Robbo's Super Sunday Super Preview

So Sunday has come around thick and fast and with it comes two fascinating grudge matches from the Premier League.

Newcastle v Sunderland
The Tyne-Wear derby brings together two sides who are struggling to find any kind of consistent form. Newcastle, rocked by the injuries to Owen and Barton and the shenanigans of N'Zogbia haven't won in 5 games and Sunderland have won just once in the same period, when they battled to a narrow win over Fulham in mid-week. They say that when the derby comes around, form counts for nothing and this may be true. However, what cannot be overlooked are the growing undertones of discontent rumbling from the Toon faithful towards Mike Ashley the owner, and Joe Kinnear, who quite understandably, hasn't turned Newcastle into a good side over night. Ricky Sbragia is also finding his feet in Premier League management and this will be both managers' first taste of the derby atmosphere.

When assessing this one from a betting perspective, on paper it screams out draw. The thing is, this doesn't really help either side in terms of the league table or placating their expectant fans. In what is sure to be a tight affair, the difference may come from the front men. Sunderland have a constant threat in the partnership of Jones and Cisse up top and with the injury to Owen, Newcastle may find it difficult to put chances away. Derbies are always difficult to predict but I'm going to stick my neck out here and say Sunderland to edge the derby 2-1. Away win.

Sunderland to win - 15/8 Ladbrokes
Sunderland to win 2-1 - 11/1 Ladbrokes

Liverpool v Chelsea
The main event of the day brings together two sides who despite being 2nd and 3rd in the league, have largely flattered to deceive this season. Liverpool, who are continually too reliant on Steven Gerrard to rescue them come into the game on the back of 4 draws in a row and Chelsea, who despite winning their last four in all competitions, look disjointed and often find themselves unable to break sides down.

This one appears to be more about the managers than the football itself. The more Rafa Benitez seems to say at the moment, the worse his side seem to play and Big 'Phil' Scolari is becoming more and more irratic in both his approach to the english media and his team selection.

If Drogba was happy and firing, he could easily make the difference today. However, with his attempt to steal the mantel of "le Sulk" from Nicholas Anelka gathering pace, this game will once again come down to which midfield can out-bruise and out-battle the other.

This one is far too important for either side not to lose and with this is mind, I can see both sides lining up with 5 in midfiled and cancelling each other out again, despite the fact that this will play directly into Man Utd's hands. In a game I would normally avoid, I can't split them. Draw

Draw @ 2/1 Bet365

AR