The Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light will come down to one thing and one thing only.
And that is exactly who wants it the most and who has the most bottle.
Sunderland are still wounded from the last time the two sides met on Wearside and United - who are reeling from the Pompey game - romped to a 4-1 win in April 2006.
That day was the last time anybody saw Alan Shearer kick a football in the Premier League - but his last touch proved to be smashing home a penalty to put Newcastle 2-1 up.
That requires bottle and Shearer certainly had it in abundance but to be fair to the rest of his side everybody rose to the occasion that day - even Albert Luque who scored a rare goal in black and white!
Now Newcastle go into the game as the wounded animal but with the Magpies still limping in the middle of the road after being thrashed by Pompey, a victory will see them across to the other side safely and help soothe those wounds.
United's African contingent may not be as savvy with the history and rivalry between the two teams.
But that hasn't stopped the English players, especially the local lads, drumming it into the heads of our overseas star and trying to drum it in just how important Saturday is.
And let's be honest Oba Martins, Geremi, Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye have all played in plenty of crunch games in the African Cup of Nations which also involve bags of pride and passion.
Other derby experience in the squad includes goalscorer last time out Charles N'Zogbia while Emre also has a derby goal to his name.
And Jose Enrique has appeared in plenty of games in La Liga between Villareal and Valencia to appreciate local pride is extremely important.
Then you have Michael Owen, who has derby experience coming out of his ears.
Owen was a constant thorn in Everton's side as a Liverpool player and also tasted the mammoth clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Big Sam is keeping his team close to his chest but I fancy him to unleash Mark Viduka in attack with Owen.
And that might see Alan Smith drop back into midfield in place of the suspended Nicky Butt.
James Milner and Charles N'Zogbia would patrol the flanks with Joey Barton's battling qualities alongside Smith.
As far as the back four goes it could be the same defensive unit that finished against Pompey meaning Cacapa would start the game on the bench and Faye and David Rozehnal take their places in the heart of the defence.
But whoever plays has to be up for the fight or defeat is likely to follow with fired up Sunderland eager to get their first win on Wearside since 1980.
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