From Jeff Stelling to Luke Littler: What the sporting world are saying about Sunderland vs Newcastle United

The first Wear-Tyne Derby of the season is almost upon us, with Sunderland hosting bitter rivals Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon.

It’s a game that commands the attention of the sporting world, and it will be all eyes on Wearside as the two clubs meet in the Premier League for the first time in almost a decade this weekend.

But what have the talking heads been saying about the fixture? Here’s a few of the big name predictions and opinions you might have missed over the past day or two...

Jeff Stelling

Speaking to talkSPORT, popular broadcaster Jeff Stelling said: “On Sunday, it's my game of the week. The first Premier League tie in a derby since 2016, as Sunderland host Newcastle. Back then, goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Jermain Defoe cancelled each other out. But Sunderland won the last home derby by three goals to nil.

“This will be a passionate, heated affair. The noise at the Stadium of Light will hurt your ears. If you think I'm picking a winner from this one, you must be joking. Sunderland nil, Newcastle nil.”

Simon Jordan

When asked whether Newcastle have been overshadowed by Sunderland so far this season during a talkSPORT appearance of his own, former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan said: “Yay and nay, the expectations of Sunderland is being exceeded by their achievements because people are marvelling at the way they’ve come up and done their job so well.

“The fact Newcastle are in the Champions League and are expected to punch really hard, probably doesn’t mean they’re being eclipsed by Sunderland, but what it does mean is there’s a massive opportunity for people to be hugely engaged.”

Jordan added that few expected Sunderland to be in such strong shape heading into the derby, making Sunday’s match a compelling contest for both sides. “At no point when this was put on the roster did anyone expect Sunderland to be in this type of condition. Newcastle have a real game on their hands. It’ll be a helluva game.”

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries

Darts superstars Luke Humphries and Luke Litter have also offered their thoughts on the hotly anticipated clash. In an interview with the Premier League, Humphries said: “Sunderland vs Newcastle, it's gonna be the game of the week, I think. I'm gonna say 1-0, I think there's not gonna be too much that's gonna split.”

Defending world champion Littler added: “I'm gonna say 2-1 Sunderland.”

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Darragh MacAnthony

In a segment on Sky Sports FC, Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony said: “I can’t wait to watch this game. This going to be tasty. You’re going to see goals, you’re going to see tackles, you’re going to see, potentially, red cards - everything a derby should be. It’s got everything. And the fact they’re one point [apart in the table]... I mean everyone expected going into the season that Sunderland would be bottom four, Newcastle would be top four, and if you look historically through these games, Sunderland have actually got the most recent better record, when they’ve played, which is sensational.

“I can’t call the game. And as much as you want to get, ‘Well, Sunderland have won one in six [in the Premier League], Newcastle are sort of getting their act together so you’d expect Newcastle to win’, for those games, it doesn’t matter. Even if they were Premier League and Championship, it’s a derby, it’s passion. Everything is unpredictable on the day.

“I think two things could happen. I think if Newcastle win, it propels them and they go on a run towards the top. If Sunderland lose, there could be issues for Sunderland because of the fallout of losing a game of that magnitude. They had an incredible start to the season, which has made sure they’re in no danger of going down, but they’ve won one in six now. If Sunderland win and Newcastle don’t win, then it’s a lot of pressure on Newcastle, because at some stage - and we haven’t really put the microscope on them like we have with Liverpool - you’re expecting them to be higher and a lot more involved at the top of the table, a la Aston Villa. So this, pressure-wise, there’s more pressure on Newcastle, but I’ve got a sneaky feeling that Newcastle steal the game.”

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