Newcastle v Sunderland: Team and injury news, analysis and nostalgia ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby

Anticipation is building ahead of the biggest Tyne-Wear derby in a generation - and we've got it covered.
Sunderland travel to St James's Park on Sunday for the biggest Tyne-Wear derby in a generationSunderland travel to St James's Park on Sunday for the biggest Tyne-Wear derby in a generation
Sunderland travel to St James's Park on Sunday for the biggest Tyne-Wear derby in a generation

Sam Allardyce takes his Sunderland squad to face Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United at St James's Park on Sunday - with both sides battling against relegation to the Championship.

Safety is worth more than £100million to each club with the new bumper £5billion television contract coming into play from next season making this the biggest derby day since the 1990 play-off semi-finals.

Sunderland manager Sam AllardyceSunderland manager Sam Allardyce
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce
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Doomed Aston Villa already have one foot in the Championship, with two from Sunderland, Newcastle United and Norwich City realistically set to join them.

Here is our comprehensive guide to the hotly-anticipated derby.

Where: St James's Park.

When: Sunday, March 20, televised live on Sky Sports.

Newcastle United manager Rafa BenitezNewcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez

Kick-off: 1.30pm.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (Bradford)

Here are the highlights so far of our comprehensive Tyne-Wear derby coverage:

Newcastle United striker Aleksandar MitrovicNewcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic
Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic
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* Sam Allardyce has been holding his pre-match press conference and you can recap the latest team and injury news here:

* This will be the 156th meeting between the teams. Sunderland have won 53 so far, with Newcastle United also coming out on top 53 times.

Sunderland's Lamine Kone celebratesSunderland's Lamine Kone celebrates
Sunderland's Lamine Kone celebrates

* Sunderland striker Fabio Borini: I want to silence 50,000 Newcastle fans againBorini told the Echo: "You can feel like you beat 50,000 people on your own. At home you know they’re on your side even if you don’t win.

"It's good to upset 50,0000 people."

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* We take a look at three key battles that will decide where the derby is won and lost.

Lamine Kone v Aleksandar Mitrovic, Jermain Defoe v the Newcastle United defence and Jan Kirchhoff v Georginio Wijnaldum all feature as we analyse the key battles on the pitch.

Sunderland manager Sam AllardyceSunderland manager Sam Allardyce
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce

* Sunderland have won the last six derbies against their fierce North East rivals and we revealed six ways Allardyce's side can extend their record-breaking winning run.

Set pieces, Sunderland's spine and Newcastle's fragile defence all featured in this in-depth analysis of how the Black Cats should approach Sunday's high-pressured match.

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* Sam Allardyce facing five Sunderland selection dilemmas ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby:

Allardyce's options ahead of Sunday have been given a significant boost in recent weeks with the return to fitness of Younes Kaboul and Seb Larsson, while Jeremain Lens is expected to be in the match day squad.

Should Big Sam go with Kaboul or recall captain John O'Shea? Jermain Defoe or Dame N'Doye up front? And should Jack Rodwell keep his place?

* Jan Kirchhoff: Sunderland need clean-sheets to survive - starting with the Tyne-Wear derby:

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January signing Kirchhoff - who has starred in recent games - told the Echo: "We need to get clean sheets. Everyone can see that we create chances.

"I've seen that in every game since I’ve been here, but we don’t manage to stay strong enough in defence and get a clean sheet."

* Sunderland fans urged to use free supporter buses to Newcastle for Tyne-Wear derby:

Sunderland fans are being urged to use official coaches as the "quickest and cheapest way" of getting to Sunday's crunch game against Newcastle.

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Tens of thousands of football fans will fill St James' Park ready for the 1.30pm kick-off, and just under 3,000 of those will be away supporters travelling from across the region.

* Jermain Defoe: More pressure on Newcastle than Sunderland in Tyne-Wear derby:Sunderland striker Defoe believes there is more pressure on Newcastle’s shoulders in this weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby showdown, despite the desperate need of both North East clubs for precious points in the relegation battle.Read more from Defoe here:

* Sunderland defender not expected to be fit for the Tyne-Wear derby:

Select your Sunderland team:

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Ever fancied being the Sunderland AFC manager? Well, now is your chance ahead of Sunday's crunch clash at St James's Park.

Nostalgia:

We are counting down some of Sunderland's greatest ever wins over Newcastle in the Echo this week and our coverage started with a look back at the 50s. Keep an eye out for famous wins from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and the modern era.

* Tyne/Wear derby countdown: Sunderland’s best wins over Newcastle United in the 1950s:

* Tyne-Wear derby: Re-live classic Newcastle United v Sunderland games from the 1960s:Click here for the 1960s:

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* Tyne-Wear derby countdown: How Gary Rowell wrote his name in record books and other 70s memories:Click here for the 1970s:

* Sunderland 1990 pair on how to handle the nerves in the biggest derby for 26 years:

Chris Young speaks to two members of that triumphant Sunderland 1990 line-up, Gordon Armstrong and John MacPhail in this in-depth feature.