Sunderland v Newcastle Preview: Team news and stats

Modified Oct 27, 2013 12:55 GMT

One of the feistiest games of the Premier League season shows its face once more. Sunderland vs. Newcastle; Tyne vs. Toon. The North East derby is one of the biggest games of every season and Alan Pardew and his squad bustling with Frenchman will want revenge for their 3-0 defeat in the previous derby last season. Newcastle are struggling to find any real form and sit in mid-table. Meanwhile, Sunderland haven’t won a game yet and have a new manager already. They are bottom of the league with one point from eight matches, meaning Gus Poyet has an unbelievably difficult job on his hands.

Team news

Newcastle United

Central defender Steven Taylor is fighting to be fit in time for the match following his return to training from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for the majority of the season. Fabricio Coloccini is Alan Pardew’s only serious concern as he will be out of action until Christmas time with a pelvic injury sustained on international duty. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will miss the trip to Sunderland through suspension after his sending off against Liverpool for hauling down Luis Suarez in the penalty area. Ryan Taylor is still missing with a knee injury.

Sunderland

There are no real injury worries for Gus Poyet apart from the ongoing problems faced by Wes Brown.

Recent Form

Sunderland have suffered badly all season, gaining just one point in a 1-1 draw with Southampton. They have lost all other games, conceding 20 goals and scoring just four. They are drifting away from the rest of the league and risk losing too much ground too early as they already trail Cardiff City – the fourth bottom side – by seven points and are 10 points behind their local rivals.

Players to Watch

Sunderland – Adam Johnson

Johnson’s pace can always cause problems and with him consistently able to cut in onto his left foot, the threat of him shooting becomes more apparent as a match goes on. His goal in the last North East derby is the warning sign for Davide Santon to heed. However, his shot accuracy is abysmal at 11% having hit just one shot on target and eight shots off.

Johnson is one of the more creative players in the Premier League this season, though, having created a total of 16 chances but has not assisted a goal yet. If Sunderland are to threaten Newcastle at all, Johnson needs to be on top of his game, causing problems down Newcastle’s left flank.

Newcastle United – Loic Remy

Signed on loan from Queens Park Rangers, Remy has provided the goals that were missing from Papiss Cisse‘s game. In his six Premier League games this season, the Frenchman has scored an impressive five goals. His pace and trickery will be a real test for Sunderland’s defence as Remy will consistently make runs in behind in an attempt to be played through on goal. He has a 53% shot accuracy this season, firing eight shots on target and 7 off. Remy is the point of an exciting attack for the Magpies, with Hatem Ben Arfa and Yoan Gouffran in support constantly.

If Newcastle win, Remy is sure to be involved in the goals in one way or another.

Prediction

To use an old cliché: the form book goes out of the window for this one. Both sets of players will be fired up for what is one of the most hotly contested games in England football. Sunderland are on an awful run and I do think that may play a part at the Stadium of Light. Newcastle’s attacking players are too good for Sunderland’s poor defence which will concede three more goals by my prediction.

Jack’s prediction: Sunderland 1-3 Newcastle United