Sunderland already living in Eddie Howe’s mind as Newcastle United admission made
Sunderland take on arch-rivals Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light next weekend and Eddie Howe is already thinking about the clash.
Manchester City beat Sunderland 3-0 in the Black Cats’ last game before the Wear-Tyne derby, with Luke O’Nien sent off in the final moments.
Regis Le Bris’ side are still above Newcastle in the Premier League table going into next weekend, but their lead over their rivals has been cut to just a single point.
The pair have not faced each other in the league since the 2016 campaign, with Jermain Defoe and Aleksander Mitrovic on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw.
Eddie Howe has plan for Sunderland game
Before they make the short trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland, Newcastle have a Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen to tackle.
The Magpies sit 11th in the group phase of the competition, with nine points from five games, so it is a vitally important match for their progression hopes.
Despite maintaining full focus on Leverkusen, Howe is also considering his plans for the derby at the weekend, admitting that Sunderland were on his mind.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, he said: “Yeah, of course it’s in my mind. We’re planning all the time for two or three games ahead, without taking our eye off the immediate task.”
Howe did reiterate the importance of the game against Bayer Leverkusen, though, and how important it is for Newcastle to think about the Champions League clash first.
He said: “We won’t have our mind on the next game before this one. It’s a Champions League game against Leverkusen away; there’s no greater prize for us than that game.“
Sunderland face huge Newcastle challenge
Sunderland have had an unbelievable start to their Premier League season, picking up 23 points from their first 15 games.
As a newly promoted side, the Black Cats were expected to struggle and be down near the bottom of the league, but the reality has been completely different.
However, Sunderland will need to be at their very best to get anything out of their clash with Newcastle next weekend, given the Magpies’ current form.
Howe’s side have won three of their last four Premier League games, including an impressive 2-1 victory over high-flying Manchester City.
Sunderland will be hoping that a ferocious Stadium of Light atmosphere can help them to a famous derby day win.
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