Harry Diamond 15/05/2026 20comments  |  Jump to last

Everton host Sunderland in the club's final home fixture of the 2025-26 Premier League season this weekend.

A five-game winless run has put the brakes on the Blues’ push for Europe, with maximum points required against Saturday’s visitors to maintain fading hopes.

Last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace saw the Toffees twice lead, but goals from Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta ensured the Eagles took home a share of the spoils. Recent defensive lapses have been an issue, and it’s now five games without a clean sheet. Shoring up the backline should be the first step towards snapping the winless streak.

The fixture will conclude the club’s first campaign at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton have taken 23 points from the previous 18 games at the ground, recording six wins, five draws, and seven losses.

Sunderland, who have impressed on their return to the top tier, visit Hill Dickinson for the second time this season. The Black Cats won on penalties in the FA Cup’s third round back in January. 

Team News

Everton team news

David Moyes will provide an update on Idrissa Gana Gueye ahead of the clash, with the veteran having missed the last two fixtures. Last week, Moyes said the 36-year-old’s issue ‘was not a serious injury’ and expected him back ‘soon’. Gana Gueye was not pictured in the training gallery photos posted on Thursday.

The fixture could see Seamus Coleman make his final home appearance for Everton. The club captain’s deal is due to expire in the summer.

Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite are confirmed absentees, with each having seen their season ended prematurely. 

Sunderland team news

Sunderland are set to be without centre-back Dan Ballard through suspension. The Northern Ireland international will serve the second of a three-game ban, following his straight red card for pulling the hair of Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare. Romaine Mundle is also sidelined with a thigh injury.

Everton Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Ireogbunam; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto.

Everton vs Sunderland: Match Details

  • Kick-off: 3:00 pm BST, Sunday 17 May 2026

  • Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium

  • Last Time: Everton 1-1 Sunderland - Sunderland won 3-0 on penalties (10 January 2026)

  • Referee: John Brooks

  • Video Assistant Referee: Tony Harrington

How to Watch Everton vs Sunderland

The game will be televised on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. All can follow updates here, on the ToffeeWeb Live Forum.

 

Reader Comments (20)

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Annika Herbert
1 Posted 15/05/2026 at 12:03:54
I sincerely hope the line-up does not include McNeil!\

It would be nice to see O'Brien given a run out at centre-back too, preferably in place of Tarkowski.
Mal van Schaick
2 Posted 15/05/2026 at 12:50:58
Let's hope that we don't need VAR, because we haven't had one positive decision all season.

A convincing home wIn would be nice. 3-0.
Jack Convery
3 Posted 15/05/2026 at 13:06:47
I see the VAR panel has judged Silva to have fouled Rohl and it should have been a penalty! That's alright then... NOT!

That's 3 penalties we should have had and didn't get. Apparently it's 23 for the season for the Premier League fixtured. Shameful.

I won't hold my breath for a changed centre-back pairing or a different right-back. How about giving George a run-out, Moyesiah?
Jay Harris
4 Posted 15/05/2026 at 16:07:54
I would just like to see the team get on the front foot and stay there instead of sitting back once we take the lead.

I get the feeling that the "leaders" on the pitch, ie, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Jimmy Garner, are too defensive
-minded and conservative. We need some character up front to demand more front-foot football and less caution.
Jay Harris
5 Posted 15/05/2026 at 22:31:11
On just checking only Arsenal City and Brighton have conceded fewer goals than us, so it's not that disastrous at the back. It just seems like it because we have conceded goals at critical times in games where the result went against us.

If we had got the correct decisions, we would be right up there with the other shower.
Rob Hooton
6 Posted 15/05/2026 at 00:14:32
We've been unfortunate of late and likely should be higher in the table. Poor decisions from the officials, players, and manager have left us with a lot to do to finish the season on a high.

Two wins from our last two would mean we've had an ‘alright' season, can we do it and then kick on next season? Time will tell.

It would be nice to see George or Dibling start in the McNeil slot, doubt it will happen but we should try something different as it would buoy the fans -- perhaps temporarily or perhaps not!
Billy Shears
7 Posted 16/05/2026 at 06:54:59
A drab end-of-season type game for both teams.

A can't see Moyes changing much round... so another draw is on the cards.

1-1 methinks!
Laurie Hartley
8 Posted 16/05/2026 at 09:35:14
Harry,

I am surprised you have put McNeil in at the expense of Rohl. Surely after his display last time out, he deserves to retain his place?\

I watched Sunderland v Man Utd and Sunderland could have won 3-0. They won't be a pushover.
Michael Kenrick
9 Posted 16/05/2026 at 09:42:53
Laurie,

I asked Harry about that and he said, "Unfortunately it's what I think Moyes will do... Not what I would!"

So there you have it. The Moyesiah strikes again!!!
Ajay Gopal
10 Posted 16/05/2026 at 09:50:40
I would like to see:

Beto
Ndiaye Dewsbury-Hall Alcaraz
Garner Iroegbunam
Mykolenko Tarkowski O'Brien Patterson
Pickford

Subs: George, Armstrong, Dibling, Barry
John Collins
11 Posted 16/05/2026 at 09:51:09
Will it be another safety-first, backs-to-the-wall, "sit in and try to pinch one" type of game?
Laurie Hartley
12 Posted 16/05/2026 at 13:01:15
Fair enough, Michael -- Harry is being realistic.

But what an indictment on Moyes it will be if he doesn't start Röhl.
Eric Myles
13 Posted 16/05/2026 at 13:21:10
Ajay, Beto in goal? A back three and Pickford as striker?

That's an adventurous line-up.
Christy Ring
14 Posted 16/05/2026 at 13:37:47
We have 3pts from last 15, and he still sticks to his conservative line-up. Freshen things up, Play O'Brien centreback, I'd have Garner, Rohl and Armstrong in midfield, they played so well together against Villa.
Tony Abrahams
15 Posted 16/05/2026 at 22:08:17
Just reading the programme notes of Angus, who has described the feeling around this season has being happily dissatisfied.

He explains why he's happily dissatisfied, but what a description, not helped when reading that he knew we were safe from relegation at Christmas.

It was, he says, always going to be a two summer plan, so roll on the transfer window and let's hope we bring in a few good players.
John Collins
16 Posted 16/05/2026 at 22:27:02
Happily dissatisfied?
I hadn't realised.
What a divvy I am for missing 7 home games.
Rob Hooton
17 Posted 16/05/2026 at 23:44:31
Ajay,

I disagree with putting Alcaraz anywhere near the wing, he's been very disappointing when in that kind of position.

He's a positive player but his passing and decision-making are often very poor. I reckon we'll end up losing him for a loss as I'm yet to see true quality in him but hope I'm wrong.

I'd rather see pace and skill on the wing... I don't think our manager agrees with me though.

Heart says we'll thump Sunderland in our last home game; head says it will be tight and won by the odd goal.
Raymond Fox
18 Posted 17/05/2026 at 11:51:42
Another head scratcher of a game the betting is 5/6 Everton, 3/1 Sunderland and 5/2 the Draw. approx. odds.
We play well enough most of the time but don't win enough also.It's hard to be confident whoever we play, when we get in front which has been quite often we cant hold on.
I don't think I would bet 5/6 on us with our recent record, the 3/1 Sunderland and 5/2 the draw look more attractive odds.
Those are traitorous comment I know but thats how I see the game

I hope I am wrong and it wont be for the first time, you never know what to expect from our team.
Bobby Mallon
19 Posted 17/05/2026 at 12:31:30
Will Moyes or should Moyes start Seamus?

I say he should.
Billy Bradshaw
20 Posted 17/05/2026 at 13:51:27
Bobby @ 19, Moyes said no.

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