Newcastle United and Sunderland renew their bitter rivalry at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 12:45pm).

There hasn’t been a Tyne-Wear derby for almost eight years. United are in the Premier League, while Sunderland are in the Championship but an unlikely FA Cup third round draw sees the two teams face off.

Even though a division separates the two clubs, history suggests both status and form goes out of the window.

Newcastle arrive on Wearside having lost seven of their last eight matches, with three consecutive defeats seeing Eddie Howe‘s sides slip to ninth in the table.

Sunderland, meanwhile, are four games into Michael Beale’s reign after sacking Tony Mowbray last month. Beale has recorded two wins, one draw and one loss with the Black Cats sitting inside the Championship play-offs.

Heading into the game, Kieran Trippier is a doubt for Newcastle after missing the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool on New Year’s Day because of a groin injury. Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock are among the players also ruled out.

Here, NewcastleWorld predicts the Newcastle United starting XI Eddie Howe will name to face Sunderland.

GK: Martin Dubravka

Dubravka was Newcastle’s man of the match at Anfield on Monday with 10 saves. He’ll hope for a quieter afternoon on Wearside.

RB: Tino Livramento

With Kieran Trippier a major doubt, Livramento is in line to retain his place at right-back and be tasked with keeping Jack Clarke quiet.

CB: Fabian Schar

The Swiss international has missed just two game this campaign having established himself as one of the club’s most consistent performers.

CB: Sven Botman

Botman scored to make it 3-2 at Anfield on Monday but is still feeling his way back to full match sharpness after three months out.

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