Newcastle vs Sunderland- Pick of the Stats

I will follow this article with a match preview later on in the week. But for now, I have compiled a list of the pick of the stats, concerning the two teams:

Newcastle United

• Newcastle have won eight, drawn five and lost just one of the last 14 Premier League games against Sunderland.

• Shola Ameobi has scored six Premier League goals against Sunderland, at least twice as many as against any other opponent.

• The Magpies have conceded the joint-most penalties this season (8), but the Black Cats are the only side not to score from the spot this season.

• The Magpies have conceded a joint-high six goals from free kicks in the Premier League this season.

• Danny Simpson has cleared more opposition shots off the goal-line than any other player in the top flight.

• Demba Ba has not gone three league starts without a goal since joining Newcastle.

Sunderland

• Sunderland have conceded the highest percentage of goals from headers (33%) of any team in the Premier League.

• Sunderland have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 23 league matches against Newcastle.

• Sunderland have had a player sent off in two of their last three Premier League games against Newcastle.

• Sunderland haven’t had three league defeats on the spin since April 2011.