90 Mins From Safety: Sunderland v Everton

On Sky

This could be it, just 90 minutes of football to play and the lads could go into the final game against Watford without any pressure and enjoy the day.

There will be plenty of pressure tonight though and Everton are not the sort of side that will just roll over and except defeat, they have a lot to prove to their fans after what for them must have been a disappointing season after they was doing so well at one time.

But tonight is all about Sunderland, everything has got to click into place and everything that has been worked so hard for on both the training field and pitch must come off.

Tonight, more than any other night at the Stadium of Light every last man must stand and roar on the lads like it was a matter of life and death, we must truly be that 12th man for the team and Sam.

So lets put on our lucky clothing, do all our pre-match rituals and sing our hearts out, for Sunderland.

Vital Quotes:

Sam Allardyce: ‘Our destiny is in our own hands. Now we must take full advantage of that position and try to finish it off on Wednesday.

‘We need a repeat of the performance and support we had against Chelsea, particularly in the second half. Don’t come to the Stadium of Light with the expectation that it’s job done because it isn’t.’

Vito Mannone: (Via twitter) ‘Ready for tonight, lets make it a special day.be as loud as always and we are going to do it together.’

Fabio Borini: ‘We need the atmosphere to be exactly the same on Wednesday, if not even more.

‘We need the 12th man like the fans were on Saturday. ‘It would be really nice to have it done before the final day.’

Sunderland Team News:

There is a massive boost for Sunderland when news came through that Lemine Kone had been passed fit for tonight’s game after suffering injury in the game v Chelsea on Saturday.

This means the only absentee will be Billy Jones.

Player to watch: Jermain Defoe

Tonight he could prove why England should consider him.

Everton Team News:

Everton have Ramiro Funes Mori available as he returns from a three match ban.

Seamus Coleman and Gareth Barry could also return from injuries.

Player to watch: Romelu Lukaku

Not scored of late, but due goals and could score any time he wants

Match Facts & Stats

Sunderland’s only win in their last 10 Premier League home matches against Everton came in April 2013 (W1, D4, L5). The Black Cats scored just six goals in those matches.

Everton won this season’s reverse fixture 6-2, with Arouna Kone scoring a hat-trick.

Sunderland won for only the second time in 10 league games at the expense of Chelsea on Saturday (W2, D6, L2).

It is two years since Sunderland last managed successive home wins in the Premier League.

Jermain Defoe has scored 15 league goals this season. Without his goals, Sunderland would be 14 points worse off.

Everton have earned more points away (24) than at home (20) this season.
Romelu Lukaku is without a goal in his last eight league and cup appearances.

Ref Watch:

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Linesmen: L Betts and P Kirkup

Fourth Official: L Mason

Match Prediction:

I can only go with my heart here and say 2-0 to Sunderland

Next Fixtures:

Sunday – Watford (away)