Sunderland/Everton

Sunderland have had a strong showing on Picklive this season. They had 4 of the top 5 against Chelsea, the same against Blackburn and 3 against Arsenal. Those impressive results were tempered slightly by the hammering they took from Newcastle but to more than hold their own against both Chelsea and Arsenal seems a good reason to fancy at least 3 Black Cats tonight.

Everton on the other hand have only had 1 player in each of the last three games (although they had 3 against Man Utd. in the game before that). Baines and Arteta are the only two players to have made the hallowed top 5 in those 3 games. Jagielka, Distin and Pienaar have been the most consistent players after them.

So, who to pick from Sunderland then and how many? The first decision is easy, to include Henderson or not? He's been the top point scorer for Sunderland in 3 of the last 4 Picklive games (and second in the other) so I think he should be first on your list for tonight. Who to accompany him is a very different story though. Bardsley, Cattermole, Onuoha and Bramble have all featured twice in Sunderland's own top 5 over the last four games but none stand out as a definite pick. Gyan, Wellbeck and Zenden all made the top 5 in the match against Chelsea but it would seem that the first two need a goal and so should be picked only if you think that will happen. Zenden would've been the top pick in that match if you take away the goals & assists and so could be a strong candidate.

According to the Telegraph passing stats Malbranque and Cattermole are the second most frequent passers after Henderson. Further down the list are Bardsley and Richardson who both have good pass/minute ratios.

So, in summary, Henderson would look like the strongest pick, followed by Arteta and/or Baines. The main decision then is who to fill the other 2 or 3 spots. I can't stomach the risk of Cattermole getting sent off so will be avoiding him. I'll try and balance my selection so will go for either Zenden or Malbranque in the midfield plus either Bardsley or Onuoha from the defence. The only remaining decision for me is whether to go for a fourth Sunderland player or picking both Arteta and Baines. At the moment I fancy Gyan to score so may go for him if he starts.

Good luck!

BensBulls