please log in to view this image The dust has not settled on the Spurs game and here we go again TEAM NEWS Marouane Fellaini could be recalled to Everton's starting XI after beginning the draw at Norwich on the bench. Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Royston Drenthe, who has been on compassionate leave since March 21, could also be available. Lee Cattermole, Phil Bardsley and Nicklas Bendtner all face late fitness tests for Sunderland. Kieran Richardson and Wayne Bridge are both pushing for a return to the starting line-up MATCH PREVIEW This fixture will remind Sunderland fans of what might have been in terms of their FA cup dreams, as these two clubs meet for the fourth time this season, with Sunderland yet to beat David Moyes's team. It is Everton's last game before their much-anticipated semi-final meeting with Liverpool, but their two results since knocking Sunderland out in the replay have proved it hasn't been a distraction, with victory over West Brom and Saturday's draw at Norwich. In fact Everton have only lost twice in their last 16 games in all competitions and they will be determined to maintain that momentum to take to Wembley at the weekend. Moyes's clever business in the January transfer window has rejuvenated the team. They are traditionally stronger in the second half of the season, but the new faces have had a huge effect. The return of Steven Pienaar was a masterstroke, the invention of Darron Gibson has helped create chances and the arrival of a goalscorer that the club have craved for more than two seasons has proved pivotal. Nikica Jelavic has five goals in seven starts since arriving on Merseyside and his presence has added a new dimension to their play. Sunderland already have first-hand experience of the Croatian international who scored in the FA Cup quarter-final replay at the Stadium of Light. They arrive at Goodison having nearly won at Manchester City and held Spurs at home, and they will be keen to continue the Martin O'Neill factor for the remaining games. A tally of 31 points from a possible 54 has been secured since his arrival. Sunderland haven't finished higher than tenth since Peter Reid's team recorded a seventh- place finish back in 2001, the season they last beat Everton in the Premier League. The Sunderland boss won't allow the foot to be taken off the pedal for the rest of the campaign. While Everton desperately want to beat Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final, three points would help their chances of finishing above their Merseyside rivals for only the second time in the Premier League. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Sunderland have not beaten Everton in their last 14 Premier League meetings - their last win was a 1-0 victory in December 2001. Everton have won their last four league home games against the Black Cats. Everton The Toffees have lost just one of their last six league games at Goodison Park - a 1-0 defeat by Arsenal. Everton are unbeaten in three Premier League games and have lost just two of their last 12. Only the two Manchester clubs have conceded fewer goals in the Premier League this season than Everton's 34. But they have only scored as many goals (34) as bottom club Wolves. Sunderland The Black Cats have won one of their last four league matches. Sunderland are without a win in their last four Premier League away games (D2, L2). Against Spurs on Saturday they were held to their first goalless draw with Martin O'Neill has manager. They have kept only one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League away games.
I think it could be MIG GARDNER..TURNER..KILGALLON..BRIDGE LARSSON..COLBACK..RICHARDSON..MCLEAN CAMPBELL..SESS
Assuming that those strugglng to be fit don't make it then I can't see it being much different to this - I think Vaughan for Bridge with Ricco back at LB is a possibility. Looking at the options this does support what MON was saying on Saturday about needing a bigger/better squad as there are not huge amounts of choice especially up front
Up front is where we traditionally struggle as Sunderland except for a few glorious years with SKP and SNQ and, apart from a few games this season nothing has changed. That is where we will win today though as I reckon we will get in behind just like Norwich did on Saturday and cause them problems. Thought Everton were lucky against Norwich with a disputed goal (sound familiar?) but, as the old saying goes play to the whistle Everton did Norwich didn't and got punished for it. Maybe they'll have one eye on the semi final but, in Piennar they have a very good player who can cause us problems however with Piennar comes the gaps at the back. It usually falls that you get beat in the cup but win the league game we've done it to Arsenal and I seem to remember getting beat off Wigan a few years ago in the cup and then beating them in the league a week or so later. Grasping at straws a bit I know but, think we'll get something if not all 3 points. Team is about the best we can put out under the circumstances which shows how paper thin the squad is, let's hope MON can work his magic in the Summer and beef the squad up. Everton 1-2 SAFC. It's got to happen sometime soon hasn't it?
I agree about the squad and us winning but the thin squad and MON's record could work for us this game. MON has shown great loyalty to those who come in and do well so that could be the key. Whoever comes in knows that the place is theirs for the taking, play well and you have every chance of starting against Wolves so one thing I don't expect is a foot of the gas performance. With Everton it could be a foot off with the cup game coming up, or it could be players playing to get in the Wembley team, we will soon find out which it is.
It's great everyone is confident going into every game, but I'd be happy with a point then beat wolves to take us into 7th. Everton is still our bogey team & I can't see that changing today. They beat us by being 1st to every ball and the passing & movement was top notch. We need bags of energy to beat them today, & quick on the break. Or just sit back for 90 mins & score a 30 yarder like we have on occasions.
I'd take a draw now if it was offered. Got to be careful of Jelavic he's in great form, unfortunately I can see him scoring again.
There's never been a better time to play Everton, i'm going for a narrow away win, maybe 1-0 or 2-1. I'd settle for a draw though.
Everton 24 Howard 02 Hibbert 05 Heitinga 06 Jagielka 18 Neville 21 Osman 22 Pienaar 25 Fellaini 11 Stracqualursi 14 McFadden 19 Gueye Substitutes 01 Mucha 15 Distin 23 Coleman 34 Duffy 04 Gibson 10 Drenthe 28 Anichebe Sunderland 22 Mignolet 02 Bardsley 04 Turner 12 Kilgallon 06 Cattermole 07 Larsson 08 Gardner 14 Colback 15 Vaughan 23 McClean 28 Sessegnon Substitutes 20 Westwood 03 Bridge 11 Richardson 25 Kyrgiakos 18 Meyler 10 Wickham 17 Ji Dong-Won Ref: Friend
Interesting no Jelavic mate, our lot seem very short on striking options mind Sess up top on his own is a strange one for me anyway. If he gets the support then we should be okay.
We had a tight midfield in the cup game at SOL mate and, still got bossed by Fellaini,looking like a nil nil thriller today.
