Everton v Sunderland – English Premier League preview
As Everton look to carry forward their marvellous FA Cup form in the English Premier League for their tie against Sunderland, let’s take a look at how David Moyes and Steve Bruce will line up their teams when both the British managers take on each other
on 26th February 2011 at Goodison Park.
Everton
After their astonishing penalty shootout win over Chelsea at the previous weekend in the FA Cup fifth round, Everton now must turn their attention towards their dwindling English Premier League campaign.
In the 2010-2011 Premier League season, Everton have again and again flattered to deceive. After parting ways with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steven-Pienaar-c34208 in the January transfer window, the Toffees looked short of imagination and flair in their attacking line-up.
Out of their last five competitive fixtures, Everton have only won a single one, which goes to show their dire run of form at the moment.
On their day, David Moyes’s team are capable of upsetting even the most established powers in English football but their 14th place rank in the Premier League table is reflective of their inconsistency in the 2010-2011 club football season.
With just four home wins in their 14 matches at Goodison Park in the English Premier League up till now, the Toffees will be sceptical to say the least before their matchup against the Black Cats.
Sunderland
Following their 2-1 loss in their last English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland are in free-fall mode. The Black Cats have just recorded a single victory in their last five competitive fixtures. Their barren run of form has seen
them fall to seventh in the English Premier League table, which means that they are now on the brink of Europa League disqualification.
However, Steve Bruce has had some injury dilemmas on his hand. Sunderland will be looking to capture all three points against Everton at Goodison Park to keep up their campaign for Europa League qualification.
Out of their 13 away matches in the 2010-2011 Premier League season, Sunderland have only won three whilst drawing five and losing five. Undoubtedly, the Black Cats have been woeful on their travels but as the English Premier League reaches its business
end, Bruce will be once again be gunning for the best with his Sunderland squad.
Team news
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 in the FA Cup on the previous weekend whereas Rodwell is sidelined for the rest of February with
a groin injury.
Other than the above mentioned fitness concerns, David Moyes has a fully fit Everton squad to choose from for Saturday night’s encounter at Merseyside.
Expected Everton line-up: Tim Howard, Phillip Neville, Johnny Heitinga, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marouane-Fellaini-c24295, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Beckford.
Sunderland have various injury concerns ahead of their encounter with Sunderland. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lee-Cattermole-c21868 is sidelined with a back injury.
Additionally, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-c10193 Wellbeck and Frazier Campbell are also out of action with their hamstring and knee injuries respectively.
Expected Sunderland line-up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Asamoah-Gyan-c6791.
Key players
Everton will bank on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tim-Cahill-c35085 to get them the goals needed to gain all the three points against Sunderland. Cahill has a knack of scoring goals at the right time for the Toffees so it is expected that he will make his mark on the game with a characteristic
headed goal.
Alternatively, Sunderland’s goal scoring responsibilities fall upon Asamoah Gyan now. The Black Cat’s summer signing is well known for putting the ball in the back of the net but there is a lot of pressure on the Ghanaian now due to Darren Bent’s winter
transfer window departure to Aston Villa.
Gyan will no doubt look to cement his goal scoring credentials at the Goodison Park when Sunderland take on Everton.
Prediction
Being the home side, Everton are expected to win this encounter but one should not expect Sunderland to go down without a fight. Prediction: 2-1 to Everton.
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