Sunderland vs Newcastle United predicted line-ups: 11 ruled out and six doubts for historic FA Cup derby clash

It's the big one, folks. After nearly eight years without a derby, Sunderland will host Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round on Saturday lunchtime. A lot has changed since the two North East clubs last met in a competitive fixture. For their part, the Black Cats have sunk to the depths of League One before bouncing back somewhat and coming agonisingly close to promotion from the Championship last season, while the Magpies have been bought out by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, and are now the richest football team on the planet.

The disparity between the pair is, therefore, sizeable, but all conventional wisdom is tossed to one side on derby day, and Sunderland will be hoping against all hope that they can cause a historic upset. The Black Cats head into the clash off the back of an unbeaten run of three games under new manager Michael Beale, while their visitors to the Stadium of Light have won just one of their last eight matches across all competitions.

But how will both sides line up on Wearside this weekend? We've taken a look at their respective injury news and predicted XIs below...

Sunderland Team News

Sunderland are no strangers to injury crises, and while things have certainly been worse than they are right now on Wearside, the Mackems could still be without a number of first team squad members on Saturday. Full-back Niall Huggins is set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future after undergoing surgery this week, while veteran midfielder Corry Evans is still no nearer to a return.

Summer signing Bradley Dack is a major doubt having missed the Black Cats' last two outings after limping off injured during the Boxing Day win over Hull City, Luis Hemir has been battling illness of late, and Saturday may come a touch too soon for defender Dennis Cirkin as well.

Elsewhere, Jay Matete is nearing a comeback, but is unlikely to be risked in a fixture of this magnitude after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and there are big question marks over Patrick Roberts' availability. Speaking earlier in the week, Beale suggested that a call would be made on the winger nearer to Saturday's match.

Sunderland Predicted XI

Anthony Patterson; Trai Hume, Luke O'Nien, Dan Ballard, Aji Alese; Dan Neil, Pierre Ekwah, Alex Pritchard, Jobe Bellingham, Jack Clarke; Nazariy Rusyn.

Newcastle United Team News

As for Newcastle, their injury woes continue in earnest. Joe Willock is battling an ongoing achilles issue, Jacob Murphy is sidelined with a shoulder complaint, and Elliot Anderson, while earmarked for a January return, will not feature due to a back problem.

First choice goalkeeper Nick Pope is a definite absence, as are Matt Targett and Javier Manquillo, while there are major doubts over Kieran Trippier's availability. The England international missed the New Year's Day defeat against Liverpool, and could be sidelined again this weekend.

Further forward Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes are both set to miss out on their first opportunities at playing in a Tyne-Wear Derby, while midfielder Sandro Tonali is currently in the midst of serving a lengthy ban for gambling-related offences.

Newcastle United Predicted XI

Martin Dubravka; Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Lewis Miley, Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff; Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak, Joelinton.