Sunderland AFC vs Newcastle United: Wear-Tyne Derby Match Preview

Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United, the two top-flight contenders who lock horns twice a year for the North East’s battle for the stripes, pick up from where they left off this Sunday. In many ways, this could be the most spontaneous and unpredictable clash between the two sides for some time – and this is why.

Both sides have began their 2015/16 English Premier League campaigns in drastically poor form, with the Magpies and the Black Cats occupying the basement of the Premier League in 19th and 20th, respectively.

Sunderland AFC manager Sam Allardyce, renowned for his resolutely defensive style of football, will be wary of the attacking threat Newcastle seem to have finally unleashed in the previous weeks game against Norwich City- where they triumphed in an emphatic 6-2 win.

Such a rampageous victory couldn’t have come at a better time for Steve McLaren’s side, as it could well pose as a key psychological advantage over a Sunderland side who currently sport the second-worst defense of anyone in the top flight, having conceded 19 goals thus far.

However, that’s only one side of the story – Newcastle are by no means the clear favorites.

The Black Cats have a psychological advantage of their own as this fixture looms ever closer, having beaten their Tyneside rivals five consecutive times prior to this match.

The return of Fabio Borini into the red-and-white ranks will only act as a catalyst for this mental advantage, having been the figurehead of Sunderland’s 2nd and 3rd derby wins on their road to 5 in a row – having scored twice to help Sunderland to 2-1 and 3-0 wins.

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Newcastle United, for all intents and purposes, could match Sunderland player for player with the ever impressive Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutchman, originally a target for then-Black Cats manager Dick Advocaat, has proved a keystone to Newcastle’s midfield with emphatic displays and with goals to boot – the four he scored against Norwich being a testament to that.

Both teams’ defense are poor, and both are arguably equally hindered further by goalkeeping issues encountered so far. Newcastle’s is the most obvious of the two, with the clear number 1 Tim Krul ruled out for the remainder of the season – Rob Elliot, the acting reserve goalkeeper, is considerably less reputable.

For Sunderland, the significant dip in form of Costel Pantilimon has let them down a fair bit. The most recent slip was against West Bromwich Albion, having been unable to hold onto the ball against a Saido Berahino he towered over.

In short, expect goals – and expect them in abundance. This match could well and truly go either way and the Wear-Tyne derby has a reputation for hurling recent form out of the window.

Prediction? A 3-2 win for Sunderland.

Next: Newcastle United Far From Safe