Alan Shearer has cast his eye over Newcastle United and Sunderland.
The two clubs set to go into an international break lasting three weeks.
Ahead of that though there is the final Premier League round of matches.
Newcastle United facing Hull City at 3pm this afternoon.
Alan Shearer ahead of kick-off saying to Betfair : “This is a big game for Newcastle. Hull have been brilliant and are still unbeaten. No one ever would have predicted that. But their run might come to an end on Saturday. I’m going to go home win for Newcastle, but they have to bounce back. They cannot afford another performance like they had on Monday against Leeds. Hull have definitely been a surprise package so far in the Premier League. They’ve been amazing in everything they’ve done. Scoring two against Chelsea should have seen them beat them last week, but they got a good result anyway, but it would have been amazing if they would have taken all three points. They’ve been brilliant in every department.”
Even though so early in the season, this feels like a significant match for Matthias Jaissle and his players.
A win for Newcastle United would see them on eight points from the opening five Premier League matches and potentially in the top six heading into the international break. Which when combined with having a place in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup would be a situation we would all have happily taken before a ball was kicked this season.
To get that big win today though, Alan Shearer explaining: “Newcastle need to be better in everything they do, because Monday night was nowhere near good enough. It was miles off what we’ve seen. They were bullied. Leeds did to Newcastle what Newcastle were doing to teams a few years ago, where they bullied them. And that can’t happen too many times. So that has to change on Saturday and I think will. Home win for Newcastle.”
As for the Mackems, it is a 2pm kick-off on Sunday away at Manchester City.
Alan Shearer confident on what will happen to Sunderland: “Home win for City. Sunderland are in Europe for the first time this season Wednesday which is not going to help them. City were very impressive at Old Trafford last weekend despite the 10 men. They’ll have too much for Sunderland.”
A Man City win could see Sunderland in the relegation zone heading into the international break, if other results go against them.