Sunderland may have poor Sunday record, but reverse Newcastle fixture shows what’s possible

Sunderland have played five Premier League games on a Sunday this season, and their only win in them has come against Newcastle United.

Regis Le Bris‘ side are looking to do the double over their bitter North East rivals on Sunday, as Newcastle host Sunderland at St James’ Park.

The Black Cats beat the Magpies 1-0 in the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light on 14 December 2025, thanks to a Nick Woltemade own goal that will live on in the memory of Sunderland fans for many years to come.

However, Sunderland are entering the game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Brighton last time out, as are Eddie Howe’s side too, having been thrashed 7-2 at the hands of Barcelona on Wednesday night.

It looks set to be a brilliant game of football on Tyneside, as Sunderland look to protect their 10-league-game unbeaten run against the Magpies.

Sunderland's Premier League record at St James' Park
Credit: Breaking Media

Sunderland’s poor Sunday record in Premier League this season

Football is a funny old game, with bogey teams, superstition and storylines woven into every weekend of Premier League action.

Some teams just can’t buy a result against another, others see specific stadiums turn into houses of horror when they show up there among many other things.

StatResult
Wins10
Draws10
Defeats10
Points40
Sunderland in the Premier League 2025-26

When it comes to Sunderland this season, it’s been a certain day of the week in particular that’s routinely tripped them up in the pursuit of points: Sunday.

The Black Cats have turned out on the final day of the week on five occasions in the Premier League this term, and have won just the once.

Fulham, Aston Villa, Leeds and Tottenham have all denied them three points on this particular day in 2025-26, but the one team that have afforded them three points on a Sunday is Newcastle.

As such, this is somewhat of a double-edged reveal for Sunderland, as despite their record for wins being extremely poor on a Sunday, they also know that it’s against the Magpies where their luck has been in.

Indeed, it was also on a Sunday when Sunderland were beaten 1-0 by Port Vale in the FA Cup on 8 March, so the bad luck in that regard has also extended outside the Premier League for the Wearsiders too.

Sunderland goals issue will be bigger concern than Sunday form

However, if there’s one thing that Sunderland should be worried about more than their record on a Sunday this season – unless you’re supremely superstitious – is their goalscoring woes of recent games.

The Black Cats haven’t scored more than a single goal in any game of football in their last seven in all competitions, dating back to the 1-0 loss to Liverpool on 11 February.

With back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Port Vale and Brighton, it’s also no goals in their last two for Le Bris’ boys, who will have to be much sharper in attack on Sunday if they want to take three points at St James’.

Granit Xhaka's career record vs Newcastle United
Credit: Breaking Media

Much of this problem can be traced back to Brian Brobbey’s drop off in recent weeks, with the industrious striker without a goal in all competitions since netting against West Ham on 24 January.

Sunday would be the perfect time for the Dutchman to get back amongst the goals.

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