Everton will face off against rival Sunderland on Thursday, placing two of the English Premier League's closely followed teams against each other.

Everton, coming out of a 2-1 victory over Swansea City, is expected to be the favorite in the match.

Everton Manager Roberto Martínez said he is ready to risk waiting for deal to sign Gareth Barry permanently from Manchester City, The Telegraph reports.

"The agreement was for the season and for Gareth to just enjoy his football and I don't want to change that," Martínez said.

"I don't think there is a real need. There is trust about what we agreed and all I want now is for Gareth to continue concentrating on his football for the second half of the season.

Sunderland, coming out of a 0-0 tie with Norwich City, is expected to be the underdog in the match.

Sunderland Manager Gus Poyet warns that English clubs' congested fixture schedule will harm England's World Cup chances, The Telegraph also reports.

"The next five or six weeks is something I don't understand - why the rest of the world are probably on holidays next week and we have to play 250,000 games in a month and a half," Poyet said, according to the website.

"Nobody will convince me - it's not normal. I will even give you Boxing Day - I agree it is a special day in history and everybody wants to play that day - but then take the 27th off until the middle of January."

Watch Everton vs. Sunderland via live online streaming here:

https://www.stream2u.eu/watch/33505/Premier-League-Everton-vs-Sunderland.html