One more win may be all that is needed to secure their Premier League status, and Pardew will be keen for his side to get it sooner rather than later.
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Sunderland head into the derby on the back of an upturn in performances over the last half-dozen games, even though Sam Allardyce’s men have only managed to add six points to their total during that run.
Former Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers boss Allardyce had regular run-ins with Benitez when the Spaniard was in charge of Liverpool between 2004 and 2010.
Rafa doesn’t think much of Allardyce’s tactical approach, either.
“If we can get them in the local derby as well, it would obviously put us in a good situation”.
Sunderland travel to St James’ Park on Sunday, in Benitez’s second game in charge of the Magpies.
“Just me entering the knobbly knees contest?”
“So there will be some very disappointed Sunderland players that will one, be very disappointed not to be selected to play and two, not to even be on the bench”.
A seventh win in a row for the Black Cats could spell the end for Newcastle’s survival mission.
– Jermain Defoe has scored seven goals in his last eight Premier League appearances away from home.
Who will win on Sunday – Newcastle or Sunderland? . Things are changing on Tyneside but Sunderland sit outside the relegation zone which probably gives them the psychological edge in this fixture. However, he has not lost his opening home league match as manager at any of his last six clubs, winning five and drawing one. He believes the siege mentality it fosters brings the best out of him, and he said: “I prefer it being at St James’ Park”.
Andros Townsend came off the bench for Newcastle at Leicester on Monday after a hamstring injury, and may start. It’s been exciting and motivating for the players to have someone like the gaffer to come in.
Given that every top flight outfit in 2016/17 is guaranteed £81 million (Dh429.7m) from domestic television rights alone, staying up this season would be significant for the long-term future of both clubs.
If you’re not having them yourself then you’ll have had someone else tell you about theirs.
A 5-4 thriller featuring high quality, exhibition football – prompting Rafa and Big Sam to lace daisies into each other’s hair, congratulate each other on a fine sporting occasion and realise that they loved each other all along.
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With a tight contest expected, this match will be decided in the heart of the pitch.
