By Andrew McKenzie BBC Sport Online

It is the game they are calling the desperation derby.

Sunderland and Newcastle both find themselves in the relegation zone as they prepare to meet at St James' Park on Saturday.

Newcastle v Sunderland preview

BBC Sport Online spoke to fanzine editors Mark Jensen (The Mag - Newcastle) and Peter Daykin (Sex and Chocolate - Sunderland) to find out their thoughts going into the big game.

Are you looking forward to Saturday's game?

MJ: I don't think you ever look forward to Newcastle-Sunderland games. The fear of losing is always greater than the anticipation of winning.

PD: What's at stake is so much that I don't enjoy them until afterwards if we win - then I really enjoy them. The two times we beat them 2-1 at their place they were phenomenal games.

But it's never a pleasant experience going to St James' Park so I'm trying not to think of it really.

What are your predictions?

MJ: We're certainly going into the match confident of winning. Kevin Phillips has been a thorn in our side so it's pleasing that he's going to be missing.

It's all positive for Newcastle apart from our form recently. But there's nothing like a win over Sunderland to kick-start the season.

Solano makes derby vow

PD: It's impossible to say. We're third bottom, Newcastle are second and neither of us are playing particularly well. It's just one of those games you can't possibly predict.

But we've done it before, we've gone there after a bad start to the season and beaten them.

Both managers have found themselves under pressure this season. Can they turn it around?

MJ: When you're losing everyone feels a bit of pressure, but Bobby's seen it and done it all so he's probably handling it a lot better than us.

Dabizas scored against Sunderland last season

Obviously at times we disagree with his formation, but overall the transformation of the club is very much like when Kevin Keegan was here. He has built something at Newcastle and I'm sure he wants to see it through.

PD: Without wanting to put any more pressure on Peter Reid the result on Saturday might make a massive difference. If he pulls it out the hat everyone will forgive him, if he doesn't then he might be in trouble.

Do you think the criticism of Reid is fair?

MJ: He's got his limitations and I think that's been shown, maybe he is a manager with the ability to establish them in the Premiership but no higher.

I think Sunderland's position, unlike ours, is about as good as they are. Last season they finished fourth bottom and I haven't seen anything in his signings to change that.

PD: He's been getting a bit of stick but he's been getting some support as well.

There are some fans who say look what he did when he first came to the club and he really turned us round - their argument is you've got to remember where we came from.

Will Reid survive a defeat this weekend?

MJ: He has just brought in three or four new players for a considerable amount by Sunderland's standards, so they'll have to keep him until the New Year when the transfer window opens again.

Phillips will be missing through injury

PD: There's no doubt we can't afford another season like the last one. The biggest problem is the fans have started voting with their feet.

Clearly that's not sustainable in the business of football these days. He's probably got a few games to turn it around before I think the chairman will have no choice but to try a new approach.

Why makes the Newcastle-Sunderland rivalry so special?

MJ: I think it goes a lot deeper than football. With Newcastle and Sunderland you've got two places with totally separate identities but are only eight or nine miles apart. They are so close yet so different.

PD: The rivalry between the two as cities makes it what it is. Everybody's fiercely proud of their own city but everyone knows people from the other side.

Also, people are just obsessed about football up here. I think when you combine the two factors it really makes for a special atmosphere.

And after the game will you be sharing a pint with your fellow north-easterners?

MJ: Er, unlikely.

PD: There's absolutely no chance I'll be staying in Newcastle after the game win, lose or draw. I'll be coming back to Sunderland and if we win I'll be out celebrating and if we lose then I'll be out commiserating.