Paul Merson has given his verdict on what the result will be between Sunderland and Newcastle United on Sunday.
It is almost time for the first Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League since March 2016, as Eddie Howe prepares to take his Newcastle United side to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland will start the game above the Magpies in the table, while they are full of confidence following their impressive return to the top flight.
But Newcastle United should have confidence too given their quality, with Anthony Gordon finding form at the right time.
What’s your favourite ever derby day moment?
The 5-1 win under Hughton was so special!
Confidence would be even greater had Newcastle beaten Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but an 88th minute equaliser meant they could only pick up a point.
Now their attention turns to Sunday, for what Paul Merson has described as the ‘big derby’.
Newcastle United expected to draw with Sunderland
While there are nerves across Tyneside and Wearside, there is excitement from neutrals regarding Sunday’s game.
That includes former Arsenal and England forward Paul Merson, who has given his verdict on what the result will be for Sportskeeda.
“What a game,” he said.
“The big derby returns to the Premier League! We say this every week but Sunderland have been unbelievable, haven’t they? No matter how many times we say it, this performance on their return to the top-flight never loses its shine.
“Newcastle are scoring goals, but they just can’t keep a clean sheet. The last time they prevented a team from scoring was seven games ago against Athletic Club in the Champions League.
“If you go player for player on paper, it’s a Newcastle win. But I can assure you that this game can never be won on paper! The Stadium of Light will be absolutely rocking and Sunderland will put up a strong fight.
“I hate doing it but I’m going to have to sit on the fence here. Draw for me.”
Merson’s prediction: Sunderland 1 Newcastle United 1.
- Tyne-Wear derby: Newcastle United record vs Sunderland ahead of the first Premier League encounters in a decade
Who remembers what Gordon said to Trai Hume after this incident in the last derby?😂
Gordon was well up for the fight last time out at the Stadium of Light!
The last time Newcastle United beat Sunderland in the Premier League
When Newcastle United beat Sunderland in January 2024, it was in the FA Cup. Howe’s side were massive favourites at the time, boasting a Champions League calibre team against one that was struggling in the Championship.
Newcastle got the bragging rights, as expected.
But when it comes to the Premier League, the Magpies’ recent record against their biggest rivals is a concern.
They have gone nine Premier League games in a row without a win over Sunderland, with Newcastle’s last league win in the derby coming in August 2011 at the Stadium of Light.
On that day, Ryan Taylor scored the only goal of the game with a free-kick to give Alan Pardew’s side victory on Wearside. Taylor became a Newcastle United legend that day, and now it is up to a member of the current Toon squad to create their own legacy in the derby.