Who will triumph in the Tyne-Wear derby this weekend?

Despite admittedly beginning the 2015/16 domestic campaign full of optimism with a sense of renewed hope for the future, both Newcastle United and Sunderland have ultimately proven a great disappointment among the English top-flight this season, with each of their respective Premier League statuses hanging on the line at this particular point in the proceedings.

 

Rafa Benitez and Sam Allardyce will nonetheless send both of their determined sides out with a key three points in mind this weekend however, for although the current season has certainly served to frustrate those weary football fans in the North East of England in 2015/16, the Magpies and the Black Cats each have the opportunity to turn things around with the all-important Tyne-Wear derby waiting patiently on the horizon.

 

So then, with it all to play for down at St. James’ Park tomorrow, just which team will eventually walk away triumphant from this weekend's much anticipated derby fixture?

 

Well, even though this former Newcastle United striker is seemingly backing his old team against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear face-off…

 

Former @NUFC striker @themichaelowen says Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby is the biggest he can recall in recent memory. https://t.co/ZyXvP2YhCg

— Fletch And Sav (@FletchAndSav) 19 March 2016

 

…some believe that Premier League survival isn’t all but over for the Magpies if they fail to beat their arch-rivals at St. James’ Park this weekend…

 

Newcastle have to avoid defeat on Sunday, it isn't "must win" it's "must not lose". Games v Palace, Norwich, Villa, Swans, Norwich key games

— Rockcliffe Files (@RockcliffeFiles) 15 March 2016

 

This is a match that arguably couldn’t arrive in more dramatic circumstances truth be told however…

 

Big Sam / Rafa despise the other, huge relegation implications, this Tyne / Wear derby one for the ages. #EPL

— Premier League Talk (@LFCLegacy) 19 March 2016

 

…even if the current Sunderland boss is apparently keen on putting his past rivalry with Rafa Benitez behind him right in the here and now…

 

Big Sam playing down the previous spats with Rafa Benitez: "Water under the bridge" #safc #NUFC

— Chris Young (@YoungSunEcho) 18 March 2016

 

Several Newcastle fans nonetheless remain somewhat optimistic ahead of this weekend’s highly anticipated fixture…

 

We will win 2-0 tomorrow. Sunderland are a tinpot club. Remember this tweet.

— Adam. (@Adam_NUFC98) 19 March 2016

 

…which has also seemingly upped the level of passion and expectation in and around the Black Cats faithful…

 

From the banks of the river wear to the shores of Sicily , we're gonna fight fight for Sunderland till we win the football league #FTM?⚪️?⚪️

— Steven Rochester (@StevenRochie) 19 March 2016

 

At the end of the day, this particular game could really go either way tomorrow…

 

Weird one now with relegation battle, villa have definitely gone & I think Norwich will go too but its tough to split Newcastle & Sunderland

— Liam (@LiamM_1996) 12 March 2016

 

…and on the back of everything that has taken place between the two North East clubs in recent history, this Tyne-Wear derby could possibly represent the biggest game of its kind yet!

 

St James' Park 1904 as Newcastle take on Sunderland. Lord Beresford,Admiral of the Channel Fleet kicks off the match pic.twitter.com/hA6UU5s1ML

— Terrace Images (@TerraceImages) 19 March 2016