The Wear-Tyne derby returns to the Premier League for the first time since 2016 as Sunderland host bitter rivals Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
The atmosphere will be electric for Régis Le Bris’s first taste of this fierce rivalry. The Black Cats are exceeding expectations in ninth place. Furthermore, they are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings with Newcastle, a record that dates back to 2011.
They face an Eddie Howe side that is also in fine fettle domestically. The Magpies have taken 10 points from their last four games to climb to 12th. Consequently, they sit just one point behind their hosts. However, Newcastle must overcome a wretched recent record on Wearside. They have lost their last three away league games against Sunderland.
Sunderland vs Newcastle United – Match Preview and Team News
- Date: Sunday, 14 December 2025
- Kick-off: 14:00 GMT
- Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
- Referee: Peter Bankes
- VAR: Stuart Attwell
- Last Meeting: Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle United, 6 January 2024, FA Cup
Team News
Sunderland
Régis Le Bris has received a major boost with left-back Reinildo Mandava declaring himself fit. He has recovered from a groin injury that kept him out recently. However, the hosts will be without key defender Luke O’Nien. He begins a three-match suspension following his red card against Manchester City. Additionally, Habib Diarra and Aji Alese remain in the treatment room. Le Bris faces a selection dilemma up front between Wilson Isidor and Brian Brobbey.
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe is sweating on the fitness of midfield dynamo Joelinton. The Brazilian picked up a groin injury during the midweek draw with Bayer Leverkusen. If he misses out, local lad Lewis Miley is a strong contender to start in the engine room. The injury list remains extensive for the visitors. Sven Botman, Emil Krafth, Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, and Will Osula are all ruled out. Anthony Gordon will look to extend his scoring streak.
Form
Sunderland
The Stadium of Light has been a fortress this season. In fact, Sunderland are one of only two teams still unbeaten at home in the Premier League. They have already collected more points at home this term than they managed in their entire 2016-17 campaign. Resilience is their hallmark. No side has gained more points from losing positions this season. However, their recent form is mixed, with just one win in their last six league games.
Newcastle United
Newcastle arrive with momentum, having won three of their last four Premier League games. Their recent 4-1 win at Everton ended a dismal run of nine away games without a victory. However, defensively, they remain vulnerable. They have both scored and conceded in each of their last eight league matches. History is against Howe here. He risks overseeing a fourth consecutive league defeat for Newcastle at the Stadium of Light.
Predicted Lineups
Sunderland predicted XI: Roefs; Mukiele, Alderete, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo; Talbi, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fée; Brobbey
Newcastle United predicted XI: Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Schär, Burn; Tonali, Guimarães, Miley; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
How to watch Sunderland vs Newcastle United?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage starts at 13:00 GMT.
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