The Tyne Wear Derby Preview

The Tyne-Wear derby is a local North East derby between Newcastle United FC and

Sunderland AFC. This weekend Newcastle's St James' Park hosts the tempestuous fixture and believe me it's not one you'd want to miss.

It will be the 144th Derby between the two clubs and Newcastle lead with 53 wins to Sunderland's 45 and 45 have been draws. Sunderland could also win their third consecutive derby, not many Black Cats fans can say they lived to see that happen(in 1923). I’m sure there are a few of you that have never even heard of these two places because lets be honest they are two of the not so recognisable teams in the world but for the locals football is not just a game it's their entire life, without a doubt. The two teams passion for their clubs is unrivalled and because of that I thought I just have to write something on The Geordies vs The Mackems. 

There is to a certain extent some hatred between the two teams supporters which sometimes can get out of hand. Due to that a decision was made (apparently by both clubs) that this fixture will be a "bubble" match meaning the Black Cats fans will not be allowed to make their own way to and from the match on February 1 as fans will be forced to travel to and from St James’ Park on designated supporter coaches. Enough of the off field dynamics lets get to on field matters arising. (sometimes touchline shenanigans)

Paolo celebrating the second of 3 goals.

Who will forget the last derby at St James' Park with former Sunderland coach Paolo Di Canio running down the touchline and celebrating his teams 3-0 victory or in 05/06 at the Stadium of Light with Michael Chopra scoring with his first touch after coming on as a substitute (Sunderland led 1-0) and then goals from Alan Shearer, Charles N'Zogbia and Albert Luque turned the game on it's head, giving the visitors a 4-1 win.

Shearer loved scoring Derby goals.

Gus Poyet stands on the brink of greatness on wearside with the League Cup Final coming up as well as him trying to stave off relegation, should he succeed that is. As for Alan Pardew, he stares an ominous record in the face, that he could lose three derby's in a row to lets be honest a derisory team compared to his one, it's something the (Sunderland) fans will never let him forget. Pardew has only won one of six derby's and has never beaten Sunderland at St James’ Park. So for me he has to win Saturday even with Sunderland nine places behind them on the log and Newcastle 8th.

Sunderland's key man is undoubtedly Adam Johnson who besides having played well in the derby he has been in superb form under Poyet(scoring 6 goals in the last 6 games) and if Sunderland are to win he will have to be superb again. Interestingly enough I do see him switching to the right wing (at least that's what I would do) I mean if you had a choice of Davide Santon and Mathieu Debuchy I'd choose the former any day.

Newcastle have scored 10 more goals than Sunderland and conceded 8 less and they at home' granted they have notable omissions Remy(suspended) Cabaye(sold to PSG) and club captain Coloccini(knee) but with a stronger squad at their disposal and the arrival of loanee Luuk De Jong let alone they due a win in the derby.

So everything points to a Magpies victory,  but football's a funny game.

Jade Christopher Bentley Adams (@jcba)