Fan Focus: What Can We Expect From Newcastle In The Tyne-Wear Derby?

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images) Newcastle were knocked out of the Champions League, conceding seven to Barcelona in midweek. Do you think this has increased the pressure massively to win the derby?

I wouldn’t say it has increased the pressure as the pressure on Newcastle to win this game would have been huge regardless. Eddie Howe admitted their performance let the fans down in the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light and the importance of responding to that in the right way on Sunday has not been lost on him or the Newcastle players. In the Premier League, Newcastle have beaten both Chelsea and Man United of late.

Does it feel like you can now focus on finishing 7th and achieving European football again? Newcastle are out of the FA Cup and the Champions League so after relentlessly having a game every three or four days for the past seven months, they can now purely focus on the Premier League. Qualifying for Europe was the minimum aim this season and it is still firmly in Newcastle’s grasp.

There are three weeks between the derby and Newcastle’s game against Crystal Palace and that will give Eddie Howe what he has craved all season. Time on the training ground to work with and improve his players. That should see Newcastle end what has been a difficult season in a positive manner and reeling in Brentford for a place in next season’s Europa League will be their immediate aim.