Premier League preview: Newcastle v Sunderland

Newcastle United take on rivals Sunderland in the English Premier League’s Tyne-Wear derby as both look to get back on the winners’ list.

Sitting sixth after a strong first half of the campaign, Alan Pardew’s Newcastle were thrashed by Tottenham before drawing with Wolves, falling three points adrift of fifth-placed Chelsea.

They host Sunderland at Sports Direct Arena on Sunday, with Martin O’Neill’s men looking to bounce back after a 4-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion.

O’Neill, who has revived Sunderland’s season since taking over in December, believes his team’s best should be good enough at Newcastle.

“It’s a massive game and it’s one I am looking forward to. It’s a ferocious derby and I’m sure it will be played at a great pace,” the Northern Irishman said.

“We’re away from home, which makes it difficult, but we have to be ready for it. And if we perform as strongly as we can, of course we can win it.”

Newcastle striker Demba Ba’s prolific form has seen him attract interest from rival clubs after his 16 league goals this campaign.

The Senegal international is one of four players under an injury cloud heading into the derby, but he, Papiss Demba Cisse, Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote – an important quartet – are all expected to play.

Ba, who has failed to net in his past two matches, has not gone three league starts without a goal since joining Newcastle in June last year.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have failed to keep a clean sheet in their past 23 league matches against Newcastle.

They have climbed into ninth since O’Neill’s arrival, but are likely to have to settle for a mid-table finish this season.

Stephane Sessegnon has been in excellent form, although he and Nicklas Bendtner are in doubt after representing Benin and Denmark respectively in midweek internationals.

Defender Phil Bardsley is also likely to miss with a calf injury as O’Neill’s men search for a win against what is likely to be an equally desperate Newcastle.