Everton vs Sunderland: Tense Mid-Table Clash on 17 May 2026

Hill Dickinson Stadium stages a tense mid-table Premier League meeting on 17 May 2026 as Everton host Sunderland in Round 37. With just a point separating the sides – Everton 10th on 49 points, Sunderland 12th on 48 – this is effectively a play-off for a top-half finish and potentially a higher merit payment in the final table.

Both teams are safely clear of the relegation fight and out of European contention, but the stakes are still clear: prize money, pride, and positioning in the pecking order for next season.

Form and season picture

In the league, Everton arrive in 10th with a perfectly balanced goal difference (46 scored, 46 conceded) from 36 matches (13 wins, 10 draws, 13 defeats). Their recent form line of “DDLLD” underlines a stuttering run: just three points from the last five league outings and no win in that spell. At home they have been inconsistent: 6 wins, 5 draws, 7 defeats, with 25 goals scored and 24 conceded at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Sunderland sit two places lower but only one point behind. Their league record reads 12 wins, 12 draws, 12 defeats, with a -9 goal difference (37 for, 46 against). The form sequence “DDLLW” suggests a slight upturn: they snapped a four-game winless streak with victory last time out. Away from home, though, they have struggled: 4 wins, 6 draws, 8 defeats, scoring only 14 and conceding 27 on their travels.

Across all phases, Everton’s season-long form string (“LWWDLDWLLDWWLWWLLDWLDWDDWLLWWLWDLLDD”) tells a story of short winning bursts interrupted by equally short losing runs. Their biggest home win has been 3-0, while their heaviest home defeat was 1-4. Sunderland’s broader form (“WLWDDWLWWDDLWDLWDDDDLWLWLLLDWLWWLLDD”) shows similar streakiness but with a stronger base of draws. Their best away result is a 1-2 win, while they have suffered a 3-0 away defeat.

Both sides have kept 11 clean sheets across all phases, underlining that they are capable of defensive solidity, but Everton have failed to score in 9 league matches compared to Sunderland’s 13 – a hint that the hosts carry a slightly more reliable attacking threat.

Tactical outlook

Everton’s season has been built on a clear structural identity. They have used a 4-2-3-1 in 21 league matches, with only one outing in a 4-3-3. That double-pivot base suggests a focus on stability in central areas, screening the back four while allowing a No.10 and wide players to connect with the lone striker. Their goal averages – 1.4 scored and 1.3 conceded per home game – point to relatively tight but competitive matches at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Sunderland, by contrast, have been more tactically flexible. They have also favoured a 4-2-3-1 (19 matches), but have alternated between 4-3-3 (5 matches), 5-4-1 (5), 4-4-2 (3), 4-1-4-1 (3) and even 3-4-3 (1). That range of systems gives them options to adapt to Everton’s shape. Away from home, where they score just 0.8 goals per game and concede 1.5, they are likely to prioritise compactness, perhaps with a more conservative variation of the 4-2-3-1 or a back five if they want extra protection.

Discipline could also be a factor. Everton’s yellow-card distribution spikes after half-time, particularly between 46-60 and 76-90 minutes, suggesting a tendency to pick up bookings as intensity rises late on. Sunderland show a similar pattern, with the 46-60 minute window again the most card-heavy. Both sides have had red cards this season, with Sunderland’s dismissals clustered around the 16-30, 31-45 and 91-105 ranges. In a tight game, a sending-off could swing the balance.

From dead balls, both teams have been reliable from the spot in the league: Everton have scored 2 of 2 penalties, Sunderland 4 of 4, with no recorded misses for either side. That raises the importance of penalty-box discipline in what may be a finely balanced contest.

Defensively, Everton’s 11 clean sheets (6 at home) and Sunderland’s 11 (4 away) hint that both managers will trust their structures. Everton concede 1.3 goals per home game; Sunderland concede 1.5 away. If Everton can impose their 4-2-3-1 and pin Sunderland back, the visitors’ modest away scoring rate may leave them heavily reliant on transitions and set pieces.

Team news and selection implications

Everton face significant absences. Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring injury) is ruled out, weakening the heart of their defence and potentially forcing a reshuffle at centre-back. Jack Grealish (foot injury) is also unavailable, depriving them of a creative and ball-carrying presence in advanced areas. Idrissa Gueye (injury) is another key absentee; without his energy and ball-winning in midfield, Everton may find it harder to control the central zones and protect the back line.

For Sunderland, defender Dan Ballard is suspended due to a red card, which is a notable blow to their defensive stability, especially away from home. Winger Romain Mundle (hamstring injury) is also missing, limiting their options for pace and width in attacking transitions.

Those absences could shape the tactical battle. Everton might be more cautious in their build-up without Gueye’s security and Branthwaite’s presence, perhaps keeping the full-backs slightly deeper. Sunderland, missing Ballard, may be reluctant to push the defensive line high, which could compress the space in behind but invite Everton pressure.

Head-to-head: recent competitive meetings

Counting only competitive fixtures (excluding friendlies), the last five meetings between these sides break down as follows:

10 January 2026, FA Cup Round of 64 at Hill Dickinson Stadium: Everton 1-1 Sunderland (Sunderland won 0-3 on penalties). Officially recorded as a draw after 120 minutes, with Sunderland progressing on spot-kicks.
3 November 2025, Premier League at Stadium of Light: Sunderland 1-1 Everton, a league draw in Sunderland.
20 September 2017, League Cup 3rd Round at Goodison Park: Everton 3-0 Sunderland, Everton win.
25 February 2017, Premier League at Goodison Park: Everton 2-0 Sunderland, Everton win.
12 September 2016, Premier League at Stadium of Light: Sunderland 0-3 Everton, Everton win.

Across these five competitive matches, Everton have 3 wins, Sunderland have 0 wins in regulation time, and there have been 2 draws (one of which Sunderland converted into a cup victory via penalties).

Everton’s home record in this sequence is strong: two clear wins (3-0, 2-0) and the recent 1-1 draw in the FA Cup that they ultimately lost on penalties. Sunderland will, however, take confidence from that January 2026 shootout success at this same venue.

The verdict

The data points towards a tight, tactical contest between two evenly matched mid-table sides. Everton have the marginally stronger attacking numbers and a better home scoring rate, but they are out of form and weakened by key injuries in defence and midfield. Sunderland are poor travellers and score infrequently away, yet their tactical flexibility and recent psychological boost at Hill Dickinson Stadium – via the FA Cup penalty shootout – are significant factors.

Expect Everton to see more of the ball in their familiar 4-2-3-1, probing against a compact Sunderland shape that may morph between 4-2-3-1 and a more defensive system. With both teams capable of clean sheets but not prolific, a low-scoring draw or a narrow home win looks the most logical outcome, with fine margins – set pieces, discipline, or a single defensive lapse – likely to decide who finishes the season in the top half.