Sunderland - Everton (Monday 20:00 GMT)

Preview:

Sunderland aims to continue their impressive start to the season when they face Everton. This campaign has already exceeded expectations for Sunderland. Under manager Regis Le Bris, the newly promoted team has combined youthful energy, fearless attacking, and strong tactical cohesion to impressive effect. Their recent 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge may be their most significant achievement yet.

That victory boosted Sunderland to 17 points from their first nine matches, the best start for a promoted team at this stage since Hull City in 2008/09. Although they dropped to sixth place after Liverpool and Chelsea’s weekend victories, the Black Cats remain one of the most inspiring stories in the Premier League. Their resilience is remarkable, having recovered seven points from losing positions—the highest in the league so far.

In contrast, Everton arrives in the North East at a critical juncture. After suffering a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in their last game, following a 2-0 loss to Manchester City, the club faces familiar issues: a lack of offensive sharpness and vulnerabilities in defending set pieces and aerial balls. Tottenham’s three-headed goals exposed tactical weaknesses that Sunderland’s dynamic wingers and aerial strength will look to exploit.

Currently 15th in the table, Everton are five points above the relegation zone but have lost three consecutive away matches across all competitions, conceding two or more goals in each. A new negative record is looming; they haven’t lost three straight league games without scoring under Moyes since October 2005—a streak that ended with six consecutive defeats.