Everton vs Sheffield United. Premier League.
Goodison Park.
James Rodriguez remains a doubt for Everton while Sander Berge has suffered another injury; follow Everton vs Sheff Utd on the Sky Sports website and app on Sunday; kick-off 7pm; watch free highlights shortly after full time
Friday 14 May 2021 16:42, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Everton vs Sheff Utd in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 7pm).
Everton playmaker James Rodriguez remains a doubt for the visit of Sheffield United.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti was optimistic the Colombia international would be ready after missing three matches with a calf problem.
The Italian is also waiting to see if centre-back Yerry Mina recovers from the adductor injury which has sidelined him for two games.
Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge has suffered another injury and will not be risked during what remains of the season.
The 23-year-old has only recently returned to action after being out for more than four months with a hamstring injury, although his latest problem is not related to that issue.
Oliver Burke has fractured a bone in his foot and will also miss the Blades' last three matches, while Ethan Ampadu (hip) and long-term absentee Jack O'Connell (knee) are others who are unlikely to be risked. Oli McBurnie (foot) and Billy Sharp (thigh) remain out.
Follow Everton vs Sheff Utd in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
The way Sheffield United played in their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, who have effectively put their cue on the rack for the season, was an insult to what Chris Wilder had built at the club. It could be a long road back to the big time for the Blades.
Their toothless football shouldn't give an Everton defence that has shut out West Ham, Aston Villa and Arsenal in the past three weeks too much to sweat about. The 11/10 with Sky Bet for Everton to win to nil looks a solid play.
I'm also interested in the first goal method to be a header at 9/2. Here we'll have Dominic Calvert-Lewin on our side, who is only 21/10 to score a header outright, plus Everton's threat from set-pieces with Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 2-0
BETTING ANGLE: First goal method to be a header (9/2 with Sky Bet)
Despite starting the week in ninth and despite their disappointing draw at Villa, Everton still have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the Champions League - were they to win all of their three remaining games, they would end the season on 65 points, one more than fourth-placed Chelsea currently hold. But even with the acknowledgement that Everton still have a game in hand on most of the clubs above them, including Chelsea, it is clearly an extremely unlikely outcome.
So Everton's more realistic ambition still looks to be qualification for the Europa League. While the draw at Villa amounted to a setback, the win at West Ham on Sunday means Everton are now only two points behind the Hammers with two home games to come next.
In a special episode of the Pitch to Post Preview Podcast we look ahead to this Saturday's FA Cup Final at Wembley, where Chelsea and Leicester will battle for the trophy in front of over 20,000 fans.
Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports News reporter Paul Gilmour and Sky Sports football writer Ron Walker to assess both sides on the back of their midweek results, the key areas which will decide the contest, and how the game will play out.
They also discuss what impact FA Cup glory would have on Brendan Rodgers' managerial career, the importance of Jonny Evans at the heart of the Leicester defence, and why former Foxes star N'Golo Kante could be the decisive player on the pitch this weekend for Chelsea.
