Toffees aiming to tame Tigers as champions City travel to Sunderland

Roberto Martinez’s Toffees (15/8 with Coral to finish in top six) will be keen to continue their dominance over Hull City when they welcome Steve Bruce’s side to Goodison Park, while Manchester City (1/2 to win) face a trip to the Stadium of Light to face the buoyant Black Cats.

Everton v Hull
Struggling Hull (9/4 to be relegated) haven’t won at Everton since 1952, and the home side have toppled the Toffees in four of the last six meetings.

Romelu Lukaku has rekindled his scoring form this season, having netted twice in his last three games, including the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over the Hammers last month.

The fierce frontman tormented a torrid Tigers defence in their previous meeting, striking early in the second half to secure a 2-0 victory at the KC Stadium. Brilliant Belgium international Lukaku is 5/1 to net two or more in the latest clash, as Martinez’s men look to climb from 10th in the table.

Everton’s super stopper, Tim Howard, is keen for his side to make an instant reaction after their sickening 2-1 loss to Tottenham.

“We’re not a team, and our manager isn’t a manager, who dwells on results,” he said. “We’re just looking forward to the Hull game now.

“We’re at home, it’ll be an opportunity for us to get three points and we are confident we can do that, so we go again.”

Bruce’s Tigers have managed only one Premier League goal since October, and USA World Cup hero Howard is 23/20 to keep hapless Hull at bay with a clean sheet, and his side are 31/20 to win to nil.

Sunderland v Man City
Gus Poyet’s Black Cats will have nothing to fear going into their clash against City, with the champions having not beaten Sunderland in the Premier League since October 2012, when Sergio Aguero netted a peach in a 3-0 victory at the Etihad.

Manuel Pellegrini will be cautious of the threat Sunderland pose, as the North East side have lost only once in the last six meetings with City in the league.