Newcastle United face Sunderland in a crucial Tyne-Wear derby in the race for European qualification.
Victory will lift Newcastle up to ninth in the table, whilst Sunderland can climb above their local rivals into 11th with a win.
Team News
Sandro Tonali is a doubt for Newcastle after he suffered a minor groin injury in their Champions League exit at Barcelona on Wednesday evening.
Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley (both knee), Bruno Guimaraes (hamstring) and Fabian Schar (ankle) remain absent.
Sunderland could be without Dan Ballard after he suffered a hamstring injury during their 1-0 loss at home to Brighton.
Nordi Mukiele (calf), Reinildo (knee), Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor (both unspecified) remain sidelined.
Nilson Angulo (unspecified), Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle), Romaine Mundle, Robin Roefs (both hamstring) and Bertrand Traore (knee) will again be sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Sunderland at St James’ Park on Sunday 22 March at 12pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are winless in their last 10 Premier League meetings against Sunderland (D3, L7).
- Sunderland are unbeaten in their last five visits to Newcastle (W3, D2).
- Sunderland have kept clean sheets in three of their last five trips to Newcastle, whilst the other two clashes on Tyneside ended in 1-1 draws.
- Anthony Gordon has scored in both of Newcastle’s last two league matches (W2).
- Sunderland have claimed just four points in their last six league matches (W1, D1, L4).
Prediction
Now that their European adventure is over following their second-half defensive shambles at Barcelona after a gutsy first-half fightback twice from behind, Newcastle simply must reset because most of their run-in games are against those around them or fighting for survival so this is a chance to push on domestically now.
Sunderland likewise have a fairly favourable run-in but after their wasteful display in a pretty unlucky defeat against Brighton, they need to get back to winning ways with a composed end product and have a lengthy winning run if want to push for European qualification.
This local derby consequently has more than just local pride on the line because defeat could be a huge blow for the hopes of European qualification of both teams, but if Newcastle bring the same energy that they produced at Barcelona then they should win this rather comfortably.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Sunderland
Result: Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland
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