Newcastle United have Sunderland next.
A High Noon kick-off on Sunday at St James’ Park.
No doubt the the derby nerves kicking in for many fans.
However, on the Newcastle United side of things, it is really a case of the only thing to fear, is fear itself.
Sunderland saw a lot of luck and fine margins go their way early in the season but things have moved on,
I have watched a few of their recent matches and they have been woeful.
Twelve days ago they lost to rock bottom of the third tier Port Vale, it was impossible to tell which was a Premier League side and which the League One outfit.
The only Premier League match they have won in the last seven weeks was a 1-0 at Leeds. It was a shocking watch as Sunderland repeatedly fouled the home side and the only tactics from the Mackems was to hoof the ball forward.
Sunderland have only picked up 11 points from their last 14 PL matches and to give that some perspective, rock bottom Wolves have picked up 15 points in the same time period (Newcastle United 20 points).
Only two Premier League clubs have scored less than Sunderland’s paltry 30 goals and only twice in their last 20 matches (all competitions) have the Wearsiders managed more than one goal in a match. In Newcastle United’s last 12 Premier League home games, only once has Eddie Howe’s side failed to score at least two goals.
It isn’t a walkover on Sunday but so long as Newcastle United turn up and play to a decent standard, they will win.