One of the most entertaining rivalries in England is on show again this weekend.
The Tyne-Wear Derby is one of the most contentious rivalries in the British Isles, and it tends to be a fun one to watch unfold when Sunderland and Newcastle get together. You get fireworks on the pitch, fireworks on the touchline, and sometimes fireworks outside the stadium -- though hopefully no police horses get punched this time.
When last these two teams met, Sunderland walked out with a shock 1-0 win at Newcastle in December, a loss that heralded a serious slip in form that the Tynesiders are still reeling from, with just three wins since then. It's not as though Sunderland have fared much better on Wearside, managing just two wins in the same time and hovering just over the relegation zone. Both sides have replaced their managers since then, with former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew leaving for Crystal Palace and Sunderland firing Gus Poyet last month.
Now it's time for Dick Advocaat to host John Carver in the pair's first Derby matchup. Hopefully this event lives up to the billing, and it's the first of many such matchups to come between these two managers.
Key player - Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle)
The story for Newcastle lately has been one of frustration, but when Sissoko plays well, they at least play better and stand a better chance of earning a result. They need to get him going early, and if he can find space behind Sunderland's shaky midfield, he can make this Derby day a very sour one for the home crowd.
Key Matchup - John O'Shea (Sunderland) vs. Ayoze Perez (Newcastle)
Newcastle's young striker Perez had a bright run in the side earlier this season, but has struggled for quite some time now, and hasn't scored since late December. He's had a few good performances lately, though, and his quickness up top could be a mis-match for a fairly slow-footed Sunderland defense, particularly for the aging O'Shea. If there's any matchup Newcastle can exploit to get the win, this is the one.
Sunderland injuries and suspensions
Out: Wes Brown (knee), Ricky Alvarez (knee), Emanuele Giaccherini (foot), Will Buckley (knee) In doubt: None
Newcastle injuries and suspensions
Out: Fabricio Coloccini (suspended), Papiss Cisse (suspended), Jan Alnwick (wrist), Rolando Aarons (thigh), Siem De Jong (chest), Cheik Tiote (knee), Paul Dummett (knee), Steven Taylor (calf) In doubt: Mehdi Abeid (thigh), Curtis Good (unspecified), Massadio Haidara (knee)
Newcastle are badly beaten up right now, with two key starters and leaders out suspended and a host of other players injured to varying degrees, giving John Carver a tremendously difficult task to put together a cogent and competitive side. Sunderland are much luckier, though their attacking depth is a little thin thanks to the injuries to Alvarez and Giaccherini.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 11:00 a.m. ET, 4:00 p.m. local
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), TSN2 (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky GO (U.K.)
Source SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1NSQIhm
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