FM26 predicts Sunderland v Newcastle with big manager calls, controversial red card and three goals
Newcastle United will visit Wear-Tyne derby rivals Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.
Newcastle United will kickstart one of their most important weeks of the season when they make the short trip to the Stadium of Light to face local rivals Sunderland in the first Wear-Tyne Premier League derby in a decade.
Eddie Howe’s men sit just one point behind the Black Cats ahead of their trip down the A19 and will hope to claim a win that would see them head into the hectic festive period sitting above the red and whites. For all of the importance held within the renewal of local hostilities, the Magpies have two monumental fixtures lying in wait over the following days.
Newcastle will aim to take another step towards successfully defending the Carabao Cup when they host Fulham in a quarter-final in midweek before they are back at St James Park for a Premier League meeting with Chelsea. Yet for now, the entire focus is on Sunday’s derby clash with Sunderland and that will dominate the thoughts of Magpies boss Eddie Howe as he faces up to making several big calls ahead of the visit to the Stadium of Light. Will Lewis Hall start at left back? Could there be more game-time for summer signing Yoane Wissa? Who will get the nod in midfield?
With the Wear-Tyne derby now just days away, we take to Football Manager 2026 to see how Sunday’s long-awaited clash will pan out.
An early lead for Sunderland as Le Bris call pays off
One of the managers received an immediate reward for one of his major decisions ahead of the long-awaited derby as Regis Le Bris’ call to start Brian Brobbey in the lead role in attack paid off inside the opening five minutes. The former Ajax man broke in behind the Magpies defence after being played in on goal by Enzo Le Fee and kept his cool to slot the ball beyond the advancing Aaron Ramsdale to set off wild celebrations from the vast majority of those inside the Stadium of Light.
More justification for the Black Cats boss
Those celebrations were kickstarted once again before the quarter-hour mark had even been reached and once again it was Brobbey that triggered them. Le Fee’s blistering start to his first ever Wear-Tyne derby continued as the French midfielder broke through two tackles before sending Brobbey into the left-hand side of the area and the striker wasted little time in firing beyond Ramsdale for a second time.
From bad to worse for the Magpies as key man sees red
Things went from bad to worse for the Magpies as the half-hour mark was passed as they were reduced to ten men. A dangerous corner-kick routine broke down at the far post and that allowed Le Fee to carry the ball away from the Black Cats penalty area and over the halfway line. However, his run was cynically brought to an end by Magpies midfielder and captain Bruno Guimaraes, who was immediately shown a straight red card to leave his team right up against it.
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Hope for the Magpies
To their credit, Eddie Howe’s side kept battling away from they got some reward as they got back into the game on the midway point of the second half. Lewis Hall was the instigator of the move as the England full-back burst down the left-hand side and sent a pinpoint cross into the Black Cats area. That was met by Nick Woltemade and the Germany striker left Robin Roefs with no chance with a powerful header from close range - but would it be enough to kickstart a comeback from United?
Full-time
The full-time whistle blows at the Stadium of Light and Sunderland have held on against a ten-men Newcastle side to claim a fourth consecutive home league win over the Magpies.
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