Newcastle vs Sunderland predictions: Gordon the man to light up Tyne-Wear derby
Jamie Griffith
Newcastle started the weekend ninth in the Premier League and six points off the top six
Sunderland are just two points behind their bitter rivals and began the round in 13th
Recommended bet: Anthony Gordon anytime goalscorer
Newcastle’s last hope of finishing the campaign with silverware was ended by Wednesday’s 7-2 hammering at Champions League last-16 opponents Barcelona so they will be keen to salvage their season by securing European football for next term.
There is work to be done if they are to achieve that goal, though, as they sit nine points off the top four, and nobody would like to further decrease their Champions League qualification hopes than bitter rivals Sunderland.
The Black Cats have enjoyed their Premier League return and they head into Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park with an opportunity to complete the double over the Magpies.
The latest Newcastle vs Sunderland odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Team news
Newcastle are sweating on the fitness of Sandro Tonali after he was forced off against Barcelona and there is a chance the Italian misses out alongside Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley, Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes.
Sunderland had 10 players missing for last week’s defeat to Brighton but there is hope all of Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Reinildo, Wilson Isidor and Enzo Le Fee will return for the derby.
Romaine Mundle, Jocelin Ta Bi, Bertrand Traore and Nilson Angulo remain out, however.
The latest Newcastle vs Sunderland odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
The stats
Newcastle have won six of their last 11 games in all competitions.
Sunderland have lost four of their last six Premier League matches.
The Black Cats have won only one of their last 10 Premier League away games.
Both teams to score has been a winning bet in 14 of the Magpies’ last 15 matches matches.
Sunderland are unbeaten in 10 head-to-heads, winning seven.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon has scored six goals in his last six starts.
The latest Newcastle vs Sunderland odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Prediction
December's first Tyne-Wear derby of the season - and the first in the Premier League since 2016 - was a major disappointment for Newcastle, who fell to a 1-0 defeat due to Nick Woltemade’s calamitous own goal.
The Magpies will be keen to make amends for that defeat, as well as Wednesday’s humbling in Barcelona, on Sunday and there is a good chance they will, given that their rivals have been struggling for form of late.
Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats have lost four of their last six Premier League games and although some key players may return for the short trip to Tyneside, it is unlikely they will be fully fit and the door looks open for Newcastle’s talented attack to cut loose.
Woltemade would love to make up for his error at the Stadium of Light but he is in poor form and, instead, it is likely to be Anthony Gordon who deals the damage at St James’ Park.
Gordon has six goals in his last six starts and his pace makes him a constant threat. Tyne-Wear derbies can often turn feisty, so it is also an added bonus that he is Newcastle’s penalty taker, and he is a decent price to play his part on Sunday.
Back Anthony Gordon anytime goalscorer at 6/4 with LiveScore Bet.
The latest Newcastle vs Sunderland odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
