Sunderland v Newcastle: Line-ups, stats and preview
All you need to know about Sunderland v Newcastle
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Sunderland v Newcastle preview
Sunderland will bid to continue their impressive start to the campaign when heated rivals Newcastle arrive for the first Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League since 2016.
The Championship play-off winners are unbeaten at home in the league this season and started the weekend ninth, a point and three places above the Magpies.
“We know it will be an intense game but the main focus is to find the best version of Sunderland for the fixture,” said Black Cats coach Regis Le Bris, calling on his players to show “commitment, concentration” and “the right level of energy”.
“The players have used this [home] energy really well to ride the momentum and change the dynamic when needed.
“I hope this will be the case once again. When we are connected, we have this advantage at the Stadium of Light.”
Newcastle counterpart Eddie Howe did not play down the significance of the occasion. “There will be some new players who maybe don’t understand it as well as others so we’ll use whatever methods we can… to make sure everyone enters the pitch fully aware of the importance,” he said.
“It will be difficult. These games always are because there’s a lot of emotion and there are challenges for the players to overcome to make sure we enter the pitch in the right frame of mind and where we absolutely need to be, which is focused on how we play and what we need to do.
“The arousal levels are absolutely key because you can be too high or too low. I don’t think there will be many too low in preparation for this game, but finding that place where the players play at their best is my challenge.
“You don’t want the players to overthink things. It’s a very important game but we’ve got to focus on our performance. All of these things will be important.
“It’s always about the team but you’re aware of your individual responsibilities. It means everything to me, personally.
“I want to do the club, the city and our people proud. I want them to be proud of the team and players, so that’s my challenge.”
Sunderland v Newcastle team news
Newcastle, who drew 2-2 at Leverkusen were in Champions League action in midweek and Eddie Howe will have to balance his team selection with care for such a big game.
Sunderland are unbeaten in their last nine league games against Newcastle (W6 D3) and will be desperate for another win to kickstart the festive period.
Sunderland v Newcastle expected line-ups
Sunderland’s Reinildo Mandava has been back in training following a groin injury and is in contention to return, while fellow left-back Dennis Cirkin could be available for a first appearance of the season.
“Dennis is ready,” said Le Bris. “He has trained properly now for two or three weeks and he’s connected in the group. It’s good news. Right now, we don’t have many injuries.”
Habib Diarra will return to full training next week following a groin injury but could feature for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which starts on December 21.
“He will need probably one or two weeks to be at his best after a good rehab programme and after that it depends on AFCON,” assessed Le Bris. “We need to build his fitness level and after that, he will be ready.
“The decision is with the national team. If they want to select the player, they can. It’s not our decision.”
Midfielder Luke O’Nien is serving the first match of a three-game suspension for being dismissed in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City last Saturday.
Full-back Kieran Trippier (thigh) is out for Newcastle, while goalkeeper Nick Pope and midfielder Joelinton (both groin), defenders Sven Botman (back) and Emile Krafth (knee) and forwards Yoane Wissa (illness) and William Osula (ankle) are doubts.
How to watch Sunderland v Newcastle: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Sunday is at 14:00 GMT (09:00 ET / 06:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.
Streaming is available on a vast variety of devices via the Sky GO app
Sunderland v Newcastle stats
- Sunderland are unbeaten in their last nine league games against Newcastle (W6 D3)
- That is their longest ever unbeaten league run in the history of the fixture, although they lost the most recent derby in all competitions 3-0 at home in an FA Cup third round tie in January 2024
- Arsenal are the only other team unbeaten in this season’s division, with Sunderland winning four and drawing three of their 2025/26 league games at the Stadium of Light
- They have more points at home this season (15) than they won across their last campaign in the top flight (14 in 2016/17)
- Only Burnley (12.3) have a lower expected goals (xG) total in the Premier League this season than Sunderland (13), whose 18 goals mean they rank fourth for xG overperformance this term (+5)
- Newcastle have lost their last three away league games against Sunderland – more than they had in their previous 21 visits combined (W6 D13 L2)
- They’ve never lost four in a row away to the Mackems before
- The EFL Cup holders have both scored and conceded a goal in each of their last eight Premier League games, last having a longer such run in the top division between December 1960 and March 1961 (13 games)
- After a run of 22 Premier League games without a goal, Anthony Gordon is now aiming to score in a third successive such game for the first time in his career and become the first Newcastle player to score a penalty in three consecutive matches in the division
- Bruno Guimaraes has scored five Premier League goals this season, only netting more in a single campaign in 2023/24 (7). All five have come in home games, while nine of his last 10 overall have come at St James’ Park
Sunderland v Newcastle prediction
Sunderland
Newcastle
Sunderland can enhance their strong home record against opponents who have had three days’ less rest and only won away for the first time in the league this season two weeks ago, albeit in emphatic style at Everton.
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