In what is arguably the biggest FA Cup tie of the weekend, Sunderland and Newcastle United will play out the first Tyne and Wear derby for over eight years and the 157th in total this Saturday afternoon.
Because of the drop from the Premier League down to League One in back-to-back years for the giant club that is Sunderland, the Black Cats have been starved of a battle with their rivals Newcastle. Now back in the Championship, however, and off the back of getting into the playoffs last season, Sunderland feel like they are closer than ever to getting back into the Premier League.
On the other hand, despite Sunderland's stunning run of form in this derby, these two sides are in completely different areas. Ultimately, Newcastle have been in the Champions League this season, while the Black Cats merely aim for a spot in the playoffs with a gap of nine points on the automatic promotion spot of second.
However, Sunderland will be fully aware of the fact that Newcastle have not won a Tyne and Wear derby since way back in 2011. This is now the longest length of time in history that Newcastle have ever dealt with in terms of getting a win over their arch-rivals. This 12-year wait has seen Newcastle themselves relegated into the Championship, but Sunderland were down in League One at this time.
Because of the stunning 12-year wait for a win over Sunderland, the Black Cats have now managed to go nine games unbeaten against the Magpies. This has seen them draw three times, including the most recent clash between the two back in 2016. Sunderland would then go on the defeat Newcastle six times in a row where the Magpies incredibly scored only one goal while the Black Cats netted 13 times.
Currently, Sunderland are sitting in sixth place in the Championship after a 2-0 win over Preston North End where Alex Pritchard and Nazariy Ruysn scored a goal each. This also increased the club's unbeaten run ti three games with a win at Hull City and a draw with Rotherham United.
As for Newcastle, they remain down in ninth after yet another thrilling, high-scoring game with Liverpool saw them lose 4-2 where the Magpies were level at 1-1 just before half time.