Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Thu 14 May 2026 15:40, UK

Everton head into Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Sunderland at the Hill Dickinson Stadium under mounting pressure to halt their slide.

David Moyes’ men have failed to win any of their five matches since the international break, taking only three draws and suffering two defeats.

What will frustrate Moyes most is the manner of those dropped points. Everton have been undone late in four of those fixtures, conceding in the closing stages against Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester City and Crystal Palace.

That damaging run has dealt a serious blow to the club’s hopes of qualifying for Europe, leaving the Blues with little room for error in the closing weeks.

Yet the door has not closed completely. Victory over Sunderland would breathe fresh life into their challenge and drag Everton back into the race.

Form guide

Everton are winless in five Premier League games heading into Sunday, with draws against Brentford, Manchester City and Crystal Palace denting their European hopes alongside losses against Liverpool and West Ham.

Sunderland arrive in inconsistent form, having tailed off after an impressive start following their promotion to the Premier League last May.

Their last outing, though, will still have left Regis Le Bris’ side disappointed not to have beaten Manchester United, having created the better chances at the Stadium of Light in a 0-0 draw.

Everton (last six games all competitions): DDLLDW

Sunderland (last six games all competitions): DDLLWW

Head-to-head

Historically, Everton and Sunderland have been evenly matched, with Everton winning 77 meetings and Sunderland 69 across all competitions.

In the Premier League, however, the Toffees have held the upper hand, recording 17 victories to Sunderland’s nine.

Even so, Everton have been unable to get the better of the Black Cats this season.

A 1-1 league draw and a penalty shootout defeat in the FA Cup mean Sunderland have made a little history of their own, becoming the first team to visit Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium twice.

Team news and predicted lineups

In a bid to halt their slide, Moyes could return to a more familiar approach with his starting XI, a move that may see Dwight McNeil restored on the right flank in place of Merlin Rohl.

Rohl has made a positive impression when called upon in recent months, showing his versatility in a number of roles.

However, he is not a natural wide player, and that has only increased the creative burden on Iliman Ndiaye, who has too often been left to shoulder the attacking responsibility alone.

McNeil, meanwhile, has endured a difficult campaign, particularly around the collapse of his proposed January switch to Crystal Palace.

With uncertainty surrounding his future and a possible summer departure on the cards, the ex-Burnley winger may now be given one last opportunity to make an impact in front of the Goodison crowd after spending recent weeks on the bench.

Further back, Jarrad Branthwaite remains sidelined through injury, while Jack Grealish is also still unavailable.

In attack, Beto is expected to lead the line after netting his ninth goal of the season at Selhurst Park.

For Sunderland, Le Bris remains without the suspended Dan Ballard, alongside Romaine Mundle, while Bertrand Traore is being assessed and could make the squad.

Everton predicted XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto

Sunderland predicted XI: Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fee, Talbi; Brobbey

Sunderland man to watch: Enzo Le Fee

Since making the move to Wearside in January 2025, Enzo Le Fee has settled into English football perfectly.

Always eager to get on the ball and make things happen, the Frenchman is class personified in the middle of the park.

He has also shown impressive versatility, featuring both out wide and centrally at various points this term.

We say: Everton 2-1 Sunderland

Looking to keep faint European hopes alive, a win for Everton would go a long way on Sunday.

If results elsewhere fall their way, they could yet be in for a huge final-day showdown against Spurs.

For now, though, their destiny is not in their own hands, and they must do their part as they prepare to face Sunderland.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.