Sunderland manager Melanie Reay speaks with players during the Championship match against Newcastle United
This weekend sees the third local derby of the season and it's the biggest one so far nearly 20,000 people will be at St James's Park for Newcastle United versus Sunderland in the WSL.
The visitors, having lost last time out at home to Portsmouth, will be hoping for a change in fortune; they led twice and conceded in injury time.
After a strong start to the season, form and results seem to have faded a little. Without a win in their last seven matches in all competitions, they lie in eighth place with nine points, one point behind their hosts.
Mel Reay spoke about the situation in her Press conference. "What a fixture to go and put it right," she enthused. "We can’t forget that we got beat twice by them last season as well, we have to remember that."
It could come down on the day to spirit and mentality, with margins between the club so fine.
"When you're playing for this club, you have that Geordie mentality," said Newcastle centre-back Deanna Cooper in the build-up. "So, it's up to us players that when we're out there, we show what it's all about and what it means to fight for this badge."
Newcastle were disappointed last weekend in another derby clash against Durham at Maiden Castle, having taken an early lead through Molly Pike, then conceding quickly to Molly Lambert (who seems to love scoring in derbies). They couldn't find many ways through Durham's midfield or defence, and when they did their shooting was either off-target or met by some great goalkeeping from Cat Sheppard.
Chatting to supporters and some behind the scenes it seemed to be the story of their season so far, in their eyes - they need to be more clinical in front to goal. They certainly have the players and Sunday's game at St James' Park is a golden opportunity to put them back on track.
"I think it's just about those final details," Cooper said when asked how they turn draws into wins. "We've spoken about that a lot this week in training and how we need to be more ruthless in both boxes.
"We know we've conceded poor goals over the last few weeks, and we just need to find a way to put the ball in the back of the net."
Claire Ditchburn remains in temporary charge, unbeaten in her two games with only one addition to the coaching staff - this week the appointment of a new Academy Manager was announced. James Thomas, who had previously been with Bristol City in a similar role, joins the backroom staff.
A local derby following some indifferent results sounds familiar to Durham after their draw with Newcastle. It was certainly a more 'Durham performance' in glimpses; battling hard and physical at times. It will give them great confidence for their long trip down to Southampton.