Newcastle and Sunderland meet on Sunday (12:00 GMT) almost 10 years to the day since the last Premier League Tyne-Wear derby at St James' Park.
A Champions League tie against Barcelona and their first home Tyne-Wear derby for a decade – it’s a big week for Newcastle.
The Magpies' 8-3 aggregate defeat by Barcelona was a reality check. Newcastle did hold their own in the first leg and in the first half of the second but defensive failings let them down, something that has become a pattern in recent months.
In the current season, the Magpies were conceding an average of 1.26 goals a game to the end of December – in 2026 that figure has risen to 1.73.
They haven't had a home clean sheet in the Premier League since their opening match of the year and have conceded three goals in three of the five home league games since then.
Head coach Eddie Howe said "defensive mentality was key" in the 1-0 win at Chelsea last weekend, but if that was sublime defending, there was plenty of the ridiculous kind on show as his side shipped seven in midweek.
Only Tottenham and Burnley have conceded more Premier League goals than Newcastle since the start of the year. The Magpies have let in 43 goals in all competitions in 2026, more than any other top-flight team, although they have been fighting on four fronts.
Wednesday's European exit means just one of those fronts is still active and a win over Sunderland would not just banish memories of the 1-0 defeat by the Black Cats earlier in the season but also could prove vital in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Head coach Eddie Howe says Sunday's match is a "huge game for our city and club". A year after helping Newcastle end their long trophy drought, Howe is now aiming to avoid making unwanted history by becoming the first Magpies’ manager to lose his first two league matches against Sunderland.
Sunderland aim to regain momentum
“Til the end” became the Sunderland mantra in their amazing 2024-25 promotion season but the Black Cats are currently limping towards to the finish line in this Premier League campaign.
Since reaching 40 points, a mark traditionally associated with Premier League safety, Sunderland have been dumped out of the FA Cup by League One strugglers Port Vale, and lost at home to Brighton, both without scoring.
The Seagulls loss signified a third straight defeat at the Stadium of Light, where they had previously been unbeaten all season. Defeat in the Tyne-Wear derby would mean a third consecutive loss in all competitions for the first time this season.
Head coach Regis Le Bris said his side "lacked desire and fighting spirit" in the FA Cup exit but that surely won't be an issue against their local rivals.
Furthermore, they have a good record against Newcastle – they are unbeaten in their last 10 league games against the Magpies (W7, D3), winning seven of the last eight.
One win in six league games might not be the ideal derby preparation but a win at St James' Park would be the perfect fillip for the season run-in and, as an added bonus, it would also lift Sunderland above Newcastle in the Premier League table.
