Newcastle vs. Sunderland: 10 Bold Predictions for the Tyne-Wear Derby

The second Tyne-Wear derby of the season is only days away, and the anticipation is building up as we speak.

Not only will we see a clash of two teams in the top half of the table, but we will see what is arguably the biggest rivalry in English football—or at the very least the biggest rivalry in the North East.

I'll be making 10 bold predictions for Sunday's game in just a moment, so keep reading and you'll find out exactly what I think will unfold during this early kick-off game.

Goals from Demba Ba

Having scored 16 goals so far this season, it doesn't really feel like a "bold" prediction to have Demba Ba down as scoring multiple goals against Sunderland.

Having said that, it's been a while since his last real "hot streak", mainly due to his recent showing in the African Cup of Nations representing Senegal.

This is as big a game as you will find for Ba to return to top form and I believe he absolutely has it in him. We are now entering crunch time in the Premier League season and a brace (or more!) in a game like this would b a great way for Ba to get the Toon back on track.

New Heroes

It seems a long time ago now, especially considering that Joey Barton was playing for Newcastle at the time, but Ryan Taylor's free kick the last time these two sides met was undoubtedly the most memorable moment of the game.

Taylor may have already had a reputation for his long range efforts but this one has—and will—stay long in the memory of Newcastle fans as a rather heroic moment.  

This weekend offers that same opportunity to yet another player—be it a Newcastle player or a Sunderland player—and I'm sure a new hero will rise to the occasion when it comes.

Could it be Papiss Cisse in his first Tyne-Wear derby? Could Davide Santon score his first Newcastle goal? Or maybe Hatem Ben Arfa will return to starting action with a game-changing performance.

Only time will tell. 

A Sending off

Tempers are set to flare any time a derby match kicks off and a Newcastle-Sunderland battle is no different. As a result, a red card can almost be expected when these two sides meet.

Over the last few meetings of these two sides, we've seen sendings off for a ton of different players: from Joey Barton to Titus Bramble to Phil Bardsley the last time these two met.

I'm not too sure exactly whom it'll be as, really, it could be anyone. What I do know is that it can be expected once these two enemies kick off on Sunday. 

Future Implications

As I mentioned earlier, this isn't just a clash between Newcastle and Sunderland—this game means a lot as far as the rest of the season goes.

These two teams are just 12 games away from season's end and the business end of the season is beckoning if it hasn't already begun. This is the time for both sides to prove their worth, play their best and ultimately see whether or not they have a realistic shot at Europe.

This game—and every game subsequent to it—is the most important of the season so far. Once the season is over, I won't be surprised if either of these teams is within three points of the team ahead of them in the table—this game could provide those all-important three points.

Weakened Squads

At this point in the season, it won't be surprising to see squads full of injured casualties and tired-out stars, not just in this matchup but also around the Premier League. 

The international slate is now complete, but the aftermath could soon be seen once this game takes place. These players have played 26 games this season and that's just in the EPL.

Factor in the cup matches and the African Cup of Nations for a select few and you have yourself a few worn-out bodies. These may be professional football players but don't doubt for a second that these games take a toll on their bodies.

Injuries have taken their toll as well, and as far as Newcastle are concerned, Papiss Cisse is an injury worry.

Ryan Taylor has only just returned from injury and depth is looking a little thin with Leon Best out. As always, the long-term injury of centre-back Steven Taylor will also be a problem.

The same can be said for Sunderland, though, so one way or another these injuries and game tallies will have an impact on this football match. 

Nationwide Attention

A 12 noon kick-off and Sky Sports coverage is set for this big game and you can be sure that the nation will be watching.

Taking an interest in rivalries like this is just part of being a football fan—even if your team isn't involved—and the nation (better yet the world) better watch if they don't want to miss something special.

Newcastle-Sunderland fixtures often make the headlines and, considering that the two are finally both in the top half of the table at the same time, the attention will only be increased.

A High Scoring Game

It's been a while since either of these teams has had a real scoring outburst but the potential is definitely there. Sunderland on their day can score some goals and we all know about the explosiveness of Newcastle's (relatively) new Senegalese strike partnership.

Come Sunday, the "ticking time-bomb" may not be for Demba Ba's knee, as Tony Pulis crudely put it, but rather for the ability of these two teams to score goals.

Managerial Battle

Alan Pardew and Martin O'Neill are undoubtedly two of the very best British managers in the Premier League this side of Sir Alex Ferguson and what we could see on Sunday is a clash between these managerial titans.

The two have had the fortune of some fantastic individual play from some of their players this season but, if any one person has to, the pair could each take the majority of the credit for the success of their respective teams.

Some may argue that Alan Pardew is the better manager and others may argue that O'Neill takes the biscuit. Sunday's victor could give us a clearer look at things.

Two Genuinely Close Sides

The Magpies may be 10 points clear of the Black Cats but that isn't necessarily a realistic representation of how close these two sides are.

An extended run of bad form and some injuries have halted the progress of the Toon, and Sunderland have been given the opportunity to do some catching up.

Of course, losing 4-0 in their last game shows that they still have some work to do, but these two sides are closer than the table shows and this should be reflected in what we see on the pitch.

An Eventual Newcastle United Victory

Mark it down. Newcastle United will win this Tyne-Wear derby.

As I've said, the two sides are a lot closer to each other than you'd think but, at the end of the day, Newcastle simply have that extra layer of class that will see them through to a victory.

Players like Cabaye, Tiote, Ben Arfa and Ba are the reason Newcastle are in such a high league position and they'll be the reason they come away victorious on Sunday.

It'll be a close game no doubt, but in a game of such importance, and at a time in the season like this, I'm taking the Toon all the way.