Newcastle vs Sunderland Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The first Tyne-Wear Derby at St James’ Park in close to a decade sees Newcastle United desperate for a win up against a Sunderland side similarly keen for a victory.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Universo
Newcastle preview: Midweek hammering
After a brilliant opening 135 minutes of the tie, Newcastle United looked like they may well topple Barcelona in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League ahead of a second-half collapse that saw the Blaugrana win by seven goals to two at Camp Nou.
The Magpies have succumbed to FA Cup and EFL Cup defeats to Manchester City since the start of February and they are in a desperate situation to try and burst back into European competition with Eddie Howe coming under pressure.
Sunderland preview: Sliding Sunderland
Having gained promotion to the top-flight last season, Sunderland have been impressive in a general sense but the Black Cats were reliant on home form but their form has majorly drifted as they slip down the Premier League table.
They were beaten 1-0 by Brighton and Hove Albion at the Stadium of Light last weekend and that means that Sunderland have won just two of their last ten matches across all competitions; against Championship Oxford United and Championship-bound Burnley.
Newcastle team news: Tonali a doubt
In his pre-match press conference, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said that the hosts will have to 'wait and see' on the fitness of Sandro Tonali, facing a late fitness test.
It is expected that defender Fabian Schar and midfield duo Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley will return to full fitness after the March international break.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Joelinton, Willock; Murphy, Woltemade, Barnes; Gordon
Unavailable: Schar (Injured), Krafth (Injured), Miley (Injured), Guimaraes (Injured)
Questionable: Tonali (Injured)
Sunderland team news: Several doubts
Ahead of their short trip to Newcastle, Regis Le Bris has said that the only players ruled out of this weekend are wing quartet Jocelin Ta Bi, Nilson Angulo, Bertrand Traore and Romaine Mundle.
Robin Roefs and Nordi Mukiele had also been sidelined but may now be available alongside fellow doubts Dan Ballard and Enzo Le Fee.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo; Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Brobbey, Rigg
Unavailable: Mundle (Injured), Ta Bi (Injured), Traore (Injured), Angulo (Injured)
Questionable: Roefs (Fitness), Ballard (Injured), Mukiele (Fitness), Le Fee (Fitness), Isidor (Fitness)
Newcastle vs Sunderland prediction
Regis Le Bris and his Sunderland side remain firmly in the middle-of-the-table but they are still comfortably clear, 11 points above the bottom three and the relegation places. Newcastle are still just seven points outside of the top five and so could make UEFA Champions League football once again – but they need a brilliant end to the season. A low-scoring encounter is expected with Sunderland likely to try and control things, while Newcastle once again appear to be struggling to find any consistency or fluency.
Newcastle vs Sunderland tip: Under 2.5 goals
