Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill expects a passionate derby encounter with Newcastle United.
O'Neill, a veteran of the Old Firm derby in Glasgow from his days as Celtic manager, admitted the intensity is similar.
He said: "I have been involved in quite a number of derby games, hardly that many bigger than the Glasgow ones between Celtic and Rangers, but for intensity, this is up there with any of them.
"I like the intensity of the games, as long as it doesn't go overboard, that's an important aspect to derby matches.
"Steve Walford, my coach, has with me experienced a lot of derby games and in particular, Celtic v Rangers games, and he felt the game at St James' Park matched that for intensity, and some of the games we had with Celtic and Rangers, so that speaks volumes for it."