Everton vs Sunderland Predictions

• Everton have 15 points from 11 home games.
• Sunderland are winless in six on their travels (D3, L3).
• Sunderland have scored just two goals across their last five games.

Cup chance for mid-table duo

Everton and Sunderland will both feel they have an opportunity to put together a run in the FA Cup this season ahead of their third round meeting on Saturday.

Sunderland have 30 points on the board, meaning they are 16 clear of danger, and sit 10th in the table – although they are only three points adrift of the European places.

Everton are one point worse off, and Europe through the league is still an achievable target for both sides but we should still expect both managers to put our strong teams on Saturday.

These teams look evenly matched but home advantage could be key. Sunderland have just two wins on their travels in the league in 11 attempts and they have struggled for goals on their travels, managing just five in total.

Everton have been in mixed form and they have lost three of their last five at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, although all of those losses have come against teams in the top six.

Sunderland’s scoring issues suggest Everton can grind out a win in a low scoring contest. The Black Cats have been poor in front of goal away from home all season and they’ve managed just two goals in total across their last five overall.

One goal may be enough to win this cup tie and a 1-0 win for Everton seems a reasonable correct score prediction, as Everton score on average just over a goal per-game in the Premier League and Sunderland concede at a similar rate.