Sunderland will hope they can make it six Premier League derby wins in a row and move off the bottom of the table at the same time when they host Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats have ended victorious on the past five occasions that these two sides have met, scoring ten goals and conceding only one in the process, dominating the fixtures in recent times. However, if this season’s form is anything to go by, we could be seeing a completely different derby than in the recent past.
With Sunderland failing to claim a victory so far this season, claiming three draw and six losses in the process, the Black Cats are desperate for a confidence booster. The recent appointment of Sam Allardyce may finally instil the confidence in a squad that is entirely deprived of it. Although it’s a vital game for both sides as they both teams will look to push away from the wrong end of the table, but it is Steve McClaren’s Newcastle side that will go into this tie more upbeat after hammering Norwich 6-2 to pick up their first league win of the season last week.
Key Battle – Fabio Borini v Georginio Wijnaldum
Fabio Borini hasn’t set the world alight this current Premier League campaign, having not scored a goal thus far this season in the Premier League and not consolidating a place in the first time as of yet. However, Borini is no stranger to derby day heroics, as he once scored the winner against Newcastle United a couple of season back.
His role up front for his side will be key to Big Sam claiming his side’s first league win, as his pressure and ruthless intensity to work for the team to create chances, could very well help Sunderland add to their dominate record against their rivals.
Wijnaldum, on the other hand, has been flying in the league after his summer move from the Dutch league, really showing his talent in his short stint in the Premier League so far. The attacking midfielder that floats between all of Newcastle’s attacking channels has caused havoc for opposition teams, none more than Norwich at the weekend.
The Dutch international scored four goals in a dominant display to help his side claim their first league win and a 6-2 thumping in front of their home supporters. Wijnaldum is his team’s top scorer this season scoring six goals from only 12 shots on goal this season. His efforts come weekends match will be vital to his side claiming the three points.
Team News
Big Sam will have to monitor the fitness of midfielder Jack Rodwell and Toivonen for the big match as both players will require late fitness tests to see if they can be deemed fit for the derby come Sunday.
Steve McClaren’s Newcastle side will be without Gabriel Obertan, Sylvain Marveaux, Riviere and starting goalkeeper Tim Krul for the Tyne-Wear clash.
Head-to-head
Sunderland have won the last five Tyne-Wear derbies in the Premier League, scoring nine goals in the process while only conceding one goal. Newcastle’s only goal in eight hours and 57 minutes against Sunderland come from departed player Mathieu Debuchy in a 2-1 defeat two years ago. A win for Sunderland will see them do something that neither side has managed to do ever in their history and win six derby clashes in a row.
Previous Meeting
A goal on the stroke of half-time from Jermaine Defoe was enough to claim all three points the last time these two teams met in the Premier League earlier this year.
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Prediction
This will be a hard fought game for the full 90 minutes with so much at stake for both sides, with Sunderland the side with the most to lose. A win for Sunderland could see them move off bottom spot while a win for Newcastle would claim them two wins in concession and massive confidence boost.
Sunderland 2 Newcastle 1
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