Sunderland vs Newcastle match preview: Is the Tyne and Wear derby already a relegation tussle?

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at the Stadium of Light

(Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Jack Colback: Sunderland fans have not yet forgiven the English midfielder for defecting to Newcastle United in 2014. Colback’s feisty playing style was the driving force behind Newcastle last season; it will be crucial once again in a high stakes derby match.

Best stat…

15

The number of yellow cards shown by referees across the two Tyne-Wear derbies last season. There were no red cards in either fixture.

Remember when…

Adam Johnson ran a full sixty yards to volley home a 90th minute winner at St. James Park in December 2014. The victory lifted Sunderland four points clear of the relegation zone and saw Alan Pardew become the first Newcastle manager to lose four successive Tyne-Wear derbies. He resigned from the club to join Crystal Palace just three weeks later.

Player to watch…

Georginio Wijnaldum: All eyes are on the Dutch midfielder after he became the first Newcastle player to score four goals in a game since Alan Shearer. Sam Allardyce will likely pick the defensively disciplined Sebastian Larsson to play on the right side of midfield, creating an interesting tussle on this flank.

Past three-meetings…

Sunderland 1 (Defoe) Newcastle 0
Premier League, April 2015

Newcastle 0 Sunderland 1 (Johnson)
Premier League, December 2014

Newcastle 0 Sunderland 3 (Borini, Johnson, Colback)
Premier League, February 2014

Form guide…

Sunderland: LLLLDL

Newcastle: LLLDLW

Vital information…

Kick-off: 12:00, Sunday 25 October

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1, highlights on BBC1