The international break is nearly upon us, with clubs heading into a brief hiatus after Sunday. The action on the day in the Premier League will start with Newcastle United vs Sunderland at St. James’ Park, with the two local rivals competing in a Tyne-Wear Derby at the ground for the first time in a decade.
Newcastle United would have hoped for a much better campaign after entering the 2025/26 season on the back of winning the 2024/25 EFL Cup and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. However, progressing to the round of 16 in the continental event will be the high point for the Tyneside outfit this term.
The Champions League campaign ended in a whimper for Newcastle United, as Barcelona cruised to a 7-2 win at Spotify Camp Nou to secure a spot in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, the Magpies will head into Sunday’s Derby in the bottom half of the Premier League table, although they are on a two-game winning run in the top flight.
On the other hand, Sunderland’s frustrating run in the Premier League continued last week, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. The Black Cats have won only two of their last eight games in all competitions, with the struggles primarily being in the Premier League. As a result, Regis Le Bris’s men have fallen into the bottom half of the table.
The reverse fixture ended in a 1-0 win for Sunderland, with Nick Woltemade scoring an own goal to condemn Newcastle United to a frustrating defeat. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Eddie Howe has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Newcastle United head coach may be bereft of the services of five first-team players vs Sunderland on Sunday.
Howe has been sweating over Sandro Tonali’s fitness, as the Italian international sustained a groin injury in the UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona earlier this week. He faces a late fitness test to determine his availability. However, Fabian Schar (ankle), Emil Krafth (knee), Bruno Guimaraes (hamstring), and Lewis Miley (thigh) remain in the treatment room.
Aaron Ramsdale will retain his spot between the sticks, with Newcastle United lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him vs Sunderland on Sunday. The backline will feature Valentino Livramento, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, and Lewis Hall.
As for the midfield unit, Joe Willock will line up in the middle of the park alongside Jacob Ramsey and Joelinton. Finally, Anthony Gordon will lead the line for Newcastle United against Sunderland, with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga being the two wide attackers.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Ramsey, Willock, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Unlike his counterpart in the Newcastle United dugout, Regis Le Bris has no new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to St. James’ Park. The Sunderland manager may be without as many as ten first-team players on Sunday.
Robin Roefs (thigh), Dan Ballard (hamstring), Reinildo Mandava (knee), Nordi Mukiele (calf), Enzo Le Fee (knock), and Wilson Isidor (muscular) face late fitness tests to determine their availability. However, Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle), Nilson Angulo (unspecified), Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Bertrand Traore (knee) remain in the treatment room.
Melker Ellborg will deputise for Robin Roefs between the sticks, with Sunderland lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him vs Newcastle United on Sunday. The backline will feature Lutsharel Geertruida, Luke O’Nien, Omar Alderete, and Reinildo Mandava. Trai Hume will deputise for Reinildo if he is not fit and available.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Habib Diarra, Granit Xhaka, and Noah Sadiki in the middle of the park. Finally, Brian Brobbey will spearhead the Sunderland attack against Newcastle United, with Chemsdine Talbi and Enzo Le Fee being the two wide attackers.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ellborg; Geertruida, Alderete, O’Nien, Reinildo; Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki; Le Fee, Brobbey, Talbi
While Brian Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi, and Jacob Ramsey were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Anthony Gordon as the Player to Watch for Sunday’s Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St. James’ Park.
The English international has not been at his best this season, but he has shown improved form in recent weeks. Gordon has scored in his last two Premier League games, and he could score in three consecutive appearances for the first time, with his next match his 175th in the top flight. So, he will be the go-to player in the final third for Eddie Howe.
Newcastle United may have suffered an embarrassing defeat to Barcelona earlier this week, but they showed incredible offensive endeavour in that match, scoring twice. With Sunderland slipping up in recent weeks and showing many holes at the back, the home side should be in contention to score multiple times again.
However, Newcastle United’s defensive shortcomings will also come to the fore, more so as they are missing pivotal figures in the middle of the park. But while Sunderland will take the game to Newcastle United, the hosts should eke out a narrow victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for Eddie Howe and his charges.
