🏆 Sunderland (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

It's back. The first Tyne and Wear derby in seven and a half years is finally here. 

It may feel like horrible timing - our form has plummeted, the pressure is on, we've lost seven of our last eight and our injury crisis isn't getting much better - but it's equally a massive opportunity for Eddie Howe and the players to atone for the damaging month we've just experienced.

We looked wide open in a committed but naive display at Anfield on Monday. It ended 4-2, yet the Reds created enough chances to score seven or eight. That said, the Mackems have also shot themselves in the foot this week, with the pre-match chatter dominated by their laughable decision to put Newcastle United slogans and signage all over the Black Cats Bar ahead of our trip to the Stadium of Light. It's infuriated their fans and I'm not surprised!

Back to the match itself, Howe has had this to say ahead of the game: "Our next game is an next opportunity to turn our form around. We are very much focusing on our performance and trying to deliver the best account of ourselves we can. It is our opportunity to progress in the cup competition. We have to individually be at our best levels.

"I am expecting a good performance from us, we are ready. We know what this fixture means to everyone. We know the importance of this fixture. The players know what it means. For us it is important that we get back to winning ways.

"When the draw was made, I gave a couple of Geordies the opportunity to speak about it to set the scene. Behind the scenes they've played a role. The players know much it means to everybody. Sometimes you can overkill that, so it's been a case of how we're going to play, how we're going to execute what we need to do."

Team news

Kieran Trippier is facing a late fitness test, but Callum Wilson has been ruled out of the match alongside Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, and Javier Manquillo. Sandro Tonali remains suspended.

For the Mackems, winger Patrick Roberts is a "big doubt", but Michael Beale confirmed they have no other injury concerns following Monday's 2-0 win over Preston.

Predicted XI: Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

A lot will depend on Trippier's fitness, but I'm pretty certain that Burn will start, whether that be at left-back or centre-back. There'll be a temptation to hand Paul Dummett a start in a game that will mean so much to him. However, a full strength line-up is needed given the importance of this game, so Schar and Botman are likely to get the nod.

In midfield, I think we'll see Longstaff replace Miley and the return of Almiron out wide after he was benched at Anfield, allowing Joelinton to drop into a midfield three and Gordon to move back to the left.

Prediction: Sunderland 1-3 Newcastle

It may not be pretty but it doesn't have to be. It's imperative we win for so many reasons and I back us to get the job done.

We've been awful of late and consistently poor on the road for far too long, but this is a huge chance to kick-start our spiralling season and I think we'll see a response.

HOWAY THE LADS!