Source: SKY_Sports
Sunderland v Everton preview
Sunderland host Everton on Sunday as they look to secure their Premier League status.[LNB] The Black Cats' form has been torrid in recent weeks with just one win in nine games, and this record has seen them sink to within just four points of the drop-zone.[LNB]Last week's thrashing at the hands of bottom club West Brom has only heaped the pressure on Sunderland, with North East rivals Newcastle and Middlesbrough desperately looking to catch and overtake them.[LNB]But with Everton coming to town in the penultimate home match of the season, Sunderland will see this as a chance to make safe their top-flight place.[LNB]However, the omens are not good for Sunderland as they have a horrendous record against Everton of late.[LNB]They have not beaten them since 2001 - some eight league games ago, indeed in that time Everton have racked up three wins on Wearside.[LNB]Everton, though, are not in the best of form away from home having not won on their travels since December when they beat Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.[LNB]Victory for Everton could also see them moving into fifth.[LNB]Sunderland go into the game without long-term injury victims Craig Gordon and Nyron Nosworthy.[LNB]There is also still a concern over George McCartney who has a calf problem.[LNB]Captain Dean Whitehead could be pushing for a recall after making his comeback last week from the substitutes' bench.[LNB]French star Steed Malbranque could also be drafted back into the starting line-up by boss Ricky Sbragia after last week's defeat at The Hawthorns.[LNB]Everton are facing up to the prospect of life without Phil Jagielka after he was ruled out for the rest of the season with his knee ligament injury.[LNB]The likely beneficiary of Jagielka's injury will be Joseph Yobo - who looks set to partner Joleon Lescott for the rest of the season in central defence, although with the FA Cup final in mind David Moyes may not be fielding his strongest XI from now until the end of the season.[LNB]Youngsters James Vaughan, Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling could all feature - whilst Tim Cahill may return after starting on the bench last week.[LNB]Possible starting XIs:[LNB]Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Davenport, Ferdinand, Collins, Malbranque, Tainio, Whitehead, Richardson ,Cisse ,Jones [LNB]Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott ,Baines, Osman, Neville, Cahill, Pienaar, Gosling, Vaughan[LNB]
