If you want an entertaining, contentious, throw-form-out-the-window match, then look no further. The first matchup of the Tyne-Wear Derby this season is today, and both Newcastle and Sunderland are champing at the bit to get a leg up in one of the fiercest rivalries in the Premier League.
Newcastle vs. Sunderland live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch the EPL online
The Tyne-Wear Derby is here again, as Newcastle and Sunderland get set to square off in one of the more entertaining rivalries in England.
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Newcastle were riding high in the EPL table earlier this season, but a horrific run of injuries have cost them badly of late. Alan Pardew’s side has slipped all the way down to ninth after reaching as high as fifth place after running off five straight wins. Sunderland, meanwhile, are struggling for a second straight season under Gus Poyet, sitting sixteenth in the EPL and just one point above the relegation zone. A win for either side could go a long ways towards making fans feel better about their club’s fortunes as Christmas approaches.
Key player - Jack Colback (Newcastle United)
Colback has been the engine in Newcastle's midfield this season, called upon to keep things moving along and support Newcastle from box to box both in attack and defense. He's also a bit of a rarity in this derby, having not just played for Sunderland in the past, but having joined Newcastle directly from their rivals. You can bet that he's going to be ready and raring to put on a show today.
Key Matchup - Yoan Gouffran (Newcastle) vs. Anthony Reveillere (Sunderland)
Patrick Van Aanholt’s shoulder injury means that Sunderland have been forced to use Reveillere at left back. The Frenchman is naturally a right back, and while he used to be quite good indeed during his heyday with Lyon, Reveillere is very slow and not very good at all these days. That means Gouffran, who’s been having a fairly nice season so far for Newcastle even if his goal and assist tallies don’t reflect it, will get a chance to show off just how good he can be, looking to exploit his countryman’s lack of pace and comfort on that side of the pitch.
Newcastle injuries and suspensions
Out: Rob Elliot (hip), Tim Krul (ankle), Ryan Taylor (knee), Rolando Aarons (hamstring), Gabby Obertan (hip), Siem De Jong (thigh), Davide Santon (knee), Curtis Good (groin) In doubt: Moussa Sissoko (knee), Sammy Ameobi (knock), Jak Alnwick (shoulder), Cheik Tiote (muscle strain), Papiss Cisse (ill), Mehdi Abeid (ankle)
Sunderland injuries and suspensions
Out: Patrick Van Aanholt (shoulder), Billy Jones (hamstring) In doubt: Emmanuel Giaccherini (ankle)
Newcastle are bruised and bloodied by injuries, with even their third string goalkeeper in some doubt thanks to injury. They've got backups and players Pardew had hoped to rarely use this season playing bigger-than-expected roles right now, so it's little wonder they've struggled of late. Sunderland's only big miss is Van Aanholt, though since his absence means Reveillere has to start, it's a very major absence for the Black Cats.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 1:30 P.M. local, 8:30 A.M. ET
Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.), TSN2 (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky GO (U.K.), TSN online (Canada)
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