Overview
- Kick-off is 12:00 GMT at St James’ Park, with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League and in the US on USA Network, plus streaming via Sky Go, NOW, the NBC Sports app, FuboTV and Peacock.
- Newcastle are assessing Sandro Tonali after a groin issue in Barcelona, with Bruno Guimarães, Fabian Schär and Lewis Miley still out, while Sunderland await late calls on Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Robin Roefs and Enzo Le Fée.
- Eddie Howe’s side enter off a 7–2 Champions League loss at Barcelona yet have posted back-to-back league wins over Manchester United and Chelsea, with Anthony Gordon chasing a third straight Premier League goal.
- Sunderland won December’s reverse fixture 1–0 and are unbeaten in their last 10 league derbies against Newcastle, with a victory today likely to lift them above their rivals given the two-point gap reported in previews.
- The rivalry’s intensity is underscored by past flashpoints, including a 21-man melee in March 2012 that led to FA misconduct charges and fines of £40,000 for Newcastle and £20,000 for Sunderland.