Sunderland and Newcastle will face off in the Tyne-Wear derby in the FA Cup on Saturday. In the Championship, the Black Cats defeated Preston North End 2-0 to start 2024, while the Magpies lost to Liverpool 4-2 in the Premier League.
Preview (Sunderland vs. Newcastle United)
In the animal kingdom, the Black Cats often chase the Magpies. However, considering Sunderland’s recent successes during the Michael Beale-led new management bounce period, the lower-tier hosts can feel confident about maintaining their position in the food chain against their fierce rivals. Following a humiliating 3-0 home loss to Coventry City to started his Stadium of Light tenure in the worst possible way. Beale has since watched his Sunderland crop take seven points from the last nine available. It includes two wins over Hull City and Preston with two clean sheets to boot.
Despite Hull, Coventry, and Cardiff City being nearby, Sunderland managed to hold onto the fourth. The battle for promotion has now been put on hold as Sunderland starts its most recent FA Cup campaign. The Black Cats have won the FA Cup twice already, in 1937 and 1973. They finished runners-up in the 1991–92 campaign, losing to Liverpool in the final. Sunderland’s recent aspirations for national glory have, however, ended early. In the last eight seasons, the hosts have only advanced past the third round once, and that was in the 2022–2023 season when Fulham eliminated them following a fourth-round rematch. Although Champions League football, albeit fleeting, is returning to St James’ Park, Newcastle’s next goal is to add another long-awaited prize to the trophy cabinet. However, Eddie Howe’s team has not begun 2024 as they mean to go on.
Following three straight losses in all competitions at the end of 2023, including an EFL Cup elimination at the hands of Chelsea, the out-of-form Magpies faced title-chasing Liverpool and were grateful for their good fortune, along with Martin Dubravka, as they went into halftime at 0-0. But alongside strikes from Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah netted twice as the Reds launched another inevitable onslaught. Although Alexander Isak’s counterattack score and Sven Botman’s header momentarily silenced the Kop, Howe’s team ultimately failed in their attempt.
Team News
No new players entered the medical room during Sunderland’s victory over Preston at the weekend. Beale’s winger Patrick Roberts injured his calf against Rotherham United, missed that match and is a “doubt” for the derby. Due to a hamstring injury, he suffered against Hull on Boxing Day, Bradley Dack will also be out for a month. Dennis Cirkin will also miss the Tyne-Wear match due to a setback in his recuperation from a similar issue. The only other ailments for the hosts are from Niall Huggins (knee), Corry Evans (ACL), and Jay Matete (knee). If Roberts’s calf issue worsens by the weekend, Pritchard will get another start.
The next Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup have no bearing on Sunderland or Newcastle. Howe may have to deal with double-digit absences this weekend, beginning with the suspended Sandro Tonali. In addition, Callum Wilson missed two games due to a calf injury that kept him from playing against Liverpool. Meanwhile, Kieran Trippier (groin) was also ruled out, though the latter might be able to return on Saturday. Among the visitors’ confirmed absences are Joe Willock (calf), Nick Pope (shoulder), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Elliott Anderson (back), Harvey Barnes (foot), Matt Targett (thigh), and Javi Manquillo (groin). It is unclear if Howe will be persuaded to bring in Loris Karius.
Sunderland 1-2 Newcastle United
For more football previews, click here
