The Premier League’s final act this weekend sees Sunderland play hosts to Newcastle United in the ever-feisty Tyne-Wear derby – 4pm at the Stadium of Light.
The Magpies have certainly enjoyed the better form this season, nine points and four positions higher than their 17th-placed local rivals in the Premier League table, but their win-rate since John Carver’s official appointment at the start of January is at just 17%, claiming two wins from twelve.
Furthermore, the Tyneside outfit’s recent record against the Black Cats makes very troubling reading. They’ve not beaten Sunderland in their last six attempts, losing four.
Not that the Stadium of Light side aren’t plagued by their own problems. Temporary manager Dick Advocaat is still waiting for his first win as Sunderland endure a run of eight Premier League fixtures without victory.
So in an unpredictable affair between two out-of-form sides, who enters the Tyne-Wear derby as the favourites? Perhaps the starting line-ups, just officially confirmed on Twitter, can shed some light on the issue:
#SAFC: Pantilimon, Jones, van Aanholt, O'Shea (c), Vergini, Cattermole, Gomez, Larsson, Fletcher, Wickham, Defoe.
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) April 5, 2015
#SAFC Subs: Bridcutt, Johnson, Reveillere, Graham, Coates, Buckley, Mannone.
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) April 5, 2015
#NUFC at @SunderlandAFC: Krul, R.Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback, Sissoko (c), Gutierrez, Gouffran, Ameobi, Cabella, Perez.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 5, 2015
#NUFC subs at @SunderlandAFC: Elliot, Anita, Abeid, Kemen, Obertan, Riviere, Armstrong.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 5, 2015