The Premier League is set to host the first Newcastle United v Sunderland clashes for nearly a decade next season.
Aye, so, it’s the one you’ve all been waiting for. The one you’ll be recording in the diaries, booking days off for, making plans for. It’s the one you always look forward to, then dread as it edges closer. It’s the one you always wanted, but never wanted at the same time.
Tyne-Wear derby history
It’s a proper derby. Not the family-links, next door neighbour stuff you get in places like Liverpool, London or Manchester. This is enough distance between the two to go years without seeing a member of the rival tribe. And that’s where the bite in this one comes from. Two totally different sets of people, with their own culture - well, maybe that’s a push with Wearside - dialect and history.
It’s a rivalry between peoples dating back to the English Civil War! You don’t get that in no Merseyside encounter.
And, on the whole, while Newcastle are ahead in terms of wins, it’s only just, levelled out largely by the fact Sunderland won six on the bounce prior to the Magpies, then Sunderland, dropping out of the top flight.
In total, the two sides have played 157 games against each other in all competitions. Newcastle have won 54 to Sunderland’s 53.
In the league, it’s 142 games, Newcastle winning 51 to Sunderland’s 47.
Sunderland have actually scored more goals, despite not winning more games. They have 232 to Newcastle’s 227.
The last Tyne-Wear derby
The ‘walk in the park’ derby. Newcastle cruised to a 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light in the third round of the FA Cup in January 2024.
While form was with the Championship outfit, with the Magpies painfully out of it, having been edged out of the Champions League on the final day by AC Milan only weeks previous, and injuries mounting, it was an under-strength United who triumphed.
Alexander Isak wrote himself into Geordie folklore by scoring two goals, one from the spot, in the win. Dan Ballard also netted an own goal.
When will Newcastle United v Sunderland in 2025/26 take place
The Premier League fixtures will be announced at 9am on Wednesday, June 18.
Newcastle will, of course, play Sunderland once at St James’ Park and also once at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League. The pair could also meet in either of the two domestic cup competitions, but draws for both of those - the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup - will not take place until September and December, respectively. It is even possible that SAFC will no longer be in the competition by the time United enter, with the holders, due to being in Europe, will come in at the third round stage, while Sunderland are in at R2.
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