Venue: Goodison Park
Date: 01/11/2015
Kick-off: 13:30 (BST)
Match
Everton welcome Sunderland to Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon and the Toffees will most certainly be desperate to claim a victory on the day.
After a good run, Everton endured consecutive defeats at the hands of Manchester United and Arsenal, and as a result, the Toffees have dropped down to 11th place in the Premier League table.
Defeats against the likes of Arsenal and United can hardly be construed as disastrous but Everton do harbor hopes of finishing in one of the European places this season and manager Roberto Martinez would surely have been disappointed that his side did not come away with anything during the last two matches.
As a confidence boost, Everton did manage a penalties victory over Norwich City in the midweek Capital One Cup encounter and the Toffees will now be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League as well when strugglers Sunderland pay a visit this Sunday.
Everton Team News
Joel Robles put in a man of the match display against Norwich last time out but despite his heroics, Martinez has already confirmed that Tim Howard will be taking his place in goal for Everton this weekend.
Martinez has a couple of problems in defence as the likes of Tony Hibbert and Phil Jagielka are ruled out while Leighton Baines is not yet fit enough to be able to feature. Even Seamus Coleman is a huge doubt due to a stomach bug.
If the aforementioned quartet miss out, Everton’s backline should most likely consist of John Stones, Ramiro Funes Mori, Tyias Browning and Brendan Galloway.
Gareth Barry will be available after serving his suspension during the midweek encounter against Norwich and the veteran should lineup alongside James McCarthy at the middle of the park for the Toffees.
In the attacking midfield positions, the promising Gerard Deulofeu and Ross Barkley look certain starters while Kevin Mirallas should be handed a chance to start following ineffective performances from the likes of Arouna Kone, Steven Naismith and Aaron Lennon. Tom Cleverley and Darron Gibson are fit once again but the duo will most likely only start from the bench.
Romelu Lukaku is the undoubted first choice striker for Everton and the Belgian international will be looking to continue his good run of form in front of goal on the day.
Probable Lineups
Everton (Probable XI): Howard; Galloway, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman; McCarthy, Barry, Deulofeu, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku
Sunderland (Probable XI): Pantilimon; Jones, Kaboul, Coates, Yedlin; M’Vila, Cattermole, Lens, Gomez, Johnson; Fletcher
Last Meeting
09/05/2015 Everton 0 – 2 Sunderland
09/11/2014 Sunderland 1 – 1 Everton
Prediction
Everton have endured a difficult time against Sunderland in recent times, having won just one game in their last five encounters with the Black Cats.
With the Sam Allardyce inspired Sunderland on a high after their fantastic 3-0 victory over Newcastle United in the Tyne Wear derby last week, one can be sure that Everton will not find it easy to improve on their poor record this weekend as well.
Allardyce’s Sunderland will be a tough side to play against
Everton do look the stronger side heading into the clash though and if things click, the Toffees should come away from the clash with a relatively comfortable victory.
Everton 2 – 0 Sunderland
