Sunderland meet Newcastle in a huge Wear-Tyne derby between the North-East rivals.
Victory by two goals or more would lift Sunderland up to sixth in the table, whereas Newcastle can leapfrog their hosts with a win and go as high as seventh if Tottenham slip up elsewhere.
Team News
Luke O’Nien begins a three-match ban for Sunderland after he was red carded for a late foul in their 3-0 loss at Manchester City.
Reinildo is available after he missed that match due to a minor groin injury.
Aji Alese (shoulder) and Habib Diarra (groin) still sidelined.
Newcastle could be without Joelinton after the Brazilian suffered a groin injury during their 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen in midweek Champions League action.
Nick Pope (groin) could return but Emil Krafth (knee), Sven Botman (back), William Osula (ankle) and Kieran Trippier (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Newcastle at Stadium of Light on Sunday 14 December at 2pm GMT, live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings against Newcastle (W6, D3).
- Newcastle have won just one of their last eight league visits to Sunderland (W1, D3, L4).
- Sunderland are looking to keep three consecutive clean sheets at home against Newcastle for the first time since a run of three goalless draws between April 1985 – May 1990.
- Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats have kept just two clean sheets at home this season (W4, D3).
- Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon have scored in each of Newcastle’s last two league matches (W1, D1).
Prediction
Given their awful away record at Man City, it wasn’t surprising that Sunderland were defensively outclassed despite having taken the fight to them in the opening half hour, so I personally think that they must simply reset in a game where they’re capable of matching Newcastle if polish their defensive play.
Newcastle meanwhile will be frustrated at how they conceded a late equaliser at Bayer Leverkusen after they came from behind to lead, which has to worry Eddie Howe because those errors are constantly happening with little learning which would suit a resilient Sunderland who never give up.
Stadium of Light however hasn’t exactly been a happy hunting ground recently league-wise for Newcastle and given how well Sunderland have done at home, I can see this being a draw.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle
Result: Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
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