Steve Bruce is confident Sunderland will see off Newcastle United to be the Northeast's top dogs next season.
Sunderland will start the new season as favourites to finish above their newly-promoted rivals Newcastle - the first time they have gone into a Premier League campaign with that weight of expectation on their shoulders.
"It's the first time in years that we have been favourites to finish above Newcastle, but we have to rise to that challenge and make sure that we do," said Bruce.
"Probably on paper, we will be favourites and that brings its own pressures, but we can handle that.
"The derby games are huge and, like the fans, I can't wait for them to come round."
