🏏 Sun, 17 May 2026 15:00 BST
Everton
vs
Sunderland AFC
4-2-3-1 vs 4-2-3-1
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- The clash between 10th-placed Everton (49 points from 36 games) and 12th-placed Sunderland (48 points from 36 games) is a direct head-to-head in the mid-table race. Everton are winless in their last five with 3 draws and 2 losses, drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace last time out. Sunderland are also struggling with 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses in their last five, suffering a heavy 0-5 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Matchday 34.
- This season's Matchday 10 meeting at Sunderland's home ended in a 1-1 draw. Both sides employ the same 4-2-3-1 system, making the tactical matchup an intriguing one. Everton will be looking for a result at home that betters the previous draw.
- Everton keeper Jordan Pickford (32) faces his former club Sunderland. After making 138 appearances for Sunderland, he moved to Everton in 2017. As England's first-choice goalkeeper he contributed to their EURO 2020 final run, and he supports his side with sharp-reflex saving and high-quality kicking.
- Sunderland's playmaker Granit Xhaka (33) marshals midfield from the holding role. The Switzerland captain, who won the Premier League and the Bundesliga with Arsenal and Leverkusen respectively, builds his side's attack with a powerful left-footed long shot and distribution from a wide field of vision. He also wears Sunderland's captain's armband.
- In Everton's attack, Senegal midfielder Iliman Ndiaye (26) provides creativity from the No. 10 role. Raised in France and arriving via Marseille, Ndiaye breaks open tight spaces with skillful dribbling and turns. Up front, the 194cm target man Beto (28) creates chances with his aerial presence and hold-up play.
- Sunderland go with a youthful attack. The frontman Brian Brobbey (24) is a Dutch striker who scored 56 goals in 163 games for Ajax and joined for 20 million euros. On the right, Northern Ireland right-back Trai Hume (24) gets forward; having signed a long-term contract through 2030, he is expected to be a player who shapes the club's future.
- For both teams, the deployment of attacking midfielders holds the key. Everton create width with wide attackers Dewsbury-Hall (19) and Lehre (28), while Sunderland have Anglo (24) and Le Fee (24) providing creativity from inside.