Everton host Sunderland this weekend in the final game at Hill Dickinson Stadium this season.
The Toffees’ push for Europe may well be over after draws against Manchester City and Crystal Palace, but there is still an outside chance mathematically.
But removing that from the equation, it is important for Everton to sign off with a win at their home ground.
What changes would you make from the draw against Crystal Palace? 🤔
Could this be Seamus Coleman's final home game? 😫
It’s been a bit of an up-and-down first season at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Everton struggling to pick up results earlier this calendar year.
But the transition was never going to be easy moving away from the iconic Goodison Park.
As Everton prepare for Sunday’s game, an interesting statistic has emerged regarding final home matches for the Toffees.
Everton have been very good in final home league matches in recent years
Evertonians want to see their side finish their home season with a flourish this weekend.
And Sunderland do present a decent opportunity to do that, having not won any of their last four games while conceding 10 goals.
Regardless, Regis Le Bris’ side have been impressive this term and should be competitive as they look to seal a top 10 finish. They’ll be spurred on by the prospect of leapfrogging Everton with a win.
But Everton have actually been very solid in final home games of the season in recent years.
Sunday marks the final home game of the season for Everton! 😳
How have you found the first season at the new home of the Blues? 🏟️
Indeed, according to BBC Sport, Everton have lost their final home league match in just one of the last 10 seasons, winning the last five in a row since a 3-1 loss to Bournemouth in 2019/20.
Of course, this time around Everton find themselves in new surroundings.
So Everton will ideally follow the pattern that had been set at Goodison Park, and finish this home campaign with three points.
Everton must make Hill Dickinson a fortress next season
Hopefully it’ll be three points on Sunday, which would mean a total of 26 points picked up at Hill Dickinson in 2025/26.
That wouldn’t be too bad a return. However, the Toffees need to be fortifying HDS next season.
It was always going to be a bit tricky in this first season after leaving Goodison, because clearly HDS doesn’t quite have that same intimidation factor with fans being further away from the pitch.
But we’ve been seeing lately that an amazing atmosphere can still be generated there.
Next season, Everton will hopefully feel more comfortable at their new ground, and the team can start to really make it a fortress.
It is so crucial to have a good record at home, so hopefully any notion of stage fright next season will be gone and Everton can really relish playing in their world-class stadium.
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