Sunderland need to avoid defeat at Everton on Saturday, otherwise their survival in the Premier League could be in real danger. The Black Cats are in the bottom three at the moment, so they need every point they can get in order to climb out of the drop zone. The reverse fixture ended 1-1, with Leighton Baines and Sebastian Larsson on the score sheet. Sunderland have won at Goodison Park last season, when they defeated Everton 1-0.
Last weekend Everton were defeated at Aston Villa, but their form before that match has been quite impressive, including a 3-0 win against Manchester United. Their current goal is to finish in the top half of the table as they are currently 11th but just three points behind the teams just above them, Stoke City and West Ham. Everton have won all their last four home matches without conceding a goal. Bryan Oviedo, Darron Gibson and Tony Hibbert are all out for the remainder of the season while Steven Pienaar is unlikely to feature on Saturday.
Sunderland have defeated Southampton 2-1 last weekend to grab the much-needed three points, but the fight for survival is far from over. The Black Cats have a game in hand on their rivals but that match is away at Arsenal, so there isn't much hope of grabbing points there. They will also visit champions Chelsea before the end of the season. The match at Everton and next week's home game against Leicester City will be vital for Sunderland. But they haven't won an away match since December, when they defeated Newcastle 1-0. Ricky Alvarez and Emmanuel Giaccherini could be unavailable but West Brom could make his return after a knee injury.
Probable line-ups:
Everton: Howard - Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman - Barry, McCarthy, Mirallas, Barkley, Lennon - Lukaku.
Sunderland: Pantilimon - Jones, O'Shea, Brown, van Aanholt - Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell, Johnson - Wickham, Defoe.
My prediction: Everton to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Everton win - 1.80 Draw - 3.75 Sunderland win - 5.00
Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
Everton is in a simple position.He can not be relegatod,neither can be promoted to the spots that are leading to European cups next season.They are waiting end of the season,to see who should they buy,and whom they should get rid off.Martinez is very good coach ,so I believe he can make some good thing in the future,but...
Everton is in a simple position.He can not be relegatod,neither can be promoted to the spots that are leading to European cups next season.They are waiting end of the season,to see who should they buy,and whom they should get rid off.Martinez is very good coach ,so I believe he can make some good thing in the future,but first he must be given another chance with this team.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
There may be those great next season, but what about this season? Lukaku bought for 30 million pounds and hadn't a successful season. When you invest so much money and have a good team you have to expect a successful season. And they are in the lower half of the table. They just have to play better this season.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
timidi 8 years ago
This is very very important win for Sunderland, they are escaped from dangerous place for now and I expect that they will stay in Premier league and we will watch them next year in the best England league. Everton was better in this match, they controlled ball, they had 22 attempts on goal and Sunderland had only 10 but...
This is very very important win for Sunderland, they are escaped from dangerous place for now and I expect that they will stay in Premier league and we will watch them next year in the best England league. Everton was better in this match, they controlled ball, they had 22 attempts on goal and Sunderland had only 10 but Sunderland had better execution and they won important three points.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
Rikimartin44 ,I disagree with you about Everton.They had few seasons above the expectations.At the end of every season they have to sell best players so it is always hard to continue to do good things.For me,it is perfectly normal to have a season like this.I think they will be fantastic next season.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
This is truly amazing how a bad season for Everton. I do not think that management who strengthened team good allow such a bad results. I think they should think about a new coach, because Martinez could not bring them to a better placement. On the other hand, Sunderland won a major victory and now they are close to achieving...
This is truly amazing how a bad season for Everton. I do not think that management who strengthened team good allow such a bad results. I think they should think about a new coach, because Martinez could not bring them to a better placement. On the other hand, Sunderland won a major victory and now they are close to achieving the target of this year.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
I agree with you,Seculla.It is always hard to predict what will they do.They are able to win against very good teams,but they also can disappoint their fans with such a stupid loss.For Sunderland,this is fantastic result and it will help them to stay in the Premier League next season.I would really love to see them next...
I agree with you,Seculla.It is always hard to predict what will they do.They are able to win against very good teams,but they also can disappoint their fans with such a stupid loss.For Sunderland,this is fantastic result and it will help them to stay in the Premier League next season.I would really love to see them next year in PL,their fans deserve that.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
seculla 8 years ago
I really can't understand Everton this season because they are playing "hot and cold" during the whole season. On the other side Sunderland with this win gave themselves "wings" before next round's match which will be crucial for them at their own "Stadium of Light" against Leicester in direct fight to play in best league...
I really can't understand Everton this season because they are playing "hot and cold" during the whole season. On the other side Sunderland with this win gave themselves "wings" before next round's match which will be crucial for them at their own "Stadium of Light" against Leicester in direct fight to play in best league in England for the next season too.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
sharpe 8 years ago
It was a great surprise for me that Sunderland were able to clinch this game but they were very lucky too. They've scored two strange goals and despite all the situations that Everton created during the game they couldn't score which were fatal for them in the end. Maybe lucky but mighty important win for the visitors who...
It was a great surprise for me that Sunderland were able to clinch this game but they were very lucky too. They've scored two strange goals and despite all the situations that Everton created during the game they couldn't score which were fatal for them in the end. Maybe lucky but mighty important win for the visitors who could make another magical escape in the end of the season.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
This is a typical example to see how important motivation is.It was obvious that Sunderland players will be more motivated then the rivals,'cause they needed the points from this fixture.Sunderland won with 2 goals difference,so they are now in much better position than before this clash.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
timidi 8 years ago
Only few fixtures left in Premier league and battle for avoid relegation is only interesting. In this match Sunderland will have more motivation to play because they are on that 18. place which means if they don't do anything that they will play championship next year. I I expect that Sunderland win at least one point today...
Only few fixtures left in Premier league and battle for avoid relegation is only interesting. In this match Sunderland will have more motivation to play because they are on that 18. place which means if they don't do anything that they will play championship next year. I I expect that Sunderland win at least one point today against Everton who don't have any troubles and motivation and for Everton this season can end now.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
We expect a very interesting match at Goodison Park today. Everton playing well lately and will try to please their fans with another win. They have a great team, and for them this season was disappointing. They will try to improve the impression in the remaining matches. On the other hand, Sunderland is struggling to stay...
We expect a very interesting match at Goodison Park today. Everton playing well lately and will try to please their fans with another win. They have a great team, and for them this season was disappointing. They will try to improve the impression in the remaining matches. On the other hand, Sunderland is struggling to stay in the Premier League. My opinion is that they will not succeed in doing so. 2-0 win for Everton.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
seculla 8 years ago
On one side we have Everton, that are fighting just to get some better place at the table in on the end of the season, and on the other side, there are Sunderland that are fighting to stay in Premier League for the next season. It will be hard match, I think that Everton have by far better team, but Sunderland's players...
On one side we have Everton, that are fighting just to get some better place at the table in on the end of the season, and on the other side, there are Sunderland that are fighting to stay in Premier League for the next season. It will be hard match, I think that Everton have by far better team, but Sunderland's players have more reasons to fight for in this match. Anyway, it will be interesting match.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
kruno1414 8 years ago
Sunderland is trying like a number of other premier league teams to remain their status in the elite . They are going to Gudisson to play against Everton who really dont need any points in the last two rounds , they are in the middle of the table . But i dont think they will let sunderland take three precious points from...
Sunderland is trying like a number of other premier league teams to remain their status in the elite . They are going to Gudisson to play against Everton who really dont need any points in the last two rounds , they are in the middle of the table . But i dont think they will let sunderland take three precious points from there easily . this round in premier league is i think key round for relegation battle .
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.