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Preview: Sunderland vs Newc

Preview: Sunderland vs Newc


Preview: Sunderland vs Newc

In the 127th Tyne-Wear derby, Newcastle travel to the Stadium of Light in Saturday's early kick-off. Sunderland are sitting uncomfortably in 15th whilst their rivals are tenth, a win for either side will boost confidence for what has been for both a disappointing start to the season.

Both sides are desperately looking for a victory as Roy Keane's Black Cats (15th) are hovering over the relagation zone and Sam Allardyce's Toon (10th) have suffered two successive defeats coming into the Stadium of Light encounter, which is the 127th Wear-Tyne derby.

Roy Keane has accused his players of failing to step up after they extended their winless run to six league games with Monday's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

The result left Sunderland languishing in 15th place in the table and Keane lambasting the performance at Eastlands.

He said: "I've been in football long enough to know that you have to earn the right to get something out of a game.

"You have to step up and make it happen, that's why we are disappointed. There was an opportunity for us to get something out of the game and we let it pass by."

Allardyce wants improvement

Sam Allardyce will be keen for an improvement after last weekend's 4-1 drubbing by Portsmouth.

Big Sam said: "Disappointed is an understatement - I am devastated by what has happened. I am completely gutted inside," fumed manager Sam Allardyce afterwards.

"The players have be organised, understand how they should play, keep their shape, keep their discipline."

Newcastle are waiting on the fitness of Mark Viduka who has missed four games with a calf problem, and the Australian could prove a lucky charm as he has already scored in a North East derby against former club Middlesbrough this season.

Two players are suspended for the game on Wearside, with Greg Halford missing for Sunderland and Nicky Butt sitting out for Newcastle.

Teams

Sunderland (from): Gordon, Ward, McShane, Harte, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins, Edwards, Etuhu, Miller, Leadbitter, Wallace, Kavanagh, O'Donovan, Jones, Chopra, Connolly, Murphy, Stokes.

Newcastle (from): Harper, Forster, Beye, Enrique, Rozehnal, Taylor, Cacapa, Faye, Milner, Geremi, Emre, N'Zogbia, Barton, Smith, Pattison, Owen, Viduka, Martins, Ameobi.

Eyefootball Premiership Predictor

Sunderland 2-2 Newcastle

This game has goals written all over it, and Newcastle will be keen to make a point after their 4-1 defeat to Portsmouth last weekend. On the other hand, Sunderland are languishing in the bottom echeleons of the Premiership and need to grab three points - but won't quite do it. Expect drama, late goals, bookings and good football as the two sides battle for the result.

Goalscorer: Kenwyne Jones

Score: Sunderland 2-2 Newcastle