STAR PREVIEW: Sunderland v Newcastle

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ll eyes on the North East this afternoon for the Wear/Tyne derby between Sunderland and Newcastle at the Stadium of Light (4pm SKY).

Judged purely on league positions, there’s far more at stake for the home side who hover just one point above the relegation zone after a wretched run which has seen them fail to even score in six of their last seven games.

Now managed by Dick Advocaat there seemed to be little change in their form when they were beaten 1-0 by West Ham last week which flies in the face of those who subscribe to the theory that a new manager can bring a temporary surge in form.

Advocaat has confirmed that Lee Cattermole will be back against the Magpies after serving a two-match ban for reaching 10 bookings for the season.

However, Advocaat is without experienced defender Wes Brown with a knee problem whilst midfielders Will Buckley (knee) and Emanuele Giaccherini (ankle) are also still out.

Newcastle have serious problems in defence. Massadio Haidara will not play again this season after undergoing surgery. Fellow defenders Steven Taylor (Achilles), Paul Dummett (knee) and midfielders Cheick Tiote (also knee) and Siem de Jong (collapsed lung) are on the sidelines.

Plenty of passion is expected both on and off the pitch and the home side are on good roll against their arch rivals. Sunderland have now won four Premier League games in a row against Newcastle, their longest run of victories in this fixture.

I’ll give Sunderland the benefit of the doubt to extend that run to five, purely on the basis that they need it and therefore should want it more.

Sunderland v Newcastle
Premier League
4pm LIKE SKY

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Dec 2014 Premier Newcastle 0-1 Sunderland
Feb 2014 Premier Newcastle 0-3 Sunderland
Oct 2013 Premier Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle
Apr 2013 Premier Newcastle 0-3 Sunderland
Oct 2012 Premier Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle
Mar 2012 Premier Newcastle 1-1 Sunderland
Aug 2011 Premier Sunderland 0-1 Newcastle
Jan 2011 Premier Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle
Oct 2010 Premier Newcastle 5-1 Sunderland
Feb 2009 Premier Newcastle 1-1 Sunderland

Sunderland are 6/4 with Star Sports.

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BACK SUNDERLAND for 6 points at around 6/4 with Star Sports

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