Match Preview

Sunderland V Newcastle Preview

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The big one! The day we get our revenge! A packed Stadium full of hatred and hunger to beat the enemy only 12 miles away from us.

Sunderland have had an amazing season so far, mainly with injuries but the 5-1 defeat in October was simply the worst thing to expect.

We now have heard a lot of talk and promises from the players but now we just want the win and bragging rights back.

A win would mean 36 points and a gap developing below us for Europe, a loss is…unthinkable.

Every Sunderland fan needs to be at their loudest and dedicated to the team and with our passion will come the the points.

Ha’way the lads!

Vital Quotes: Steve Bruce

“I remember in the Newcastle game Jordan Henderson made his first run forward and when he was trying to get back it was like he was pulling a caravan.

“That was in the first ten minutes, which was just the occasion, and that is what can happen. It gets to you, you get edgy and nervy and before you know it the game has gone. Hopefully we can gain the experience from it and it will help the young players.

“You all know Jordan, he can run up and down like the wind. I just remember him trying to get back and thinking ‘Jesus`. I looked at Elmohamady and Danny Welbeck, a few of them. To be fair we only had one player on the day and that was Phil Bardsley. I know for a fact we will be better, because we can`t be any worse.”

Bruce said the 5-1 defeat helped his players become stronger by adding:

“There was a turning point. Possibly Stoke – the first game after – not Chelsea, was the most important. Then we went to Tottenham on the Wednesday and got a result there too.

“The response from the team was terrific and in the ten, 11 and then 12 games since then the response has been terrific.

“We`ve got something like 20 points, which is a great return for us and we needed to do that.”



Sunderland Team News:

Sunderland could have three massive players back for the game of the season at Wearside.

Nedum Onuoha should return to his right back role, moving Bardo to the left and Richardson to midfield.

The news that both Cattermole and Welbeck have a realistic chance of starting is also a big boost for every Sunderland fan.

Bent and Gyan will play together looking to become the new hero on Wearside as we aim for revenge.

Player to watch: Jordan Henderson

Local lad Jordan from Farringdon will be well up for this game and still hurting from the last time he played against our bitter rivals.

His late appearance in the FA Cup game showed his ability to turn a game and he will be supplying the drive in midfield.

Haway Jordan lad get stuck into them!

Newcastle Team News:

Andy ‘moving to Spurs soon’ Carroll will miss the game through his thigh injury.

Tiote misses the game after his appeal for his horror lunge was dismissed by the FA.

There is still doubts over Ameobi, Jonas and Enrique.

Player to watch: Shola Ameobi

Only ever plays well against us, the rest of the season he could not hit a barn door.

He needs to be silenced by Bramble and Ferdinand and the main way to do this is to stop Barton, or get him sent off, which shouldn’t take much!

Match Facts & Stats

This will be the 132nd league meeting between the clubs. Newcastle have 50 wins, compared to 41 for Sunderland.

Steve Bruce’s side have kept clean sheets in five of their last seven league games. In total it’s just four goals conceded in 631 Premier League minutes.

Ref Watch:

Referee: Howard Webb

Assistant referees: Trevor Massey & Glenn Turner

Fourth official: Mike Jones

Match Prediction:

Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle

Hate predicting this game but I feel we will be well up for this in a packed SoL and have a stronger squad on paper. Just need to show up and put the effort in and climb to 5th in the league.

Next Fixtures: Blackpool (A)

Sunderland have a weekend on the seaside as they face the impressive Blackpool away next Saturday.

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