On Wednesday, Sunderland host Everton at the Stadium of Light in a match they have to win in order guarantee a place in next season’s Premier League. The Black Cats sit one place above the relegation zone and are separated by Norwich City by goal difference.
Sam Allardyce’s men come into this match having secured a crucial 3-2 win over Chelsea last weekend at he same venue, and will be hoping to replicate the same performance against the Toffees. The hosts have lost only one of their last nine games in the league, a clear indication that they will not be that easy to beat especially now that they are fighting for survival.
On the other hand, Roberto Martinez’s men have won just one of their last nine league games. Sadly for the visitors, they have not won any of their last five away league fixtures, most recently the defeat against the new champions Leicester City last weekend at the King Power Stadium.
The hosts have a perfect chance to revenge their 6-2 rout in the first leg when the two sides met at Goodison Park. Arouna Kone scored a hat-trick as the visitors soaked in a sea of goals at a time when the Toffees were at their best form in the league, before crumbling to a series of draws and defeats.
WATCH: Big Sam talks about his expectations for this crucial match
If the hosts win this match, they will effectively relegate Norwich City and Newcastle from the Premier League. However, failure to win will turn things against them if either Norwich or Newcastle win their next fixtures.
This could be a difficult task for Big Sam’s men considering the fact that it has been two years since they last managed to win two successive league games at home. But with their availability of their key striker Jermain Defoe, who has found the back of the net 15 times this season, a victory for the Black Cats looks quite possible.
Talking of goal poachers, Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, who was once linked with a move to Man Utd at a time when he was firing from all cylinders this season, is now facing a serious goal drought. The Belgium has not scored a goal in his last eight league and cup appearances for the Merseyside outfit. He is now stuck at 18 league goals, but this fixture could give him a chance to redeem himself before the season ends.
Team news
Sunderland
Billy Jones, who has a hip problem, is Big Sam’s only injury concern. The manager is therefore expected to retain the same squad that beat Chelsea last weekend.
Everton
The Toffees could welcome Ramiro Funes Mori from suspension, but Seamus Coleman, Gerard Deulofeu, Tyias Browning, Tony Hibbert and Phil Jagielka are both doubtful. Lastly, Oumar Niasse could be replaced by Kevin Mirallas.
Which channel is broadcasting Sunderland vs Everton on TV or Online?
USA: Follow the Premier League action live from the Stadium of Light on Westwood One Sports, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra or NBC Sports Live Extra at 14:45 EDT.
Canada: Tune in to Sportsnet World Now or Sportsnet World at 14:45 EDT.
UK: Watch Sunderland vs Everton live on Sky Go UK, SKY GO Extra or Sky Sports 1/HD UK at 19:45 BST.
You can also visit our live broadcast page for additional broadcast information for different countries across the world.
*NOTE: Live broadcast data is subject to change
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Follow the game on-the-go
Download our iOS and Android apps to follow soccer on-the-go. It comes packed with features - live scores, fixtures, results, tables, line-ups, stats, TV schedule and much more! Sorry, no live streaming within the app.
