
Sunderland vs Newcastle Prediction and Betting Tips: Two Jack Clarke selections for Wear-Tyne FA Cup derby

This season's FA Cup third round offers us up some exciting clashes, but none are more fierce than the Wear-Tyne derby between Sunderland and Newcastle taking place live on ITV at 12:45pm on Saturday.
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After being appointed head coach of Sunderland on 18th December, Michael Beale has steered The Black Cats to two wins from four, most recently defeating Preston 2-0 on New Year's Day to maintain their position in the playoff places. On Newcastle's end, injuries have plagued progress for Eddie Howe & co, who find themselves without European football and only one point better off than Chelsea in 9th; over 10 points away from the top four.
2016 was the last time these two enemies faced off, ending 1-1 in the Premier League before Sunderland's subsequent relegation. Beyond that, The Toon Army have to go back as far as 20th August 2011 for their latest victory in this derby, courtesy of a second half Ryan Taylor goal.
Sunderland vs Newcastle Tips
Sunderland's 23-year-old winger has come into his own this season, letting off 40 more shots than any other player in red and white. In his 26 Championship outings this term he's produced two or more efforts in 23, including each of his last seven games and only failing to deliver this line in one of the last 14.
When it comes to finding the target, Clarke has done so 31 times so far, testing the goalkeeper at least once in 19 of 26 English second tier fixtures, having struck six in his last four. The two selections combined has had a 69% success rate for Clarke landing in 18 out of 26 matches and although the opposition is expected to be tougher on Saturday than anything he's faced in the 2023/24 campaign, the prospect of becoming a derby hero seems like great motivation to produce another winner for this very generous 6/5 offering.
Clarke has been that threatening for Sunderland this season that we're taking another bountiful price on the forward, this time backing him to score at anytime with odds of 10/3 available at bet365. Only Sammie Szmodics, Adam Armstrong and Morgan Whittaker sit above him in the Championship goalscoring charts, having contributed 12 goals in 26 appearances - a vast improvement on the nine in 45 he posted in his debut campaign as a permanent Sunderland player last term.
Since Beale entered the picture at the Stadium of Light, Clarke has responded appropriately, providing two goals in his last three matches, as well as an assist in his goalless outing vs Preston. Clarke's direct style, deadly dribbling and pace will cause Newcastle some serious problems and considering how inadequate Howe's men have been away from St. James' Park, this price is one worthy of snatching up.
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