Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes says they are the “kings” of the North East and must beat Sunderland in the first Tyne-Wear derby of the season.
It is the first meeting between the two in the Premier League since March 2016. The Magpies have not won a league derby since April 2011.
However, Newcastle won the last meeting in January 2024 when they met in the FA Cup. Guimarães played the full 90 minutes in the 3-0 win and is eyeing a massive three points at the Stadium of Light Super week.
“Since the Burnley game, I’ve had a lot of messages about the Sunderland game,” he exclusively said Ski Sports News.
“The fans are very excited, we as players are also very excited. It will be a very good moment for both teams, for both cities, after nine years without a (Premier League) derby.”
“I know it will be a tough atmosphere, but it’s a derby, it’s a final. We have to perform, we have to play well and we have to win, so that’s the mentality now.”
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Newcastle and Burnley.
“I love this kind of game. Always as a team, we play well when we know the atmosphere is going to be good.”
“We know if we want to be king here we have to win the derby. We can’t wait to get into Sunderland and play our best football, hopefully.”
Sunderland have been the surprise package since their return to the Premier League. Ahead of the weekend, they are ninth in the table – a point and three places above Newcastle.
Guimarães said of the Black Cats’ form: “They played very well, we have to give them credit. It’s not easy what they’ve done so far, so we expect a tough game, but we always have to believe in ourselves.”
“We know we’re very close to each other in the table, so for me it’s a derby, but it’s a six-point game because you win three and the opponent doesn’t win three. We have to be very focused on our plan.
“We have to stay in a positive way, train well, focus on the game, because such games are always special… The derby is everything for everyone here at the club.”
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While Guimaraes has settled into Geordie culture – adding that he is “proud” that his children were born in Newcastle – local lad Dan Byrne will educate his Tyne-Wear derby team-mates.
The Magpies captain said: “He did this when we met them last time and now we have new players so he has to give another speech. It’s very important for the fans, so it’s important for us.
“It’s very good for us to have Dan Byrne to explain exactly how it works for non-Newcastle people. He will be very important this week.”
One person who won’t be around this weekend is Guimaraes’ dad. He became somewhat of a cult figure on Tyneside, and like his son, was given a warm welcome by the Newcastle fans.
Bruno Guimaraes last played for Newcastle against Sunderland in January 2024 in the FA Cup.
This time he is in Brazil, so he will not go to this game, but he will watch,” explained Guimarães. “I tried to convince him to come, but he has things to do in Brazil, but he likes to go to every game.
“I think he’s said this many times, he’s more famous than me here in Newcastle, he paints more than me. Everyone loves him and he loves it too.”
Watch Sunderland v Newcastle in Super Sunday from 1pm live on Sky Sports; start at 2 p.m.