Lee Clark says Sunday's Newcastle v Sunderland derby is 'biggest ever'
Wednesday 16 March 2016 11:07, UK
Former Newcastle player Lee Clark says this weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby is “the biggest of all time.”
The game will be Rafa Benitez's second in charge, after the Magpies were beaten 1-0 by Premier League leaders Leicester on Monday Night Football.
Newcastle are 19th in the table, one point behind Sunderland, who sit just outside the relegation zone.
Victory would see Newcastle leapfrog Sam Allardyce's side and offer a vital confidence boost going into the final games of the season.
"This is the biggest derby of all time because of the money that's riding on staying in the Premier League next season because of the television funds," Kilmarnock boss Clark, who also had a spell as a player at Sunderland, told Sky Sports News HQ.
"If one team loses, it looks as though that team could potentially go down. Hopefully Rafa Benitez has enough time to get his methods across."
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Scotland U21 head coach Ricky Sbragia agrees on the importance of the derby but the ex-Sunderland boss is understandably hoping for a positive result for the Black Cats.
"There are so many relegation permutations out of it yet. If Sunderland win, they break away from Newcastle," he said.
"It's key for Newcastle that they get something form the game and a win would be great for them, as it brings it all together.
"I think it will go right to the last day. Can they bring a club down into the mix from further up the table? They are maybe too many points ahead.
"You will be talking between Sunderland and Newcastle and I hope Big Sam does it for Sunderland because I love the club."
Watch Newcastle v Sunderland on Super Sunday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 12:30pm.
