Image source, AP

Newcastle manager John Carver on Sky Sports: "It means everything to us this game. I got an interesting reception from the Sunderland fans on my way in so that might motivate me. Coming here on the bus as manager today was a very proud moment for me.

"We've got five or six players in our team who have played in this fixture before so that will help us. We've not had a good record against them recently and we need to do something about that today."

Whilst Dick Advocaat is new to this occasion, the man on the other side of the tunnel is anything but, even though it will also be John Carver's first as the man in charge.

Carver is in temporary control of first-team affairs at Newcastle in the wake of Alan Pardew's departure to Crystal Palace.

The Newcastle-born 50-year-old - in his second spell with the club - will show no lack of passion but can he keep a lid on it?

He knows this is likely to be his first and last derby as boss. How he would love a victory.

Something to cheer Newcastle fans up. You are ahead...

Former England defender Phil Neville
Football Focus

"Sunderland have scored just one goal in their last six matches. I saw them play against West Ham and they were a lot more positive, playing with three up front, but they still lost the game. Of the teams down in the bottom five I think they'll be the ones who are sucked in."

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson
Football Focus

"I think Sunderland will stay up but not because of their ability, just because there are still three worse teams below them. John Carver, I think he will have a job at Newcastle next season, but I don't think it'll be the manager's job."

Life isn't a lot happier at Newcastle.

The Magpies have lost four of their last five league games and they have only earned five points from their previous nine away games.

They are probably just about safe from the drop but defeat today and the natives will not be happy.

Bring back Alan Pardew.... No?

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat on Sky Sports: "It's a very important game, everyone knows it. The fans know it so if we can get them on side it will be an extra weapon.

"The players look up for it, they have trained very hard this week and they will need to be up for it in the remaining games. It doesn't matter how we get results we just need points."

It has been a pretty miserable start to the Easter weekend for Sunderland with relegation rivals Leicester and QPR winning.

Just one point above safety, Sunderland are once again embroiled in a battle to survive and their recent form is not good reading.

Winless in eight matches, one goal in seven matches and one win this year. Can it get worse?

Yes. Defeat by two goals today would send them into the bottom three.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland have won four Premier League games in a row against Newcastle, their longest run of victories in this fixture. They could extend their unbeaten top-flight run against Newcastle to a club record seven matches. Things don't get much worse than that Newcastle fans...

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle fans must have said a few swear words when they heard Gus Poyet was no more at Sunderland.

The Black Cats go into the derby with a new boss for the third time in three seasons - with Advocaat echoing predecessors Paolo Di Canio and Poyet by facing Newcastle in just his second game in charge.

On those occasions, the change worked the oracle as they went away celebrating a famous win before going on to rescue the Black Cats from relegation.

The Toon are probably still having Paolo Di Canio- related nightmares.

Returning to the team news we gave you earlier.

Jonas Gutierrez makes his first Premier League start for Newcastle since August 2013.

The Argentine's last league start was on the opening day of last season but, having made four substitute appearances since successfully battling cancer, he is named in John Carver's team.

Welcome back Jonas.

And what a humdinger of a match we have in prospect.

Some have billed this "the desperation derby" with both Sunderland and Newcastle turning to short-term managerial measures in a bid to rescue their season.

A win for Advocaat or interim Newcastle boss John Carver today would go a long way to ensuring their expected short stays in charge are a happy one.

Live radio and text commentary all the way from the Stadium of Light.

Image source, Getty Images

Dick Advocaat has managed in nine countries, including seven spells as international boss.

Image source, Getty Images

He has experienced the Glasgow derby as Rangers chief.

Image source, Getty Images

But today, one of football's most experienced managers gets a new experience. Welcome to the Tyne and Wear derby.

Cheers Tom. Well, that was fun wasn't it?

Fingers crossed, we have a little bit more excitement ahead of us. Sending offs, terrible defending, some serious passion in the stands? Anything could happen.

This is Sunderland v Newcastle. Enjoy.

Well that was hard work. Burnley seem happy enough with a point and who knows, it may be crucial at the end of the season.

I'm going to hand over now to Andy Cryer for the big one in the north east. Over to you...

Ian Marks: Well that was utter tripe. Toothless from Spurs.

Luke Moore: With 6th place basically guaranteed Europa league, would Spurs rather finish 7th? Can concentrate on CL qualification next year.

Martin Ratcliff: Some Spurs fans have never come back down to earth after the 10-11 CL campaign. Nothing else is acceptable for them any more.

Burnley defenders Michael Duff and Jason Shackell both say they are happy with that point as it's one step further toward safety.

Burnley stay in the bottom three but only on goal difference, a win would have taken them out. That game was there for the taking - could they live to regret a missed two points this afternoon?

Nil nil. Nil nil. Nil nil.

Steve (Saints fan in Paris for the weekend): Can someone remind Spurs fans that Burnley are a force to be reckoned with. They beat us, and City, and drew with Chelsea.

From Rikki the Spur: Just not good enough today from Spurs. Idealess, passionless and leaderless.

Ed in London: No one believes Spurs have a right for top 4! We're the 6th best team in the league and have been for that last 7/8 years. No progression. Consistent though.