There has been one notable absence from the Magpies Premier League campaign this season, a local rival to compete with.
Remarkably, last season saw all three of the closest clubs to Newcastle relegated from the top flight with the Magpies going in the opposite way earning promotion back to the big time.
Middlesbrough, Hull City and Sunderland all fell away to leave North East football with just one representative in the Premier League for the current campaign.
However, that may change next season as Middlesbrough are breaking their way into the Championship playoffs and if they retain their current push and are successful come May in the playoff lottery, we will see the return of the Tyne-Tee’s derby.
Although perhaps not quite as raucous as playing against Sunderland (there is no chance of the Black Cats returning to the top flight anytime soon) the Tyne-Tees derby is a chance to gain the North East bragging rights and keep the travelling to a minimum with just 34 miles separating Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
The Magpies have almost done their part of the bargain with the clubs most recent odds on being relegated this season drifting out as far as 16/1 which you can enhance the value you get with a bonus from a UK Sports or UK online casino portal and now it is down to Boro to do their bit.
If Tony Pulis’s men manage to bounce straight back to the top flight, it will mean that next season, the two sides will contest the derby for the first time since 2010.
Ironically, that was during the 2009/10 season when the two sides were playing in England’s second tier and it was the Magpies who claimed four points from the home and away games winning 2-0 at St James Park and drawing 2-2 at the Riverside.
Those series of games were also the only time the pair had played each other in the league outside of the country’s top division at the time, which is something neither side will be keen on repeating anytime soon.
Historically, the pair more often than not shared the points as eight of the last twelve meetings have resulted in a draw with Boro winning just one of those twelve.
So, how realistic is it that Middlesbrough will get promoted this season?
Once the Good Friday/Saturday fixtures are done with, there will be just seven games left for a majority of the Championships clubs including Boro to play.
Tony Pulis has guided his chargers from mid-table into the playoff frame and they sit sixth at the time of writing but level on points with Bristol City in seventh.
A precarious position indeed but form has been impressive since Pulis took over from Garry Monk and anything other than a playoff place now would be deemed a failure.
Then it becomes a lottery in the playoffs most likely between Boro, Derby, Fulham and Aston Villa.
Take your pick from any of those but it makes for a daunting prospect for all four sides but more importantly the question must be asked…
Do you even want Middlesbrough back in the Premier League?
Not really a derby is it? 34 miles apart, but it’ll have to do. That said, as much as I’d like to see Boro back up, I can’t see it. Top two looked nailed on, so it’s a play off place at best.
Fulham and Sheffield United are running into form, whilst Boro struggled badly at Burton. They might scrape into the play off’s, so anything could happen, but for me it’s Wolves, Cardiff and Fulham for promotion.
Bobbybee(Quote)