Five reasons why Sunderland won’t do the derby double

Newcastle/Sunderland, 1.30pm, Sky Spts 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Newcastle are missing Joey Barton and Michael Owen while Joe Kinnear has upset well-known winger Charles Insomnia but they can’t afford to lose on Sunday. The Magpies finished third bottom the last time Sunderland did the double over them. Here’s why they won’t suffer more humiliation:

1. Sunderland haven’t done the derby double over Newcastle since 1966-67, which was 42 seasons ago.

2. Newcastle have lost just one of their eight home league games under Joe Kinnear and that was against Liverpool, who topped the league at the time.

3. The Magpies have won their last three home games against their fierce rivals and haven’t lost against them at St. James’ Park in over eight years.

4. Ricky Sbragia’s side have won just one in five league games, against Fulham in midweek, and they haven’t won consecutive league matches since last April. Six of their last eight league wins have been followed by defeat.

5. Sunderland haven’t done the double over anyone in the Premier League since March 2002, when they picked up their second win of that season over Bolton. They haven’t beaten anyone twice in their last three campaigns.

Posted: January 30th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments