Can Newcastle finish above Sunderland?
The fierce Tyne-Wear derby is back on the agenda this season and the fans in the north east just can’t wait for October 31 to arrive. That will be the day Newcastle host Sunderland for the first time in more than a year and while both sets of fans would sell their grannies to ensure victory just who will win the ultimate war and finish higher in the league come May?
Sunderland have only finished above their arch rivals on three occasions during the Premier League era, with six points being the biggest margin. They had major bragging right in the 2008-09 season though as they ended the campaign two points ahead of the Mags and saw them drop through the trap door to the Championship.
Steve Bruce will be confident of making it four times this season as he will feel he has the stronger of the two teams and William Hill is offering odds of 4/6 for Sunderland to be the top dogs in the north east.
The Black Cats had a decent campaign last year and could have been playing in Europe this season had they not suffered badly from a mid-season dip in form.
However, Newcastle have ruled the region since the inception of the Premier League. They have come agonisingly close to actually winning the title and experienced Champions League football at St James’. The Geordies have held the upper hand in five of the eight seasons the two sides have clashed in the top flight with the biggest margin, 50 points, coming in the 2002-03 campaign. But that is all in the past.
Chris Hughton surprised many by guiding Newcastle back to the top flight at the first time of asking but two of his major additions so far, Sol Campbell and Dan Gosling, have been free transfers. Their main aim is to remain at the top table but a few quid has gone on them to go straight back down and for Hughton to be the first managerial casualty this season.
But the manager has created a special team spirit at the club and players like Barton, Nolan and Smith will be desperate to make up for lost time.
Needless to say at BetFred you can get odds of 11/8 on Newcastle finishing the higher of the two.
