Everton host Sunderland at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon for their final home game of the season.
David Moyes’ men need maximum points to maintain their fading hopes of securing European qualification. The Toffees currently occupy tenth place, sitting four points adrift of the top seven. However, recent defensive lapses have seen the hosts slide into a frustrating five-match winless run. Their latest outing ended in a chaotic 2–2 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Sunderland arrive on Merseyside sitting comfortably in twelfth place following an impressive return to the top flight. Régis Le Bris has earned a Manager of the Season nomination after guiding the promoted club to safety. The Black Cats held Manchester United to a goalless draw last weekend to claim their eleventh clean sheet. That said, the visitors have struggled for consistency on their travels this term. They have recorded just four away victories from eighteen attempts on the road.
Everton possess an excellent historical record in this fixture, losing just four of the last twenty-six meetings. Sunderland have also suffered eight defeats in their last ten away matches against the Blues. This fixture represents the first Premier League match for the Black Cats at this stadium. However, the visitors previously tasted success here in January by winning an FA Cup penalty shootout. Moyes will demand defensive resilience to snap their current winless streak and sign off in style.
Everton vs Sunderland – Match preview and team news
- Competition: Premier League
- Date: Sunday, 17 May 2026
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium
- Referee: John Brooks
- VAR: Tony Harrington
- Last Meeting: Everton 1–1 Sunderland (Sunderland won 3–0 on penalties, 10 Jan 2026, FA Cup)
Team news
Everton
Idrissa Gana Gueye will miss out as this clash comes too soon for his recovery. Jarrad Branthwaite and Jack Grealish also remain unavailable due to hamstring and foot injuries. That said, veteran defender Seamus Coleman is set to be named in the matchday squad. He will leave the club this summer after seventeen years of dedicated service.
Sunderland
Dan Ballard continues to serve a three-match suspension after his recent red card. Romaine Mundle is sidelined for the rest of the campaign with a serious hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Bertrand Traoré faces a late fitness check after returning to training last week. Simon Moore is also expected to miss the trip due to an injury.
Form
Everton
Everton have struggled to hold onto leads during their longest winless streak of the campaign. They have conceded at least twice in each of their last five league matches. Despite this, forward Beto remains in exceptional form after netting five goals in five games. The hosts have won their final home league match in eight of the last ten seasons.
Sunderland
Sunderland have built their success around a solid defensive structure, keeping eleven top-flight clean sheets. Only three clubs have registered more shutouts than the Black Cats this season. However, Le Bris’ men often start slowly and have scored just twelve first-half goals. They have scored a league-high sixty-eight per cent of their goals after the interval.
Predicted lineups
Everton Predicted XI: Pickford; O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto
Sunderland Predicted XI: Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fee, Talbi; Brobbey
How to watch Everton vs Sunderland?
The match will be televised live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage starts ahead of the 15:00 BST kick-off. Subscribers can also watch live online via the Sky Sports website or app.
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