The Tyne-Wear Derby, Newcastle United vs Sunderland AFC is finally back, as it will be staged for the first time since 2016. That is the magic of the FA Cup 3rd round. This rivalry has been staged 156 times (excluding friendlies) and we are all square!
Sunderland and Newcastle have each emerged victorious on on 53 previous occasions.
FA Cup Third Round FYIs
Newcastle United at Sunderland
Kick: Sat. Jan. 6, 12:45pm, Stadium of Light, Manchester, UK
Newcastle United Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Book on the Premier League authored by The Sports Bank Founder Paul M. Banks: go here
Fun Fact: Only if you’re a Sunderland supporter, who are undefeated in their last nine (W6D3) against their local rivals.
The two sides have split the spoils on 50 times previously (the intro graphic here is a little bit off). Sunderland have existed at a full tier below Newcastle in the English football pyramid for five years now, but in the half-decade that preceded the Black Cats demotion to the Championship they have dominated the Geordies.
The series may be even Steven all-time, but Sunderland has owned it as of late. Let’s take a look at what lineup Eddie Howe might select in order to turn the beat around at the Stadium of Light.
And what a fun venue name that is say: “the Stadium of Light.”
Newcastle United Starting XI Prediction at Sunderland
Martin Dubravka; Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff; Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak, Jamaal Lascelles
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.