Combined XI: Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United

Newcastle United travel to North London tonight to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

By Liam Rafferty

With both sides dealing with injuries and suspensions, we’ve put together a potential combined XI made up only of players available for selection.

Here’s how it shapes up.

Goalkeeper: Nick Pope

This one is genuinely debatable.

I’ve gone with Pope mainly out of bias and longevity, but I wouldn’t argue too hard if someone picked Guglielmo Vicario instead.

Statistically, it’s close: Vicario has played 25 Premier League matches this season and kept seven clean sheets, while Pope has featured in 19 games and also has seven clean sheets to his name.

Right-back: Djed Spence

If Tino Livramento were fit, he’d be the clear choice.

But with him sidelined, Spence gets the nod ahead of Kieran Trippier.

Centre-back: Malick Thiaw

Even if Cristian Romero were available, I still think Thiaw starts.

He’s comfortably ahead of Radu Drăgușin, and it’s not even close.

Centre-back: Micky van de Ven

Let’s be honest - he’s too good for Spurs.

Van de Ven is a better all-round defender than Sven Botman, although this one is at least a contest.

Left-back: Lewis Hall

This guy is different gravy.

If Pedro Porro were fit, Hall would still get in ahead of him.

Instead, he’s up against Archie Gray - and again, it’s not really a debate.

Defensive Midfield: Sandro Tonali

He hasn’t quite hit the heights he set previously, but Tonali still gets in ahead of João Palhinha for me.

Central Midfield: Bruno Guimarães

Conor Gallagher is a solid midfielder and one I rate, but Guimarães operates on a different level altogether.

Central Midfield: Pape Sarr

This would’ve been more of a discussion if Joelinton were fit, but Sarr edges it ahead of Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey.

Left Wing: Xavi Simons

He’s been disappointing since moving to the Premier League and hasn’t lived up to the hype just yet, but he still gets the nod on the left - and you’ll see why.

Aside from Harvey Barnes, Newcastle don’t really have alternatives here with Anthony Gordon injured.

Right Wing: Harvey Barnes

Barnes shifts over to the right because the right

-wing options are honking.

Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy haven’t impressed, and Wilson Odobert is at a similar level, so Barnes gets the spot.

Striker: Dominic Solanke

Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade have struggled recently, and with Richarlison injured, Solanke is my pick.

He’s only played six league games this season but has scored twice - which is more than Wissa has managed in 11 appearances.