Sunderland host Everton on saturday with both teams in desperate need for points within very different situations.
Even with an unlikely win over their visitors on Saturday it still looks like Sunderland's seven year stay in the top flight, their longest in Premier League history, looks like coming to an end. The Black Cats suffered their fourth defeat in a row on monday as they capitiulated in the second half at White hart lane to lose 5-1 to a rampant Spurs. The night started well for the Wearsiders with Lee Cattermole giving them the lead with his first goal for the club however the newly set up back 5 conceded four goals in the second half and fell apart not for the first time under Poyet this season. Sunderland's likely relegation has been decided on fixtures they have failed to win this season against teams in the bottom half with recent examples being defeats to Norwich and West Ham while also failing to get anything aginst the likes of Fulham and Hull at home.
Meanwhile Everton are really coming on strong at the end of the campaign and have reignited their Champions League hopes for next season. Roberto Martinez has overseen his side win five games in a row since their FA cup quarter final to defeat to Arsenal where they collapsed to a 4-1 loss. The Gunners however were the Toffee's latest victims as Steven Naismith inspired them to a 3-0 win which has brought the Blues to within a point of fourth place while still having a game in hand on their nearest rivals. The Spanish manager has the chance to do something that David Moyes could only do once in 11 years and he would have done it in his first season. Yes Moyes has laid steady foundations at Goodison in terms of personel however the former Wigan gaffer has enforced his own brand of passing football and tactical genius at the top end of the Premier League instead of the bottom.
Stats
Sunderland had gone 16 games without beating against Everton untill they beat them last April in the first of two succesive 1-0 wins with the other coming on boxing day when Tim Howard was sent off in the act of conceding a penalty which Ki scored.
If Everton win on saturday then they will beat their best premier league points total of 63 a tally they set in the 07/08 season.
Sunderland are one of three teams to have won fewer points at home in the league this season having won 12 at the SOL compared to 13 away from home.
Team news
The Black Cats have no fresh injury concerns with the only senior players missing being goalkeeper Kieron Westwood and striker Steven Fletcher with long term knocks.
Everton's only doubt is midfielder Leon Osman with the eye injury that forced him off against Arsenal. despite having five stitches he is still struggling to open his eye.