Football
Everton vs Sunderland FA Cup Preview: Odds, Tips & Prediction
Date: Saturday, January 10 Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium Kick-off: 12:15pm GMT Everton and Sunderland square off in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, January 10. Ties between Premier League clubs always spark interest, especially involving two sides that have had relatively good seasons to date. Sunderland have fast become the draw specialists, being held in each of their past four league games, while Everton will be desperate for a response after a 4-2 reverse to Brentford last weekend. To the here and now, and SportsBoom has run the rule over this third round tie. We’ve plucked out some odds from reliable football betting sites and provided a prediction.
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Brian Brobbey / Getty Images
Although Everton and Sunderland contested a cup tie (EFL Cup) in 2017, the last time they came up against each other in the FA Cup was back in March 2012. Back then, replays were in place, and Everton won 2-0 at the Stadium of Light to reach the semi-final, but they were dumped out by Merseyside rivals Liverpool after a 2-1 defeat.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: Everton Given Nod
Ahead of the game, we’ve checked in on one of the top UK betting sites to see who the bookies favour to advance to the fourth round.
Home: 87/100 (1.87) – 53.5%
Draw: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
Away: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
*Odds courtesy of Spreadex, subject to change.
Head-to-Head Record
The FA Cup is held in high regard, and to whet your appetite, we’ve looked at the head-to-head record, noting the most recent meetings between Everton and Sunderland.
- 27/03/12: Sunderland 0-2 Everton
- 17/03/12: Everton 1-1 Sunderland
- 29/01/05: Everton 3-0 Sunderland
- 30/01/79: Sunderland 2-1 Everton
- 22/01/66: Everton 3-0 Sunderland
Everton Current Form: LLDWL
Despite starting the season in fine fashion, Everton’s form has wavered over the past few weeks. The 4-2 reverse at home to Brentford summed up a bad day at the office as they were put to the sword by Igor Thiago, who rattled home a hat-trick.
David Moyes’ charges last won the FA Cup in 1995, and they haven’t been to the final since 2009, so they would crave the opportunity to climb the famous Wembley steps again.
To date, Everton have won five FA Cups, and given their slightly indifferent league form, a strong cup run could prove to be a welcome distraction, especially against a Sunderland side they have frequently got the better of.
Key Players to Watch
- Jordan Pickford
Although he was beaten on four occasions by Brentford, Jordan Pickford is a vocal presence on the pitch, and he has kept Everton in games with some big saves. He will need to be on guard as Sunderland could well pepper his goal. - Thierno Barry
Despite taking a bit of time to bed in, Thierno Barry has found his feet, and he has been in good form, netting in his last two league outings. His pace and clinical edge will give Sunderland food for thought. - Jack Grealish
A midfield maverick, Jack Grealish is always looking to make things happen. Whether it is mazy runs or getting to the byline to deliver in wicked crosses, Grealish is Everton’s trump card.
Everton Team News
Everton are missing a couple of players due to Africa Cup of Nations duties, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall remains among one of three stars sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
Sunderland Current Form – WDDDD
Having gone unbeaten at home in the Premier League, Sunderland, who have picked up four draws in a row, including Manchester City and Tottenham, won’t mind being on the road again.
Defensively resolute, but also showing plenty of attacking endeavour, Regis Le Bris continues to defy expectations. The FA Cup can often be unforgiving, but the Black Cats, who have won England’s grandest competition twice, will seek to go all the way.
While earning the tag of draw specialists lately, they will be looking to overturn their poor record against the Toffees in the Cup.
Key Players to Watch
- Granit Xhaka
Fearless and imposing in midfield, Granit Xhaka pulls the string, and apart from possessing brilliant vision with his precise long passes, the Swiss veteran can fire home spectacular goals, so Everton must be wary. - Brian Brobbey
Brian Brobbey comes alive in the penalty box, and his goal against Tottenham last weekend was superbly taken. He’s been making an impression over the past few weeks with his physicality, and he could cause Everton problems. - Dan Ballard
After returning from an ankle injury against Tottenham, Dan Ballard anchors the defence supremely well, and his excellent awarness of sensing danger, has made the Black Cats a tough nut to crack.
Sunderland Team News
Sunderland have a relatively clean bill of health, with Aji Alese (shoulder) still unavailable, while Wilson Isidor could be in contention to return to action.
Predicted Line-Ups
Everton (4-2-3-1)
Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Iroegbunam, Garner, Dibling, McNeil, Grealish; Barry
Sunderland (4-4-2)
Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Cirkin, Hume, Xhaka, Le Fee, Adingra, Mayenda; Brobbey
Suggested Bets
Premier League sports betting sites will also be stocked with FA Cup lines, and we’ve shared a few football betting tips.
Over 1.5 Goals: There have rarely been goalless draws between these sides, and the Over 1.5 goals line has been met in each of the past eight meetings, so this market makes sense. (2/5 with Betfred)
Everton to Qualify: Given Sunderland last beat Everton in the FA Cup in 1979, the Toffees will feel confident of putting their names in the hat for the fourth round. (4/9 with QuinnBet)
Everton to Win First Half: To go along with Everton to qualify, the first half market appeals. Everton drew 1-1 with Sunderland in the league earlier in the season, but they came flying out of the traps, opening the scoring in the 15th minute, so this line is worth checking out. (29/20 with 10bet)
Value Bets
Everton to keep a Clean Sheet: Everton have kept three clean sheets in their past four league meetings with Sunderland, and they won the past FA Cup tie with the Black Cats to nil, so this is worth tapping into. (6/5 with Midnite)
Total Corners Under 7.5: While scoring from corners has come back into fashion, this fixture only saw a combined five corners a couple of months ago. Under 7.5 corners, therefore, doesn’t seem that silly. (17/10 with Betway)
Anytime goalscorer – Thierno Barry: Given his recent mini purple patch in front of goal, where he’s netted in each of his past two league appearances, Barry could well hit the target against Sunderland. (11/5 with Leovegas)
Prediction: Everton to Qualify
The FA Cup may be dominated by the presence of Premier League teams, but for Everton and Sunderland, who have been starved of domestic success recently, this represents a realistic chance to add some silverware to their cabinets. While Sunderland are the more in-form side and higher in the table, Everton have had the upper hand in this competition. Given the way Barry and Grealish have been playing, they will be desperate to bounce back from the Brentford defeat, and Everton could qualify, perhaps doing so within 90 minutes.
Charles Perrin has spent over six years writing about sports betting, working with some of the UK’s top sportsbooks, including bet365 and William Hill.