Newcastle Vs Sunderland Match Preview

After a yearlong absence the return of the Tyne and Wear derby has returned and its building up to be the biggest one to date.

Newcastle will play host to its bitter rivals come this time tomorrow, in what will be no doubt, an atmospheric encounter.

Sunderland welcome back left back Kieran Richardson after a month out with a hamstring tear and Elmohamady after he recovered from an ankle injury he picked up last week.

Newcastle however will be without defender Stephen Taylor, who has just returned to training but the game comes too soon for him. They will also be without Sol Campbell who has been ruled out with a thigh injury.

This match will the 144th time these sides have meet, with the majority of the statistics falling in Newcastle favour, winning 51 and drawing 46.

But Sunderland will be buoyed regardless of the 46 they have won, as they have one over on their rivals when they courageously beat the Toon Army 2-1 at the Stadium of Light in 2008, thanks to then on loan striker Djibril Cisse and a thunderous free kick from Kieran Richardson.

Statistics aside, this game could be a turning point for both sides, for Sunderland this could give them the confidence boost to challenge for their highest place finish since 2002 or even that one better and push for Europe.

For Newcastle, it could add more their impressive start to the season, ending a poor string of home results and also easing the pressure off manager Chris Hughton.

But there is one Geordie who is eagerly anticipating the fixture, Steve Bruce and he believes it`s the one game that matters most.



e told the Shields Gazette "This is the game the area thrives on; the North East needs this game.

"I can say this, because I'm from here - but there`s not much else to write to write home about in the North East in terms of entertainments - it`s all about football for the working class.

There is so much passion involved in it, I know that, even though I`ve never been to one or been involved with one, and I'm looking forward to it.

"I`ve been looking forward to it since the fixture list came out, because I know it`s such an event."

This game will be exciting, it will be enthralling and of course it`s going to be very passionate.

Whatever the result is, it will surely be a spectacle to watch or listen to.

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