Newcastle were dumped out of the Champions League in midweek by Barcelona, but still head into one of their biggest games of the season against arch rivals Sunderland, having won three of their last five in the Premier League.
The Magpies have performed much better at home than they have on the road this season, winning eight times at St James' Park, and in five of those victories, both teams scored.
Both teams have found the back of the net in six of Newcastle's last seven league games, and over 3.5 goals have been produced in three of those matches. The chances of Newcastle keeping a clean sheet this weekend look slim as Eddie Howe's side have only managed to keep the opposition out in one of their last eight attempts.
Visitors Sunderland might have pinched all three points in December's reverse league meeting, but they head to St James' Park this weekend having lost four of their last six in the league.
The Black Cats haven't travelled well this season, picking up just three wins and losing on seven occasions. Four of those away defeats, against Arsenal, West Ham, Brentford and Manchester City, have seen Sunderland concede exactly three goals.
Sunderland haven't scored more than one goal in any of their last six league games.
Newcastle 3-1 Sunderland
