Date: Thursday, December 26 Venue: Goodison Park Kick-Off: 15:00 Can Everton maintain their Champions League push against rock-bottom Sunderland on Boxing Day?
Team News
Everton manager Roberto Martinez could welcome Leighton Baines back into the side with the England left-back returning from a broken toe. Nikica Jelavic is also back in contention after missing the win at Swansea with a hamstring strain, while Steven Pienaar and Sylvain Distin could also feature. Sunderland look to be without defensive duo Wes Brown and John O'Shea. Brown is serving the first of a three-match ban while former Manchester United teammate O'Shea has a shoulder injury. (bbc)
Key Stats
Sunderland's victory over Everton at the Stadium of Light in April ended a run of 16 Premier League games without a win in this fixture. Everton must avoid defeat against Sunderland and Southampton to go unbeaten at home in the league for a whole calendar year. They have only managed this feat on three occasions (1894, 1939, 1962). Sunderland are on a six-match winless streak (D3, L3), their worst run of form since an eight-game spell without a win at the start of the season. Romelu Lukaku scored three goals in two Premier League appearances against Sunderland last season while on loan at West Brom.
Everton's transformation under Roberto Martinez has been incredible. Following the departure of David Moyes to Manchester United, many an Evertonian would have worried about their club's long-term future, yet the fact the Toffee's can equal a club record before the year is out shows those fears have been allayed. If Everton avoid defeat against Sunderland and Southampton they will go unbeaten at home in the league for a whole calendar year. They have not done so since 1962. The Merseysiders are also in with a real shout of finishing in the top four this season, and the irony won't have been lost on fans when they look behind them and see Moyes's United back in eighth. Things are not so rosy for Sunderland, who remain rock-bottom of the Premier League and are in danger of being cut adrift in the New Year. Winless in six matches, the Black Cats have picked up just three away points this season, and it is difficult to see them doing so here. Prediction: 2-0
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
