Newcastle United have taken the chance to poke fun at Sunderland ahead of their latest Champions League fixture.
It is Newcastle United vs Benfica on Tuesday night, with St James’ Park bracing itself for another European night underneath the lights.
The game sees Jose Mourinho return to Tyneside, with the Benfica manager boasting a real affinity for the club due to his relationship with Sir Bobby Robson.
Ahead of the Champions League contest, the Magpies’ social media team have provided some tongue-in-cheek travel advice for any Benfica supporters heading to Tyneside. However, the ‘advice’ will not have gone down well on Wearside.
A Champions League ball on the grass during a Newcastle United training session.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle United tell Benfica to ignore Sunderland bridge
Since returning to the Champions League, Newcastle United have been sharing retro travel videos on social media.
Newcastle mocked Bayer Leverkusen ahead of their trip to Germany in December, and now Sunderland have got caught in the firing line.
The Magpies’ latest offering encourages Benfica fans to check out the incredible bridges that Newcastle has to offer, before detracting potential tourists from checking out the Monkwearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.
“No need to go across this one, there’s no Champions League over there,” the narrator says before a comical record-scratch and a picture of a smirking Dan Burn.
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Sunderland vs Newcastle United changes date
It will not be long before Sunderland have the chance to get revenge on Newcastle United for their social media mockery.
The Tyne-Wear derby is a Premier League fixture once again following the Black Cats’ promotion to the top flight, with the two sides set to meet at the Stadium of Light in December.
Sunderland vs Newcastle United was initially scheduled for Saturday 13th December, but it will now take place a day later on Sunday 14th December. The game is being broadcast by Sky Sports, and will kick off at 2pm.
Granit Xhaka is looking forward to facing Newcastle, having enjoyed an incredibly strong start to his Sunderland career. Regis Le Bris’ side are seventh in the Premier League, having picked up 14 points from their opening eight games. In contrast, Eddie Howe’s team are 14th with nine points.
The Newcastle United manager will be desperate to turn his team’s fortunes around before the derby, but that is a worry for another day. Right now, Howe will be focused on facing Benfica in the Champions League.