Although derby day is quite different to the usual Premiership fixture, Rafael Benitez has no doubts that his players will be able to adapt.
"The players may not have played in this game before, but they have enough experience and know what it will be like," said Benitez.
"Fabio Aurelio and Mark Gonzalez have played in the Nou Camp and the Bernabau Stadium, so they're well aware what it's like to play in an intense atmosphere.
"Valencia versus Villarreal is also a big deal in Spain, and Fabio has played in many of those games.
"Gonzalez will tell you the crowd in Chile is as loud as anywhere in the world. The passion in South American football is very similar to England, so it's not going to be a new experience for him.
"Dirk Kuyt has played many big games in Holland, and Jermaine Pennant and Craig Bellamy are used to playing derby games at other clubs.
"So the fact we have many players new to the derby won't be important."