Sunderland and Everton go head to head tonight at the Stadium of Light, with the aim of making it into the semi-final of the FA Cup.
The quarter-final clash finished 1-1 at Goodison Park and was a real old fashioned English cup tie. Tonight’s replay could have more of the same.
Classic
In terms of football the first game wasn’t a classic in the sense of the football that was played. However it was a classic in the sense of the old fashioned blood and thunder displays from both teams. The atmosphere produced by both sets of fans also added to the game.
Equal
At the moment there is nothing separating the two teams. In terms of quality the teams are quite similar. They are both mid-top half of the table Premier League teams with managers who are highly-rated and have done superb jobs.
Return
One key factor in the game could be the return of Lee Cattermole and Stephane Sessegnon. The Pair was missing from the first clash but could prove the difference in this one. Sessegnon is the Black Cats top goal scorer this season and also provides creativity.
Cattermole is more of an industrious player. Although he has picked up more red cards than a mail carrier at Christmas in his career, he is still an important player for the North East side. He is the player that can win the ball back and set his team on the attack.
Unpredictable
One player that has really impressed me at Sunderland since Martin O’Neil’s arrival at Sunderland is maverick winger James McClean. The 22 year-old has the ability to take players on and is not scared to do so.
Ironically McClean was linked with a move to Everton before he joined Sunderland under Steve Bruce. Bruce never really got the best out of the youngster but O’Neill has and is reaping the rewards.
However O’Neill has warned his young winger that he will have to up his game, because teams are starting to pay more attention to him. McClean is certainly an exciting player to watch and Everton will have to keep him quiet if they are to win tonight’s encounter.
Derby
Sunderland go into this match as slight favourites, because of their home advantage. The Everton players will never have a better incentive to win a match though, with a semi-final against Liverpool awaiting the winner of this game.
Liverpool have done the double over their local rivals this season and I’m sure those players are desperate to put that right in the cup. Sunderland stand in the Toffee’s way if they want to gain revenge over their local rivals and certainly it won’t be an easy encounter.
Season
For both sides this game is a season defining moment. Both sides are in midtable in the Premier League and are unlikely to move much further up the table. Whichever side loses this game their season is basically finished.
A lot is riding on this replay and it really is hard to predict who will come out on top. This game will probably be decided by a costly mistake or a touch of brilliance, it could to be that close.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere at this game is set to be electric. The Sunderland fans are known for the way they back their team in numbers and noise. The away section has also been sold out for awhile. I just hope the game lives up to its billing.
Biased
As my regulars readers know I am a big Everton fan and of course want the Blues to emerge victorious from this encounter. However Sunderland are a really good team and I hope that if they do beat the Blues they can go on and win the FA Cup.
This tie promises to have everything, the atmosphere, the blood and thunder, but most of all a good game of football between two well matched teams. May the best team win!
Who will win the Sunderland-Everton quarter-final replay?
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