Currently second-bottom of the form table, and not having won an away football match since the 1st game of the season, the visit of Sunderland must be one of the least daunting in the Premier League. They're so bad away, we'll be surprised if their coach doesn't break down on the way to Goodison.
Everton, on the other hand, are unbeaten in four at home, having won their last two (including an impressive 2-0 win over Man City), and are the team in form, primed to make a late assault on the European places. They've not lost since November in the league, and with big-game players Mikel Arteta and Phil Jagielka soon due back from long-term injuries, Moyes's side might be a good shout, at 9.2 at Betfair.com, to make the top six. Their quest should continue with a comfortable home win tonight, against a Sunderland side lacking in confidence and, at times, ideas.
Steve Bruce's side have struggled for two months since their last win - an impressive 1-0 victory at home to Arsenal - and much has been put down to their unfortunate spate of footballing injuries and suspensions. But it's also worth noting that against Portsmouth at the weekend, Bruce was able to select the returning trio of Turner, Richardson and Reid yet they still limped out of the FA Cup, to the increasing worry of the travelling support who'd expected a better reaction from a 7-2 loss to Chelsea the week before.
And with yet more injury concerns at the back for the visitors it's likely that new signing Matthew Kilgallon will be thrown in at the deep end to make his debut for Sunderland. It means Everton are resounding 1.68 favourites at Betfair, with the draw 3.85 and an away win 6.6.
Betfair can't see anything other than a home victory, but for more value the 4.0 football bet for Everton to win both halves looks good, though Darren Bent's continuing form in front of goal despite his under-performing teammates makes the both teams to score bet at 1.84 another punt worth having. Other than Bent (a very generous 8.2 to score first), Louis Saha is available at 2.32 to score at any time, while Marouane Fellaini who rescued a late point for Everton the last time these sides met is 5.2. |
