Sunderland – Newcastle

Sunderland host Newcastle in what promises to be a tightly contested league fixture, with the Black Cats sitting a place above the Black Cats in the table. Sunderland sit 14th with four points from one win, one draw and two defeats, having scored three and conceded five. Newcastle occupy tenth place, holding five points after an unbeaten run of one win and two draws, and they boast a slightly better goal difference at six for and four against. The last‑time the two sides met, the encounter was closely fought, and both teams will be keen to improve their positions as the season edges toward its crucial phase.