Alan Shearer hopes he’s wrong with Newcastle vs Sunderland premonition, fans won’t mind one bit
Alan Shearer is fearful of matters boiling over when Sunderland travel to face Newcastle United on Sunday.
Regis Le Bris’ men currently hold the bragging rights after securing a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light in mid-December.
A Nick Woltemade own goal proved to be the difference in the last edition of the Wear–Tyne derby, and the Black Cats will be hopeful of a similar result at St James’ Park.
The Magpies are coming off a 7-2 defeat against Barcelona which, while being funny, has certainly piled the pressure on Eddie Howe.
Their fans are getting impatient with the Englishman, and the introduction of a derby atmosphere has Shearer fearing for the worst.
Alan Shearer fears matters could boil over in Tyne-Wear derby
There is always an edge to any rivalry, and this one is up there with the fiercest in the entire country.
The first clash of the season certainly had a tense atmosphere, and the Mackems were able to use that to their advantage on their way to victory.
| Stat | Sunderland | Newcastle United |
| Possession (%) | 47 | 53 |
| Expected goals | 0.30 | 0.24 |
| Big chances | 1 | 0 |
| Tackles | 10 | 8 |
| Duels won | 54 | 53 |
Although an own goal proved to be the difference, it certainly felt as if the hosts were good value for their victory.
That exact moment summed up this derby as Woltemade and Newcastle fans were met with constant ridicule in the hours since.
That in itself will contribute to what Shearer has suggested to The Metro could see matters get nasty on the field.
He said: “I always say you can get away with a little bit more in these games, and you can, but something tells me that this one might spill over for the wrong reasons. I hope I’m not correct in saying that.”
Fans certainly won’t have any complaints about seeing their players get stuck in with the hope of an old-school derby meeting.
Shearer predicts Newcastle United victory vs Sunderland
The ex-England international has a premonition that it could all go too far in the north east, but you won’t be surprised to learn his prediction for the Premier League clash.
The Magpies legend, shockingly, has backed Newcastle to seal victory in the Tyne-Wear derby after their defeat at Camp Nou.
He believes they have to take all three points by any means off the back of that Champions League humiliation in mid-week.
That will be all the fuel that Le Bris and Co. need to go deep behind enemy lines with the hope of causing even further upset for Howe’s side.
There’s no reason Sunderland can’t do exactly that and once again prove Shearer wrong.
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