Monday Night Football brings us a fixture including a Sunderland side desperate for points already this season in an effort to beat the drop, alongside an improving Everton side with lofty ambitions of challenging for European spaces.
Sunderland will be hoping that Jermain Defoe can continue his impressive start to the season, as the forward opened his account against Manchester City and has looked lively in general around the penalty area.
Home manager David Moyes has had to endure a tough start to life as Sunderland boss, which wasn’t helped by the lack of activity in the transfer window coupled with an increasing amount of first-team injuries.
However, the Black Cats will be hopeful that record signing Didier Ndong from Lorient can be a diamond in the rough as his powerful presence in the midfield could make him a star in the North-East.
Ronald Koeman’s new Everton side have made a great start to the season, picking up already two wins from three games and lingering in fourth position in the table.
Toffee fans will no doubt be buoyed that the club have been able to keep hold of star striker Romelu Lukaku, as well as building upon the squad with proven Premier League experience in Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie who will improve the team dynamic for sure.
Toffees forward Lukaku was linked with a move back to Chelsea during the summer transfer window – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
Team News:
Sebastian Larsson, Vito Mannone and Fabio Borini are all still long-term injuries, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is suffering with a minor knock, so he could be a doubt to face Everton on Monday night.
Muhamed Besic and James McCarthy remained sidelined for Everton for at least a month, while Tom Cleverley may just miss the match as he recovers from a minor knock.
League Positions: Sunderland – 16th (1pt); Everton – 4th (7pts)
Last Meeting: Sunderland 3-0 Everton – (May 11, 2016)
Form: Sunderland – WDLLD; Everton – LWDWW
Key Men: Sunderland – Jermain Defoe; Everton – Romelu Lukaku
Shoot Says: Sunderland 1-1 Everton