Tyne-Wear derby returns to St James' Park as Newcastle and Sunderland meet for first time in a decade
The last time Sunderland walked out at St James' Park for a Premier League match, Rafa Benitez had just arrived at Newcastle and both clubs were fighting relegation. That was March 20, 2016, and the 1-1 draw that day feels like it belongs to a completely different era. Ten years on, the fixture returns with Newcastle in 9th and Sunderland, newly promoted, sitting 13th.
Newcastle need a response after Barcelona humiliation
Eddie Howe's week could hardly have gone worse. The 7-2 thrashing by Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 was as brutal as the scoreline suggests, and while European elimination was always likely against a side that good, the manner of the defeat stung. Howe needs his squad to channel that frustration into a derby performance.
Newcastle have won three of their last five league games and sit on 42 points from 30 matches. That is enough for 9th, six points off the top six. A win here would be the perfect reset.
The injury list complicates things. Bruno Guimaraes (hamstring), Fabian Schar (ankle), Lewis Miley (muscle) and Emil Krafth (knee) are all out. Sandro Tonali is a doubt with a hip and groin issue. If Tonali fails a late fitness test, Newcastle will be stretched thin in midfield.
Sunderland looking to rediscover early-season form
Regis Le Bris took Sunderland up last season and for the first few months of their return to the top flight, the Black Cats looked right at home. They beat Newcastle 1-0 at the Stadium of Light in December when a Nick Woltemade own goal settled it, and at one point sat comfortably in the top half.
Since the turn of the year, though, results have dried up. Sunderland have won just three league games in 2026 and only one of their last six. A 1-0 home defeat to Brighton last time out was their third straight loss at the Stadium of Light, and Le Bris knows his side need to find something away from home. The 1-0 win at Leeds remains a rare bright spot from recent weeks.
The return of captain Granit Xhaka is a boost. He brings experience and composure that Sunderland have missed. Whether Enzo Le Fee returns to the lineup is less certain, with Le Bris weighing his options.
What is at stake
For Newcastle, this is about pride as much as points. Losing at home to Sunderland would make it two derby defeats in one season, something the St James' Park faithful would not forgive easily. For Sunderland, a result here would go a long way toward securing their top-flight status. They sit on 40 points, 15 clear of the relegation zone, but a strong finish would silence any lingering doubts about whether they belong.
Anthony Taylor will referee. Kick-off is at 12:00 GMT.
