Everton vs Sunderland: Premier League Mid-Table Clash

Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool stages a tight mid‑table shootout on 17 May 2026 as Everton host Sunderland in the Premier League. With just two points separating the sides going into Round 37, there is still scope to climb the table and secure a top‑half finish. Everton start the weekend 10th on 49 points, Sunderland sit 12th on 48 – the difference between finishing in the top ten or drifting into the pack is on the line.

Context and stakes

In the league, Everton’s season has been defined by inconsistency. Their overall record of 13 wins, 10 draws and 13 defeats, with a goal difference of 0 (46 scored, 46 conceded), underlines a side that has never quite strung together a decisive run. Their recent league form – “DDLLD” – shows a team struggling to turn performances into victories, with no win in the last five.

Sunderland, newly re‑established at this level, have been similarly streaky. They arrive with 12 wins, 12 draws and 12 losses, and a goal difference of -9 (37 for, 46 against). Their form line “DDLLW” suggests they have at least stopped the bleeding with a win last time out after a poor run, but they remain fragile.

With two games left, both clubs are safe from relegation and out of European contention, but the narrative of progress is still important. Everton, at home in front of their own fans, will not want to see a promoted rival leapfrog them in the final week. Sunderland, meanwhile, can frame this as a statement game: win at Hill Dickinson Stadium and they likely finish above a long‑established Premier League name.

Tactical landscape: Everton

Across all phases, Everton’s numbers paint a picture of a balanced but blunt side. They average 1.3 goals scored and 1.3 conceded per game, almost perfectly symmetrical. At home, they have taken 6 wins, 5 draws and 7 defeats from 18, scoring 25 and conceding 24 – essentially mid‑table form and far from fortress‑like.

The most common shape is a 4‑2‑3‑1 (21 league uses), with a solitary appearance of 4‑3‑3. That points towards a double pivot in midfield, three advanced midfielders and a lone centre‑forward. Everton’s 11 clean sheets (6 at home) show that when the structure is right, they can be compact; they have also failed to score in 9 matches, underlining how often their attacking play stalls.

Their “biggest wins” data – a 3‑0 at home and 0‑2 away – suggests they are capable of controlled, low‑risk victories rather than wild shootouts. The worst home defeat, 1‑4, is a reminder that when the back line is exposed, they can unravel.

Team news forces some significant adjustments. Centre‑back Jarrad Branthwaite is out with a hamstring injury, removing a key presence in the defensive line. Without him, Everton may have to adjust their build‑up and be more conservative against transitions. The absence of Jack Grealish (foot injury) removes a creative and ball‑carrying outlet between the lines; that could push Everton towards more direct wide play or quicker vertical passes instead of prolonged possession in advanced areas. Idrissa Gueye is also missing, depriving the double pivot of its most natural ball‑winner and screener.

Those three absences all point in the same direction tactically: Everton may need to sit a fraction deeper, protect their centre‑backs, and rely on structure rather than individual defensive interventions. In possession, they might lean more on quick switches and crossing rather than intricate combination play through central zones.

One positive: from the penalty spot, the team record shows 2 taken, 2 scored across all phases. If they earn a spot‑kick, there is evidence of reliability from 12 yards.

Tactical landscape: Sunderland

Sunderland’s season has been more varied in shape and approach. They have used 4‑2‑3‑1 nineteen times, but also 4‑3‑3 (5), 5‑4‑1 (5), 4‑4‑2 (3), 4‑1‑4‑1 (3) and even 3‑4‑3 once. That tactical flexibility is a key storyline: they can mirror Everton’s 4‑2‑3‑1, add an extra centre‑back in a 5‑4‑1 to absorb pressure, or go with a front two if they chase the game.

In the league, Sunderland average just 1.0 goal scored per match and 1.3 conceded. Away from home they are especially limited in attack: 14 goals in 18 away games (0.8 per match), with a record of 4 wins, 6 draws and 8 defeats, and 27 conceded. Their biggest away defeat is 3‑0, which shows that when the balance is wrong, they can be opened up.

Yet they also boast 11 clean sheets (4 away), so when set up in a more conservative shape, they can be hard to break down. The “biggest wins” metric – 3‑0 at home, 1‑2 away – suggests they are more comfortable grinding out narrow victories on the road rather than blowing teams away.

Discipline and availability will shape their plan. Defender Dan Ballard is suspended after a red card, which is a major blow to the defensive unit. Without him, Sunderland may be reluctant to open up and could compensate by sitting deeper or moving to a back three/five to cover the missing centre‑back. Winger or attacking option Romaine Mundle is also out with a hamstring injury, trimming their ability to stretch the game from wide areas and limiting rotation in advanced roles.

From the spot, Sunderland have scored all 4 penalties taken this season. That is a useful weapon if they can draw fouls in the box, particularly with Everton missing key defensive personnel.

Head‑to‑head: recent history

The last five competitive meetings between these sides (excluding friendlies) are finely poised but with a slight historical tilt towards Everton:

On 10 January 2026 in the FA Cup Round of 64 at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the match finished 1‑1 after normal time and went to penalties, with Sunderland winning the shootout 3‑0.
On 3 November 2025 in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland and Everton drew 1‑1.
On 20 September 2017 in the League Cup 3rd Round at Goodison Park, Everton beat Sunderland 3‑0.
On 25 February 2017 in the Premier League at Goodison Park, Everton beat Sunderland 2‑0.
On 12 September 2016 in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light, Everton beat Sunderland 3‑0.

Over these five, Everton have 3 wins, Sunderland have 1 (via the penalty shootout), and there has been 1 draw in regular time. Everton’s home record in this sample is strong: two wins (3‑0, 2‑0) and a 1‑1 that turned into cup elimination on penalties.

Key dynamics and match pattern

Several statistical threads converge to suggest a cautious, attritional contest:

Both teams concede around 1.3 goals per game across all phases.
Everton are only marginally stronger at home than Sunderland are away.
Sunderland’s away attack is among the less potent in the league (0.8 goals per game).
Everton’s attack can misfire, with 9 games failing to score this season.

Everton’s injuries to Branthwaite and Gueye weaken their central defensive axis, which could encourage Sunderland to be braver in transition, especially if they stick to a 4‑2‑3‑1 that can quickly become a 4‑3‑3 on the break. However, Sunderland’s poor away scoring record and the loss of Ballard may instead push them towards a low‑block, counter‑attacking plan, protecting a makeshift back line and hoping to nick a goal from set‑pieces or a penalty.

Everton, missing Grealish’s creativity, may rely more on structured wing play, overlaps and crosses, trusting their home rhythm and familiarity with the pitch. Their 11 clean sheets suggest that if they score first, they have the organisation to protect a lead, even with defensive absences.

Card data indicates both sides can pick up bookings in the second half, particularly between 46‑75 minutes, which could matter if the match becomes stretched or if tactical fouls are needed to stop counters.

The verdict

The table, the numbers and the absentees all point towards a tight, low‑margin game with more on the line for Everton’s sense of progress than for any tangible prize. Sunderland’s away struggles in front of goal and the disruption at centre‑back make it hard to back them to control the contest, even against an Everton side in patchy form.

Everton’s stronger historical home record in this fixture, combined with marginally better attacking numbers and home advantage, tilts the balance slightly their way. A narrow Everton win or a draw feels the most logical outcome, with the likelihood of a game decided by a single goal and set‑pieces or penalties looming as potentially decisive factors.