Derby day is here and the team sheets are in at the Stadium of Light.
In our first Premier League trip to Wearside in 10 years, Eddie Howe has made a few changes from our midweek draw at Bayer Leverkusen.
Here is how the two sides line-up ahead of today’s 2pm kick-off live on Sky Sports:
Newcastle XI: Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Bruno Guimarães, Miley, Tonali; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon.
Subs: Ruddy, Schar, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, J.Murphy, Willock, A.Murphy, Ramsey
Sunderland XI: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Sadki, Xhaka, Le Fée; Traore, Brobbey, Talbi.
Subs: Patterson, Geertruida, Hume, Neil, Rigg, Mayenda, Mundle, Isidor, Adingra.
Howe has made TWO changes from our midweek draw in Germany, seeing Lewis Miley and Anthony Elanga come into the side, meaning Joelinton and Jacob Murphy drop to the bench.
Nick Pope is not in the squad despite initial hopes he could return, so Aaron Ramsdale keeps his place in the starting 11. We do have options on the bench, however, with Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock all available to call on.
For the Mackems, they start with a back four and have left-back Reinildo back fit after he missed their 3-0 defeat at Man City last weekend.
Howay the lads!
Murphy for delivery or Elanga for pace? Time will tell.
Pope not even on the bench, Ramsdale needs to be a lot more commanding at set pieces or we will be in trouble.
Otherwise team is as many thought.
Joseph(Quote)
Half Time and Elanga a total disappointment again, can’t pass a ball and can’t go past a player with his”pace”, what did we pay £55m for? also haven’t got going in midfield.
Murphy required I think, or bring another midfielder on and play two up front .
Does anyone want to win this game, Howe needs to get into them at half time!
Joseph(Quote)
The two wingers were playing were the full backs are gordon elanga miley tonali were absolute rubbish not one them played decent football then on comes willock what a joke Eddie howe not much better his system is not working cant keep blaming injuries we are in trouble if he does not bring in at least 4 even 5 players get decent players nowt like elanga or ramsey
Keith Richardson(Quote)
Howe out. Got in control of transfers. Made some really bad signings. Pre-plans subs. Keeps on playing Woltemade up top on his own when every fan can see Woltemade is not a lone striker. Currently on track for losing the best players in the squad in January or the summer. Time to act. Thank you for everything, but everything is clearly regressing, not progressing.
Howe out(Quote)