SUNDERLAND   Mignolet Bardsley, Ferdinand, Brown, Richardson Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, El Mohamady Sessegnon Gyan

NEWCASTLE   Krul Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, R Taylor Barton, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez Ba, Ameobi

After last week’s impressive defensive display against Arsenal, Alan Pardew is likely to keep the back four settled, with Ryan Taylor deployed at left-back following the sale of Jose Enrique to Liverpool. Meanwhile, Joey Barton looks set to retain his place in the side despite his precarious position at the club, as do the sturdy partnership of Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi in attack.

• Sunderland has only beaten Newcastle twice in 21 matches at home since 1967, with Kieran Richardson’s vicious free kick three seasons ago bringing the club's only victory against the Magpies at the Stadium of Light.

• Newcastle United has won only three of its last 20 Premier League games.

• This is the 146th match between the two clubs, with Newcastle leading 52 wins to Sunderland’s 46.

• The Magpies’ last victory at the Stadium of Light was in 2006.

• Since the beginning of the Premier League, this fixture has never resulted in a goalless draw.

• The Black Cats have not kept a clean sheet at home since New Year’s Day.

• Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote has never gone more than three matches without a yellow card in the Premier League, and has been booked in each of his last six matches.