Premier League: Sunderland tackle Toon in key Tyne-Wear derby

Lee Gormley | October 23, 2015

Sunderland v Newcastle United

Allardyce aims for record derby delight

Sam Allardyce will lead his Sunderland side out for their Tyne-Wear derby clash with former club Newcastle United, aiming to be the first of these two Northeast teams to enjoy six consecutive victories in this fixture’s history.

The former Magpies boss was dismissed from West Ham United at the end of last season but has now taken charge of a Black Cats outfit that is struggling in the Premier League, though they have managed five successive derby day delights.

Sunderland’s three previous coaches kicked-off their tenures with wins over bitter rivals Newcastle, a trend which Allardyce will look to continue, and his men are 17/5 with Coral for a third consecutive derby win to nil since February last year.

Early relegation battle?

Both Allardyce and under-pressure Toon boss Steve McClaren are desperate to secure three derby day points, with the two Northeast clubs haplessly sitting in the top flight table’s bottom three places.

After his first game in charge ended with a 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion, Allardyce will look for a change of fortunes at the Stadium of Light this time out, having actually witnessed a strong performance from his side during that previous loss.

“The feeling in the Northeast runs passionately as we all know,” stated Allardyce, who spent a single season at Sunderland in his playing days.

“In the last few seasons they’ve been fighting around the relegation zone, but whenever this game has come around, they’ve produced a performance that you’d like to see every week. Winning these games means everything to the Sunderland fans.”

Toon target further revival

McClaren’s Magpies are currently third from bottom, with Sunderland residing right at the depths of the table, and are 7/4 to secure their first derby triumph since August 2011, which was also held at the Stadium of Light.

The Toon bounced back from previous domestic misery to thump Norwich City 6-2 in their last outing, and McClaren is hoping he can bring back success in this fixture with his current crop of players.

“I don’t need reminding that we have lost the last five derbies,” he stated. “The atmosphere is always incredible. We have to go there, stand up and be counted.

“It wasn’t so long ago that we won five in row and we are desperately keen and hugely motivated to turn the tide and bring the points back to Tyneside.

“My message to the players is simple. Win every personal battle, handle the occasion and be disciplined. If we can do all that and put one or two of our chances away then we can come away with the positive result we all crave.”

Wijnaldum will be Wearside threat

Dutch midfield maestro Georginio Wijnaldum was incredibly on target four times during that recent Canaries mauling, and the Netherlands international is 2/1 to strike again anytime and 11/1 for a brace or more.

Meanwhile, Jermain Defoe will be hoping to emulate his previous derby heroics, having sensationally struck the winner in the last clash in April when Dick Advocaat was in charge, and he is 7/4 to be on target anytime once again.

With only two places dividing these two teams going into the anticipated Tyne-Wear derby and tensions running high, a Stadium of Light stalemate is 11/5, while the visitors are 17/4 to end their rut with victory and both teams scoring.

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Coral’s top tip: Jermain Defoe scores anytime @ 7/4