The first Tyne-Wear derby of the season is here and there’s plenty of importance riding on the always dramatic local rivalry.
Sunderland hosts Newcastle from the Stadium of Light at 8:00 a.m. ET live on NBCSN or live online at NBC Sports Live Extra as two teams in the table’s bottom three look to pull themselves out of immediate danger.
The Magpies picked up their first win of the season last weekend with a statement win over Norwich City and will look to build on that momentum. To make things brighter, new manager Steve McClaren has no injury problems to his squad.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are the only winless team this season after their rivals were victorious last week, and Sam Allardyce must turn things around quickly. They are without Fabio Borini today, who picked up an ankle injury in last weekend’s loss, so Steven Fletcher will start up front.
Fortunately for the Black Cats, Jermain Lens returns from suspension and starts, while Sebastian Coates is also back from a ban and is on the bench. Ola Toivonen starts after making his way back from a groin injury.
LINEUPS
Sunderland: Pantilimon, Yedlin, Jones, O’Shea, Kaboul, Cattermole, M’Vila, Toivonen, Johnson, Lens, Fletcher.
Subs: Mannone, PVA, Coates, Larsson, Gomez, Defoe, Watmore.
Newcastle: Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Colback, Tiote, Sissoko; Wijnaldum, Perez, Mitrović.
Subs: Woodman, Anita, Cisse, De Jong, Lascelles, Haidara, Thauvin.