 | Newcastle United versus SunderlandLocation: St. James' Park (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)Date: Sunday, October 31 Time: 9:30 a.m. Eastern Records (W-D-L, +/-, Place): Newcastle, 3-2-4, +1, 9th Sunderland, 2-6-1, +1, 7th |  |
English Premier League Week 10 Preview: Massive Tyne-Wear Derby Reinvigorates Local Rivalry Between Newcastle And Sunderland
One of the most intense rivalries in English football heats back up on Sunday when Sunderland make the ever so short trip to take on Newcastle at St James' Park. The Tyne-Wear Derby again will rekindle hatred and passion so bitter one can feel the tension just by watching on TV. Sunderland defender Titus Bramble makes a return to Newcastle after once playing for the club and Steve Bruce, a born and bred Geordie, will witness live his first ever derby in charge of Sunderland when the whistles blows.
Record signing Asamoah Gyan will likely start on the bench for Sunderland, but could a goal in the derby be exactly what the Ghanaian needs to get on with life in English football?
While Newcastle were relegated two season’s ago, Sunderland under Steve Bruce have enjoyed life in the Premier League as a stable mid-table club. The North East of England however will again place all eyes on Sunday’s derby when 7th and 9th do battle on the pitch.
Projected Lineup, Newcastle (4-4-2) - Krul - Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique - Guthrie, Barton, Tiote, Gutierriz - Carroll, Nolan
Projected Lineup, Sunderland (4-5-1) - Mignolet - Onuoha, Turner, Bramble, Richardson - El Mohamady, Henderson, Cattermole, Malbranque, Zenden - Bent
Key Battle: Midfield. Sunderland will likely implement a more conservative 4-5-1 and look to feed main striker Darren Bent on the counter. Steve Bruce will want his 5-man midfield to dominate possession and thus create better chances in front of goal due to ball retention. Since derby's are often won or lost in midfield, look for a lot of back and forth between the two sides until the match calms down slightly.
Battle Within The Battle: Without a doubt, look for a heated midfield battle featuring Joey Barton of Newcastle against Lee Cattermole of Sunderland. The hard tackling duo have enjoyed some exceptional battles in recent years and neither are the type of player to back down to the other. Once the tackles and cards start to fly, put your money on the player who shows the most calm under pressure to stay on the pitch and lead his team to a result.
Pick: Intense rivalries of this nature are rarely high scoring affairs. Instead, they’re usually hard fought draws that take some time to get moving because of all the hype, nerves and anticipation. 1-1.
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