Midfield Battle
The midfield battle could prove crucial with both sides likely to start with five in midfield. Both sides have their own combative midfielders, Marouane Fellaini for Everton and Lee Cattermole for Sunderland. Fellaini will look to carry on where he left off after dominating Cattermole in the recent cup replay.
Upon closer inspection, it is easy to see why Fellaini had the edge. The Belgian has the beating of Cattermole in all bar one category. The difference in tackling is telling with Fellaini attempting more and boasting a superior success rate. Fellaini’s contribution will be vital and go some way to ensuring Everton emerge victorious.
There is no shame in losing a midfield battle to Fellaini with the Belgian developing into one of the league’s best holding midfielders. Fellaini has featured in 28 league games for Everton this season; 25 starts and 3 substitute appearances. He has ended 14 of those 28 games with a 100% tackle success rate; testament to his dominance of the midfield area.
Seamus Coleman and Jack Rodwell will look to step up their fitness with the FA Cup semi-final just six days away. Royston Drenthe should return, after leave, to try to set up a semi-final place. David Moyes will make changes with Everton playing their second game in three days.
For Sunderland, Frazier Campbell (knock), John O’Shea (calf) and Wes Brown (knee) could all be missing as they battle for fitness. Titus Bramble (calf) and Marcus Angeleri (knee) remain long-term absentees.
Everton are enjoying their customary end of season revival with just two defeats in 15. Sunderland’s recent away form has not been good and Everton, rightly, go into this as favourites. However, Martin O’Neill has a good record against David Moyes and Sunderland will hope that counts in their favour.
Match Facts
- Tim Cahill has 3 in his last 6 against Sunderland and 8 career goals against them
- Darron Gibson is unbeaten in 11 Everton appearances and his last 24 league games
- Sunderland have not beaten David Moyes’ Everton in 16 attempts
- Sunderland have lost 15 points from winning positions – only Wolves (20) have fared worse
- Leighton Baines is set to play his 100th consecutive Premier League game
All of the stats from this article have been taken from the Opta Stats Centre at EPLIndex.com – Subscribe Now (Includes author privileges!) See Demo’s and videos about the Stats Centre & read about new additions to the stats centre.
