Sunderland prepare to host rivals Newcastle United in the first Wear-Tyne derby in the Premier League in nearly a decade. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into Sunday's meeting at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland's position heading into the Wear-Tyne derby may not have been predicted by too many of their supporters before the start of this campaign.
Sunderland prepare to host rivals Newcastle United in the first Wear-Tyne derby in the Premier League in nearly a decade.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into Sunday's meeting at the Stadium of Light.
Stadium of Fight
Sunderland's position heading into the Wear-Tyne derby may not have been predicted by too many of their supporters before the start of this campaign.
The Black Cats currently sit one point and three places higher than Newcastle United in ninth in the Premier League table and boast one of only two unbeaten home records in this season's competition.
Leaders Arsenal are the only other English top-flight side yet to lose at home and Sunderland's ability to bounce back in front of their own supporters has been key to their successful start.
Regis le Bris' side have recovered nine points from losing positions in home fixtures so far this season – at least two more than any other club.
Such resolve means Sunderland have amassed 15 points at home, which is already one point more than their overall home total during their most recent Premier League season in 2016-17.
Midfield battle
If Sunderland are to maintain their excellent record at the Stadium of Light, the midfield battle is likely to be key.
Captain Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki have been hugely impressive in Sunderland's engine room, starting every Premier League match together so far this season.
Xhaka has covered a league-high 167km, with Sadiki ranking third of all players on 166km.
Similar levels of energy are likely to be required in Sadiki's final game before he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations against a formidable Newcastle midfield, which usually boasts an additional player - although Sunderland may be boosted by the Magpies' preferred midfield trio having played in midweek.
Newcastle let another lead slip
Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali all played in the Champions League draw at Bayer Leverkusen, which was the latest example of Newcastle failing to turn a winning position into three points.
They conceded an equaliser in the 88th minute against Leverkusen and Alejandro Grimaldo's late goal is reflective of Newcastle's fragility in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe's side have dropped 11 points from winning positions, the joint most of any team alongside Brentford, with Anthony Gordon subsequently questioning the mentality of the Magpies on Wednesday.
Howe also referenced the need to "stand up and be counted" following the European defeat, a mindset that will be required on Wearside this weekend.
Newcastle's head coach, however, is only focused on repeating the comprehensive FA Cup win at the Stadium of Light from two years ago.
"It means everything to me personally," he said. "I want to do the club, the city, our people proud.
"I want them to be proud of the team. I want to be proud of the players so that's my challenge over the next few days."
Category: General Sports
