Newcastle odds-on to see off Sunderland

For the second successive season in which both have been in the Premier League, the battle between Newcastle and Sunderland to be crowned the north-east's finest has stayed open until the final day, although on this occasion relegation isn't the punishment for the losers.

Whereas the Magpies were condemned to 12 months in the Championship after failure to overtake Sunderland on matchday 38 in 2008-09, there isn't as much at stake this time, however the fact that the fight for regional supremacy has gone down to the wire does add spice to the finale for both.

Alan Pardew's side head into their closing fixture at home to West Brom a point clear of the Black Cats and with a huge goal difference advantage, which is why they are [1.12] favourites to finish above their rivals for the first time in three years, having dominated for seven years prior to that.

The Tynesiders have the added motivation of being just a point shy of the top half, where they last ended a campaign in 2005-06, though the visitors to St James' Park, West Brom, are a place above them and will be even more desperate to meet that goal having last ranked that highly in 1982-83.

Steve Bruce's team are also in with an outside chance of making the top ten, but as they are currently 14th, they will consider outperforming Newcastle in a season in which they have claimed only one points against the Toon Army as a more realistic target.

They sign off for the summer at relegated West Ham, and while facing a club with nothing to play for should count in their favour, the Wearsiders have a dismal record at the Boleyn Ground, tasting defeat on their last four trips to east London. The Mackems are [5.0] to leapfrog their neighbours.

Can Sunderland close the gap? Have your say with a comment in the box below...

Published: 19 May 2011

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