This Sunday, 1.30pm kick-off. So, not sure if this is really classed as a derby, as Boro never seem to be able to decide whether they're in Yorkshire and Leeds et all are their local rivals, or they're in the North East and us and Newcastle are. Anyway, Boro started with a solid draw at home whilst we were a bit unlucky not to come away with a point from City. Hard game to call, but taking away the fact it's Boro, we should be looking to win these sort of games - at home to newly promoted teams. I hate making score predictions, but obviously hoping for a decent home win.
Not even a Derby, my Georgie mate says their as much a Derby as Leeds is, Sunderland/Newcastle see them as an irrelevence, hope you smash them but Negredo scores
It's not a derby but that's probably simply because Newcastle exist. If Newcastle hadn't been relegated then I doubt this would have had too much attention. Sunderland 3-1 Boro Defoe, Khazri, PVA Negredo
Aye it's a strange one. The local media will build it up as a big derby but a lot of our fans and probably a lot of theirs don't really see it that way. I certainly don't and will be nowhere near as nervous as I get before an SAFC/NUFC game. They're just another team I want us to beat.
The state of the Sunderland team for this one. Mannone Love Djilobodji McNair Van Aarnholt Rodwell O'Shea Gooch Januzaj Defoe Khazri
I would have taken Sunderland as nailed on to win this one but the recent problems with central defenders leaving or wanting to leave suggests something is going on that might upset that. Boro do see it as local rivalry. I have Makem's and Smoggies as friends and it is a big game for both of sets of supporters.
Gonna go for a 2-1 win to Boro. They've made some very impressive signings like Valdes, De Roon, Negredo and I think they will stay up quite comfortably. Sunderland have a very poor squad and are in need of 3 or 4 new players before the 31st August. Their transfer business so far has been quite strange, the only signing which looks quite exciting is the januzaj deal. I'm not sure why they haven't signed yedlin or mvila so far when they had very good Loan spells last season.
our team is in an absolute state at the moment. no midfield and what was a solid central defence pairing having abandoned us. no idea how the game will go, but i'd probably take a draw right now tbh
This game doesn't give me the "feels" that Newcastle and Leeds give me. Sunderland just isn't that privileged. 2-0 to the Boro.
I can only see a Boro win from this one. Yes whilst Sunderland did well against City last weekend, the problems off the field will not do the harmony any good, and it won't help them progress from that result last weekend. I'm going for a Boro win 2-1. Defoe continuing his scoring run being the only goal for Sunderland.
Two goals is going to be tough for Sunderland to pull back against a solid side defensively. Sunderland still solely reliant on Defoe to rescue them, big job for Moyes.
