Gary Neville has issued an intriguing prediction for Sunderland vs. Newcastle United this weekend.
Gary Neville believes Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will face increased pressure if the Magpies lose at Sunderland in the FA Cup.
Newcastle United defeated 4-2 against Liverpool in the Premier League in their last match before the derby, with six second-half goals causing The Magpies to suffer their third consecutive league defeat and extending their dreadful record at Anfield.
Howe’s squad was also recently eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages, as well as losing on penalties to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. To add to the tension on Tyneside, Sunderland and Newcastle are due to meet for the first time since 2016 this Saturday.
The North East rivals meet in the FA Cup this weekend at the Stadium of Light, with Howe’s team in poor form and facing an injury problem. Following the Magpies’ defeat to Liverpool, Neville claimed that the Wear-Tyne derby offered a difficult fixture that Howe could not afford to lose.
“It is the game they didn’t want,” Neville said of Newcastle’s FA Cup third-round draw against Sunderland on Sky Sports’ Gary Neville podcast. “It’s probably the one game that Newcastle would rather not have.”
“I was thinking about that after you mentioned the FA Cup and Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal.” I doubt Liverpool would be disappointed if they were relegated. They’ve reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals. They have a real chance here, forget top four, they have a chance to win a title and go for a title.”Do they just leave? “Well, we tried our best away at Arsenal,” they say. It is one of those, but it is not the same when you are at home. If you’re not at home, you can nearly sneak out of the FA Cup, which sounds horrible since it’s a fantastic competition, but I don’t believe Liverpool will need it.
“At this point in time, Newcastle probably don’t need the FA Cup.” They do need it, and if they can go and win it, it would be fantastic because they really need a trophy, but they also need to get back on track. Pushing up the league and finishing in the top six will get Eddie Howe into next season.”
“That’s what I think he’ll be measured by at the end of the season,” he added. Obviously, if he wins the FA Cup. Going back to Sunderland, one thing is certain: he cannot lose that game. That’s all. Because that will only help the fans.”I think the fans are good, and I don’t think they’re dissatisfied with our manager or the players, but I think the Sunderland game is a bit risky. They have some tough games ahead of it, but I think there’s enough credit being built up for Newcastle to be fine, but that game is a cruel little fixture,” Neville said.
