Newcastle United will match Sunderland this Sunday

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: 12BET odds Newcastle United vs Sunderland 3/4 8PM GMT+8

Sunderland may have finished above Newcastle three years running, but they have lost eight of the last 14 games against their local rivals and have not enjoyed a victory on Tyneside since 2001.Martin O'Neill is already hugely popular given the vast improvement in results since he became manager in December, but he knows a win on Sunday would do wonders for the club's self-esteem.

Newcastle, though, remain in the hunt for Europe, they have lost just twice at home this season and have the marginally better record in Tyne-Wear derbies 53 to 44 wins to reassure them. It's going to be a close one to call.Newcastle striker Papiss Cissé is expected to be fit for Sunday's derby with Sunderland.Cissé withdrew from the Senegal squad in midweek with a groin problem, but has trained and will be available, as should midfielder Cheick Tiote, who was rested on Friday following his return from international duty with the Ivory Coast.