The first Tyne-Wear derby to take place at St James' Park for 10 years is this Sunday and our bet builder pays out at 28-1 if successful
Almost exactly 10 years to the day since the last time that they did so, Newcastle host Sunderland in a Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday.
The Magpies are just two points ahead of their rivals in a congested middle of the Premier League table and will be desperate to bounce back after a 7-2 humiliation against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Black Cats are struggling themselves, with as many as 10 first-team players missing and having lost five of their last eight games.
We have assembled a three-leg bet builder which, if successful, returns odds of around 28/1 with our Premier League betting selections
Selections
Anthony Gordon anytime goalscorer @ 2/1
Habib Diarra to be carded @ 21/10
Joe Willock to be carded @ 15/4
Pays @ 28/1
Gordon key for hosts
Newcastle have struggled to get their attacking balance right this season but whichever way they choose to line up, Anthony Gordon is set to feature prominently.
The former Everton man has played in all three positions along the forward line and has increasingly been the Magpies’ central striker, with Eddie Howe preferring to play Nick Woltemade deeper.
As a result Gordon is Newcastle’s top scorer this season with 16 goals and looks a solid bet to get on the scoresheet again.
With Dan Ballard, Reinildo, Nordi Mukiele and goalkeeper Robin Roefs all potential absentees for this game, Sunderland’s back line could have a seriously makeshift feel.
Gordon’s pace should cause them real issues and the England international has also been ruthless from the penalty spot for the hosts, netting all nine penalties he has taken this term.
Leg 1: Anthony Gordon anytime goalscorer @ 2/1
Diarra a major card candidate
Tyne-Wear derbies have a habit of being intense affairs with plenty of cards dished out and the earlier meeting this season between these two teams was no exception.
There were nine cautions dished out at the Stadium of Light and this should be another tumultuous affair, particularly in midfield.
Habib Diarra has played his way into this Sunderland line-up following an impressive Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Senegal.
However the young midfielder is prone to picking up a card and looks a tempting price for one in this clash. Diarras has been booked four times in 11 Premier League starts and has also received three yellows in six appearances for the Lions of Teranga recently.
Leg 2: Habib Diarra to be carded @ 21/10
Willock could play key role
Newcastle’s injury list in general is starting to ease but they could be without two of their key stars for this clash, with Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali likely to miss out.
That opens the door for Joe Willock to start in the middle of the park with Lewis Miley also absent. The former Arsenal midfielder does plenty of work off the ball but can be late into tackles and has picked up six yellow cards in 15 starts for the Magpies in all competitions this season.
Leg 3: Joe Willock to be carded @ 15/4
