Everton vs Sunderland – News and Probable Lineups

In a notable unofficial David Moyes derby, Everton will host Sunderland at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this Sunday during the penultimate match week of the Premier League.

The Toffees and the Black Cats are separated by just one point in the mid-table, and European qualification remains a theoretical possibility for both clubs.

Match overview

As they prepare for their final home fixture of the season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton have yet to solidify their home ground as an impenetrable fortress, with only 33% of their Premier League home matches ending in victory during the 2025-26 season.

However, the hosts still have a slim chance to break into the top seven, despite only claiming three points from their last 15 available, being hindered by a five-match winless streak— their longest of the season.

Last weekend, Everton twice took the lead against Crystal Palace, only to draw 2-2 at Selhurst Park, leaving them four points adrift of the top seven in 10th place.

Traditionally known for low-scoring encounters under Moyes, Everton’s recent fixtures have taken a surprising, chaotic turn; their last six games have featured at least three goals, with a total of 20 goals scored in their last five contests.

Nevertheless, the Toffees have conceded at least two goals in each of their five matches during this winless run, in contrast to Sunderland, who have established themselves among the league leaders in terms of clean sheets.

Sunderland registered their 11th clean sheet of the Premier League season last weekend against Manchester United, ranking fourth behind Arsenal, Manchester City, and Crystal Palace, although frustratingly, they failed to find the back of the net themselves.

The Black Cats missed an opportunity to take advantage of Michael Carrick’s squad changes, resulting in a frustrating goalless draw against a Manchester United side inspired by Senne Lammens, leaving them with a balanced Premier League record.

With 36 matches played this season, Sunderland has achieved 12 wins, 12 draws, and 12 losses, placing them 12th in the table and five points off the top seven, a performance that has earned their manager, Regis Le Bris, a nomination for Manager of the Season.

Similarly to their hosts, Sunderland’s Premier League campaign is fizzling out, with only two points garnered from their last four fixtures, and just four victories from their away matches all season.

However, Sunderland has already claimed a victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this season, winning on penalties in the FA Cup’s third round after also holding Everton to a 1-1 draw earlier in the league at the Stadium of Light.

Team News

Everton emerged from their draw with Palace without any new injury concerns; however, veteran midfielder Idrissa Gueye remains a slight doubt for Sunday due to a minor injury that kept him absent from the Selhurst Park match.

As of now, Jack Grealish (foot) and Jarrad Branthwaite (thigh) are confirmed absentees, but Grealish’s absence has not been as detrimental as anticipated thanks to the recent scoring exploits of Beto.

The Guiné-Bissau international scored Everton’s second goal at Selhurst Park last weekend, marking his fifth goal in five Premier League appearances, following a run of just four goals in his previous 30 matches.

For Sunderland, the Black Cats’ appeal against Daniel Ballard’s red card received against Wolverhampton Wanderers before their match with Man United was unsuccessful, so the suspended defender will miss the remainder of the season.

Le Bris mentioned that only Ballard and Romaine Mundle (thigh) would be unavailable for the visit of the Red Devils, although winger Bertrand Traore missed that match due to a knee injury, which has since cleared.

Fellow wingers Nilson Angulo and Jocelin Ta Bi were included in the matchday squad in gameweek 36 after recovering from their own injuries, but neither is expected to make it into the starting XI for this fixture.

Everton possible starting XI:

Pickford; O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; Rohl, Dewsbury-Ball, Ndiaye; Beto

Sunderland probable starting XI:

Roefs; Gertrude, Mukiel, Alderete, Reynildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fey, Talby; Brobbey

Neither Everton nor Sunderland should ease off the pressure as they both have European aspirations, and the Black Cats may feel confident in capitalizing on the Toffees’ recent defensive struggles.

However, Moyes’s squad has also found their form in attack, making it difficult to separate the two teams, suggesting a likely repeat of their previous 1-1 draws this season.