Sunderland vs Everton preview: Team news, lineups, prediction
Everton are back in Premier League action as they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Monday.
Everton’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham on Sunday has dampened the mood over what’s otherwise been a promising start to the campaign.
Iliman Ndiaye has been superb in recent weeks, yet the Toffees have conceded some poor goals this season, which has cost them massively in big games.
Everton sit 14th in the Premier League table, whilst their opponents sit in fourth place.
David Moyes’ side are looking to become the first team to win away to Sunderland this season, and Goodison News highlights everything you need to know ahead of the match.
Preview
The loss to Tottenham was the first at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the scoreline didn’t truly reflect the balance of play.
Everton conceded three headed goals against Tottenham, and Sunderland’s threat from dead-ball situations means Moyes’ side must improve when defending set-pieces.
Beto continues to be a liability for Everton, as he missed another guilt-edged chance when the score was 0-0 against Spurs.
The Toffees will have to start putting away some of the opportunities they’re creating, as they continue to underperform in front of goal.
Regis Le Bris’ side have exceeded all expectations this season, and Sunderland’s 2-1 win away to Chelsea showed how brilliantly they’ve played since returning to the Premier League.
The Stadium of Light has been a fortress this season, with Sunderland carrying the players through wins against Wolves, West Ham, and Brentford already.
Form guide
Sunderland (last six games all comps): D D W L W W
Everton (last six games all comps): L L D W L L
Head-to-head
Everton have won their last three meetings against the Black Cats, yet they have not played each other since 2015.
Between 2002 and 2012, Everton did not lose any of their 19 matches against Sunderland, and the Toffees have won 83 of their 184 games against them.
Whilst this does represent the first match between the pair in nearly a decade, Moyes will take hope from the fact that his side haven’t struggled against Sunderland in recent history.
From Sunderland’s perspective, they have only beaten the Toffees eight times since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, and they’ll be looking to break another long-standing record this season.
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Team news and predicted lineups
Jack Grealish and Ndiaye will undoubtedly be the first two names on the teamsheet, whilst Idrissa Gana Gueye and James Garner will likely take up their places in the heart of midfield.
Merlin Rohl is slowly gaining full fitness after making a few substitute appearances, yet a start would come too soon for him in what is a must-win match.
Otherwise, Moyes will likely name the same team that started against Tottenham, despite some fans calling for Thierno Barry to start in favour of Beto.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s remains injured for Everton, while Nathan Patterson isn’t expected to return to action for another four weeks.
Sunderland face no fresh concerns ahead of the Everton clash, with Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki set to continue their starring roles in midfield.
Omar Alderete will return to the squad after missing the Chelsea win due to concussion protocols.
Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Leo Hjelde, Habib Diarra, and Romaine Mundle all remain sidelined with long-term injuries.
Sunderland predicted XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo; Rigg, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Le Fee, Isidor.
Everton predicted XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Beto
Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Everton
Whilst Beto continues to frustrate the Everton fans, Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor continues to shine up front, with the French striker on four goals for the season.
Both sides have incredibly imposing teams, and it wouldn’t be a shock if the match was decided by a set-piece.
Everton have built up a healthy gap over the relegation zone, yet with tough fixtures coming at the end of the month, a win is needed on Monday to ensure they don’t get dragged into a relegation battle.
However, it’s hard to rule out how impressive Sunderland have been at the Stadium of Light, and it could prove to be another difficult evening for the Toffees.
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