Sunderland v Everton – Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview for Sunderland vs Everton

Sunderland will look to continue their impressive assault on the Premier League’s top four when they host Everton on Monday Night Football.

The Black Cats have enjoyed a superb start to life back in the top flight, winning five of their nine games to take them to sixth ahead of the encounter.

Last week’s 2-1 win at Chelsea was their most eye-catching result so far, with Regis Le Bris and plenty of his players receiving plenty of praise as they prepare for the chance to take the newly-promoted side into second in the table after 10 games.

The impressive start has led many to suggest their targets for the season should go beyond just avoiding relegation but Le Bris insists his exciting side are just taking it one game at a time.

The Black Cats boss said: “It’s important to be on 17 points. We have this target in our mind. If we can get to that stage early it is much better, but we don’t know the future at the minute.

“I don’t think any opponent so far thought it was easy to win against a Premier League team.

“If you are in this part of the table, the opponent starts to think they should be really aware and alert that it will be tough. So we will see.”

After a promising start to the season, Everton’s momentum has slowed having won just won of their last seven games in all competitions. After a dramatic win over Crystal Palace earlier this month, the Toffees have suffered successive defeats to Manchester City and Tottenham and find themselves in 15th.

They are now looking to avoid suffering three defeats in a row without scoring under David Moyes for the first time since 2005, with their away form becoming a huge cause for concern.

Moyes’ men have lost their last three on the road and haven’t kept an away clean sheet all season ahead of the trip to the North-East.

Sunderland vs Everton team news

Sunderland overcame Chelsea despite missing key defender Omar Alderete, who was sidelined under concussion protocols. Head coach Régis Le Bris has since confirmed that the Paraguayan has returned to training and could be cleared for Monday’s match.

Simon Adingra is also set to return after sitting out the Blues win with a minor hamstring issue, while Dan Neil is expected to recover from his own concussion. However, Sunderland remain without Aji Alese (shoulder), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Romain Mundle (thigh), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (Achilles) and Habib Diarra (groin).

Everton, meanwhile, continue to manage defensive absences, with Jarrad Branthwaite still sidelined by a hamstring injury and Nathan Patterson recovering from foot and groin problems.

Apart from those concerns, David Moyes reports a clean bill of health across the rest of his squad as he prepares for Monday’s clash, where he must again choose between Beto and Thierno Barry to lead the line.