The third round of the FA Cup takes place this week and the pick of Saturday's matches is the Wear – Tyne derby between Sunderland v Newcastle

We will also take in a preview of Sunday's headline clash between Arsenal and Liverpool in a separate preview but first let's take in an outright betting update to lift the FA Cup this season with BoyleSports

Man City 5/2

Chelsea 9/1

Man United 9/1

Arsenal 10/1

Newcastle 12/1

Liverpool 12/1

Spurs 14/1

Brighton 16/1

Villa 20/1

25/1 and upwards the rest.

Sunderland

After a change in coach which caught many by surprise Sunderland have taken 7 points from 4 league games and they are in sixth spot among a number of teams who have ambitions of reaching the play offs. Rusyn became the first Sunderland striker to find the net this season in Saturday's 2-0 home win over Preston.

Hot property Jack Clarke has been the main goal threat, Dan Neil and Ekwah are more than useful midfield players, Ballard is a rock in the centre of defence and the full backs are useful but they are certainly missing Amad Diallo who's was on loan from Manchester United last season.

Newcastle

Over the course of the last few weeks Newcastle have been knocked out of the UCL and the EFL Cup and a 4-2 defeat at Liverpool in the EPL earlier this week sees them in ninth spot, all of 11 points off a top 4 spot. Newcastle have won just 1 of their last 8 in all competitions, a 3-0 home win in the EPL over 10 man Fulham. They were a touch unfortunate to lose an EFL Cup quarter final at Chelsea on spot kicks and 6 other matches have ended in defeat with the squad ravaged by injuries.

Recent Head to Head

The teams have met since March 2016 when they drew a league game 1-1 at St James Park. The previous 6 matches were all won by Sunderland.

The Betting

At the time of writing Sunderland are trading at 3.05/1 to win the game with the draw priced at 29/10 and Newcastle can be backed at around 0.77/1

A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 0.68/1 and it's the same price for both teams to score

The Verdict

The rivalry between these cities, clubs and fans is huge and it's bound to be feisty.

Newcastle should fancy a cup run after tumbling out of Europe and the EFL Cup and league form also taking a hit. They are still missing a number of regulars but I would imagine Howe will field his strongest available line up as if he doesn't and it backfires he could be toast.

I've not been convinced by Sunderland for the bulk of this season but if they raise their game they can be a handful and I'm with both teams to score in a game of 3 goals or more in total.

Local lad Dan Neill, a handy player, will be living a dream, I expect Sunderland to be under orders to shoot from distance and he could pop up with a goal from midfield at a nice price.

Bets: Total Goals & Both Teams to Score Over 2.5 and yes at 21/20 with BoyleSports

Anytime goalscorer Dan Neil at 83/10 with BoyleSports

Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change

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