The Black Cats are rock bottom of the table without a Premier League win all season as new boss Sam Allardyce gears up for his first home game in charge.
Newcastle are on a high after hitting six past Norwich to claim their first win but have lost five straight derbies going back to April 2013.
"It's a tough one next, Sunderland have won the last five derbies, they are the favourites and they are at home," said McClaren.
"It's a hoodoo and we've just got to break it. Football is about momentum and we've got to take it forward."