The so called “Desperation Derby” sees Sunderland hoping to assuage their relegation worries and Newcastle United aiming to end a run of four successive defeats against their detested neighbours. As Dick Advocaat takes charge of Sunderland for the second time much looks set to hinge on the likely midfield duel involving the home enforcer Lee Cattermole and Moussa Sissoko. By uncanny coincidence, Advocaat’s two immediate predecessors, Gus Poyet and Paolo Di Canio, also faced Newcastle during their second matches at the helm, both securing slightly unexpected victories. Louise Taylor
Kick-off Sunday 4pm
Venue Stadium of Light
Last season Sunderland 1 Newcastle 1
Live Sky Sports 1
Referee M Dean
This season G22, Y100, R6, 5.09 cards per game
Odds H 6-4 A 2-1 D 9-4
Sunderland
Subs from Mannone, Coates, Jones, Bridcutt, Gómez, Álvarez, Wickham, Agnew, Honeyman, Graham
Doubtful None
Injured Brown (knee, May), Giaccherini (ankle, May), Buckley (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LDLDLL
Discipline Y75 R2
Leading scorers Fletcher, Johnson 4
Newcastle Utd
Subs from Elliot, Satka, Anita, Kemen, Gouffran, Obertan, Rivière, Armstrong
Doubtful Abeid (thigh)
Injured Aarons (hamstring, 11 Apr), Dummett (knee, May), Haïdara (knee), S Taylor (achilles), Tioté (knee, all Aug), De Jong (collapsed lung, unknown)
Suspended Coloccini (second of three), Cissé (third of seven)
Form DLWLLL
Discipline Y54 R4
Leading scorer Cissé 11
