Sunderland v Newcastle United has a reputation as one of the fiercest derbies in England – and for good reason.
In the 26 Premier League meetings between Newcastle United and Sunderland, there have been six red cards and 131 yellows.
An average of 4.68 yellow cards per game is a Premier League record. There have also been plenty of decisive free-kicks and penalties scored when the two sides have met.
The fixture is a mental and disciplinary battle as much as it is a physical one.Sunderland getting pumped up ahead of Newcastle United
The first Premier League derby match in almost a decade has plenty of hype surrounding it. Rather than the relegation six-pointers of years gone by, Sunderland head into the game a point ahead of their rivals in the table.
Newcastle are looking to secure another European finish while Sunderland, although initially just aiming to remain in their Premier League following promotion, have enjoyed a positive start to the season.
While Newcastle have been competing in the Champions League this week, Sunderland have had full focus on the derby match.
Sunderland defender Omar Alderete revealed the derby match has engrossed the squad this week.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, the Black Cats’ summer signing said: “When I first landed in [Newcastle] airport when I signed – I was getting off the plane and people in the airport were telling me how important this match is!
“I’ve played in derbies before – I know how big this game is and how important it is. It’s all the players have been talking about this week.
“They’ve played all the videos of previous Derby games in the training ground – lots of clips on social media too – but after the weekend I’m sure there’ll be lots more good clips for Sunderland!”
Eddie Howe measured when looking ahead to Sunderland clash
While Sunderland are getting hyped ahead of the derby, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe is looking to strike the right balance as his squad face a quick turnaround from their trip to Bayer Leverkusen.
After the Sunderland match, The Magpies have an important Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham at St James’ Park three days later.
“If you don’t get the arousal levels right and you hype it up too much or hype the players up too much, we can go out and then not perform because we’re overthinking things, we’re not playing the game, we’re playing the atmosphere,” Howe said.
“You need cool heads. But you also need to have the fire in there. If the fire’s not there in this type of game, then you’re not going to perform either.
“So it’s a balancing act and trying to get the players in the right frame of mind.”
Sunderland duo facing Premier League ban after derby boost
While Sunderland rejoiced at having their two key midfielders Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki available for the Newcastle match amid a looming Premier League suspension, they are still at real risk of a ban.
The Sunderland duo have four Premier League bookings to their name so far this season and a fifth booking would see them banned for one match. Given the tendency for yellow cards in these matches, they will not only have to get through the Newcastle match but also the upcoming games against Brighton, Leeds United and Manchester City in order to avoid a suspension.
But that might just have to be the host of a positive result on Sunday.
Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien is suspended for the match following his red card against Manchester City. He will also miss the Brighton and Leeds matches as a result.
Newcastle have Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton on three bookings in the Premier League this season. The trio will have to avoid another two bookings in the upcoming matches against Sunderland, Chelsea, Manchester United and Burnley in order to escape suspension.