The Wear-Tyne takes pride of place in Sunday’s pair of league fixtures, with Newcastle and Sunderland scrapping for points in the bottom half of the table. A win for the Toon would arrest a run of three successive defeats, while the Black Cats have a solitary victory to their name since these fierce rivals last met in Gameweek 17.
Before that, the early kick off sees Burnley’s obliging defence attempt to stifle a red-hot Harry Kane as they entertain Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor.
Fresh off a hat trick against Leicester City last Gameweek, Kane will be under strict surveillance from the hosts’ rearguard in what could be a game of goals. Considering that the Lilywhites haven’t earned a single clean sheet in their previous seven matches – and Hugo Lloris is sidelined with a leg injury – out-of-form Burnley marksman Danny Ings will fancy his chances of putting a five-match goal drought to bed.
The tea-time derby clash – hosted at the Stadium of Light – takes on an altogether different complexion from the reverse fixture at St James’ Park in December, with two new managers at the helm. Newcastle are down to the bare bones in defence as a result of long-term injuries and suspensions, meaning there’s only one fit centre-back (Michael Williamson) at the disposal of Magpies boss John Carver. Meanwhile, Sunderland boast a relatively clean bill of health – aside from Wes Brown’s absence with a knee injury – as Jermain Defoe seeks a goal for the first time in seven Gameweeks.
