Former Sunderland star Danny Collins is of the view that Newcastle United will be under pressure when they take on the Black Cats at the weekend in the FA Cup.
Newcastle have hit a run of poor form in the Premier League and there are doubts they will be able to match last term’s top four finish.
Eddie Howe’s side are set to take on their local rivals Sunderland on Saturday at the Stadium of Light in an FA Cup third-round fixture.
Collins is of the view that Newcastle will be under pressure going into the game against Sunderland, as he believes that being a Premier League outfit, the Magpies are expected to win the Tyne-Wear derby.
The former Black Cat stated that he is expecting a great atmosphere at the Stadium of Light on match day, but insists that the game against Newcastle will not be a free hit for Michael Beale’s side.
“I think the pressure, in a way, is on Newcastle”, Collins told Sunderland’s media.
“They are obviously a Premier League side, been in Europe this season, etc.
“And coming here they are almost expected to win.
“Not from our fans’ point of view, so at the same time, it is not a free hit.
“But I have played in a few of these and it is what it is all about as a footballer against your local rivals at the Stadium of Light, which will be packed out next week, with some atmosphere in here.”
Newcastle have failed to defeat Sunderland in their last nine meetings and their last win over the Black Cats came in 2011 at the Stadium of Light, where Ryan Taylor’s strike gave them a 1-0 win.
