Soccer Premier League

5 Key Matchups For Sunderland vs. Everton In EPL Week 11

5 Key Matchups For Sunderland vs. Everton In EPL Week 11

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet
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After a much-needed win over Crystal Palace in Week 10 of the EPL, Sunderland will try to make it back-to-back wins when they clash with Everton on home soil in week 11. They will face an Everton team who are currently on an upward curve of form themselves, however, and a closely fought game looks to be in the offing. Both teams need the win to continue to move in the right direction, and here are five matchups to keep an eye on in the game.

5. Leighton Baines vs. Will Buckley

Everton left-back Leighton Baines
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5. Leighton Baines vs. Will Buckley

Everton left-back Leighton Baines
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This matchup will be about discipline for Will Buckley. Leighton Baines will raid down the left flank all day, and it is obviously Buckley's jobs to track those runs and try to limit the amount of service that Baines is able to provide. However, Buckley will also want to exploit the space that Baines often leaves behind, but unfortunately for him, the defensive duties must come first on this occasion.

4. Gareth Barry vs. Sebastian Larsson

Everton midfielder Gareth Barry
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4. Gareth Barry vs. Sebastian Larsson

Everton midfielder Gareth Barry
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Gareth Barry may not have the ability to run from box-to-box at this stage of his career, but he is still a commanding and influential part of the Everton midfield. Barry controls the tempo of the games for Everton with his passing and experience, and Sebastian Larsson will need to be aware of that. Larsson should be able to press Barry aggressively when he has the ball, but also be a danger in transition against the aging Barry.

3. Steven Fletcher vs. Phil Jagielka

Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher
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3. Steven Fletcher vs. Phil Jagielka

Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher
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Steven Fletcher will be a dangerous man for Everton to be wary of after the Scot scored two goals against Crystal Palace on Monday. Fletcher will have a significant confidence boost from that, and Phil Jagielka will need to be sharp and focused to make sure the striker does not add to his tally in Week 11.

2. Seamus Coleman vs. Connor Wickham

Seamus Coleman playing for Everton
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2. Seamus Coleman vs. Connor Wickham

Seamus Coleman playing for Everton
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Will Gus Poyet continue to play Connor Wickham out wide? Especially against an attacking right-back like Seamus Coleman? It's an intriguing decision for Poyet to make, and one which could be costly if he gets it wrong. Much like the Baines/Buckley battle, Coleman is fantastic going forward, but he does leave a lot of space in behind. Wickham, if selected, will need to defend with discipline, but also be lively on the counterattack.

1. Ross Barkley vs. Jack Rodwell

Ross Barkley playing for Everton
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1. Ross Barkley vs. Jack Rodwell

Ross Barkley playing for Everton
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Ross Barkley was expected to have a monster season for Everton, but he is now slowly regaining his form after missing the early stages of the season through injury. Another player who is no stranger to injuries, Jack Rodwell, will be looking to ensure that Barkley does not hit top form in this game. Barkley is a match winner, and Rodwell's success or failure against Barkley will go hand in hand with Sunderland's success or failure in the game.

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