Sunderland v Newcastle preview: Two rivals set to meet in the Premier League once again | OneFootball

When Régis Le Bris’ Sunderland sealed promotion to the Premier League in May, even the most passionate Mackem would have struggled to imagine the season unfolding as impressively as it has so far.

As the halfway point of the Premier League season approaches, it appears as though the Black Cats are best equipped of the promoted clubs to reverse the trend of the past two seasons, which has seen all three promoted sides taste the bitter sting of relegation at the first time of asking.

With the gulf in quality between Premier League and Championship seemingly at an all-time high, Le Bris’ Sunderland have certainly been a breath of fresh air this campaign.

The Black Cats have rarely looked out of their depth, holding their own against the Premier League’s elites and taking to the top-flight like a duck to water. Impressive performances such as the 2-1 win versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (93rd-minute winner) and the 2-2 draw versus league leaders Arsenal (94th-minute equaliser) at the Stadium of Light will spring to mind, though it is perhaps their consistency that has come as the biggest surprise, especially in their performances at home.

The Stadium of Light has come to be somewhat of a fortress and possibly the most important tool at Le Bris’ disposal. Sunderland are one of two teams that have not lost at home this season (W4, D3, L0). The other side? League leaders Arsenal. An encouraging sign indeed.

League leaders Arsenal and top-four contenders Aston Villa have failed to leave Wearside with more than one point this season. But perhaps the clearest measure of Sunderland’s resolve comes on Sunday, embodied by eleven men in black-and-white stripes: The Tyne and Wear derby.

Often regarded as one of the fiercest rivalries in English football, Geordies and Mackems alike have been waiting nearly a decade for another instalment of the Tyne and Wear derby in the top-flight, once a Premier League staple. An FA Cup meeting in January last year saw Sunderland suffer a 3-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light, their first loss in the matchup since August 2011. As such, bragging rights have settled in Newcastle for nearly two years. Even so, it would not be unfair to suggest that the Black Cats enter this latest instalment as the favourites, a notion that would have baffled both Geordies and Mackems alike not so long ago.

Indeed, if Sunderland’s dominant home performances weren’t enough to trouble Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s struggles on the road certainly will. Howe’s side have only managed one win away from home in the Premier League this season. Every impressive home performance has been matched by a notably lacklustre display on the road.

Be that as it may, Newcastle’s last away outing in the Premier League was their emphatic 4-1 victory against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Goals from Nick Woltemade, Lewis Miley and Malick Thiaw were enough for the visitors to leave Merseyside with all three points, and perhaps a boost of confidence ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Stadium of Light. 

The Stadium of Light is set to roar on Sunday, as two footballing cities clash for supremacy and bragging rights in the north east. An early goal in favour of the hosts would doubtless echo all the way into Newcastle.

Howe’s side will do well to take the sting out of the game early, ensuring not to let the emotion of such an occasion and hostile atmosphere get the better of them. Despite this season’s performances perhaps suggesting an outcome in Sunderland’s favour, Newcastle are a side of Champions League calibre, having gone toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite in recent years and often rising to the occasion when it matters most.