Chris Sutton has given his prediction on Sunday's hotly anticipated Wear-Tyne derby between Sunderland and Newcastle.

Chris Sutton has made his prediction for this Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby, and it doesn’t make for good reading if you’re a Newcastle United fan.

The Magpies travel to the Stadium of Light for their first Premier League meeting against Sunderland since March 2016. There has only been one Wear-Tyne derby in the time since, with Newcastle winning 3-0 in the FA Cup last January, but the two sides were still in different divisions at that point.

And it’s an important fixture even outside the context of the fierce rivalry, with Sunderland ninth in the table after a great start to life back in the top-flight, but with just one win in their last six, while Newcastle are just one point and three places behind, having taken 10 points from their last four games.

Chris Sutton makes Wear-Tyne derby prediction

Writing in his regular Premier League predictions column for BBC Sport, former Blackburn Rovers and Celtic striker Sutton has tipped Sunderland for a 2-1 win. The one-time England international - who won the 1994/95 Premier League title partnering Newcastle legend Alan Shearer up-front for Blackburn - believes Sunderland’s ‘intensity’ will prove too much for Eddie Howe’s side, who had to manage Champions League commitments away at Bayer Leverkusen during the week.

“Sunderland have had the week off while Newcastle had to work so hard against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, only to let their lead slip away late on,” wrote Sutton. “Apart from their brilliant performance against Everton a couple of weeks ago, Newcastle's away form hasn't been great, especially straight after they've played in the Champions League.

“I am expecting that pattern to continue on Sunday, and their fatigue is likely to be a factor in how this game goes because of Sunderland's intensity. “We saw against Arsenal how relentless Regis le Bris's side are. They bullied the Gunners, and it was amazing to watch.

“Everyone talks about how Granit Xhaka has been phenomenal for the Black Cats, and he has been brilliant, but Noah Sadiki, who plays alongside him in midfield, has also been one of the signings of the season and deserves some attention too. “I am expecting this to be the best game of the weekend, and I am also expecting Sunderland to win it. “Some derby games can be hyped up and then end up being disappointing, but I can't see this one letting anyone down.

“I love the way Eddie Howe sets Newcastle up, too, and he is a brilliant manager, but the Black Cats will take the bragging rights.”

Newcastle fans will much prefer the prediction of England Gaming star Daniel ‘Stingray’ Ray, who has given his thoughts on the weekend’s fixtures alongside Sutton, tipping the Magpies for a resounding 4-0 victory in enemy territory.

“I've got a few friends from Sunderland, and a few friends from Newcastle... but I think Newcastle run away with this. 0-4,” wrote Stingray.