Date: 11th May 2016 at 11:46am
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Sunderland have the chance to secure Premier League safety for another season and relegate arch-rivals Newcastle United, and Norwich City, on Wednesday night if they can beat a struggling Everton side at the Stadium of Light.

The Mackems – coming off the back of a stunning 3-2 victory against Chelsea last Saturday – will be full of confidence and eager to end their season in style.

Yet, also armed with a red-hot Jermain Defoe, who netted the winner and his 15th goal of the season at the weekend, and no doubt will be crying out to give England manager Roy Hodgson something to consider ahead of the Euro 2016 squad announcement.

However, Roberto Martinez and his lacklustre Everton team have been rather uninspiring throughout the season – a major disappointment for the Toffees fans in which they vented their anger towards the former Wigan Athletic manager – only one win in nine league games means the pressure is firmly on the Spaniard with fans staging protests against Bournemouth in their last match at Goodison Park.

Reaching a FA Cup final could have potentially saved their season, therefore the Toffees though only have pride to play for in the league.

Even though the hosts have only picked up one home victory in ten matches against their opponents on Wednesday, they will be in confident mood after once again impressing in the closing stages of the campaign – which has become customary in recent years.

In the previous fixture back in November, Everton ran riot as they thumped Sam Allardyce’s men 6-2 with Arouna Kone bagged a hat-trick, which is the Mackems’ worst defeat of the season.

Team News:

Sam Allardyce’s men have been given a massive boost as centre-back Lamine Kone has been passed fit despite suffering a thigh injury against Chelsea, while the only player missing for the home side is defender Billy Jones.

For the visitors, Ramiro Funes Mori is again available for selection after serving a three-match ban for his sending off in the Merseyside derby.

Meanwhile, key players Seamus Coleman and Gareth Barry could return from respective groin and hamstring injuries.

League positions: Sunderland (17th – 35 pts); Everton (12th – 44 pts)
Previous Meeting: Everton 6-2 Sunderland (November 1, 2015)
Form: Sunderland – DLWDDW; Everton – DDLLWL
Key Men: Sunderland – Jermain Defoe; Everton – Ross Barkley
Shoot Says: Sunderland 2-1 Everton

 
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