Why Newcastle United will be 'nervous' ahead of Wear-Tyne derby with Sunderland
Newcastle United will travel to Sunderland for a Premier League fixture for the first time since October 2015 on Sunday afternoon.
Newcastle United had been fully focused on Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen - but the shadow of Sunday’s long-awaited derby clash with Sunderland is looming large.
The Magpies have enjoyed an upturn in form in the league in recent weeks and Saturday’s 2-1 home win against relegation threatened Burnley has actually taken them to within a point of the Black Cats ahead of this weekend’s short trip to Wearside. United manager Eddie Howe has always insisted his focus will be on this side’s attempt to take a step closer to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a win in Germany - but his team selection for the meeting with the Bundesliga club offered some indication of how Newcastle will set up against Sunderland.
Malick Thiaw seems to be a certain starter in both games after the German international eased into life in the Premier League - but there is a decision for Howe to make over who will partner the former AC Milan man at the heart of his back four. Dan Burn appears to be favourite ahead of Magpies stalwart - but whoever is part of the Magpies backline will have to help their side improve how they defend set-pieces against a Black Cats side that have impressed in that area over the first four months of the season.
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Assessing the situation and the decision facing Howe, the Gazette’s Newcastle United writer Dom Scurr said: “Although he hasn't been brilliant the last few games, but with Sven Botman not there, Dan Burn I’d probably back to be the left centre back with Malick Thiaw. But you raise a good point on the set pieces because Newcastle, while they've been quite good at attacking set pieces, they've been quite poor at defending set pieces. You just look at the Arsenal game, they conceded two late on. Burnley, the penalty came about from that, Spurs did too.
“Defending set pieces has been a real sticking point for Newcastle this season and, and as you say, that's been a strength for something. I think the loss of Nick Pope, as much as Aaron Ramsdale brings quality in terms of his distribution and he's still a good shot stopper, but he's not the biggest, and if you put the ball on him that's a potential area where you can take advantage. So set-pieces, conceding any sort of set-piece there'll be an element of nerves and tension from Newcastle given the set-pieces they've conceded this season already.”
Battleground
The Sunderland Echo’s James Copley also believes set-pieces can play a key role in deciding the outcome of the first Wear-Tyne Premier League derby since October 2015. The Black Cats have impressed since returning to the Premier League on the back of their Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United and have racked up impressive wins against the likes of Bournemouth, Chelsea and Brentford as well as claiming deserved draws against reigning champions Liverpool and title favourites Arsenal.
Making the most of set-pieces has played a part is several positive results - and Copley has described that area as ‘a key battleground’ in Sunday’s game.
He said: “I’d be interested to see if Sunderland can impose their will on Newcastle United in terms of the set-pieces. I think that's gonna be a big battleground, we've seen it come to fruition in the Premier League, haven't we? Sunderland have been excellent at long throws, and corners, but will they be able to do that against Newcastle? That remains to be seen.
"Conversely, will Newcastle be able to stick it on Sunderland with some of the taller lads at corners. I’m identifying that as a key battleground, I think every corner, as it always is in the derby or every long throw is, is going to be so important in terms of the anticipation of the fans and all of that sort of stuff - but with the big lads in there as well, and given how well Sunderland have approached set pieces this season, I'm very, very interested to see how it will go.”
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