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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The Red Devils have travelled to Spain without the injured Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia and Ryan Giggs, while Paul Scholes has been left at home to rest for United’s next Premier League clash with Sunderland (United 8/13 – 90 minutes).

They Old Trafford outfit have yet to hit top gear this season and could only manage a 0-0 draw with Rangers in their opening match of Europe’s elite club competition.

Domestic form at home has been good with three wins from three matches, but they have yet to win away from Manchester, with three draws on their travels to date.

Contrastingly, Valencia are riding high at the top of La Liga, with 13 points from their first five games, and Fletcher believes that United will have their work cut out to compete with a side who have comfortably dealt with the loss of high-profile players David Villa and David Silva.

“It is going to be a difficult match,” he said. “People might say it is not the same Valencia because they have lost Villa and Silva.

“But as we have seen at Manchester United, when you lose good players others step up to the mark and take on more responsibility. They have had a fantastic start.”

Michael Carrick could well be set for his first start since August’s Community Shield, as he was on the flight to Spain on Tuesday morning.

His passing ability may give the former Tottenham schemer the edge in selection with ball retention, according to Fletcher, key to success against the best in Europe.

“We have picked up experience of playing in Europe and we have confidence,” he added. “We know how to cope with the travel and the different styles of play.

“Against Spanish sides, keeping the ball is key. If you give the ball away cheaply, you might not see it for a few minutes and they will punish you.”

Michael Owen could be set for another run-out, after netting the equaliser that gave United a point against Bolton on Sunday, with in-form Dimitar Berbatov certain to start at the Mestalla Stadium.

Rooney’s ankle problem is not thought to be too serious but another week out of the spotlight could also help him come to terms with the tabloid allegations about his private life which, according to Sir Ales Ferguson, have been affecting the England star’s performances this term.

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Darren Fletcher

The Scotland midfielder is well known for his hard working, spoiling style and his play has even been labelled “anti-football” by some correspondents.

However, he is fully aware of his standing within the side and recognises the qualities that others bring to the Reds.

“We’ve got a fantastic squad,” he says. “Plenty of players with ability who can make a difference.

“We’ve got the experience of Giggs, Scholes, Neville and Van der Sar. We’ve got Rooney, Berbatov, and the rest of the players who know their role in the team, who are willing to work hard for the team and who are willing to sacrifice for the team.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has been reluctant to open his cheque book so far this summer.

United currently appear to be going through a transitional period, with Sir Alex Ferguson preferring to invest in youth rather than big names.

With players such as the Da Silva twins, Jonny Evans, Kiko Macheda and Danny Welbeck already firmly in first team plans at Old Trafford, as well as the potential in Tom Cleverly and new signing Chris Smalling, the future looks bright.

Meanwhile, Fletcher is confident that the club’s current stars can step up to the plate and help the youngsters along after the recent exodus of some high profile names.

“People always speak about us losing Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Antonio Valencia has come in, Nani will step up to the plate and others will improve.”

United’s lack of strength in depth has been criticised in recent years and at one point last season Fletcher was forced to play as a central defender alongside fellow midfielder Michael Carrick.

The lack of big names also appears to mean that there will once again be a lot of pressure on striker Wayne Rooney to perform but Fletcher believes United still have the players to back-up the England man and be successful in the Premier League (United 1/5 to beat Newcastle on the opening day).

“I’d have liked to have seen Chelsea cope with Lampard and Ballack at the back,” he says, smiling.

“We’ve still got star quality and we’d have won the league last year if it wasn’t for that injury crisis. But it’s not necessarily about your star players. You need different components to make a team.”

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