Sunderland v Newcastle – Derby day team news, stats and facts.

toonsy

Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
A busy day at Sunderland.
It’s a match that doesn’t really need any extra build up. All you need to say is: Sunderland v Newcastle.

An entire region will grind to a halt. Families will be split between alliegances of black and white or red and white. Friends become enemies. All of this, and more, is inspired by the deep-seated dislike of the other club.

Of course, if you want to add some extra spice where there really isn’t any needed, you could add on the sheer desperation that Sunderland have to inflict some form of revenge after they got smashed 5-1 at St James’ Park earlier in the season. I just hope that, whatever happens, those little doylums from down the road keep their sharpened coins in their pockets on this occasion and don’t embarrass North-East football with their behaviour again.

Moving on….

Nedum Onouha is fit to feature for the Black Cats after shaking off a hamstring problem. Lee Cattermole and Danny Welbeck could also return from injury ahead of schedule, although it’s unknown whether or not either player will be risked by Dame Steve Bruce.

Frazier Campbell, David Meyler, Michael Turner, Trevor Carson and John Mensah will all miss the match through injury.

Last time out Sunderland lost to another team with the nickname of The Magpies as they got dumped out of the FA Cup by Notts County, on their own patch aswell. Hopefully that will be a good omen for this match. Anyway, they played a strong team for that match, but it wasn’t a full strength team. For that we will have to look back to their last league match against Aston Villa where they lined up with a team of;

Sunderland: Craig Gordon, Phil Bardsley, Titus Bramble, Anton Ferdinand, Kieron Richardson, Ahmed Elmohamady, David Meyler, Jordan Henderson, Steed Malbranque, Darren Bent, Danny Welbeck.M

I expect that Dame Bruce will replace Meyler with Bolo Zenden and Danny Wellbeck with Ballon d’Or nominated striker 🙄 Asamoah Gyan.

Newcastle will welcome back Jonas Gutierrez, Jose Enrique and Shola Ameobi for the match at Sunderland. All three had missed the FA Cup defeat to Stevenage but will return to action against the Black Cats. Dan Gosling could also play some part in the fixture after proving his fitness in a behind-closed-doors friendly in midweek. A place on the bench is perhaps the most likely outcome though.

However, the return of those players doesn’t mask the amount of players that are unavailable to Newcastle for the short trip South. The biggest news is that Andy Carroll has been ruled out, closely followed by the fact that Cheik Tiote starts his three match suspension, although there is an argument to suggest that the loss of Cheik is the greatest miss. Steven Taylor is also ruled out whilst Sol Campbell is doubtful. Hatem Ben Arfa and Ryan Taylor remain injured.

Much like Sunderland, Newcastle named a stronger than expected team in their FA Cup tie last weekend, but they also fell foul to a lower league team. We do have a few faces returning though, which means that I would probably go with a team something like this;

Newcastle: Steve Harper, Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Wayne Routledge, Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez, Shola Ameobi, Peter Lovenkrands.

Obviously you could change it and play Barton out wide with Guthrie in the middle, or Alan Smith in the middle, which is a big no-no in my book but will probably happen regardless. You could also switch Lovenkrands for Leon Best, or play five in midfield, or play with one striker with Kevin Nolan tucked in behind the main striker. Let us know what you think.

This will be the 132nd league meeting between the two clubs. Newcastle have clocked up 50 wins, compared to 41 for Sunderland. A victory for Newcastle would complete a league double over Sunderland for the first time in five seasons. Their last win at the Stadium of Light was a 4-1 (even Chopra scored) win back in April 2006.

Sunderland have lost only one home league game all season, but they have been beaten in two of their last three games at the Stadium of Light in all competitions.

Shola Ameobi has played ten times against Sunderland. He has only been on the losing side once and has scored four goals against the Mackems in his last three appearances.

All in all, it’s a local derby and form is said to go out of the window, but looking at the bigger picture I’d say that a draw would be a good result. Don’t get me wrong, I’d kill for a win, but a draw away at a team that has a good home record would be a good result in my opinion, and would also steal their thunder. They would have no bragging rights for that, no comeback, no nothing.

Howay the lads!

P.S. Remember the game is set for a 12:00pm kick-off here in the UK, so don’t forget!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

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151 thoughts on “Sunderland v Newcastle – Derby day team news, stats and facts.”

  2. I was laughing at West Ham for having Bridge on 90k a week and yet he was having a good old nightmare. Just hope I’m not going to regret that for we have Smith on big wages who could do the same if he plays… 🙁

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  3. Ice-That’s the dream mate. Gosling getting a run out and making himself an instant hero by grabbing a goal. He did it at Everton!? 😀

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  5. DAVE that henderson is a dirty git on the sly dont kid your self m8yes its risky with gosling but it wouldnt shock me,theres that shock element too,scum players know little about him

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  6. some players dont know when they are well off,that BA shouting,screaming to get oot off club,was talk of toon looking at him,well failed his medical at stoke today.
    what now bonny lad

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  7. that gradel lad from leeds looks really good,scorde and set up the goals for leeds the day,fka can we not give them smith and guthrie 😛

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  13. I’ve had the livingroom plastered, supposed to be White washing it while the missus has gone out, instead I’m getting plastered in the livingroom 🙂

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  22. Wayne Bridge, what a player, eh? 🙄

    He had a total shocker, yet was the only Hammers player applauded off the pitch. Idiots

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  24. Got another 3 that didn’t make the picture batty, I’m doing well with the Bacardi and coke though 🙂

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  27. Jay 😆 they use to have one down near us at Bawnmore fuk the noise of it till the middle of the night I think they cranked the volume up on badness 😀 .
    All I can think about is a fuking pot noodle now and I know my Daughter has a beef and tomato one in the cupboard, I can see it going missing tonight even if its not me fav one 😉

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  29. Got some great memories of events over there, walking down the ballyclare road on the 12th July, calling my cousin by his second name, that pissed him off a bit 🙂

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  32. Jay 😆 the ballyclare ones probably didn’t understand what you were saying, ther a funny breed in ballyclare. Did you ever go to watch any of the parades jay ? if so what did you think

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  35. Does it depress anyone else watching top class players performing really well and playing so well?

    I often wonder if I’ll see it again in my lifetime up here, let alone win something.

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  36. Only when I was walking through glengormley big dave, and I was steaming, so can’t remember much, except shouting at my cuz, light me a *** lynchy 😆

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  40. We have our own top class players to watch. Ben Arfa, Barton, Carroll, Enrique and Tiote could all walk in to any of the top 6 squads. If we can add one or two to that list each season you will once again see that at SJP before you die.

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  41. For about 2 years big dave, haven’t heard from the bro in ages mate, I’ll give him a call tomorrow.

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  43. By the way, I doubt Parker and Piqiuonne were injured today. Both are probably on their way out in order to fund O’neills transfer targets.

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  45. Getting nervous about tomorrow now like, it’s a love hate feeling. Raging about it not being on the telly aswell!

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  47. Anybody else think matt etherington would be a great signing, one of the most consistant players in the premiership.

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  48. Jay Jay-Definitly. Mate asked me who i’d take from the Stoke squad last week as he absolutly hates them and i immediatly answered Etherington. Fast, good with the ball at his feet in tight situations, decent shot on him, scores goals, can cross a ball accuratly in every way needed. I really rate him like.

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  50. Can’t sleep .2-1 win for us, nolan and barton, bramble to open the game with the first goal, and how do you get an avatar on here?

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  52. FSOTC: Fellaini is Everton not stoke and he isnt that good considering they payed 15million for him.. Stoke a would take, Etherington, Pennant(keep him fit and is awsome, Shawcross and possibly Tuncay

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  59. I’ve been like that. Then I’ve nearly **** myself. Then I’ve been nervous. Now I’m optimistic.

    I’ll be somewhere between them until kick off 😆

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  63. Theres places with it on satelite near where I live but will be full of people, think i’ll just try and get a link. 😕

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  64. Need a decent link like! Mine usually crashes everytime Shola gets the ball in the box. Not that I panic much about missing a goal like…lol

    Howay Shola mackem assassin. Do the smelly bastards!

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  65. I’m going to be watching it live on the bif screen in the British Bulldog bar in Shanghai!! Should be afew Geordies in their tonight… Never seen a Mackem there like!!

    It’s going to be alot tougher tonight that the last time me thinks…

    My prediction 3-2 to the Toon!!

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  66. My prediction – 2-0

    Just don’t think we will cope with their pace with a midfield of Smith and Nolan.

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  67. Would absolutly love to beat those Mackem b@stards on their own turf like, but we’re a weakened squad without what most would probably agree have been 2 of our best 3 players so far this season.
    I’ll take a draw given the circumstances, would be really happy with a draw actually, nee bragging rights for those monkeys tramps if we get a point.
    In saying that, they have to do to us, what we did to them in order to really have anything to say today. 1-0, 2-1, wont cut it.

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  71. Reet, thats me breakfast eaten, quick shower the I’m gonna go to the bar to watch a documentry on Greek tv……apparently it features some dirty inbred tramps, should be good 😉

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  74. hey up lads, haven’t spoken on here yet but have of course been reading since you started up Toonsy. Nice work by the by fella, this is a tasty little blog.

    This is off subject guys but just saw a canny interview with Van der Vaart on bbc website, he seems like a complete legend! Would love to have him in the team not just for his ridiculous skill alone.
    Getting nervous about the game now, my prediction 2-2.
    I’ve also got a strong feeling that cattermole and welbeck will be passed fit, don’t know why just do.

    And who’s bright idea was it not to broadcast the game in England!? Why would anyone choose the birmingham derby over ours!? A relegation scrap vs a (potential) European scrap. I know it sounds arrogant but Jesus, Brum aren’t exactly half decent to watch anyway…

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  75. ILM – hope you’re not heading to the dark side on the metro. They’re running buses instead.

    I’m stuck in Spennymoor waiting for wor lass to get out of ASDA so I can get set up on the big tv. She’s pushing her luck…

    Any better links about?

    I’m quite calm at the minute but that will change. Fancy us for 1-0.

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