-midfield spot, and the move from the Wycombe manager has proven to be a smart one.
Five goals and seven assists has seen Obita flourish in his new role, and on a pitch as grand as Wembley, the former Reading star could have a field day against Sunderland if given the space to cause mayhem in the attack.
CAM – Alex Pritchard
Expectations were high when Alex Pritchard signed for Sunderland last summer, yet the former Huddersfield Town star has most certainly delivered, with the 29-year-old the creative heartbeat for the Black Cat’s exciting attack.
Four goals and nine assists and already forming telepathic connections with his fellow Sunderland attackers has been huge in Pritchard becoming a success at the Stadium of Light, and the playmaker will be looking to have the game of his life against Wycombe at Wembley.
ST – Sam Vokes
With 17 goals in League One this season, Sam Vokes has been nothing short of a revelation for Wycombe this campaign since arriving from Stoke City in the summer, with the Welsh international’s strike against MK Dons key to the Chairboys making it to Wembley.
At 32, Vokes is entering the final years of his prime, and the former Burnley star will have to deliver one of his best performances of the season if Wycombe are to return to the Championship on their first attempt.
ST – Ross Stewart
One of the best attackers in League One this season and Sunderland’s Player of the Year, Ross Stewart has been on a tear this campaign with 25 goals in the division that has been massive in getting the Black Cats to Wembley.
With a goal against Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-final play-offs, as well, Stewart is in red hot form heading into the final against Wycombe, and the 25-year-old will be desperate to play Championship football next season for the first time in his career.
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