The much-anticipated Tyne–Wear derby is back, as Newcastle United takes on Sunderland. This exciting clash will unfold at St James’ Park on March 22, 2026, at 13:00. Known for its electrifying ambiance, this stadium brings together 52,354 eager fans, all ready to support their teams in this Premier League Round 31 encounter. As it stands, Newcastle sits 9th with 42 points, hoping to find some rhythm after an inconsistent run. Meanwhile, Sunderland is in 13th with 40 points. Despite being fresh from promotion, they’re focused on staying safe in the middle of the table as they aim for stability.
Newcastle has shown a mixed bag in recent matches, with two wins, one draw, and two losses out of five games. Their recent 1-0 win against Chelsea and a gritty 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Champions League highlight their potential. On the flip side, defensive slips were clear in their 2-7 bust against Barcelona and the 1-3 loss to Manchester City. Sunderland, grappling with consistency, experienced three losses in their last five. Yet, they managed a crucial 1-0 win over Leeds and a 1-1 tie with Bournemouth, showing resilience. Scoring has been tough for both sides, and defensive stability is crucial, making this derby quite the spectacle.
Newcastle United vs Sunderland Prediction & Betting Tip
Newcastle United has historically thrived with home advantage and recent victories against giants like Chelsea and Manchester United bolster their chances in this derby. Sunderland faces challenges on the road, as seen in the six goals they’ve let slip in five games. With the crowd behind them, Newcastle is primed to exploit Sunderland’s defensive frailties. Look out for Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, whose wing play could make all the difference, especially if the pitch gets slick.
| Recommended Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Newcastle to win | 1.71 |
Newcastle United vs Sunderland Odds
The odds lean towards a Newcastle victory, with a home win at 1.71 odds. This reflects not only their solid form at St James’ Park but also their historical edge in high-stakes matches. Although specific odds for a draw or Sunderland win aren’t here, the market shows confidence in Newcastle. This likely stems from Sunderland’s away form and defense woes, making a Newcastle win seem low-risk. This aligns closely with broader Premier League trends noted in recent analyses, such as Brighton’s comeback and Manchester United’s recent performances.
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Newcastle win | 1.71 |
Home Team Analysis: Newcastle United
Newcastle United Recent Performance
Newcastle’s performance has been quite a roller coaster. They bagged two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five games. While they scored seven, they let in twelve, showing defensive cracks. Yet, standard-setting wins over Chelsea (1-0) and Manchester United (2-1) spotlights their strength when it matters. Conversely, the 2-7 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League revealed defensive weaknesses.
| Competition | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champions League | Barcelona | 2-7 | L |
| Premier League | Chelsea | 1-0 | W |
| Champions League | Barcelona | 1-1 | D |
| FA Cup | Manchester City | 1-3 | L |
| Premier League | Manchester United | 2-1 | W |
Newcastle United Key Players
With key player Bruno Guimaraes out, who scored nine goals this season, others must step up. Anthony Gordon is vital, bringing speed and skill, crucial to recent wins. Harvey Barnes offers width and an ability to cut inside, adding more to their attack. In midfield, Jacob Ramsey takes on the creative role, supported by Joseph Willock’s energetic style. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s stability and leadership are also essential, especially in fiery derbies like these.
Newcastle United Suspensions & Injuries
The Magpies face some injury woes, with players like Fabian Schaer, Bruno Guimaraes, Emil Krafth, and Lewis Miley out. Schaer’s absence impacts defense, and without Guimaraes, their creativity in midfield takes a hit. Krafth and Miley’s injuries further stress Newcastle’s squad depth, affecting full-back and midfield positions. The squad remains strong, though. A defensive reshuffle, perhaps with a Botman/Thiaw pairing, signals their adaptability.
| Player | Injury/Status |
|---|---|
| Fabian Schaer | Injured |
| Bruno Guimaraes | Injured |
| Emil Krafth | Injured |
| Lewis Miley | Injured |
Newcastle United Tactics and Formation
Expect Eddie Howe to stick with his 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing high pressing and quick turnovers. The front line of Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, and Nick Woltemade will likely press Sunderland hard. Joseph Willock, Jacob Ramsey, and Lewis Hall in the midfield should set the game’s pace, enabling swift shifts from defense to attack. Defensively, Botman and Thiaw aim to stabilize things, with Ramsdale assuredly in goal. The team’s strategy could involve quick vertical passes and using overlapping full-backs to stretch Sunderland’s defense, particularly impactful with a possibly wet and fast pitch.
Away Team Analysis: Sunderland
Sunderland Recent Performance
Sunderland has had a rough patch, with just one win in five games, accompanied by a draw and three defeats. Their 1-0 win over Leeds was crucial, yet could not cover their defensive issues, having conceded six in these matches. Their loss in the FA Cup to Port Vale (0-1) further underscores their inconsistency, while defeats to Brighton (0-1) and Fulham (1-3) highlight their struggles against top-tier Premier League teams on their turf.
| Competition | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | Brighton | 0-1 | L |
| FA Cup | Port Vale | 0-1 | L |
| Premier League | Leeds | 1-0 | W |
| Premier League | Bournemouth | 1-1 | D |
| Premier League | Fulham | 1-3 | L |
Sunderland Key Players
Sunderland’s key player is the striker, Brian Brobbey, leading with five goals this season. His role is crucial, needing midfield support from Granit Xhaka, who adds experience and calm. Chemsdine Talbi adds creativity behind the forefront, while Habib Diarra offers attacking flair from the flanks. In defense, Omar Alderete’s aerial skill is critical at both ends, while goalkeeper Melker Ellborg needs to bring his A-game against Newcastle.
Sunderland Suspensions & Injuries
Sunderland has injury issues that could affect their lineup significantly. They miss Jocelin Ta Bi in defense, Nordi Mukiele at full-back, and goalkeeper Robin Roefs. Midfielders Romain Mundle, Bertrand Traore, Enzo Le Fee, along with defenders like Reinildo and Daniel Ballard, increase the strain on Sunderland’s depth. Fitness questions abound, challenging their ability to field a cohesive lineup in this heated encounter.
| Player | Injury/Status |
|---|---|
| Jocelin Ta Bi | Injured |
| Nordi Mukiele | Injured |
| Robin Roefs | Injured |
| Romaine Mundle | Injured |
| Bertrand Traore | Injured |
| Reinildo | Injured |
| Daniel Ballard | Injured |
| Nilson Angulo | Injured |
| Enzo Le Fee | Injured |
Sunderland Tactics and Formation
Regis Le Bris might deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, likely focusing on a stable defensive setup with Granit Xhaka bringing expertise in midfield. Brian Brobbey carries goal-scoring deficits, backed by Chemsdine Talbi and Habib Diarra taking positions just behind. Defensive solidity is expected, with Geertruida and Hume balancing both defensive and offensive commitments alongside Alderete. The game plan may involve playing defensively steadfast and launching quick counter-attacks aimed at catching Newcastle off guard.
Newcastle United vs Sunderland Head-to-Head Statistics
The history of the derby shows matched opponents that often result in close contests. Sunderland has outshone Newcastle with three wins in their last five meetings, but Newcastle won once, with one game ending in a tie. Their last battle in December 2025 saw Sunderland pull off a 1-0 victory. This highlights their ability to compete fiercely in big derbies, though Newcastle holds the only big win (3-0) in recent FA Cup encounters.
| Date | Competition | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-14 | Premier League | Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle | Sunderland |
| 2024-01-06 | FA Cup | Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle | Newcastle |
| 2016-03-20 | Premier League | Newcastle 1-1 Sunderland | Draw |
| 2015-10-25 | Premier League | Sunderland 3-0 Newcastle | Sunderland |
| 2015-04-05 | Premier League | Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle | Sunderland |
Venue and Weather
St James’ Park will host this fierce derby, promising intense vibes. Expected weather includes around 12.61°C temperatures, great for maintaining energy. Light showers may make the pitch quicker, favoring Newcastle’s fast, high-tempo strategy that thrives on swift ball movement through their agile wings. Modest wind speeds of about 4.32 m/s should not significantly affect aerial battles or long kicks. Thus, players’ ability to control the ball and adapt quickly is crucial as these elements will sway not just strategies but the game’s tempo.
The Tyne-Wear derby always delivers on fiery passion and unexpected turns. Despite each team’s unique journey this season, fans on both sides can expect a spirited fight for local dominance. While Newcastle stands as the favorite due to form and past records, Sunderland’s grit and determination to turn the odds could make this Premier League showdown unmissable.
