Sunderland host Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light in a blockbuster Tyne-Wear derby in the Third Round of 2023-24 FA Cup.
Victory would see Sunderland reach the Fourth Round for a second consecutive season, whilst Newcastle seek to avoid a Third Round elimination for a fourth straight season.
Team News
Patrick Roberts is a doubt for Sunderland after he missed their Championship win over Preston with a calf injury.
Niall Huggins, Jay Matete (both knee), Dennis Cirkin (hamstring) and Corry Evans (ACL) remain absent.
Newcastle could again be without Kieran Trippier after he missed their league defeat at Liverpool with a groin injury.
Callum Wilson however is again sidelined due to a calf injury which forced him to sit out the trip to Anfield.
Elliott Anderson (back), Jamaal Lascelles (muscle), Matt Targett (hamstring), Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy (both shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Joe Willock (Achilles), Harvey Barnes (foot) and Javier Manquillo (groin) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Newcastle at Stadium of Light in a 12:45pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 6 January, live on ITV1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland have won two of their seven previous FA Cup meetings against Newcastle (W2, D3, L2), albeit across four separate ties – of which their Quarter-Final in 1912-13 went to two replays.
- Newcastle are playing a FA Cup tie against Sunderland at Stadium of Light for the first time, but avoided defeat in two such clashes at Sunderland’s former home – Roker Park (W1, D1).
- This is the first domestic cup clash between Sunderland and Newcastle to be played this century, with all 25 meetings since the Millenium having come in league matches.
- Sunderland are unbeaten in five of their last seven FA Cup metings against top-flight opposition at home (W3, D2, L2).
- Newcastle are unbeaten in four of their last five away matches against EFL opposition (W3, D1, L1).
Prediction
After beating Preston on New Year’s Day at home in a clinical performance where they took their chances and defended resiliently, Sunderland certainly will be fired up coming into this game which is a huge chance for their young squad to lay a huge marker on their local rivals.
Newcastle meanwhile lost at Liverpool that same day but having clearly gone on the defensive, they did well across the first half but were eventually outfought despite scoring twice amidst their awful away form this season.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies though will be aware of how important it is that they win this game not just for local pride, but also as a statement of intent to go on a cup run after two disastrous exits at this stage in the last two seasons.
Add in the fact that this game is live on ITV then there is little room for Newcastle to slip up because winning this competition might be their best way into Europe on current form, so I expect Howe to go for a strong line-up and scrape through or get this tie back to St James’ Park for a replay.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Newcastle
Result: Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
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