Good morning! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's early Premier League kickoff as Everton host struggling Sunderland at Goodison Park. The visitors will be desperate for a victory in this one, but Everton have improved of late so we should be in for an intriguing affair on Merseyside. Let's start with a look at the home side...

It certainly has not been a successful campaign for Everton, who pushed Arsenal all the way in a search for a Champions League place in Roberto Martinez's debut season but have fallen a long way short of those standards this time around. They could still end the season on a high having seen their form improve in recent weeks, and salvaging a top-half finish would at least temper the disappointment a little. They would move into 10th with victory here, but Stoke would also have a game in hand.

There are undoubtedly many causes for Everton's decline this season, but chief among them seems to be their European exploits. Their domestic improvement has come about since their exit from the Europa League and, while teams will always like to test themselves in continental competitions, Martinez may see it as a blessing in disguise that his side won't be playing on Thursday nights again next season. That should leave them fresh and free to launch a renewed challenge on the top four.

Whether they are able to push for a Champions League place again next season remains to be seen, but they have their work cut out. Having spent heavily last summer, bringing in the likes of Lukaku, Everton are likely going to need to splash the cash again this time around with the top-four race more competitive than ever. Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs will be there or thereabouts, while Southampton have also entered the mix this season.

A similar campaign to last season's would put them right in contention, though. The Toffees amassed an impressive 72 points in the 2013-14 campaign, while they have managed just 44 in the current one. Consistency has been an issue, with 11 wins, 11 draws and 13 defeats from their 35 outings, but that is something that has improved in recent weeks. They were unbeaten in six before last weekend, winning five of those following a run of just one win in 12 and two in 16.

Their revival came to an end at the hands of Aston Villa, however, with a Benteke brace inspiring the relegation-threatened Villans to a 3-2 victory. Everton's second goal didn't come until late either, so the result was a little more convincing than the scoreline suggests. That would have been a disappointing one for Martinez to take, but it should at least make him wary of how teams came up their game when faced with the threat of the drop - particularly useful experience ahead of today's match.

© Getty Images

They are back at Goodison for two of their final three matches of the season, however, and Martinez will be glad to return to home comforts. His side have won their last six home games in all competitions and are unbeaten in all competitions so far this calendar year, a run that stretches 11 games. They started slowly at Goodison, with just one point from their first three home league games, but since then they have only been beaten once in their own back yard.

They have been particularly impressive at the back in recent weeks, keeping four home clean sheets in a row and six in their last seven league outings at Goodison. They have only conceded seven goals in their last 14 home matches, and only three of those have come in the eight games since the turn of the year. When you also consider that they have scored in each of their last seven league games - the joint longest ongoing run in the division - then it is easy to see why their form has picked up of late.

Goodison certainly seems like an increasingly daunting place to go, then, which does not make it an ideal setting for a Sunderland desperately in need of victories. Indeed, if they are to survive this season then they will have to do it the hard way. They do have a game in hand over all of their relegation rivals, but that comes away to Arsenal at the Emirates before a final-day trip to newly-crowned champions Chelsea. Not many people will be expecting the Black Cats to get much for either of those games, making today's match and next week's at home to fellow strugglers Leicester even more important.

Sunderland have found themselves in this situation before, though. They looked to be dead and buried at the same stage of last season, but four wins on the trot at the end of the campaign saw them pull off a remarkable escape. It wouldn't be quite as dramatic should they survive this time around, with Leicester's revival perhaps more akin to that of Poyet's Sunderland last season, but they will again need to beat some of the big boys, as they did last term. Perhaps the biggest difference, however, is that three of their final four matches last season were at home, while this time around they are away.

That is an especially big problem for a Sunderland side who have a poor record on their travels of late. They are without a league victory on the road in 2015, with their winless run stretching back eight matches to their triumph over bitter rivals Newcastle on December 21. Indeed, they have only won two away games all season - only Burnley have won fewer - while their tally of 12 goals from 16 games is the lowest in the division. Considering what trips await them, they are going to need a dramatic improvement to stay up.

Their survival hopes have been made all the harder by the form of Leicester especially, with the Foxes having picked up five wins from their last six games to climb out of the relegation zone. Hull have also picked up a couple of victories recently, and they are the two teams currently just a point above Sunderland. That is, of course, a gap that can be clawed back with one positive result, but considering the form of the teams above them, Sunderland may have their eyes fixed on free-falling rivals Newcastle. Victory for the Black Cats here would drag the Magpies even further into the mire.

It should also be noted that Sunderland come into the match in decent form themselves. They have only lost one of their last four games, picking up a respectable seven points from the last 12 available. Last weekend saw them edge to victory over Southampton at the Stadium of Light as two Jordi Gomez penalties gave them a 2-1 victory, and today they will be looking to pick up back-to-back victories in the league for the first time this season. Doing so would see them climb out of the bottom three temporarily at least.

© Getty Images

Sunderland's biggest problem this season has been winning games, though. They have only emerged with maximum points on six occasions all season - only Burnley have won fewer games this season - while their tally of 15 draws is comfortably the highest in the division. The Black Cats have won just two of their last 11 league games and three of 16 since the turn of the year, but they simply need to start winning now, particularly if the form of those directly above them in the table continues.

Goals obviously win games, and despite the January arrival of Defoe, Sunderland have still struggling in front of goal this season. They have found the net just 28 times in their 34 league games this season, the second worst total in the division (yet again, only Burnley have fewer). Interestingly, though, the Black Cats are still four points better off now than they were at the same stage of last season, so there is plenty of cause of optimism amongst the Mackem faithful.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline news is that Ross Barkley returns to the starting lineup for the hosts having been left on the bench last time out. He is one of two changes for Everton, who also welcome Leon Osman back into the fold, with Naismith and Mirallas the men to make way. Sunderland make just the one change, meanwhile, and it is an enforced one as John O'Shea misses his first game of the season to be replaced by fit-again Wes Brown. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

EVERTON STARTING XI: Howard; Coleman, Baines, Stones, Jagielka; McCarthy, Barry; Lennon, Barkley, Osman; Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Garbutt, Besic, Naismith, McGeady, Mirallas, Kone

SUNDERLAND STARTING XI: Pantilimon; Jones, Van Aanholt, Brown, Coates; Larsson, Cattermole, Gomez; Defoe, Wickham, Graham

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Mannone, Reveillere, Vergini, Bridcutt, Buckley, Johnson, Fletcher

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, there aren't many surprises in the home starting XI, although Naismith and Mirallas may feel hard done by to miss out on a starting place. Barkley and Osman replace that pair in the side, with the former having endured a difficult season at times this year. He has hailed as one of England's next big hopes following a breakthrough campaign last term, but he has struggled to consistently find that form this time around and has been in and out of the team. He has a chance to impress today, though, and he may find himself starting all of the last three games of the season as Martinez begins to look towards next season.

Lukaku again leads the line for the Toffees, with Kone left on the bench despite those two looking fairly bright on the rare occasions that they have started together. Lukaku has 19 goals for the season now, but only nine of those have come in the Premier League, with eight arriving in Europe. He will be desperate to reach both the 20-goal mark for all competitions and double figures for the league this season and, in truth, considering how much he cost the club, those should both be minimum requirements for him in a season.

© Getty Images

A little further back, Aaron Lennon makes his final home appearance of his loan spell. The winger is ineligible for the final-day trip to parent club Spurs, but it is entirely possible that he may make the switch to Merseyside permanent during the summer. He has quickly established himself in the starting XI and, with Mirallas rumoured to be on his way out of Goodison, Lennon could well be a perfect fit for the Toffees. Martinez has refused to discuss the prospect until the end of the season, but it would not be a surprise to see that move happen.

There are no changes at the back for Everton as Jagielka, who scored last weekend, is joined by Stones again at the heart of the defence. The attacking instincts of Coleman and Baines haven't been quite as evident this term as they were last season, but the latter still has nine assists to his name this season - three more than any other defender and just two short of his personal best from the 2010-11 campaign. Sunderland will need to keep a close eye on those two and, if possible, keep them pinned back.

Advocaat has once again named an attacking lineup in an effort to do that, with Defoe, Wickham and Graham all keeping their places in the starting XI. Fletcher is only deemed fit enough for the bench having missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but Sunderland should have goals in them with Defoe alone. That hasn't really proved to be the case so far this season, but the former England striker is more than capable of snapping up a chance should it come his way, which could be invaluable for Sunderland over the closing stages of the season.

© Getty Images

Another attribute you want in a relegation battle is the will to fight, and Sunderland have plenty of players with that. Wickham is the lowest-scoring top scorer in the Premier League this season with five goals, but he will run all day and hound the defence throughout. The same applies to Cattermole in midfielder, although his battling instincts often put him in disciplinary trouble. He has picked up 13 yellow cards this season, just one short of the all-time record for a single campaign.

The loss of O'Shea is a big blow, with the defender having played every minute of the campaign before being forced off with a rib injury against Southampton last time out. It makes the return of Wes Brown even more timely, however, and the veteran centre-back replaces his fellow Manchester United alumnus in a straight swap at the back today. He has been sidelined with a knee injury of late, but his experience could prove to be vital in the relegation run-in.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Goodison Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! This is a tough one to call. Everton's home record compared to Sunderland's away record suggests a fairly comfortable Toffees victory, while Everton also have a fine defensive record and come up against a side struggling for goals this season. However, Sunderland need the points a lot more than Everton do, and the fighting spirit of the visitors should not be underestimated. The Black Cats have been draw specialists this season and I can see another share of the spoils coming today. I'm going for 1-1!

That's what I think, but you can also listen to what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this match in our video preview below:

A 1-1 scoreline would be a repeat of the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light in November, with Larsson and Baines, from the spot, on the scoresheet on that occasion. Sunderland actually won on their last visit here courtesy of a Ki penalty after Tim Howard had been sent off in the 23rd minute, but that is a rare victory for the Black Cats in this fixture. They have won just two of their last 20 Premier League meetings with Everton, losing 13 in that time. Everton have won just one of the last four in all competitions, however, following a run of 19 without defeat.

Sunderland have failed to even score in seven of their last 14 Premier League meetings with the Toffees, managing just eight goals in that time. Interestingly, Everton's last seven goals in this fixture have all come between the 75th and 81st minutes so, if you're planning on sticking a bet on when an Everton goal will come, that period has been kind to the Toffees in recent games!

The players are out and were just a couple of minutes away from kickoff at Goodison now. This is a huge game for the visitors especially, with victory taking them out of the relegation zone.

KICKOFF: Everton get us underway on Merseyside as they look to maintain their unbeaten home record this year, while Sunderland look for their first away success of 2015.

Early breakthrough for Sunderland as Wickham gets a lucky bounce on his way into the box, suddenly finding himself in a really good position. He has Graham and Defoe in the middle, but Wickham's cross is behind the latter and goes to safety.

Defoe's role will be interesting today. He has started on the right wing, which means that he will also be charged with giving his full-back protection from the overlapping runs of Baines - not what he is used to doing. He has drifted into the middle on a couple of occasions already, though.

Everton are seeing the majority of the ball in these opening exchanges, but most of their possession is coming across the back four. Sunderland, meanwhile, are looking to get it forward quickly whenever they do win the ball back.

CLOSE! Everton make their first threatening foray forward and almost come away with a goal. First Coates does well to get a toe to Baines's cross ahead of Lukaku before the ball eventually arrives to Osman, who curls an effort a yard or so past the far post.

The early signs are that Defoe could have trouble with his defensive duties today. In the last move he was nowhere to be seen as Baines put the cross into the box, and here he trips the full-back to concede a free kick in a good crossing position. Baines's delivery is too deep, but the Everton man will be encouraged by this start.

Poor from Coleman as a complete miscue sees him put the ball out for a goal kick, wasting another decent position. It has been all Everton so far.

CHANCE! Big chance for the hosts to break the deadlock as the ball is played through to Lukaku by Osman, and the Belgian striker gets the wrong side of last defender Brown. Pantilimon is quickly off his line and thwarts Lukaku, however, while moments later Osman slips when putting an effort from the edge of the box just wide.

Everton have enjoyed a whopping 81% possession in this match so far. They have certainly controlled matters and have already had three decent sights of goal in the opening quarter of an hour. Martinez will be pleased with what he has seen so far.

Sunderland have begun to see a little more of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but that Wickham cross in the opening exchanges is still the most threatening moment they have enjoyed so far.

The visitors are very much approaching this game as a must-not-lose one rather than a must-win, which could be dangerous considering the form of the teams around them, and their last two games of the season.

CHANCE! Chance for Everton to break the deadlock as the ball breaks to Barkley inside the box, but the midfielder's effort is tame and blocked. There was a penalty claim moments before, but Coates survived the calls for handball.

Slight worry for Everton as Stones appears to have picked up an injury. It doesn't look to be too serious, however, and the youngster will be able to continue.

Almost a shooting chance for Larsson around 20 yards from goal as the ball breaks to him, but Barry is quickly out him to thwart the effort. It initially looks like it should have been a corner, but the replays shows that it rebounded back onto Larsson, and the referee was right to award a goal kick.

Osman has been fairly influential in this match so far, keeping things ticking over in midfield and being right at the heart of Everton's possession. He has been very tidy on the ball for the most part.

CHANCE! Decent opening for Sunderland as Defoe picks the ball up just outside the box before working a yard to shoot. He puts plenty behind his effort, but it hits his own man Wickham to deflect away. That one looked like it could have been close too.

SHOT! Another shooting chance for Sunderland as they take a quick throw to Wickham, who allows the ball to run across his body before lashing a long-range effort towards goal. There is plenty of power on it, but it swerves well wide.

The hosts have struggled to get much joy down the right flank so far, with Van Aanholt sticking to his task well against Lennon. Wickham is also a more natural defender than Defoe on the other side, so Coleman isn't getting as much space as Baines has had at times.

Good football from Everton as Lennon finally finds a bit of space. This attack does come from the right as Coleman plays a pass inside to his winger, who spins his man really well before slipping a pass in for Osman bursting into the box. The midfielder manages to get a shot away, but he was never set and slices it well wide.

Sunderland threaten to break following a long clearance from Defoe as Graham and Wickham cause the two defenders back there problems. Osman cuts out a Graham header towards Wickham, however, stemming the flow of the counter.

More slick football from Everton in and around the box, and once again Osman is heavily involved. Barkley slides a pass in to Osman, who glances one forward for Lukaku. In the end it is Lennon who latches on to it, but Sunderland get back to survive another dangerous position.

Everton win a few corners in quick succession to keep the pressure on Sunderland, but the visitors deal with them well. They will be looking to get to the break all square now.

CHANCES! Two huge chances for Everton to break the deadlock, but Pantilimon comes to the rescue twice in quick succession! First Osman slides a pass in to Lukaku, whose first touch is brilliant to take him through on goal. Pantilimon is there to thwart the Belgian, but the danger is not over and the ball arrives back into the box for Osman. The midfielder gets a clean strike on it, but it is straight at the keeper, who makes another big stop.

YELLOW CARD! Brown was booked in the aftermath of those two chances for a late foul on Barkley in the build-up to the first opening.

SAVE! Howard finally has something to do, but it is a routine stop for the keeper. A clever reverse pass from Larsson found Wickham on the left side of the box, but the striker's effort was tame and straight at Howard.

There will be one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

Another half chance for Lukaku as Barkley slides a pass in to the striker, who holds of his man before turning and shooting. Jones stands strong to make the block, though.

Lee Probert brings the first half to an end, and we're still goalless at a sunny Goodison Park following a fairly cagey opening 45 minutes. The hosts have dominated possession and created the best chances, but Sunderland are holding firm so far and would settle for the scoreline staying the same at the end of the 90 minutes.

The best chances of the half fell to Lukaku, who found himself clean through on goal on a couple of occasions in that opening 45 minutes. On both occasions the striker got his body between the ball and the last defender, but Pantilimon was quickly off his line to smother any effort. It was good goalkeeping on both occasions from the Sunderland stopper, but Lukaku would be disappointed not to have converted at least one of them.

The visitors had their keeper to thank again towards the end of the half as he made two big saves in quick succession. After denying Lukaku again the ball broke back to Osman, who fired a clean strike toward goal from inside the area. It was straight at Pantilimon, however, and the keeper made the save when Osman probably should have scored.

Osman has had a few shooting opportunities himself in addition to that, but has only tested Pantilimon on that one occasion. The veteran midfielder has been heavily involved in Everton keeping the ball and dominating possession so far, with a few tidy passes creating shooting opportunities, but so far there has been no way through a stubborn Sunderland rearguard.

In terms of attacking opportunities for Sunderland, it has been slim pickings. Advocaat described the match as a 'must-not-lose' one, and that has been clear in his approach. Defoe and Wickham have both had efforts on goal from outside the box, while Wickham also brought a routine stop from Howard at the end of the half. However, both are playing more as full-backs than as part of a front three, with most of their time being spent tracking Coleman and Baines.

So far, though, Advocaat will be fairly pleased with what he has seen. He would be happy with a draw from this match and, while he has Pantilimon to thank for it still being level, he would be content with an exact replica of that first half in the coming 45 minutes. It would be nice to see a little more attacking intent, perhaps switching to a 4-4-2 with Graham and Defoe up front, but he may not see much reason to change.

KICKOFF: Sunderland get us back underway for the second half as they look to hold on to what would be a decent point, although still not enough to take them out of the relegation zone.

Everton knock the ball around at the back but soon find themselves under pressure from Sunderland, which forces Stones into a rushed clearance. The ball is nodded back into the area with Defoe lurking, but Howard is out to claim.

SAVE! Half chance for Everton as a corner arrives in the area and is nodded back into a dangerous area before being put behind for another corner. Eventually, with Everton's third corner in succession, the ball arrives at the back post, but Pantilimon paws the effort from Jagielka away from his top corner.

CHANCE! Another big chance for Everton and Lukaku. He shows good strength to hold off Wickham and get his head to a corner but, despite having a bit of space, he misjudges it and it hits his shoulder before going wide.

CHANCE! Chance at the other end for Sunderland as the ball is zipped low into the area for Graham, who attacks it well. He is stretching to reach the ball but, once he has reached it, should probably do better than put it wide.

Out of nowhere, Sunderland have the opener! It is a huge slice of luck for the visitors as Graham gets his first goal for Sunderland after two years with the club. He knew very little about it, with the effort actually coming from Gomez. He drilled a shot towards goal from 25 yards and it hit the back of Graham's leg before deflecting over a helpless Howard. Graham was trying to get out of the way, but Advocaat won't care one bit how the goal went in!

How big could that goal prove to be at the bottom of the table?! As things stand, Sunderland would move all the way up to 14th in the table, dropping Hull back into the relegation zone.

CHANCE! A chance for Sunderland to double their advantage! Van Aanholt makes it all himself, dribbling past a number of blue shirts inside the box to get into a great position. His finish lets him down, however, as he slices it wide of the near post from a tight angle. What a goal that would have been.

Have defended a 0-0 for their lives, suddenly Sunderland are looking to add to this lead! They have shown a lot more attacking intent in this second half, helped by a switch in formation from Advocaat. He now has three players behind Graham, with Defoe on the left, Wickham central and Larsson charged with dealing with Baines.

Almost a couple of chances for Everton as Baines swings a beauty of a free kick into the box that is inches away from being met by Stones. Osman nods it back in towards a dangerous area, but it is just too high for Lukaku to turn goalwards at the back post.

EVERTON SUB: Attacking change from the hosts as Martinez pushes for an equaliser here. On comes Kevin Mirallas in place of Barry.

Shooting opportunity for Everton, who are beginning to apply some pressure again. The ball drops to Coleman on the edge of the box and he strikes his subsequent volley well, but Gomez makes an important block.

CLOSE! What a goal this would have been from Coleman! The ball is played across the edge of the box to the full-back who dinks the ball over one challenge before juggling his way into space to shoot. He hits his effort well too, but Brown makes a vital block to deflect it just wide.

YELLOW CARD! Defoe goes into the book for a late challenge during an Everton attack. Once again, the card was shown after the attack had played out. Good advantage from Lee Probert.

Superb defending from Cattermole yet again to thwart an Everton break. The hosts had a three-on-two situation and the ball was eventually played across to Lennon, whose first touch was a little heavy. Cattermole did not commit to either player, however, and he got across to make a vital challenge.

Good goalkeeping from Pantilimon as he comes off his line to get a good punch clear to yet another Everton corner. The pressure is growing from the hosts, and Sunderland may need to batten down the hatches for this final 20 minutes.

Coleman is growing increasingly threatening on that right flank, with Defoe struggling to keep tabs on him. Every Everton effort is being blocked by a Sunderland body at the moment, though, with the visitors showing plenty of fighting spirit.

OFF THE POST! Fortune favours Sunderland once again as McCarthy picks the ball up 25 yards from goal before drilling a low effort towards the bottom corner. Pantilimon is beaten, but the ball thuds against the foot of the post and goes to safety.

YELLOW CARD! Coleman goes into the book for a foul on Defoe to stop a Sunderland break.

SUNDERLAND SUB: Change for the visitors as Adam Johnson replaces Graham, which should at last free Defoe to go up front.

EVERTON SUB: Everton also make a sub, and it is Baines who limps off having struggled for the last couple of minutes. On comes Luke Garbutt in his place.

CHANCE! Again McCarthy threatens for the hosts, sliding the ball in to Lukaku before collecting the return pass and bursting into the box. He finds space to shoot but is off balance when he lets fly and puts his effort over the bar.

Interestingly, Defoe has continued on the left flank after that change, with Wickham up front. Wickham has more experience of defensive work, so that is a surprise from Advocaat.

Beautiful football from Everton to slice open the Everton defence, with Barkley weaving his way into a good position before finding Mirallas. The Belgian then sent a good pass to his compatriot Lukaku, who blazed over when well placed. The striker was offside anyway, but that was some slick passing from the hosts.

This right wing is proving problematic for Sunderland. Coleman is being afforded plenty of space by Defoe, who has really struggled with his defensive duties today. It has not been easy for a player so used to being an out-and-out striker.

PENALTY SHOUT! Defoe's defensive work almost gets his side into trouble again here! Lukaku swung a really good cross into the box and Coleman looked destined to get on the end of it for what would have been a great chance. Defoe appears to just catch the Everton man, but the referee waves the claims away. Moments later, Lukaku sees a low drive comfortably saved by Pantilimon.

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Double change for Sunderland here as Larsson is replaced by Liam Bridcutt, while Steven Fletcher comes on for Wickham.

Incredible scenes at Goodison Park as Sunderland double their lead to surely seal the win! Fletcher cuts inside from the left but can't get a shot away. Johnson does, driving a low effort that deflects off Coleman and then off Defoe and in! It is another hugely fortunate goal for the visitors, but they all count the same. Sunderland have had some serious luck today.

EVERTON SUB: The hosts make a third and final change in the aftermath of that goal as Aiden McGeady comes on for Lennon.

YELLOW CARD! Garbutt becomes the latest player in the book for a sliding challenge on Johnson. No complaints with that one.

There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match, but surely Everton can't stage a late comeback?

Coleman has looked most likely for Everton in the second half and he again finds space here before flashing a low effort a few yards wide of the far post.

Anywhere will do now for Sunderland as they have everyone inside their own half to protect their two-goal lead. It should be safe now, but Everton are still probing for a consolation.

Boos ring around Goodison Park at the final whistle as Sunderland hold out for a massive 2-0 victory that sees them climb out of the relegation zone and up to 14th. The visitors certainly rode their luck at times, with both of their goals coming via inadvertent deflections, while Everton also hit the post and were denied a clear penalty. The Black Cats will now sit back and wait to see what their relegation rivals do this afternoon.

That is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what could prove to be a huge match in the relegation battle as Sunderland pick up three vital points with a 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!