Watch the brilliant scenes as Newcastle United arrive ahead of Sunderland clash

Newcastle United have arrived at the Stadium of Light ahead of the Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light. The Magpies head into today’s game below their fierce rivals in the Premier League, but know that a win would see them leapfrog the Black Cats.

Eddie Howe’s side defeated Burnley last time out in the Premier League, but were denied a win in midweek in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen. Whilst a point in Germany all-but guaranteed their progress to the knockout stages of that competition for the first time ever, it was yet another case of a late goal denying them a win.

That cannot happen today on Wearside as the Magpies go in search of back-to-back wins against their local rivals. Whilst a Premier League meeting between Sunderland and Newcastle United hasn’t taken place since 2016, the two clubs did meet in an FA Cup 3rd Round match in January 2024 - one Howe’s side cruised to a 3-0 win in.

Eddie Howe looks ahead to derby clash

That win in the FA Cup was Howe’s first ever derby clash and the Magpies boss knows exactly what this game means to the club. Howe said: “I look at these games as positives. I want to experience the biggest games possible. I think you want to throw yourself into the biggest challenges possible.

“And I think this game will be one that we'll always remember. Hopefully for the right reasons. Hopefully because someone's made the difference and created a memorable moment for our supporters.

“That's what we're chasing. That's what we want. And we want to, as I said earlier, do them proud and make sure we represent them in the right way.”

Newcastle United arrive at Stadium of Light

Ahead of today’s game, Howe has a number of decisions to make when naming his starting XI, including who to start in goal. However, as the teams arrived at the Stadium of Light, that decision had seemingly been taken out of his hands with Nick Pope a non-arrival on Wearside.

Joelinton, who there were also fitness doubts over pre-match, was seen heading off the bus and into the Stadium of Light in a major boost for Howe. Dan Burn, who knows more about this fixture than any other player in the two starting sides, was first to head off the bus and gave a cheeky grin to the Black Cats supporters that had waited to catch a glimpse of the Magpies team.

Bruno Guimaraes will lead his team out on Wearside and be partnered by Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley in midfield.

NUFC starting XI v Sunderland: Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Miley; Elanga, Gordon, Woltemade

Subs: Ruddy, Schar, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, J.Murphy, Willock, A.Murphy, Ramsey