Sunderland and Newcastle will go head-to-head in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon, in the first Tyne-Wear derby in the top flight for over nine years.
The Black Cats have had a fine season so far since earning promotion from the Championship, and currently sit in 10th place, but have just one win in their last five games. Eddie Howe’s side, on the other hand, have had a mixed season and currently sit 12th in the league, having won three of their last four, although they suffered defeat in midweek in the Champions League.
Both sides have some injury concerns ahead of the game, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expects the teams to line up.
Sunderland Team News
Regis Le Bris is set to have a strong squad to choose from for this game before he loses a big chunk of his squad to the African Cup of Nations on Monday.
Luke O’Nien is suspended and won’t return until the new year, while Aji Alese and Habib Diarra are long-term absentees through injury. However, left-back Reinildo has recovered from injury and is available for selection for this game. Dennis Cirkin could also make his first appearance of the campaign.
|
Sunderland Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Luke O’Nien |
Suspended |
01/01/2026 |
|
Reinildo |
Groin |
14/12/2025 |
|
Habib Diarra |
Groin |
Unknown |
|
Aji Alese |
Shoulder |
Unknown |
Le Bris Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Le Bris shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“Dennis [Cirkin] is ready – he has trained properly now for two or three weeks and he’s connected in the group. It’s good news because right now we don’t have many injuries.
“Habib [Diarra] will train with the group next week and be in full training. He will need probably one or two weeks to be at his best after a good rehab programme and after that it depends on AFCON.
“We need to build his fitness level and after that, he will be ready.
“The decision is with the national team – if they want to select the player, they can – it’s not our decision.
“Reinildo is fit, he trained on Thursday and again today [Friday].”
Sunderland Predicted XI
- Sunderland Predicted XI: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Traore, Le Fee, Adingra; Isidor.
- Sunderland Predicted Substitutes: Patterson (GK), Hume (DEF), Cirkin (DEF), Geertruida (DEF), Neil (MID), Rigg (MID), Mayenda (FWD), Talbi (FWD), Brobbey (FWD).
Sunderland are likely to be looking to take the game to Newcastle in front of their fans, and that should see an attacking lineup named. Simon Adingra should come back into the side on the wing in place of Chemsdine Talbi, while Wilson Isidor will lead the line.
That should see £180,000-a-week duo Lutsharel Geertruida and Bryan Brobbey named on the bench.
Newcastle Team News
The Magpies are battling with a number of injury issues ahead of this game, and experienced defender Kieran Trippier remains unavailable due to a thigh injury, while Sven Botman is also ruled out with a back problem.
Eddie Howe will be hopeful Nick Pope and Joelinton can return following groin issues, but Emil Krafth and William Osula remain sidelined.
|
Newcastle Injuries and Suspensions |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Injury |
Potential Return Date |
|
Kieran Trippier |
Thigh |
04/012026 |
|
Sven Botman |
Back |
20/12/2025 |
|
Joelinton |
Groin |
14/12/2025 |
|
Nick Pope |
Groin |
14/12/2025 |
|
Emil Krafth |
Knee |
Unknown |
|
William Osula |
Ankle |
Unknown |
Howe Speaks on Tyne-Wear Derby
Speaking ahead of the game, Howe shared his thoughts on the Tyne-Wear derby and what it means to the club.
“It will be difficult. I think these games always are because there’s a lot of emotion and challenges for the players to overcome to make sure we enter the pitch in the right frame of mind and where we absolutely need to be, which is focused on how we play and what we need to do.
“The arousal levels are absolutely key because you can be too high or too low. I don’t think there will be many too low in preparation for this game but finding that place where the players play at their best is my challenge.
“Of course, you don’t want the players to overthink things. It’s a very important game but we’ve got to focus on our performance so all of these things will be important.”
Newcastle Predicted XI
- Newcastle Predicted XI: Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, B. Guimaraes, Miley; J. Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
- Newcastle Predicted Substitutes: Ruddy (GK), Schar (DEF), A. Murphy (DEF), Willock (MID), Neave (MID), Ramsey (MID), Elanga (FWD), Wissa (FWD), Barnes (FWD).
Newcastle are likely to go with a familiar looking side, but youngster Lewis Miley could get the nod ahead of Joelinton as the Brazilian looks to recover from a knock.
Anthony Gordon should also start once more, but that should see £300,000-a-week duo Anthony Elanga and Yoanne Wissa on the bench once more.
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