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Kick Off: 7.45pm, 11th May 2016
Venue: Stadium Of Light, Sunderland
Last Season: Sunderland 1-1 Everton
Dafabet Odds: Sunderland 4/5 Draw 11/4 Everton 7/2
Well, this is it. For the first time this season we have a chance to secure our safety as a Premier League club, and I am absolutely shitting myself.
Sunderland should win, right? Well, err, we're Sunderland. I'm not holding my breath, but I can't quite put my finger on how I feel tonight will go. Saturday was momentous but we gave absolutely everything in that game against Chelsea and now the players have to dust themselves down and put even more effort into beating Everton.
I have no doubt that the players will be absolutely buzzing and Sam Allardyce has got them running through brick walls right now. The result and atmosphere at the weekend was something else and tonight's atmosphere should be just as special for the players and the fans, which is needed if we are going to win the game.
Please Sunderland... please. Just get it over and done with tonight. No nerves, no holding back.
As the saying goes, 'give us ninety minutes and we'll give you a lifetime'. It couldn't be more true.
Match Appointments
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: L Betts & P Kirkup
Fourth Official: L Mason
Team News
Sunderland
Lamine Kone has been declared fit after picking up a knock in the 3-2 win over Chelsea. This means Billy Jones is Sunderland's only absentee for the final home game of the season.
Everton
Phil Jagielka, Gerard Deulofeu and Seamus Coleman are not expected to play any part tonight, but Roberto Martinez will welcome the return of Gareth Barry and Ramiro Funes Mori to his match day squad.
Form
Sunderland - WDDWLD
07 May 2016 Sunderland 3-2 Chelsea
30 Apr 2016 Stoke City 1-1 Sunderland
24 Apr 2016 Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal
16 Apr 2016 Norwich City 0-3 Sunderland
10 Apr 2016 Sunderland 0-2 Leicester City
02 Apr 2016 Sunderland 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
Everton - LWLDDD
07 May 2016 Leicester City 3-1 Everton
30 Apr 2016 Everton 2-1 AFC Bournemouth
20 Apr 2016 Liverpool 4-0 Everton
16 Apr 2016 Everton 1-1 Southampton
13 Apr 2016 Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton
09 Apr 2016 Watford 1-1 Everton
Manager Craic
Sam Allardyce:
Our destiny is in our own hands. Now we must take full advantage of that position and try to finish it off on Wednesday. We need a repeat of the performance and support we had against Chelsea, particularly in the second half. Don't come to the Stadium of Light with the expectation that it's job done because it isn't.
Roberto Martinez:
There is no such thing as winning the players back. We are not going to make the mistake of losing attention from the only thing that matters at this time which is Sunderland.
It is a huge game, and not just for what Sunderland playing for. From our point of view we want a reaction to Leicester. Two weeks ago we had a really good determined performance against Bournemouth. Then we went to Leicester where got caught up in the atmosphere and celebration of a unique footballing occasion and that lack of intensity cost us.
We always want to get something from every game but now our focus goes to tomorrow and we need to match the intensity. Sunderland have got a very good home record in the last six games so we know we will have to be at our very best. The only thing that matters is to avoid any distraction. You mention the integrity of the competition and that’s why it is all we are focused on.
Head To Head
01 Nov 2015 Everton 6-2 Sunderland
09 May 2015 Everton 0-2 Sunderland
09 Nov 2014 Sunderland 1-1 Everton
12 Apr 2014 Sunderland 0-1 Everton
26 Dec 2013 Everton 0-1 Sunderland
20 Apr 2013 Sunderland 1-0 Everton
Classic Game
Stats & Facts
Sunderland
- Sunderland will secure their safety, and relegate Newcastle and Norwich, by beating Everton.
- They won for only the second time in 10 league games at the expense of Chelsea on Saturday (W2, D6, L2).
- It is two years since they last managed successive home wins in the Premier League.
- Jermain Defoe has scored 15 league goals this season. Without his goals, Sunderland would be 14 points worse off.
Everton
- They have only won once in nine league games, drawing three and losing five.
- Everton have earned more points away (24) than at home (20) this season.
- Romelu Lukaku is without a goal in his last eight league and cup appearances.
Gav's Prediction
No comment.
