The Premier League’s second Tyne-Wear derby of the season will feature two different managers taking charge. For the home team, fans will recognise former UEFA Cup-winning manager Dick Advocaat. On the away bench, John Carver has been tasked with the role of caretaker manager for the remainder of the season.
In the reverse of this encounter, it was Sunderland that triumphed with a 1-0 victory at James’s Park. Adam Johnson scored the winner in the 89th minute, with Newcastle unable to respond before the game ended.
Expectations
Over the past six Tyne-Wear derbies, Sunderland have dominated with four victories. Incredibly Newcastle have not been able to win once over those six games. John Carver’s Magpies will be under major pressure from their fans not to lose again to Sunderland.
The bad news for Newcastle fans is that Sunderland played pretty well in their recent 1-0 loss away to West Ham. Also, it does not help that Sunderland have a highly experienced manager in Advocaat. Despite having never managed in the Premiership, Advocaat should still be regarded with caution.
Comparatively, Sunderland are the only team here with anything really to play for. Newcastle are on 35 points and edging slowly closer to Premier League survival. In contrast, Sunderland have just 26 points are just one ahead of Burnley in 18th place. Sunderland have only managed to claim two points from their past 18.
Newcastle do not compare much better, having only earned four points from a possible 18. Complacency is the concern for Newcastle, with former manager Alan Pardew having done much of the hard work this season before leaving for the Crystal Palace job. Sunderland could use the appointment of Advocaat to generate some sudden momentum, as so often happens at this stage in a Premier League season.
Verdict
Tip one: Draw @ 3.2 with Betfair
Tip two: Over 1.5 Goals @ 1.44 with Betfair
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This feels like the type of game where neither team will quite assert its dominance. Newcastle are becoming complacent while Sunderland have a new manager. A draw with Betfair will get you odds of 3.2.
