Everton will hope to continue their good form and table progression, while Sunderland need a win to stop the rot and appease the increasingly disguntled supporters.
Everton’s David Moyes is a highly respected manager in the Premier League and while others panicked about their poor early season form, he kept calm and kept working hard to improve perfomances. Now several key players have returned from injury Everton are starting to look their old self, and they find themselves nearing the top half of the table once more. With Cahill, Bilayedtinov, Fellaini and Osman operating in midfield, they have pace power, tenacity and an eye for Goal. Louis Saha seems finally to havew put his injuries behind him and looks a threat up front. Despite missing Joseph Yobo in the heart of defence due to the African Cup of Nations, Everton’s rear guard is solid and they will hope to go from strength to strength.
Sunderland’s season seems to have all but collapsed in the last two months. After a strong start to the campaign, they have now gone ten games with only one win, and that was against lowly non league opposition Barrow. Defensive injuries are still their main concern, with Turner, Mensah, Ferdinand and Mensah all ruled out for one reason or another. That leaves Sunderland really struggling in central defence, with Lorik Cana the club captain once again likely to deputise. Lee Cattermole is lilely to be back from injury, and that will certainly spur the Sunderland team on, but I think if they are to return to winning ways, it’s unlikely to be this wee.
Verdict: Everton Home Win
Odds: 13/20
Bookmaker: Sporting Bet
