Everton vs Sunderland Match Preview: Key Absentees and Impact
Match Context
Everton host Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on 17 May 2026, with kick-off at 14:00 UTC. The clash comes late in the Premier League regular season, with Everton sitting 10th on 49 points (goal difference 0) and Sunderland 12th on 48 points (goal difference -9).
Everton Availability
Everton have three confirmed absentees.
- J. Branthwaite (Hamstring Injury) is sidelined.
- J. Grealish (Foot Injury) is sidelined.
- I. Gueye (Injury) is sidelined.
Grealish’s absence is a major blow: he has contributed 2 goals and 6 assists, with 40 key passes and strong creative influence from midfield. Everton will lean heavily on J. Garner, who leads the assist charts for the club with 7 and adds 2 goals from deep.
Sunderland Availability
Sunderland are without two players.
- D. Ballard (Red Card) is sidelined.
- R. Mundle (Hamstring Injury) is sidelined.
Ballard’s suspension removes an experienced defender from a back line that has conceded 46 goals, while Mundle’s injury further trims attacking options. Creativity will rest more on G. Xhaka, who has 6 assists and 1 goal, plus 34 key passes.
Impact Summary
Everton lose significant creativity through Grealish, but retain Garner’s 7 assists to supply an attack that has scored 46 league goals. Sunderland’s main creative hub Xhaka remains available, yet the suspension of Ballard and injury to Mundle weaken both their defensive solidity and attacking depth in a tight mid-table contest.
