Date: Saturday, February 1 Venue: St. James' Park Kick-Off: 12.45
Team News
Newcastle go into tomorrow's derby officially minus star man Yohan Cabaye, whose confirmed departure for Paris St. Germain leaves a hole in midfield. Up front, Loic Remy starts his three-match ban following his dismissal at Norwich and Papiss Cisse and Yoann Gouffran's injuries leave them in doubt. Despite victory at Stoke midweek, right-back Phil Bardsley left the field at half-time following an injury he remains in doubt. He could potentially join new signings Ignacio Scocco and Liam Bridcutt, who are deemed unlikely to receive derby debuts.
Key Stats
Newcastle failed to score in four of their last five games, and lost their last two games at St. James' Park (three if you include cups). Despite scoring seven goals in his last 10 Tyne-Wear derbies, Shola Ameobi goes into tomorrow's match without a goal in 28 Premier League games. In contrast, the Mackems have lost just one of their last eight league matches and are unbeaten in their last five away matches their previous outing being a 4-1 victory at Fulham. Adam Johnson has scored or assisted in Sunderland's previous seven league goals, and can help fire Sunderland to their first back-to-back victories since January last year.
Likely Line-Ups
Newcastle Krul, Debuchy, Santon, Tiote, Williamson, Taylor, Ben Arfa, Anita, De Jong, Sissoko, Sa. Ameobi Sunderland Mannone, Celuska, Alonso, Colback, O'Shea, Brown, Larsson, Ki, Altidore, Johnson, Borini
Match Preview
Despite their respective positions, the North-Eastern rivals come into the derby in very different moods born of their respective form. Newcastle remain goal-shy with four goalless games in five coupled with striker injuries and Loic Remy's suspension, Alan Pardew has a real headache up-front. Yohan Cabaye's departure can't help matters, and with Clement Grenier's move stalling the Magpies may lack a cutting edge. Yet on Wearside optimism reigns Gus Poyet's revival has seen a run of only one loss in eight, with four victories. Unbeaten in their last five away games, and with Newcastle currently enduring a barren run on home turf, they might never find a better time to play the Magpies. A lot will depend on the host's new signing Luuk de Jong and how he adapts to the Premier League if he doesn't hit the ground running, the Magpies may lack cutting edge against their biggest rivals. Prediction Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland source - bbc football
Durham University graduate and qualified sports journalist. Very good at sitting down and watching things. Can multi-task this with playing computer games. Football Manager addict who has taken Shrewsbury Town to the summit of the Premier League.
You can follow me at @Ed_OwenUK, if you like ramblings about Newcastle United and A Place in the Sun. If you don't, I don't know what I can do for you.
