Match Preview: Newcastle United v Sunderland — The Lads Take On The Visitors!
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Radio: Full live match commentary available via BBC Radio Newcastle (not online)
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The build-up…
It’s come around quickly in terms of celebrating our victory in December, but we head to St James’ Park for the first time since 2016, and the 80th time in total on Tyneside.
Considering it’s been 143 years of history behind this fixture, a winner today would put one ahead of the other. Both sides have won 54, and there have been 50 draws – we might as well not have bothered.
But we keep on slugging away at each other to see who comes out on top, with the inevitable debate on which club is bigger, which to football fans from other parts of the country will no doubt remind them of two bald fellas fighting over a comb.
But to us, it’s everything. It’s more than points. Which is probably a good thing because it’s likely that, considering the position of the two clubs at present, that’s exactly what is at stake, in addition to the old bragging rights with both clubs safely lodged in mid-table.
When the Visitors came to visit in December, we were unbeaten at home and confident we could give anyone a game on our own patch. But having been beaten in three successive games at the Stadium of Light and unbeaten on the road in two, this has changed somewhat. Our last outing on the road at Elland Road was one of the best performances of the season on the road, and a repeat today will be required.
However, it could be a case of the walking wounded that make the trip with question marks over Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo, Dan Ballard, and Enzo Le Fee. In addition to this, we are questioning the general fitness of the likes of Granit Xhaka, Brian Brobbey, Dennis Cirkin, and Wilson Isidor – and I have left out mentioning the longer-term absentees in this discussion.
However, as we’ve seen over the years in these games – including the fixture in December – it’s about who wants it more.
The betting…
The bookies have the Lads at 19/5 to win the game, while the Visitors are priced at 13/20, and the draw is 14/5.
Head to head… at St James’ Park
(All competitions)
- Sunderland wins: 25
- Draws: 22
- Newcastle wins: 32
- Sunderland goals: 121
- Newcastlegoals: 126
Last time we met… at St James’ Park
Sunday 20th March 2016Premier LeagueNewcastle United 1-1 Sunderland[Mitrovic 83’ – Defoe 44’]
Sunderland: Mannone, Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul (Oshea), van Aanholt, Kirchoff (Cattermole), Rodwell, M’Vila, Borini, Defoe, Khazri (N’Doye) Substitutes not used: Alnwick, Carter
Newcastle United: Elliott, Janmaat (Anita), Colback (De JOng), Shelvey, Mbemba, Lascelles, Townsend (Cisse), Wijnaldum, Mitrovic, Perez, Sissoko Substitutes not used: Darlow, Taylor, Saivet, Riviere
Attendance: 52,311
Prediction…
Newcastle United 1-1 Sunderland
Nervy, tense, tight, scrappy, low on quality = draw.