Game On! Sunderland v Newcastle
You spell it 'Howay'... So it's finally upon us. This game, this contest, this scrap between two factions divided by club colour and heritage. Families split, workplaces divided, this is one fixture that encapsulates a region like no other.
No doubt the nerves are jangling, tensions are rising, passion overflowing. We all have our little routine when it comes to Wear-Tyne derby day and that only ends when the first ball is kicked.
Unfortunately it is hard to get away from the fact that all too often in recent times the bragging rights have been firmly housed on Wearside. But we have to hope that we can stop the rot at the Stadium of Light and take at least a share of the spoils. I mean anything can happen on derby day, right?
The history of the fixture would suggest so as it points out that both sides are pretty much level in terms of wins against the other. You can read that history, injury news, player availability, stats, facts and more in our match preview which you can get to by clicking here.
The game itself is live on Sky Sports so if you're not one of the lucky 2,800 Newcastle fans present at the Stadium of Light there are other means of watching the game unfold. I'd suggest looking in the 'comments' section as you can normally pick up a stream or two courtesy of our very thoughtful regulars.
The same can be said for team, I will publish it as soon as I can but most likely it will be available in the 'comments' before I get a chance to get it live on here.
There isn't much more to say. Are you ready?
Howay the lads!
Sunderland: Costel Pantilimon; DeAndre Yedlin, Younes Kaboul, John O’Shea, Billy Jones; Lee Cattermole, Yann M’Vila; Adam Johnson, Ola Toivonen, Jeremain Lens; Steven Fletcher
Subs: Vito Mannone, Patrick van Aanholt, Sebastian Coates, Sebastian Larsson, Jordi Gomez, Duncan Watmore, Jermain Defoe
Newcastle: Rob Elliot; Daryl Janmaat, Chancel Mbemba, Fabricio Coloccini, Paul Dummett; Moussa Sissoko, Cheik Tiote, Jack Colback, Georginio Wijnaldum; Ayoze Perez, Aleksandar Mitrovic
Subs: Freddie Woodman, Massadio Haidara, Jamaal Lascelles, Vurnon Anita, Siem de Jong, Florian Thauvin, Papiss Cisse
