Newcastle United vs Sunderland Watch Live Streaming in HD
TEAM NEWS
Newcastle striker Loic Remy begins a three-match suspension following his sending off against Norwich in midweek.
Fellow forwards Papiss Cisse and Yoan Gouffran remain injury doubts, while loan signing Luuk de Jong is available but lacks match fitness.Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher is a doubt with a niggling Achilles problem, but Phil Bardsley should be fit.
This week's new signings Ignacio Scocco and Liam Bridcutt are unlikely to start the game.
MATCH PREVIEW
The midweek fixtures and the mayhem of the transfer window closing have meant a lower key build-up to derby day than usual.
Newcastle United vs Sunderland Watch Live Streaming in HD
Where normally the whole of Tyne and Wear discusses nothing else for weeks beforehand, other issues such as Newcastle's transfer policy/general future direction and Sunderland's run to the Capital One Cup final/climb out of the bottom three have taken precedence.Until now, of course. Now - to well into next week - it's all about one of football's fiercest rivalries.
Sunderland have the chance to win three derbies in a row for the first time since 1923, and on form you might even make them slight favourites to do so.
The Black Cats are unbeaten in three Premier League games, have only lost one of their last eight, and won five of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Adam Johnson's sudden, spectacular return to form has been instrumental, with talk of an England recall after 18 months out of favour turning from whimsical to warranted.
Now he's set for his 200th Premier League appearance, on the ground where he scored one of Sunderland's three without reply last April. The man who that day slid to his knees in celebration said that he felt Johnson could improve by 50%. On that score, Paolo Di Canio was right.
Newcastle have improved markedly since that day, as a current points tally 16 higher than at the same stage last year testifies. BUT - there's always a but with Newcastle - they're not convincing at the moment.
With only one win in six to celebrate, and having failed to score in four of their last five league games, you can understand Toon fans' concerns - especially after the sale of Yohan Cabaye (see stats below).
There's no Loic Remy for this one either, although if that means a start for Shola Ameobi then those same fans should be rubbing their hands. There's something about Sunderland that Shola just loves to hate!
MATCH FACTS
Newcastle United vs Sunderland Watch Live Streaming in HD
Head-to-headVictory would give Sunderland three successive league wins against Newcastle - a feat they last achieved on 22 December 1923.
The 23 previous Premier League encounters have produced nine Newcastle wins, nine draws and five Sunderland victories.
There have been five red cards in the last seven league games between the sides. However, this season's meeting at the Stadium of Light produced only two yellow cards.
Newcastle United
The Magpies have failed to score in four of their last five league games.
Newcastle have won four of 20 Premier League games without Yohan Cabaye since he made his debut in August 2011 (D4, L12).
They have lost their last two league games at St James' Park - a third defeat would be their worst home run since losing their final three matches of last season. That sequence began with a 3-0 loss to Sunderland on 14 April.
Including cup competitions, the Magpies have lost their last three home games.
Shola Ameobi has gone 28 Premier League games without a goal since scoring the winner against QPR in December 2012. However, he boasts seven goals in his last 10 north-east derbies - six of them scored at St James' Park. Only the late, great Jackie Milburn has scored more derby goals for Newcastle.
Sunderland
The Black Cats have lost just one of their last eight league matches (W3, D4), and are unbeaten in their last five away from home (W2, D3).
Their last league match on the road was the 4-1 win at Fulham on 11 January - which was their biggest away win since beating Wigan by the same score in January 2012.
Victory would give Sunderland back-to-back away wins in the league for the first time in over two years. They last managed the feat under Martin O'Neill, beating QPR 3-2 on 21 December then Wigan 4-1 on 11 January.
Adam Johnson has scored or assisted each of Sunderland's last seven Premier League goals.
Newcastle United vs Sunderland Watch Live Streaming in HD
