Newcastle United is the sole representative of the North East in the Premier League, but are Sunderland and Middlesbrough close to earning promotions?
Newcastle United have claimed bragging rights for being the only team from the North East in the Premier League for the last two seasons. The Magpies’ traditional regional rivals – Sunderland and Middlesbrough – are doing their best to earn promotions, but there is still plenty of football yet to be played. Sunderland is currently playing their football in EFL League One while Middlesbrough are still in the EFL Championship.
Both teams have enjoyed strong starts to the season in the respective competitions. Sunderland have played one fewer game than league leaders Portsmouth, but a victory against Wycombe on Saturday would put the Black Cats in first place with 38 points after 17 matches. Sunderland’s relegation from the EFL Championship came as a surprise to its supporters, but, for the time being, they are on track to earn promotion back to the second tier of English football. Their current performance record consists of 10 victories, five draws and one defeat.
Middlesbrough is also enjoying a good run of form early on in the campaign as they currently occupy second place in the EFL Championship with 31 points from 17 matches. With eight victories, seven draws and two losses, the Boro are making the case for being a promotion contender this season, but the competition in the top half of the table is more intense than in previous campaigns. The difference between first-placed Norwich City (33) and tenth-placed QPR (26) is only seven points, so Middlesbrough still have a long way to go.
No Rivals? No Problem
Would it be nice to have at least one traditional rival in the Premier League to add more meaning to two matches during the season? Of course it would, but even without Sunderland and Middlesbrough in the Top Flight, Newcastle are managing just fine. Well, it would be more accurate to say that the Magpies have their own relegation battle to worry about at the moment so the current form of their rivals in lower leagues is of nominal interest.
From a neutral perspective, though, having Sunderland move up to the EFL Championship and having Middlesbrough earn promotion to the Premier League would be good for the North East of England. The region boasts the most passionate fans in the country and they deserve high quality football. The season in each league is far from over, but, for now, Newcastle’s rivals are contenders for promotion.