LONDON (SE) - Tensions are running high ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby at St James' Park on Sunday with both Newcastle United and Sunderland still in danger of being relegated from the Premier League.
Hosts Newcastle (10-6-16) are in a much stronger position to maintain their top-flight status than Sunderland (7-10-15) but know a defeat against their fierce North-East rivals would drag back them into a relegation dog fight with just five matches of the season to play.
The Magpies are in 13th place, five points clear of Sunderland, who remain outside the bottom three only on goal difference.
New Sunderland head coach Paolo Di Canio will take charge of his side for the second time on Sunday following his controversial appointment as successor to the sacked Martin O'Neill.
Di Canio has faced a barrage of question about his political beliefs since taking over at the Stadium of Light and issued a statement insisting he does not "support the ideology of fascism".
Sunderland lost 2-1 at Chelsea last weekend - Di Canio's first game at the helm - and have gone nine league matches without a win. They also lost their last four away games played in the Premier League.
As a player, Di Canio was involved in highly-charged local derbies in Sheffield, Glasgow and Rome, and is aware of how important Sunday's clash is to both sets of supporters.
"Of course, this game counts for three points but is even more important in terms of dignity, honour and respect," Di Canio told the Sunderland club website. "This game counts for a thousand. We have to feel a responsibility. We want to make our fans proud.
"We want to win there because it would be fantastic to see our fans celebrating. We live for this stage, this moment. There is a risk you can lose, but with a big chance to win and get something important for the club. You can become heroes. It's the best situation for the players."
Newcastle - who were knocked out of the Europa League by Portuguese side Benfica on Thursday - have a good record at home in the Premier League. The won their last four top-flight games at St James' Park and have earned 28 points out of a possible 48 from matches played on home turf this season.
Magpies manager Alan Pardew, who is unbeaten in four Tyne-Wear derbies, is confident his side will come out on top again, especially with the help of the club's home supporters.
"We are in good form," the 51-year-old Pardew said at his pre-match press conference. "We have got some players coming back who make us a little bit stronger, and I think it's a tough game for Sunderland.
"It's a passionate game played by two clubs who are 15 miles apart or whatever it is, passionate Mackems, passionate Geordies. But we have got 50,000 and that gives us a slight advantage, and I am sure they will want to make themselves heard."
Newcastle centre-back Steven Taylor is set to return after knee trouble but fellow defenders Davide Santon (hamstring) and Fabricio Coloccini (back) are expected to remain sidelined.
Sunderland will be without suspended midfielder Craig Gardner, while defender Carlos Cuellar (ankle) and striker Danny Graham (knee) returned to training this week.
The first Tyne-Wear derby of the season played at the Stadium of Light in October ended in a 1-1 draw. Yohan Cabaye gave Newcastle an early lead before a late own goal by Demba Ba just four minutes from time gave Sunderland a share of the points. The Magpies had Cheik Tiote sent off midway through the first half.
Sunderland have failed to win any of the last six Tyne-Wear derbies, losing two and drawing four. Their most recent win was a 2-1 home victory in October 2008. The Black Cats' last win at Newcastle came in November 2000.
This will be the 149th Tyne-Wear derby. Newcastle have the edge with 53 wins to Sunderland's 46. There have been 49 draws between the sides, with the aggregate score reading Newcastle 222, Sunderland 216.
No comments:
Post a Comment