Those of a Newcastle United or a Norwich City persuasion will be staunch Everton supporters when the Toffees travel to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday evening.
That is because were hosting Sunderland to collect all three points from the clash on Wearside, not only will they have secured their Premier League status for another season, the Magpies and Canaries will be condemned to life in the Championship.
Sunderland
© Getty Images
Just when it seemed that Sunderland's struggles over the last few seasons were finally going to catch up with them, the Mackems have miraculously clawed the situation back to a scenario where their destiny is now in their own hands.
At the turn of the year, Sam Allardyce's men found themselves a rather hefty seven points from safety.
Since then, just four defeats have been suffered from 17 outings, which on the face of it would appear to be a positive record. But, during that run there have been too many draws - eight to be precise, including four in a row at one point.
It means that the Black Cats have remained deep in relegation trouble, to the point where a defeat at the hands of Chelsea last Saturday, coupled with rivals Newcastle beating a hopeless Aston Villa, would have all but seen them demoted to the Championship for the first time since 2007.
However, yet again, Sunderland have pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Two goals in the space of three second-half minutes earned an unlikely 3-2 win over Chelsea, while Newcastle could only draw 0-0 at Villa Park.
Now, the equation is simple. A victory against Everton and the relegation dogfight is over for another season. They will have a second chance away at Watford on Sunday, but Allardyce will undoubtedly be keen to get the job done at the first time of asking.
Recent form: DLWDDW
Everton
© Getty Images
What a difference two seasons make in football. It was during the 2013-14 campaign when under the guidance of new boss Roberto Martinez, Everton earned a whole host of plaudits for their swashbuckling, attack-minded and winning football.
Meanwhile, their former manager David Moyes toiled in his new role at Manchester United - a situation that filled many Everton fans with delight. Two years on, those that mocked would probably take the Scot back in a heartbeat. He is certainly a more appealing alternative to the current regime.
Martinez remains in position at the Goodison Park helm, but probably not for much longer. That is because despite having a squad that contains the likes of Ross Barkley, Romelu Lukaku and John Stones, the blue half of Merseyside are 12th.
This is a club that has aspirations of challenging for the Champions League places, but right now they are 21 points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City. At the same time, they are only a mere 10 points better off than Newcastle.
The fans have not been shy in voicing their displeasure and when you consider that just one win has been picked up from their last nine Premier League outings and just 10 all campaign, the frustration is understandable.
Martinez was particularly critical of his players after they were swatted aside by champions Leicester City on Saturday evening when he said: "We looked like a group of individuals. We never showed the basics that you need in any performance. I thought off the ball we didn't have any intensity, any concentration and when you do that against any team you're going to get punished, but especially against Leicester."
He has already lost the supporters and if that statement is anything to go by, the players have also lost faith.
Recent form: DDDLWL
Team News
© Getty Images
Sunderland's January signing Lamine Kone was regarded to be a doubt for this game after he picked up a thigh injury against Chelsea.
However, Allardyce has confirmed that the centre-back has shaken off the knock, which may lead him to name an unchanged starting lineup for the seventh consecutive fixture.
Right-back Billy Jones will remain sidelined, though, with a hip problem.
As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Spanish winger Gerard Deulofeu and skipper Phil Jagielka because of knee and hamstring injuries respectively.
Gareth Barry and Seamus Coleman are closing in on a return to action, but this match is likely to come too soon.
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Mannone; Yedlin, Kaboul, Kone, Van Aanholt; Kirchhoff, Cattermole, M'Vila, Borini, Khazri; Defoe
Everton possible starting lineup:
Robles; Oviedo, Pennington, Stones, Baines; McCarthy, Cleverley, Lennon, Barkley, Mirallas; Lukaku
Head To Head
Everton may be in poor form at present, but their recent record away at Sunderland is a positive one.
From their last 10 league trips to Wearside, the Toffees have tasted defeat just once.
During that time, Sunderland have been able to find the back of the net on only six occasions.
When the two sides met in early November, it was arguably Everton's best performance of the season as they ran out 6-2 winners.
We say: Sunderland 2-0 Everton
If their performance against Leicester is anything to go by, Everton have downed tools. In truth, it has looked that way for some time. If Sunderland can cope with the big-match nerves, backed by a passionate home crowd, they should have enough to pick up the crucial three points.
No Data Analysis info
