Everton vs Sunderland: Premier League Showdown at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool stages a tense late-season Premier League meeting on 17 May 2026, as Everton host Sunderland with both sides still jostling for position in the top half. Everton come into Matchday 37 in 10th place on 49 points, just one point and two places above 12th‑placed Sunderland on 48. There is no cup progression at stake here, but the prize is clear enough: a higher finish, extra prize money, and the psychological edge of ending the campaign above a direct mid‑table rival.

Form and season context

In the league, Everton’s campaign has been defined by inconsistency. Their overall record of 13 wins, 10 draws and 13 defeats (46 scored, 46 conceded) underlines a side that has rarely strung together long positive runs. The recent form line of “DDLLD” in the table confirms a stuttering spell, with just two points taken from the last five league outings.

At home, Everton have been solid but not imposing: 6 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses from 18 matches, with a narrow positive scoring pattern (25 for, 24 against). They average 1.4 goals scored and 1.3 conceded per home game across all phases, and have kept 6 clean sheets at Hill Dickinson Stadium while failing to score there 4 times. Their biggest home win this season is 3-0, but they have also suffered a 1-4 home defeat, which captures the volatility in their performances.

Sunderland’s season has been similarly mixed, but with a slightly different profile. In the league they sit on 12 wins, 12 draws and 12 defeats, with 37 goals scored and 46 conceded. The goal difference of -9 compared to Everton’s 0 highlights that Sunderland have been a touch less efficient in both boxes.

Their away record is notably weaker than their home form: 4 wins, 6 draws and 8 defeats from 18 away games, scoring only 14 and conceding 27. That is just 0.8 goals scored and 1.5 conceded per away match across all phases. They have managed 4 away clean sheets but failed to score in 8 of those 18 away trips, underlining a recurrent attacking bluntness on the road.

Recent league form of “DDLLW” suggests Sunderland have also struggled for wins lately, though they at least snapped a poor run with a victory last time out.

Tactical outlook: structures and styles

Both sides share a primary tactical reference: the 4‑2‑3‑1. Everton have used this shape in 21 league matches, while Sunderland have lined up in it 19 times. That suggests a fairly mirrored structure on Sunday: double pivots screening the defence, a central No.10, and wide attackers looking to exploit the channels.

Everton’s numbers hint at a team that tries to balance risk and control. With 46 goals for and 46 against, their games are often tight, and 11 clean sheets across all phases show they can be disciplined without the ball. However, 9 matches in which they failed to score point to issues breaking down organised defences, especially when the onus is on them at home.

Sunderland, by contrast, are more tactically flexible. In addition to 4‑2‑3‑1, they have used 4‑3‑3 (5 times), 5‑4‑1 (5 times), 4‑4‑2 (3 times), 4‑1‑4‑1 (3 times) and even 3‑4‑3 once. Away from home, that variety often translates into different levels of defensive protection: from compact 5‑4‑1 and 4‑1‑4‑1 blocks to more ambitious 4‑3‑3 and 4‑4‑2 looks. Given Everton’s modest home scoring record and Sunderland’s vulnerability away (27 conceded), the visitors may lean towards a cautious, counter‑attacking approach, prioritising compactness and transitions.

Discipline could also be a subplot. Everton’s yellow cards are heavily concentrated from 46-90 minutes, while Sunderland show a similar spike in the 46-60 and 61-90 ranges. Both sides have seen red this season, with Sunderland’s dismissals often coming before half‑time or in added time. With the league table so tight, late‑game discipline and game management may be decisive.

From the spot, both teams have been reliable across all phases. Everton have scored 2 of 2 penalties, Sunderland 4 of 4, with no recorded misses at team level. If the match becomes cagey and decided by fine margins, set pieces and penalty incidents could loom large.

Team news and selection issues

Everton face significant absences. Centre‑back Jarrad Branthwaite is ruled out with a hamstring injury, removing a key defensive presence and a threat on set pieces. Jack Grealish is also unavailable with a foot injury, depriving Everton of a creative outlet between the lines and on the left flank. Idrissa Gueye is missing through injury as well, which weakens the double pivot in front of the back four and could affect Everton’s ability to control transitions and second balls.

For Sunderland, defender Dan Ballard is suspended following a red card, which forces a reshuffle in the back line. Romain Mundle is out with a hamstring injury, trimming their options in wide attacking areas. The absence of Ballard, in particular, could be significant against an Everton side that often looks to exploit crosses and set plays.

Overall, the injury and suspension picture arguably hits Everton harder in terms of structural balance, while Sunderland’s main disruption is at centre‑back.

Head-to-head: recent competitive meetings

The last five competitive meetings between these clubs (excluding friendlies) show a slight edge for Everton:

• 10 January 2026, FA Cup Round of 64 at Hill Dickinson Stadium: Everton 1-1 Sunderland after 120 minutes, Sunderland won 0-3 on penalties.
• 3 November 2025, Premier League at Stadium of Light: Sunderland 1-1 Everton.
• 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, Everton have 3 wins, Sunderland have 0 wins in regulation time, and there have been 2 draws, one of which Sunderland converted into a penalty‑shootout success in the FA Cup. Notably, Everton have won all three home meetings in this sample in regular time, though the most recent cup tie at Hill Dickinson Stadium ended level over 120 minutes.

The verdict

This fixture pairs two closely matched mid‑table sides whose seasons have followed similar, uneven trajectories. Everton’s home record is marginally stronger than Sunderland’s away form, and their historical home edge in this matchup is clear. However, injuries to Branthwaite, Grealish and Gueye remove stability at the back, creativity in advanced areas and bite in midfield, making the hosts less predictable and potentially more fragile.

Sunderland’s away scoring issues (14 goals in 18 away league games) suggest they may struggle to create sustained pressure, especially if they adopt a conservative shape. Yet their tactical flexibility, solid overall defensive record at home, and the psychological boost of that recent FA Cup shootout win at Hill Dickinson Stadium mean they will not be overawed by the venue.

On balance, the data points towards a tight, low‑margin contest. Everton’s home advantage and Sunderland’s away struggles slightly favour the hosts, but with both sides drawing frequently and evenly matched in the table, a score draw or narrow Everton win appears the most logical outcome. Expect a tactical, attritional game rather than a high‑scoring shootout, with set pieces and late‑game discipline likely to decide which club takes control of this mini‑rivalry in the upper mid‑table.