Sunderland are one game away from returning to the Premier League and playing against Newcastle United again.
There is a chance that the Tyne-Wear derby could return next season, as Newcastle United wait to see what happens at Wembley on 24th May.
Sunderland will play against Sheffield United in the Championship playoff final, with Dan Ballard’s last-second goal versus Coventry sending Regis Le Bris’ side through.
Newcastle United vs Sunderland has not been a Premier League fixture since March 2016. The two sides drew 1-1 last time they met in the top flight of English football.
Eddie Howe will ’embrace the games’ against Sunderland if they win promotion, having won his one and only Tyne-Wear derby as Newcastle United manager. That came in the FA Cup last season, with Newcastle beating Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Simon Jordan issues warning to Sunderland about Newcastle United
On that day, Newcastle United proved that there was a huge gap between the two clubs.
The Magpies have only got stronger since then too. Newcastle won the Carabao Cup earlier this year, while they could still finish as high as second in the Premier League.
That is why Simon Jordan has issued a warning to Sunderland fans on TalkSPORT, reminding them that their biggest rivals are now a ‘different beast’.
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“When they play Newcastle United, there will be a gulf in difference between the two clubs, irrespective of how much money they want to spend in the transfer window this summer,” he said.
“And it will have to be confined because they will be restricted by the governance of the PSR that takes them from the Championship losses into the Premier League, so they won’t have that wide a margin to spend.”
TalkSPORT presenter Jim White interrupted: “They [Sunderland] have got heart and belief.”
“Look at the quality of Newcastle,” Jordan replied.
“When we get into the reality of the game itself. It will be a great spectacle for the North East, but Newcastle are up, up and away. They are a different beast than maybe the last time Sunderland ever played them. It will be a great spectacle.”
Derby games divide opinion.
On the one hand, they are incredible spectacles and the euphoria of victory is like nothing else.
In contrast, they are unbearable to experience.
Some Newcastle United fans relish playing against Sunderland, while others would happily never face them again.
When it comes to Alan Shearer, the Newcastle United legend is massively in favour of derby games.
During an appearance on the Rest Is Football podcast in November 2024, Shearer was asked if he wants Sunderland back in the Premier League.
“Yes, definitely,” he said.
“Absolutely. We want Sunderland back in the Premier League because it’s guaranteed six points for us, isn’t it?
“That might come back and bite me in the future.
“You want to play in those games. They’re great derby games to play in St James’ and it’s Sunderland. So, yeah, I want them.
“I do actually want them back up because they’re not only good games for the players, but for the fans to look forward to as well.”