Newcastle will have their shortest trip of the season as they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. It's the first time the two have faced off since 2016 and Newcastle are without a win against their bitter rivals in their last five matches. However, a lot has changed since 2016 so here is the Sunderland vs Newcastle preview, including the prediction, team news, lineups & how to watch on TV...
Sunderland vs Newcastle preview
First, let's start with some information on how to watch Sunderland vs Newcastle on TV...
How to watch Sunderland vs Newcastle on TV
When is kick off? Saturday 6 Jan, 2024
What time is kick off? 12:45 (GMT)
Where is it played? Stadium of Light, Sunderland
TV channel/live stream? STV, STV Player, ITVX, ITV1
Newcastle team news
Eddie Howe enters his first ever Tyne-Wear Derby with a depleted squad, but this is nothing new for him this season. Starting between the sticks, Nick Pope will not play as he has suffered a long-term shoulder injury.
Defenders Matt Target, Kieran Trippier and Javier Manquillo will also miss this match as they have suffered respective hamstring and groin injuries. Although, there is more hope for Trippier, who is tipped to make his return in this match.
Midfielders Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson will miss this match through injury, with fellow midfielder Sandro Tonali also suspended and unavailable for action in this short away trip.
Attackers Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes are injured and will miss out, although the latter should be close to a return soon, if his return timeline is to be believed.
Sunderland team news
How is the Sunderland team looking nowadays? Well, they don't have many injuries, but the ones they do have are long-term.
As per FotMob, the players missing for Sunderland in this match include Niall Huggins, Jay Matete, Dennis Cirkin, Corry Evans and Bradley Dack.
Predicted Sunderland vs Newcastle lineups
Predicted Sunderland lineup vs Newcastle: Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Ballard, Alese; Ekwah, Neil, Bellingham; Pritchard, Ba, Clarke
Predicted Newcastle lineup vs Sunderland: Dubravka; Krafth, Lascelles, Botman, Livramento; Miley, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Sunderland vs Newcastle prediction
Given our form, it's hard to be too confident heading into this game. However, the difference in the quality between the two squads should be enough to see us through. Besides, the FA Cup is our only shot of silverware this season, so I think Howe will go full throttle. My prediction is Sunderland 0-2 Newcastle.
Where in the world will you be watching Sunderland vs Newcastle?