Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 33/20

Bookmaker: ZetBet

The Stadium of Light will host Monday night’s Premier League clash as newly-promoted Sunderland welcome Everton in a meeting of two sides with contrasting momentum.

Sunderland have stunned the top flight with their fearless approach, while Everton arrive under pressure after back-to-back defeats that exposed defensive frailties.

Sunderland

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been nothing short of remarkable. Régis Le Bris’s men have collected 17 points from their first nine matches—more than any newly-promoted side at this stage in 17 years—and currently sit in the top six. Their resilience was on full display last weekend when they stunned Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, overturning an early deficit with goals from Wilson Isidor and Chemsdine Talbi.

The Black Cats have been particularly strong at home, taking 10 points from a possible 12 and conceding just two goals at the Stadium of Light. Their ability to recover from setbacks is another hallmark—they’ve earned seven points from losing positions, the most in the league so far. Sunderland’s compact defensive shape and quick transitions have made them difficult to break down, while Isidor’s pace and Mukiele’s leadership at the back provide balance.

Le Bris will aim to maintain this momentum and exploit Everton’s vulnerability from crosses and set-pieces, a weakness highlighted in their recent defeats. Expect Sunderland to combine disciplined defending with opportunistic counter-attacks in front of a raucous home crowd.

Team News

Sunderland beat Chelsea despite being without their defensive anchor, Omar Alderete, who was sidelined due to concussion protocols. However, Le Bris has confirmed that the Paraguayan has resumed training and remains optimistic about receiving clearance to play on Monday.

Simon Adingra is also anticipated to return after sitting out the win against the Blues with a minor hamstring concern. Dan Neil, who suffered a concussion himself, is expected to be available, but Aji Alese (shoulder), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Romain Mundle (thigh), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (Achilles), and Habib Diarra (groin) continue to be unavailable.

Le Bris deployed a 5-4-1 formation against Chelsea—a strategy that proved highly effective—but in front of the home crowd, the Black Cats boss may revert to a four-man defensive line, a change that could come at the expense of Dan Ballard.

Everton

Everton’s promising start has given way to a worrying slump. David Moyes’s side have lost consecutive matches for the first time this season, falling 2-0 to Manchester City and 3-0 to Tottenham. Those defeats exposed a recurring issue—Everton’s vulnerability to aerial balls and set-pieces, with all three Spurs goals coming from crosses. The Toffees now sit 14th with 11 points, five clear of the drop zone but far from comfortable.

Moyes will demand a reaction, but Everton’s away form offers little encouragement. They’ve lost three of four league games on the road, failing to score in two of those defeats. Creativity has been lacking, with only the bottom three scoring fewer goals this season. Iliman Ndiaye remains their most consistent attacking outlet, while Jack Grealish’s playmaking will be crucial if Everton are to break down Sunderland’s disciplined back line.

Expect Everton to focus on tightening their defensive structure and using set-pieces as a route to goal, but their recent struggles suggest this will be a stern test against one of the league’s form teams.

Team News

Jarrad Branthwaite is still working his way back from a hamstring injury, while fellow defender Nathan Patterson is recovering from combined foot and groin issues.

Moyes has stated that the remainder of his squad is fit for Monday’s clash, where the Scot faces his usual dilemma up front between Beto and Thierno Barry—the latter came on for the former in the 66th minute of the defeat to Tottenham.

Eight years after leaving Wearside for Merseyside, England’s first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will meet his former club Sunderland for the first time. The 31-year-old recorded four clean sheets for the Black Cats during the 2016/17 Premier League campaign.

Head-to-Head: History Favors Everton

This is the first meeting between the sides since 2017. Everton have won three of the last four encounters and claimed victory on their last visit to the Stadium of Light in 2016. Sunderland, however, are unbeaten at home this season and will look to rewrite the narrative.

Conclusion

Sunderland’s home form and confidence make them favorites, but Everton’s experience and set-piece threat could keep this competitive.

Nonetheless, the Black Cats’ energy and resilience should prove decisive against an Everton side struggling for rhythm away from home.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 33/20

Bookmaker: ZetBet