The annual North-East top dog play-off
It's a tournament that only generally exists when Newcastle are struggling and Middlesbrough or as in years gone by Sunderland are doing better than the Magpies.
Yes that's it, the North-East top dogs contest.
Sunderland couldn't enter this year because they are in the Championship while Boro go into the game just behind them.
Victory for Boro takes them into the number 1 slot, defeat could see off their challenge for another season.
However, tomorrow is more about Newcastle getting three points for their own cause not to shut the side from down the A19 up.
United must win to keep their hopes of European qualification alive in the Premiership with even a place in the Intertoto Cup now beginning to drift away a little bit.
There would be no better way to get back on track than by beating Boro at home of course but the Teessiders arrive here, with Jonathan Woodgate on board, to prove a point as usual.
Yet just three wins out of 21 derby attempts in the Premiership for United make it somewhat appealing to the eye in past years.
And if Newcastle can show a bit more of a killer touch in front of goal at times when they are on top, unlike the clash at Wigan last weekend, then three points could be once again on the menu.
And while we are on it, just remind me which set of fans will be watching The Bill on Thursday night while AZ Alkmaar are in Toon?
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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If we play like we have in the last 3 games there will be a lot of Geordies taking a sickie or hiding from the Smoggies on Monday morning.
This is not about 3 points,although we need them to stay in front of Boro, Its more to do with bragging rights. The fans are pasionate enough about the game,we need the players to feel that again.
I predict a 2-1 win for the toon (Martins and Butt)
LOL I hope
Wish I could feel up beat or confident about this one. These games are all about goals and I can't see Martins getting much out of Woodie whereas Yakubu and his rotund mate are knocking in the goals at the minute.
Where there's life there's hope or so they say , well how much life has our lot shown recently? The prospect of Thursday and AZ may well further blight our performance - sorry lads but if we get something (apart from germs) out of this one I'll be very pleased.
Roeder is clueless when it comes to getting the best from players.
Inspiring he isn't.
A result that helped neither team and a match that wont live long in anyones memory.A game without a sniff of the passion expected to be shown in a derby.
So unfortunatly bragging rights for this year are with the smoggies(which means torture for myself as a mag living down here).
only getting one point from boro just about sums up our season...A poor return
as we now head into the business end in europe we need the senior players to stand up and be counted and show the passion,character and desire expected to wear the black n white shirt because if they perform as they did yesterday AZ will end the tie even before the return leg.....