Sunday afternoon’s game at the Stadium of Light sees bottom of the table Sunderland host Newcastle United in the 144th Wear-Tyne derby.

The Black Cats currently sit seven points from safety having taken just one point from their opening eight games – the worst start to a season ever made by a Premier League side.

Gus Poyet’s reign began with a 4-0 defeat to Swansea City last time out, their sixth straight league defeat.

Wes Brown is in contention for his first competitive appearance since January 2012 having recovered from the calf problem he sustained in pre-season.

Ki Sung-Yeung may also feature having been unable to face his parent club last weekend, meaning Poyet has a fully fit squad at his disposal.

Steven Fletcher is widely available at 8.0 (7/1) to get the first goal of the game with Emanuele Giaccherini generously priced at 13.0 (12/1) with Bet Victor.

Bet 365 offer 3.0 (2/1) for the home win, with Newcastle a 2.63 (13/8) shot with Betfred, who offer 3.4 (12/5) for the draw.

The visitors are currently ten places above there North-East rivals, and go in to the game on the back of last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

Manager Alan Pardew will assess the fitness of defensive duo Fabricio Collocini and Steven Taylor ahead of the game, though Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa misses out through suspension.

Loic Remy, who has five goals in his six appearances since arriving on Tyneside, is favourite to open the scoring at 7.0 (6/1) with Bet Victor, ahead of Shola Ameobi a 9.0 (8/1) chance with the same firm.

Ameobi has seven goals in the last twelve meetings between the sides, four behind club legend Jackie Milbun.

Four of the last seven clashes have ended 1-1, so you may want to take advantage of the 7.5 (13/2) on offer from Bet Victor for the same outcome once more.

However, with the hosts so out of form, you may prefer to back a narrow victory for the visitors.

Bet Victor offer 4.5 (7/2) for Newcastle to win the match by a single goal, and 11.0 (10/1) for a 1-0 away win.