Sunderland host fierce rivals Newcastle in the 140th League Wear Tyne Derby.

Hosts Sunderland need to beat Newcastle for more than bragging rights on Sunday as they sit just one point and a place clear of the relegation zone. Dick Advocaat is now the man in charge on Wearside, but he could not have an immediate impact as his side lost at the death to West Ham in his first game in charge.

The cliche of form doesn't count heading into a Derby best be true for Sunderland as they come into this huge game at home with none what so ever. The Black Cats have picked up just two points from their last five league games and have failed to score in the process but they have won the last four derbies.

John Carver's Newcastle meanwhile are having a whimpering end to their season having only picked up four points from their last six league games and having only won twice since Carver got the job full time. For four straight Derbies they haven't turned up but under a Geordie manager that won't be allowed to happen again surely.

The Newcastle head coach has loads of experience in this fixture as a number two having seen his beloved United win, lose and draw these games at the side of Alan Pardew, Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson just to name a few. He would love to be a winner in his first and probably last Derby as a number one on enemy territory.

Team News

Wes Brown will miss out for Sunderland with a knee injury he picked up at West Ham while midfielder Lee Cattermole returns to the squad after serving a two game suspension.

Newcastle have many players missing for the game with Massadio Haidara now out for the season after knee surgery, joining fellow defenders and local boys Paul Dummett and Steven Taylor on the long term absentee list which also includes Cheick Tiote.

While Pappis Cisse and Fabricio Coloccini continue continue their suspensions.

Stats

Newcastle have not beaten Sunderland in nearly four years a run spanning six games since a 1-0 victory at the Stadium Of Light in August 2011.

Newcastle have dropped eight points thanks to nine last five minute goals this season in the Premier League including in the reverse fixture against Sunderland courtesy of Adam Johnson.

The two players with the most yellow cards in the premier League this season will likely meet on Sunday with Jack Colback going up against Lee Cattermole with both players having been booked 10 times this season.

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About the author
Jamie Joslyn
20 year old sports journalism at Sunderland University, huge Sunderland fan