It’s back. The first Tyne and Wear derby in seven and a half years is finally here.
It may feel like horrible timing – our form has plummeted, the pressure is on, we’ve lost seven of our last eight and our injury crisis isn’t getting much better – but it’s equally a massive opportunity for Eddie Howe and the players to atone for the damaging month we’ve just experienced.
We looked wide open in a committed but naive display at Anfield on Monday. It ended 4-2, yet the Reds created enough chances to score seven or eight. That said, the Mackems have also shot themselves in the foot this week, with the pre-match chatter dominated by their laughable decision to put Newcastle United slogans and signage all over the Black Cats Bar ahead of our trip to the Stadium of Light. It’s infuriated their fans and I’m not surprised!
Back to the match itself, Howe has had this to say ahead of the game: “Our next game is an next opportunity to turn our form around. We are very much focusing on our performance and trying to deliver the best account of ourselves we can. It is our opportunity to progress in the cup competition. We have to individually be at our best levels.
“I am expecting a good performance from us, we are ready. We know what this fixture means to everyone. We know the importance of this fixture. The players know what it means. For us it is important that we get back to winning ways.
“When the draw was made, I gave a couple of Geordies the opportunity to speak about it to set the scene. Behind the scenes they’ve played a role. The players know much it means to everybody. Sometimes you can overkill that, so it’s been a case of how we’re going to play, how we’re going to execute what we need to do.”
Team news
Kieran Trippier is facing a late fitness test, but Callum Wilson has been ruled out of the match alongside Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, and Javier Manquillo. Sandro Tonali remains suspended.
For the Mackems, winger Patrick Roberts is a “big doubt”, but Michael Beale confirmed they have no other injury concerns following Monday’s 2-0 win over Preston.
Predicted XI: Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
A lot will depend on Trippier’s fitness, but I’m pretty certain that Burn will start, whether that be at left-back or centre-back. There’ll be a temptation to hand Paul Dummett a start in a game that will mean so much to him. However, a full strength line-up is needed given the importance of this game, so Schar and Botman are likely to get the nod.
In midfield, I think we’ll see Longstaff replace Miley and the return of Almiron out wide after he was benched at Anfield, allowing Joelinton to drop into a midfield three and Gordon to move back to the left.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-3 Newcastle
It may not be pretty but it doesn’t have to be. It’s imperative we win for so many reasons and I back us to get the job done.
We’ve been awful of late and consistently poor on the road for far too long, but this is a huge chance to kick-start our spiralling season and I think we’ll see a response.
HOWAY THE LADS!
Never liked derbies and growing up in a mixed mag/ mackem town was always toxic around them, no matter the result.
The importance of them is always overstated imo and many seemed to be a race to which club was least 5h1t.
That this one has been a while in coming and even longer since a nufc win ramps up emotions.
Rationally, nufc should win but we know how that’s turned out recently. Anything but a good nufc win will no doubt result in ridiculously over emotive commentary, ala the frothing over the bar decorations.
HTL
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Should also say that I love fa cup round 3 day .. always has been my favourite day of the football calendar and win or lose tomorrow that won’t change this year
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Hate Derbies too, we need to win this one though or we’ll never hear the end of it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Absolutely, Kim! I have a lot of Mackem friends and they will be hell on earth if they beat us. I really hope we go at them like we did with Sheffield United. 🤍🖤⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Today will be a battle. Forget performance – it doesn’t have to be pretty today.
Better their fight but keep our discipline & take the win however it comes.
My biggest concern is we obviously have the better team on paper. A way to get the fans going is to kick our best players up height – and that’s when more injuries happen
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just hope none of our players take the bait when badly tackled as ya know it’s coming.
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
2 sets of super passionate fans – spine tingling seeing our lot waving their scarves at the Sunderland fans.
I may be on my own here but I’d love them back in the PL for these games more regularly – as long as the thugs stay away.
All that said, I’ve taken my viewing position behind the sofa already 🫣😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think their manager is a footballing manager rather than old school kick um manager & no Kevin Ball coaches so I think they try & take us on.
We have to weather storms & trust our quality will be enough over 95 mins.
No VAR today though so naughty tackles could well fly in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yep no VAR
kimtoon(Quote)
Controlling the game without threat
Straight leg, off his feet, jumps in and studs up .. bad challenge that
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Couple of bad tackles already
kimtoon(Quote)
Can see a red coming
kimtoon(Quote)
ffs has to score there Sean
kimtoon(Quote)
ffs sean c’mon man that’s 3 good chances
kimtoon(Quote)
getinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
OG
kimtoon(Quote)
Good transition and excellent t direct running from big Joe
Deserved lead .. and a bit of justice as that lad should’ve been pulled for the foul on isak
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Could easily have been a penalty on Isak there. But he needed to take that golden chance there. Chip the goalie and it’s a goal. Wasteful on our chances so far. Need to come out strong in the second half
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Isakkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
woohoo
kimtoon(Quote)
Should’ve been a red for Sunderland player, firstly for an offensive moustache and also for a second yellow. Ripped Gordon’s shirt off him.
Great win. 🖤🤍🖤
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Thank god that’s over .
Good win
kimtoon(Quote)