From Jermain Defoe screamers and late Fabio Borini winners to Nick Woltemade's stunning header at the wrong end earlier this season, Sunderland tend to endure an enjoyable 90 minutes whenever the Tyne-Wear derby takes place. And this weekend may be no different.
On a run of one win in their last five games in all competitions, there's no better way to get back to form than by completing the double over their rivals for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign.
Newcastle will be out for a vengeful victory themselves, however, and record signing Woltemade certainly has plenty of making up to do - sparking what should be another frantic affair.
Newcastle vs Sunderland: The crucial battles
The first task for Sunderland this weekend will be to find the head of Woltemade. Newcastle's big-money striker was an all too willing participant in their last victory earlier this season, heading beyond Aaron Ramsdale in stunning fashion. Relegated to midfield ever since, the German has just about summed up the Magpies' season.
The Black Cats can take full advantage of the 24-year-old's inexperience if he starts in the middle of the park. Against him will likely be Granit Xhaka, who should be Woltemade's worst nightmare.
Granit-Xhaka-1
Where he lacks experience, Xhaka has been a Rolls-Royce in the Premier League this season - standing out as one of the signings of the season.
Accurate long passes per 90 25/26
Fabian Schar
Rodri
Joachim Andersen
Marcos Senesi
Granit Xhaka
Only one midfielder has completed more long passes per 90 than Xhaka in the Premier League this season and that's Ballon d'Or winner Rodri. Given that Newcastle will be without Schar on Sunday too, it will be the former Arsenal man who's dictating play through his passing range.
As is often the case, the midfield battle will be where the derby is won and lost at St James' Park. But if Sunderland are looking for an extra bite beyond that battle, then Regis Le Bris simply has to start a man who knows exactly what this game means.
The new Bellingham must start for Sunderland
Prior to playing the full 90 against Brighton & Hove Albion, Chris Rigg played just one minute in Sunderland's last eight Premier League games. And it was tough to see why that was the case.
Heralded as a "phenomenal" player by Como scout Ben Mattinson, Rigg is still young, but with the Black Cats on course for survival, it should have been the perfect time to hand him some crucial minutes. Instead, however, Le Bris made him wait.
chris-rigg-sunderland
That is why, when Rigg was finally unleashed against Brighton, he was champing at the bit to prove his manager wrong and stake his claim for a starting place against Newcastle one week later.
Even in defeat, the midfielder was excellent against the Seagulls and would have had his first Premier League goal if it wasn't for the intervention of VAR.
Chris Rigg vs Brighton
Minutes
Passes into final third
Chances Created
Recoveries
Touches
Defensive contributions
Goals have been a problem on the road for Sunderland all season. So much so that only Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored fewer than the eight that they've managed. And that's why Le Bris should forget Rigg's inexperience and hand Sunderland's boyhood star a starting place against Newcastle.
Unlike the likes of Chemsdine Talbi, who often see games pass them by, Rigg was certainly involved against Brighton. Whilst Xhaka's passing range can make a difference from a deeper role, it is the teenager who can create a supply-line from out wide, completing three passes into the final third last time out.
There's a reason why Sunderland could comfortably sell Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund last season. They knew they had a similar player waiting in the wings; an exceptional young versatile player oozing with confidence. Now, he needs his chance.
In such a big game, the Black Cats have the privilege of turning towards a local player. If Rigg wasn't in the squad as a player, then he may well be in the stands as a fan. More than almost anyone else in that Sunderland squad, he simply gets what it means to defeat Newcastle.
fabio-borini-sunderland Related
Le Bris can drop Talbi by starting Sunderland's new version of Fabio Borini
Chemsdine Talbi is still finding his feet after joining Sunderland in the summer.