Everton will be outright favourites on Saturday as they look to welcome a beleaguered Sunderland side looking to fight for survival in the top tier. The Black Cats had a period where it seemed as if they were on the brink of mounting a serious survival fight but they were rudely brought back to Earth by a re-energised Southampton side who thrashed them 4-0 in their last Premier League outing.
Everton, on the other hand, have had a good season till now and will look to keep the pressure on 6th placed Manchester United. Ronald Koeman’s first season has been better than expected and the new signings have gelled admirably along with the existing crop of players. But although on paper, this will be one of their more easier assignments, a relegation threatened team is never easy to face, especially at this stage of the season.
TRIVIA
- After a run of 11 home Premier League games unbeaten vs Sunderland (W9 D2), Everton have lost two of their last three against them, though they did win 6-2 in this fixture last season.
- This will be David Moyes’ second game back at Goodison Park since leaving Everton in 2013. His only previous one was a 0-2 defeat in what was to be his last game as Manchester United manager in April 2014.
- An Everton player has scored a hat-trick in two of the last three Premier League meetings between these sides – Arouna Kone at Goodison Park last season (6-2) and Romelu Lukaku in the reverse of this fixture in September (3-0).
- Sunderland are one of two Premier League clubs yet to name an unchanged line-up in the Premier League this season, along with Manchester City.
- In fact, David Moyes hasn’t named an unchanged lineup in any of his last 60 games in the Premier League, last doing so at Everton in his penultimate game in May 2013.
- No side has taken more points in their Premier League matches in 2017 than the Toffees (14, level with Spurs).
- By the day of this game, Sunderland will have spent 175 days in the relegation zone this season; more than any other side.
TEAM NEWS & PREDICTED LINE-UPS
EVERTON (4-3-2-1)
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is available to face Sunderland following a minor calf problem.
James McCarthy and Kevin Mirallas return after recovering from hamstring and groin injuries respectively.
Robles; Coleman, Williams, Funes Mori, Baines; Davies, Gueye, Schneiderlin; Lookman, Barkley; Lukaku
SUNDERLAND (3-5-1-1)
Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is fit again after a knee problem and could make his first appearance since Boxing Day in place of Vito Mannone. Jan Kirchhoff is back in training but will not be involved, while Steven Pienaar is doubtful with a calf injury. Papy Djilobodji serves the last match of his suspension.
Pickford; Kone, O’Shea, Denayer; Jones, Gibson, Ndong, Larsson, Oviedo; Januzaj; Defoe
BETTING ODDS
EVERTON- 2/5
DRAW- 17/4
SUNDERLAND- 15/2
