It has been billed as arguably the biggest game between Newcastle and Sunderland for many years and Allardyce admits it is by far the “biggest game of the weekend”.
Allardyce’s first win in charge of the Black Cats came in a 3-0 victory against his former side Newcastle earlier in the season and he is confident of a repeat if his team are mentally ready for the Magpies’ crowd.
“We’re in pretty good form at the moment but we can’t win a game,” Allardyce told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“It’s just converting a good performance into a victory now. Games are running out and victories are the most important thing, starting Sunday – how we get it on Sunday, it doesn’t matter!
“My aim is to give the players that mental toughness to go out and perform in that atmosphere.”
Due to the FA Cup last weekend, West Ham missed out on playing their Premier League fixture and with the international break next week, it will mean Sunderland will only play one game in three weeks.
“I didn’t want to miss a game last weekend so it [the fixture schedule] has been a real problem for us,” he added.
“We already face the last week of the season with three games. It’s been a real problem because having played so many games in a short amount of time over Christmas and New Year.
“Having a good game against Southampton and then not having another one for two weeks is something I have found a problem.”