Sunderland looks to build on its emotional Tyne-Wear derby on the road at Goodison Park against a banged up Everton live on NBCSN at 8:30 a.m. ET or live online at NBC Sports Live Extra.
The Black Cats picked up their first victory of the season last time out with a comprehensive 3-0 win after Newcastle went controversially down a man early. There is still plenty of work to do, however, as they remain entrenched in the relegation zone and need a win today to pull them out.
A trio of key Sunderland picked up injuries in that victory, as John O’Shea, Younes Kaboul, and Ola Toivonen all miss out today. Also missing is Fabio Borini, who sat last weekend with an ankle injury and remains on the sidelines today.
WATCH LIVE: Everton vs Sunderland live online at NBC Sports Live Extra
With Sunderland missing some important players, Everton is just as banged up. Seamus Coleman has recovered from a nasty stomach bug that kept him out of the midweek cup win over Norwich, but despite the return of Leighton Baines and Muhamed Besic to training after long-term injuries, neither is ready to make an appearance.
Toffees frontman Romelu Lukaku has been held goalless since October 4, a long stretch for a striker of his capabilities, but he did bag his chance in the midweek penalty shootout against Norwich to help Everton advance past the Round of 16.
A pair of USMNT regulars square off here as well, as DeAndre Yedlin earns his fourth straight start for Sunderland and will look to give Everton goalkeeper Tim Howards fits with his speed down the flank.
LINEUPS
Everton: Howard, Coleman, Oviedo, Stones, Funes Mori, McCarthy, Barry, Kone, Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku.
Subs: Robles, Galloway, Gibson, Osman, Mirallas, Lennon, Naismith
Sunderland: Pantilimon, Yedlin, Jones, Brown, Coates, Cattermole, M’Vila, van Aanholt, Johnson, Fletcher, Defoe.
Subs: Larsson, Rodwell, Gomez, Lens, Graham, Watmore, Mannone.