Sunderland face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Renowned punditry duo Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have both predicted that Sunderland will suffer a 2-0 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Newcastle United this weekend.
The Black Cats travel to St. James’ Park for the first time in a decade, and will be looking to complete a Premier League double over their hosts, having beaten them 1-0 at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season.
For their part, Eddie Howe’s men head into Sunday’s contest off the back of a 7-2 hammering at the hands of Barcelona in midweek, but despite that heavy loss in Spain, both Merson and Sutton are convinced that the Magpies will have too much for a Sunderland side who have struggled for consistency in recent weeks.
What did Paul Merson say about Newcastle United vs Sunderland?
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson said: “I tell you what, up to the last minute of the first half against Barcelona at Camp Nou, Newcastle were really good. And to get blown away like that in the second half, it was like they ran out of legs!
“To be fair, Newcastle were really good in three out of four halves against Barcelona across the two legs. Even though the aggregate score reads 8-3, they were much better than Chelsea who lost 8-2 to PSG. Eddie Howe is a top manager. I don't think Newcastle can do any better than him at the moment. They should stick with him.
“The main problem for Newcastle has been their midfield three not being available together for the most of the season. Obviously, summer signings Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa have been a long way off replacing Alexander Isak as well. I was not on board with the move for Wissa from the beginning. To spend that amount of money on a player based on just one season, I couldn't see how it made sense.
“Sunderland are nowhere near the team they were at the start of the season. So if I had to pick a team to win the derby this weekend, it will be Newcastle.” Merson has opted for a 2-0 Newcastle win.
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What did Chris Sutton say about Newcastle United vs Sunderland?
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sutton said: “I was at Nou Camp on Wednesday and although the wheels came off spectacularly in the second half, the story of the tie is that for one-and-a-half legs, Newcastle competed really well against Barcelona.
“Even so, that defeat leaves Magpies boss Eddie Howe in a similar situation to Liam Rosenior at Chelsea, where it is important that he is has a strong end to the Premier League season to silence all his doubters. I still think we have seen enough from Newcastle over the course of this campaign for Howe's job to be safe.
“The glaring thing for me against Barca came after the game, watching their unused substitutes doing their running drills. Two of the subs were their big summer attacking signings, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade. The fact they had a huge European tie and neither got on the pitch summed up their impact this season. So, I have massive sympathy for Howe about that, and how much losing top scorer Alexander Isak last summer has affected his team.
“This is a massive game for Newcastle, because they have got to pick themselves up and go again, against their biggest rivals. If they lose this too, you know people are going to hit Howe with that stick that he is is not the right man to take the club forward. They lost at Stadium of Light before Christmas, when Woltemade scored an own goal, so they simply cannot let the Black Cats do the double over them.
“Sunderland's form has dropped off in the past few weeks and it does look like they are fizzling out, but the question is whether Newcastle can find the energy to see them off. I think they will.” Sutton has also forecast a 2-0 Sunderland defeat.
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