This weekend, the Premier League serves up not one but two mouth-watering derbies, the second of which takes place on Wearside on Sunday as Sunderland host Newcastle. The Black Cats have a terrible record in north-east derbies but can they set that straight this time? Also in action are winless QPR, who play host to high-flying Everton.
Sunderland v Newcastle 1:30pm
If you are a Sunderland fan you must look ahead to these Tyne-Wear derbies with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. The Black Cats have won just one of the last 15 meetings between the two rivals and supporters will probably still be having nightmares about the 5-1 mauling they suffered at St James’ Park in 2010.
Both teams come into this game off the back of 3-0 pastings at the hands of clubs from Manchester. Neither side covered themselves in glory as they were beaten by Manchester United and Manchester City respectively, leaving both sets of players with a lot to think about during the international break.
The defeat at the Etihad Stadium was Sunderland’s first of the season and, despite only winning once, a solid backline and an in-form Steven Fletcher has stirred talk of a top-ten finish for the Wearsiders. Newcastle have also made a steady start as they look to build on last term’s fifth-place finish. However, Alan Pardew’s men aren’t earning the plaudits they did this time last year and are starting to look a bit like one-season wonders.
The Toon have been boosted by the news Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini and Tim Krul could all be fit to return having missed the last few weeks. Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba and Cheick Tiote have returned from the international break without any problems and as such Pardew could have his strongest XI available.
While Steven Taylor might not rate Sunderland’s team they look to have enough about them to stop the out-of-sync Magpies. The Black Cats are 8/5 to pick up three points at home, while Newcastle are 15/8, with the draw a tempting 23/10. Fletcher to score anytime is 11/8 and, given the form he has been in, it might be worth getting on the former Wolves hitman.
QPR v Everton 4pm
Each game seems to be a must-win one for QPR at the minute, with Mark Hughes edging closer to the exit door after an awful start to the season. The R’s are currently rock bottom having picked up just two points from their first seven matches, losing last time out to West Brom. Hughes needed to get a win under his belt as soon as possible but that might be a tall order against Everton.
The Toffees are currently fourth after an excellent start but will be without talisman Marouane Fellaini, while Darron Gibson is unlikely to play despite recently returning to training. Without the central midfield duo, Everton might lack a bit of bite in the middle of the park but should still have enough quality to trouble Rangers.
David Moyes’ men have played a more expansive brand of football this term but that has seen them keep just one clean sheet all season thus far. With that in mind over 2.5 goals at 5/6 could be a worthwhile bet, while a draw looks the most likely outcome given QPR could be boosted by the return of a few players from injury.
The draw is one offer at 12/5, with QPR the same price to pick up three points for the first time, while Everton are 6/5 favourites in the match betting.
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