Everton vs Sunderland Prediction: Beto to seize chance

Both sat comfortably mid-table in the Premier League, Everton and Sunderland are two teams, outside of the usual suspects, who may harbour ambitions of a deep run in this season's FA Cup. The Toffees and Black Cats meet in the third round of the competition on Saturday (15:00 GMT) at the former's Hill Dickinson Stadium, which will be the first time the two clubs have ever faced each other there, following the Merseysiders' move away from Goodison Park last year.

Below are my Everton vs Sunderland predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

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Team News

It will be interesting to see how strong David Moyes goes here, particularly with injuries to Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (all hamstring) and Carlos Alcaraz (unspecified), and the involvement of Senegalese stars Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Michael Keane and Jack Grealish are suspended, too, following their red cards in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Wolves.

Certainly, Jordan Pickford will hope to play against his former club, but Mark Travers is waiting in the wings for just his third-ever appearance between the sticks for Everton.

Adam Aznou, Nathan Patterson and Harrison Armstrong are among the fringe players hoping for a start on Saturday, while Beto looks set to replace Thierno Barry up top.

Football Odds

Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Bertrand Traore and Reinildo Mandava are all available for Sunderland again after their involvement in the Afcon came to an end earlier this week, so the quartet could return to action for Sunderland on Saturday.

However, Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi are still in Morocco with Senegal and the host nation, respectively.

Ajibola Alese (shoulder) is injured for the Black Cats, who could hand rare starts to the likes of Anthony Patterson, Leo Fuhr Hjelde, Luke O'Nien, Dan Neil and Romain Mundle.

Wilson Isidor is doubtful after missing the past two matches with a knock.

Everton vs Sunderland Odds

Everton are 23/20 to triumph in regulation time, implying a 46.5% probability of success, while Sunderland are 5/2, or a 28.6% chance, in the Match Result market.

The draw, which would send the tie to extra time, is priced at 11/5, and a repeat of last November's 1-1 stalemate at the Stadium of Light is offered at 11/2.

The Toffees are 4/7 to win the tie by any means, with the Black Cats 5/4 in the same market.

Player to Receive a Card - Dennis Cirkin (SUN) @ 7/4

Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin started three consecutive games against Leeds United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur before coming off the bench for the final 12 minutes of Wednesday's 3-0 defeat at Brentford, so I'm confident he will start on Saturday.

The 23-year-old was booked on his last start, against Spurs, for a foul on Richarlison.

Last season, the Englishman received eight yellows in the EFL Championship, and he's never been shy to put his foot in.

Today's Football Fixtures

During his first league season for Sunderland, in League 1 (2022/23), he picked up 11 yellows, followed by eight yellows and one red in the 2022/23 Championship; the following campaign, he played just eight times, but was cautioned on three occasions.

On Saturday, Cirkin is likely to be marking Everton winger Tyler Dibling, who has been fouled six times across his last three matches, and for Southampton in the Premier League last season, he averaged 1.5 fouls won per game, despite 13 of his 33 appearances coming from the bench.

Anytime Goalscorer - Beto (EVE) @ 15/8

After impressing during the first half of 2025, ending the 2024/25 campaign with eight Premier League goals, Beto has largely been forced to play second fiddle to big summer signing Barry this season, with 13 of his 21 league games coming as a substitute.

The 27-year-old has struck twice in the Premier League this term, netting as recently as last Sunday when he appeared from the bench at the start of the second half and scored in the 66th minute of a 4-2 home defeat to Brentford.

Beto notched in his first cup appearance of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Mansfield Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 27, and he'll be looking to add to his tally in the FA Cup third round, having scored at the same stage last season, against Peterborough United at Goodison Park.

He should start against Sunderland, who will likely make changes in defence, which should aid his case.