Everton vs Sunderland Preview: European Hopes Still Alive at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Everton host the Black Cats at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as both sides continue their hunt for a potential European place.

Everton vs Sunderland Preview

David Moyes hosts his former club this Sunday afternoon, as his European-chasing Everton side face off against a similarly placed Sunderland team at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees currently sit in 10th place but are only one point ahead of their opponents this weekend, with Régis Le Bris’ side sitting in 12th on 48 points.

Both teams, while unlikely, can still mathematically snatch a European spot, which would be a huge achievement for either side considering the expectations at the beginning of the campaign.

Everton are the closer of the two, with Brighton & Hove Albion four points ahead of them in seventh place.

With this being the penultimate game of the Premier League season, Moyes’ side would likely need victories over Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur in their final game to stand any chance of climbing above the Seagulls, who also possess a vastly superior goal difference.

However, Everton’s recent form offers little encouragement.

The Toffees are winless in five consecutive games for the first time this season, collecting just three points from a possible 15.

Their recent run includes draws against Manchester City and Crystal Palace, as well as late defeats to West Ham United and Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby results which have significantly damaged their European ambitions.

Despite that, Everton supporters have at least been entertained in recent weeks, something not always associated with Moyes’ traditional style of football.

There have been at least three goals in each of Everton’s last six matches, with 20 goals scored across that winless run.

Traditionally known for defensive resilience, Everton have now conceded at least twice in each of their last five games a sharp contrast to Sunday’s visitors.

Sunderland’s Defensive Strength

Sunderland registered their 11th clean sheet of the season following their 0-0 draw against Manchester United last weekend.

That tally is the fourth-highest in the league behind Arsenal, Manchester City and Crystal Palace, while also representing the most clean sheets by a newly promoted club since Leeds United in 2020/21.

However, the Black Cats were left frustrated by the draw.

They dominated large spells against United at the Stadium of Light but failed to find a breakthrough, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens producing an excellent display to deny them.

Sunderland’s impressive season has largely been built on defensive organisation and midfield structure rather than attacking firepower.

The Black Cats have scored only 37 league goals this season the same number as 19th-placed Burnley and nine fewer than Everton.

Despite that, Le Bris’ side have massively overperformed pre-season expectations.

Their 48-point tally already represents Sunderland’s best Premier League return since the 2000/01 campaign, with two matches still remaining.

Not long ago, Sunderland were pushing for a top-half finish, but their season has also begun to fade slightly.

They are currently on a four-game winless run, with disappointing draws and defeats damaging their slim European hopes.

Before the Manchester United draw, Sunderland suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest and a late loss to Aston Villa.

Their away form has also been problematic throughout the season, with just four league victories on the road.

Head-to-Head

Sunderland did enjoy success at the Hill Dickinson Stadium earlier this year, knocking Everton out of the FA Cup on penalties in January.

The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with James Garner scoring a late equaliser for Everton before Sunderland won the shootout 3-0.

The reverse Premier League fixture in November also ended level at 1-1, with Granit Xhaka rescuing a point for Sunderland.

Before this season, the two sides had not met since September 2017, when Everton cruised to a 3-0 League Cup victory.

The last Sunderland victory over Everton came back in May 2016, when a brace from Lamine Koné helped the Black Cats secure a 3-0 win.

Team News

Everton have no fresh injury concerns following their draw against Crystal Palace.

However, veteran midfielder Idrissa Gueye remains doubtful after missing the Palace game.

Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite remain Everton’s only senior absentees at the time of writing.

Branthwaite’s absence has been particularly damaging defensively, with Everton conceding seven goals in their last three games without him.

At the opposite end of the pitch, however, striker Beto has found excellent form.

The Guinea-Bissau international scored his fifth goal in five matches against Crystal Palace and now sits just one goal away from reaching double figures in a Premier League season for the first time in his career.

For Sunderland, the biggest absence remains Dan Ballard, whose suspension remains in place after his appeal was rejected.

Romain Mundle is also still sidelined, although Bertrand Traoré should return after recovering from a knee issue.

Aside from that, Sunderland are close to full strength.

Le Bris is expected to field his strongest possible side as the Black Cats continue to chase a slim chance of European qualification.

The Sunderland manager has also been nominated for Premier League Manager of the Season recognition of an outstanding campaign with a newly promoted side.

Predicted Line-ups

Everton XI

Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Iroegbunam, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall; Röhl, Ndiaye, Beto

Sunderland XI

Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Le Fée, Hume, Talbi; Brobbey