Sunderland put together to host rivals Newcastle United within the first Wear-Tyne derby within the Premier League in practically a decade.
BBC Sport examines a few of the key themes going into Sunday’s assembly on the Stadium of Light.
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Stadium of Fight
Sunderland’s place heading into the Wear-Tyne derby might not have been predicted by too a lot of their supporters earlier than the beginning of this marketing campaign.
The Black Cats at present sit one level and three locations increased than Newcastle United in ninth within the Premier League desk and boast considered one of solely two unbeaten residence information on this season’s competitors.
Leaders Arsenal are the one different English top-flight facet but to lose at residence and Sunderland’s means to bounce again in entrance of their very own supporters has been key to their profitable begin.
Regis le Bris’ facet have recovered 9 points from shedding positions in residence fixtures to this point this season – at the least two greater than every other membership.
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Such resolve means Sunderland have amassed 15 points at residence, which is already one level greater than their total residence whole throughout their most up-to-date Premier League season in 2016-17.
[BBC]
Midfield battle
If Sunderland are to keep up their wonderful report on the Stadium of Light, the midfield battle is more likely to be key.
Captain Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki have been massively spectacular in Sunderland’s engine room, beginning each Premier League match collectively to this point this season.
Xhaka has lined a league-high 167km, with Sadiki rating third of all gamers on 166km.
Similar ranges of vitality are more likely to be required in Sadiki’s remaining recreation earlier than he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations towards a formidable Newcastle midfield, which normally boasts a further participant – though Sunderland could also be boosted by the Magpies’ most popular midfield trio having performed in midweek.
[BBC]
Newcastle let one other lead slip
Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali all performed within the Champions League draw at Bayer Leverkusen, which was the newest instance of Newcastle failing to show a successful place into three points.
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They conceded an equaliser within the 88th minute towards Leverkusen and Alejandro Grimaldo’s late aim is reflective of Newcastle’s fragility within the Premier League.
Eddie Howe’s facet have dropped 11 points from successful positions, the joint most of any crew alongside Brentford, with Anthony Gordon subsequently questioning the mentality of the Magpies on Wednesday.
No Premier League facet has misplaced extra points from successful positions than Newcastle this season [BBC]
Howe additionally referenced the necessity to “stand up and be counted” following the European defeat, a mindset that will likely be required on Wearside this weekend.
Newcastle’s head coach, nevertheless, is just targeted on repeating the excellent FA Cup win on the Stadium of Light from two years in the past.
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“It means everything to me personally,” he mentioned. “I want to do the club, the city, our people proud.
“I need them to be pleased with the crew. I wish to be pleased with the gamers in order that’s my problem over the subsequent few days.”