Possibly the most important north-east derby to date features two managers with a history of conflict effectively on missions to relegate each other. If the Big Sam-Rafa technical subplot promises edginess, Rafael Benítez is more concerned with marking his first home game in charge of Newcastle by ending Sunderland’s run of six straight derby wins. By peculiar coincidence, four of those victories saw Sunderland under the charge of a new manager presiding over his second game after losing the first. Can Benítez emulate Paolo Di Canio, Gus Poyet, Dick Advocaat and Allardyce? Louise Taylor
Kick-off Sunday 1.30pm
Venue St James’ Park
Last season Newcastle 0 Sunderland 1
Live Sky Sports 1
Referee Martin Atkinson
This season G26, Y90, R1, 3.5 cards per game
Odds H 17-14 A 49-18 D 12-5
Newcastle Utd
Subs from Darlow, Lascelles, Sterry, Anita, Aarons, Doumbia, Rivière, Mbabu, Coloccini, Cissé
Doubtful Cissé (groin), Coloccini (calf), Mbemba (ankle), Taylor (knock)
Injured Dummett (hamstring), Haïdara (knee), Obertan (hamstring), Tioté (knock, all Apr), Krul (knee, Jul)
Suspended None
Form LWLLLL
Discipline Y46 R4
Leading scorer Wijnaldum 9
Sunderland
Subs from Pickford, Kaboul, Brown, Jones, Larsson, Toivonen, Borini, Matthews, Lens
Doubtful None
Injured Eboué (hamstring, Apr), Watmore (ankle, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LDWLDD
Discipline Y52 R2
Leading scorer Defoe 11
