Sunderland take on Newcastle United in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.
The game will be the first Wear-Tyne derby clash in eight years and the 157th meeting between the two sides.
Here is all you need to know ahead of the game…
Opposition
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United currently sit ninth in the Premier League table after 20 games in the league so far. The month of December saw the Magpies lose four of their six games in the league whilst also exiting the Champions League at the group stage and the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage.
Alexander Isak is the club top scorer this season with 11 goals in all competitions closely followed by Callum Wilson who has notched eight goals in the current campaign.
Howe was appointed as the manager in November 2021 succeeding former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce. The 46-year-old steered the club away from relegation in his first season at St James’ Park before securing a top four finish in the following campaign.
Away from their Tyneside home, Newcastle have won just two games on the road in all competitions this season beating Sheffield United in the Premier League and Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.
Sunderland’s last victory of the Magpies came in 2015 winning 3-0 at the Stadium of Light under the stewardship of Sam Allardyce. The Lads have not lost a derby clash since August 2011.
Team News
Patrick Roberts will be assessed before the game after being forced off in the draw against Rotherham United through injury.
Dennis Cirkin continues to work his way back to full fitness and has been involved in training with the first-team.
Niall Huggins is unavailable for the remainder of the season after suffering a significant knee injury.
Club captain Corry Evans is continuing his rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury.
Around the grounds
Thursday, 4 January
Crystal Palace vs Everton (8pm)
Friday, 5 January
Brentford vs Wolves (7.15pm)
Fulham vs Rotherham United (7.30pm)
Tottenham vs Burnley (8pm)
Saturday, 6 January
Maidstone United vs Stevenage (12.30pm)
Coventry City vs Oxford United (12.30pm)
Millwall vs Leicester City (12.30pm)
AFC Wimbledon vs Ipswich Town (12.30pm)
Watford vs Chesterfield (3pm)
Stoke City vs Brighton and Hove Albion (3pm)
Gillingham vs Sheffield United (3pm)
Blackburn Rovers vs Cambridge United (3pm)
Newport County vs Eastleigh (3pm)
Norwich City vs Bristol Rovers (3pm)
Queens Park Rangers vs Bournemouth (3pm)
Plymouth Argyle vs Sutton United (3pm)
Southampton vs Walsall (3pm)
Hull City vs Birmingham City (3pm)
Sheffield Wednesday vs Cardiff City (5.30pm)
Chelsea vs Preston North End (5.30pm)
Swansea City vs Morecambe (5.30pm)
Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa (5.30pm)
Sunday, 7 January
West Ham United vs Bristol City (2pm)
Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool (2pm)
Luton Town vs Bolton Wanderers (2pm)
Peterborough United vs Leeds United (2pm)
Shrewsbury Town vs Wrexham (2pm)
West Bromwich Albion vs Aldershot Town (2pm)
Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town (2pm)
Arsenal vs Liverpool (4.30pm)
Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United (8.15pm)