THE first North-East derby of the season takes place on Monday evening, with Middlesbrough taking on Sunderland in the Championship.

Here's everything you need to know about the game...


WHERE IS THE GAME TAKING PLACE?

Middlesbrough have home advantage for the first derby of the season, which means the game will be staged at the Riverside.

The last Tees-Wear derby to take place at Boro's home ground was an FA Cup tie in January 2018 that resulted in a 2-0 home win thanks to goals from Rudy Gestede and Martin Braithwaite.


WHAT IS THE KICK-OFF TIME?

Monday's game will kick off at 8pm.


CAN I WATCH THE GAME ON TV?

Yes. The derby game has been selected for live coverage on Sky Sports.

It will be shown on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football channels, with coverage from the Riverside starting at 7.30pm.


WILL THE GAME BE STREAMED IN THE UK?

No. Because the game has been selected by Sky, there will not be a domestic streaming service.


ARE TICKETS FOR THE GAME STILL AVAILABLE?

Tickets for the Middlesbrough ends of the ground are still available, although supporters must have a prior purchasing history with the club to be able to buy them.

Boro fans must have a a recent purchase history with the club, ie two or more Priority Points, in order to buy tickets, with a maximum of four tickets able to be bought per account. 

Boro are encouraging supporters to buy early and print at home where possible.

The main ticket office is open from 9am until just after kick-off.

The North Stand will open for collections from 6pm and the South, East, and visitors' ticket office will be open from 6.30pm. Turnstiles open at 6.30pm.

Sunderland's allocation for the game is completely sold out.


HOW ARE MIDDLESBROUGH LIKELY TO LINE UP?

Darragh Lenihan and Jonny Howson were both forced off during last week's defeat at Watford, but the pair have returned to training.

As a result, given their experience and importance to Chris Wilder's preferred line-up, they are expected to slot straight back into the starting side tonight.

There is more of a doubt over goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury.

If Steffen is absent again tonight, his fellow summer signing, Liam Roberts, will continue in goal.

Middlesbrough (probable, 3-5-1-1): Roberts; McNair, Lenihan, Clarke; Jones, Crooks, Howson, Mowatt, Giles; McGree; Muniz.  


HOW ARE SUNDERLAND LIKELY TO LINE UP?

With no new injury issues to contend with, new Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray is set to stick with the side that started last week's impressive home win over Rotherham.

That will mean a continuation of the 3-4-1-2 approach that was introduced under Alex Neil, and that was adopted by Mowbray last week.

Ross Stewart has scored five goals already this season, and will be a key man in attack, while Jack Clarke has proved extremely effective playing as a left wing-back so far.

Sunderland (probable, 3-4-1-2): Patterson; O'Nien, Batth, Cirkin; Gooch, Neil, Evans, Clarke; Pritchard; Simms, Stewart.