Special Match Preview: Sunderland AFC Vs Newcastle United

A special match preview of this Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby.

By Brian_Cummins@GotDaGroove Oct 22, 2015, 11:46pm BST

Prior to Sunday 14th April 2013, I'd only seen my beloved Sunderland beat our rivals 4 times in my entire lifetime. I tended to view derbies with nothing but dread. But that Sunday at a gloomy, depressing St James' Park something beautiful occurred. Sprouting out of that washed out, bleak, gray, lopsided, hell hole something colourful bloomed. A dawning of a new era. The birth of a new period of dominance. A gift that would keeping giving derby upon derby.

A defeat wouldn't be the end of the world which ever way I look at it, nothing lasts forever and they're due a derby win. It will take more than three points to erase the prolonged nightmare from the minds of the great unwashed from the dark side. From a points perspective I remain unworried too. With plenty to play for, this early season derby lacks the pressure that the reverse fixture could bestow on us, should we find ourselves in the danger zone come March of course. That's not say that defeat wouldn't damage us, far from it, the sooner we get that first win on the board the better.

It's with this in mind I look forward to Sunday's derby without showing fear. Nerves can transfer to the players after all so lets channel them to our finger tips, It's a day to stand proud and blow the roof off the Stadium of Light. It's also the chance set records and to kick start our season. There's more to gain than lose but don't expect to keep your fingernails.

Match Appointments

Referee: Robert Madley

Assistants: D Bryan & J Brooks

Fourth Official: M Dean

Sunderland Team News

Ola Toivonen, Jack Rodwell and Duncan Watmore are all major doubts while Fabio Borini faces a late fitness test. Sebastian Coates and Jeremain Lens are both available after serving a 1 match suspension.

Newcastle Team News

Shteeve may stick with the same side which beat Norwich. Rolando Arrons and Kevin Mbabu are back in training and should be available for selection. Tim Krul is out.

Last 5ive meetings

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Sunday 14 April 2013 | St. James' Park | Referee: Howard Webb | Attendance 52,355

NEWCASTLE 0-3 SUNDERLAND

Stéphane Sessègnon(27)