Sunderland vs Newcastle: Tyne-Wear Derby Returns with Premier League Stakes

Match Details:

• Fixture: Sunderland vs Newcastle United (Tyne-Wear Derby)
• Competition: Premier League (Gameweek 16, 2025/26 Season)
• Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
• Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
• Kick-Off: 2:00 PM GMT (17:00 EAT)

Sunderland vs Newcastle Prediction: North East Rivalry Reignites

The Sunderland vs Newcastle clash returns to the Premier League this Sunday as the Tyne-Wear Derby takes center stage at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland (9th, 23 points) host fierce rivals Newcastle United (12th, 22 points) in a match that carries massive implications for both local pride and European qualification hopes.

Regis Le Bris's Black Cats are reeling from a humbling 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, while Eddie Howe's Magpies arrive on Wearside riding a four-match unbeaten run. With just one point separating these bitter rivals in the Premier League table, this Sunderland vs Newcastle encounter promises intensity, passion, and high stakes.

Premier League Standings: Just One Point Separates the Rivals

Sunderland sits in 9th place with 23 points, remarkably just 3 points off the top four. Newcastle United trails in 12th with 22 points, making this a crucial six-pointer. A Newcastle win would see them leapfrog their arch-rivals and move closer to European qualification spots.

Sunderland vs Newcastle: Form Guide Analysis

Sunderland Recent Form (Last 5): D-L-W-D-L

• Latest Result: Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland (Away)
• Home Record: Strong until the recent setback
• Momentum: Halted by the Etihad defeat

Newcastle United Recent Form (Last 5): L-W-D-W-D

• Latest Result: Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Newcastle (Champions League)
• Premier League: 4 matches unbeaten (3W-1D)
• Key Victories: Bruno Guimarães dominated in the 2-1 win over Burnley
• Momentum: High, with Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley combining brilliantly in Europe

Newcastle appears to be hitting their stride at the perfect time, while Sunderland must quickly heal the psychological wounds from their Manchester City mauling.

Tyne-Wear Derby: Head-to-Head Record

The Sunderland vs Newcastle rivalry is one of English football's most passionate encounters, with a remarkably balanced historical record.

Overall Record (All Competitions):

• Total Matches: 27
• Sunderland Wins: 9
• Newcastle Wins: 9
• Draws: 9

Recent Meetings (Last 5):

• Sunderland: 3 Wins (all with clean sheets)
• Draws: 1
• Newcastle: 1 Win

Last Meeting: Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle United (FA Cup, January 6, 2024)

While Sunderland dominated the fixture in the mid-2010s, Newcastle emphatically ended that run in their last meeting. The 9-9-9 split perfectly encapsulates the tightness of this historic derby.

Sunderland vs Newcastle Team News & Injuries

Sunderland Injury Report

Key Absences:

• Aji Alese (Shoulder) – Ruled Out
• Dennis Cirkin (Wrist) – Ruled Out
• Leo Fuhr Hjelde (Achilles) – Long-term absence
• Habib Diarra (Groin) – Ruled Out

Le Bris faces a defensive crisis with Aji Alese and Dennis Cirkin both unavailable. Expect Trai Hume to shift positions or rely on Niall Huggins and Timothée Pembélé. The absence of Diarra weakens their midfield engine room significantly.

Newcastle United Injury List

Key Absences:

• Nick Pope (Unspecified) – Ruled Out
• Sven Botman (Back) – Ruled Out
• Kieran Trippier (Hamstring) – Ruled Out
• Joelinton (Groin) – Ruled Out
• Emil Krafth (Knee) – Ruled Out
• William Osula (Unspecified) – Ruled Out

Eddie Howe navigates a lengthy injury list. Aaron Ramsdale continues in goal, while Fabian Schär and Dan Burn must lead a makeshift defense. The absence of Joelinton places extra burden on Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali in midfield battles.

Tactical Analysis: What to Expect at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland's Game Plan

Regis Le Bris will harness the fervent atmosphere at the Stadium of Light to unsettle Newcastle early:

• High-Intensity Press: Target Newcastle's injury-hit backline with aggressive pressing
• Wing Attacks: Focus play through Mukiele and Hume to exploit full-back areas
• Midfield Battle:Sadiki and Xhaka must contain Newcastle's technical superiority

Key Players:Xhaka (creative outlet and box-to-box energy), Roefs (goalkeeper excellence required)

Newcastle United's Approach

Eddie Howe will aim to control tempo and silence the passionate home crowd:

• Quick Transitions: Exploit space with Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, and Woltemade
• Midfield Control:Bruno Guimarães (Man of the Match vs Burnley) will orchestrate play
• Set-Piece Threat: Utilize Schär and Burn's aerial dominance against depleted Sunderland defense

Key Players:Anthony Gordon (pace and directness), Bruno Guimarães (midfield maestro), Woltemade (clinical finishing)

Probable Starting Line-ups

Sunderland (5-4-1)

GK: Roeffs
DEF: Hume, Alderete (C), Ballard, Geertruida, Mukiele
MID: Xhaka, Sadiki
ATT: Le Fee, Traore
FWD: Isidor

Newcastle United (4-3-3)

GK: Ramsdale
DEF: Livramento, Thiaw, Burn (C), Hall
MID: Tonali, Guimarães, Miley
FWD: Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon

Sunderland vs Newcastle Final Score Prediction

Derby matches often defy form, but the injury situations prove decisive here. Sunderland's defensive injuries (Alese, Cirkin) leave them vulnerable to the pace of Anthony Gordon and Woltemade. Newcastle's missing pieces (Botman, Pope) suggest both teams will score.

Newcastle's four-match unbeaten run and recent goalscoring form (2 vs Leverkusen, 2 vs Burnley) give them the edge. Sunderland will fight valiantly at home, but Newcastle's superior quality in attack should exploit the gaps in the makeshift Black Cats defense.

Final Score: Sunderland 1-2 Newcastle United

Betting Tips for Sunderland vs Newcastle:

• Result: Newcastle to Win
• Both Teams to Score: Yes
• Goal/Assist: Anthony Gordon
• Cards: Over 4.5 (Derby intensity)
• Corners: Over 9.5

Why This Premier League Derby Matters

For Sunderland

Victory against their arch-rivals would instantly erase the Manchester City defeat memory and propel them back toward European qualification spots, proving their strong start is sustainable.

For Newcastle

A win would be a massive statement, pushing them above Sunderland and extending their dominance following the FA Cup victory. It keeps the city Black and White while boosting their European aspirations.

Where to Watch Sunderland vs Newcastle Live

The Tyne-Wear Derby will be broadcast live globally:

• UK: Sky Sports Main Event / Premier League
• USA: NBC / Peacock Premium
• Worldwide: Official Premier League streaming partners
• Kick-Off: 2:00 PM GMT (Sunday, December 14, 2025)

Sunderland vs Newcastle: Match Preview Summary

The Tyne-Wear Derby returns with enormous stakes. Sunderland (9th, 23 points) seeks redemption after their Manchester City thrashing, while Newcastle (12th, 22 points) rides a four-match unbeaten streak. Both defenses are injury-ravaged, but Newcastle's superior firepower and momentum make them favorites to silence the Stadium of Light.

Final Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Newcastle United

Stay updated with live coverage, confirmed team sheets, and post-match analysis of this historic Sunderland vs Newcastle encounter.

• Premier League Gameweek 16 Full Preview
• Newcastle United Season Analysis
• Sunderland's European Qualification Chances
• Tyne-Wear Derby History and Records
• Official Premier League Standings