Tottenham vs Newcastle combined XI: Who makes the cut ahead of Premier League clash? | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to start 2025 on a high when they host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Ange Postecoglou’s men entered the new year in the bottom half of the table, closer in points to the relegation zone than the top four. They’ve lost nine of their 19 games so far and are winless in three.

It’s not the best time, then, for Tottenham to host Newcastle. The Magpies are fifth, three points outside the top four having won each of their past four games. There’s only one side on a longer winning run in the Premier League right now.

Newcastle have a good recent record against Tottenham, winning four of their last five Premier League games in this fixture. But, Tottenham have won two of their last three Premier League home games against Newcastle.

This may be a close one, with stars on both sides. The question is, who would get into a team made out of Tottenham and Newcastle? We’ve used the Squawka Score to pick a Tottenham and Newcastle combined XI, using the best player from each position, among those available to play this weekend.

GK: Martin Dubravka

Both sides are without their first-choice goalkeepers, but Martin Dubravka makes the cut for the two available this weekend. The Newcastle shot-stopper hasn’t been too busy during his time as Nick Pope’s replacement. In fact, he’s only had to make four saves across his four games — with a 100% success rate. That’s right, he’s kept four clean sheets, with his score only so low because he hasn’t had much to do.

RB: Pedro Porro

While Tottenham have had their issues this season, Pedro Porro has generally been reliable at right-back. The Spaniard has averaged 4.39 passes into the final third per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, in the 80-95th percentile among full-backs. He’s also averaged 1 open-play cross completed per 90, in the top five among Premier League defenders with at least 855 minutes played.

CB: Lloyd Kelly

Centre-back options are a little thin this weekend due to injury and suspension. Lloyd Kelly is expected to feature for Newcastle as a result, and he’s one of the better rotational centre-back options for both teams. In his limited time on the pitch, Kelly has been strong in the air for Newcastle, winning 85.71% of his aerial duels. He’s also won 1.21 tackles per 90 and 3.64 possessions won in the defensive third per 90.

CB: Dan Burn

Dan Burn moved back to the centre of Newcastle’s defence this season, and he’s been decent. The Englishman has averaged 3.39 aerial duels won per 90 in the Premier League this season, with a 63.54% success rate. Of course, you’d expect that given his height. But the Newcastle defender has also averaged 4.5 clearances and 0.39 clean sheets per 90.

LB: Lewis Hall

When looking at left-backs with consistent minutes this season, there isn’t anyone better than Lewis Hall. The Englishman has grown as the season has gone on, looking decent at both ends of the pitch. Hall averaged 0.9 effective blocked crosses and 0.84 shots blocked per 90 in the Premier League this season and 2.34 clearances. In terms of creativity, Hall has averaged 5.28 passes into the final third completed per 90 and 0.18 xA per 90.

CM: James Maddison

He’s had to endure a period out of the starting XI, but James Maddison remains a top quality player. The Tottenham midfielder has been as creative as ever, averaging 0.24 intentional assists per 90 in the Premier League and 2.36 successful passes into the penalty area. He’s also created 0.32 big chances per 90, with 44.13% of his attempted passes to the final third.

CM: Sandro Tonali

Sandro Tonali’s return from suspension at the start of the season has played a big role in where Newcastle are right now. The Italian has averaged 1.6 interceptions retaining possession per 90 this season, placing him in the 80-95th percentile among central midfielders. He’s also in that group for possessions won in the middle third at 3.91 per 90. While Tonali has been on the pitch, Newcastle have averaged 0.89 goals conceded, and the Italian has helped solidify the defensive side of their game.

RW: Anthony Gordon

Anthony Gordon has been dangerous at times for Newcastle this season, averaging 0.25 goals and 0.25 intentional assists per 90 in the Premier League. Perfectly balanced, his 0.25 intentional assists per 90 also matches his 0.25 xA per 90, so Gordon has been helped by his teammates’ finishing. He’s in very good form at the minute too, having scored or assisted in each of Newcastle’s past four games.

No.10: Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski started the season in a more reserved midfield role, which was used to the benefit of Tottenham with his pressing. But in recent weeks he has been deployed more as a No.10 after a switch in formation. Across the season, the Swede has averaged 0.24 intentional assists per 90 and 0.48 big chances created, good returns considering his deeper starting position for a lot of the campaign. Now, he also averages 7.5 touches in the opposition box per 90 and 1.26 possessions won in the attacking third, vital higher up the pitch.

LW: Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min is quite comfortably Tottenham’s most important player this season, and their best. The South Korean winger has averaged 0.37 goals and 0.45 intentional assists per 90, the latter among the best in the Premier League. He’s also created 0.89 big chances per 90, again placing him in the 95th percentile and above among wingers. Son has averaged 5.94 touches in the opposition box and 2.6 shots per 90, proving tough to keep quiet. 7y

ST: Alexander Isak

What a season Alexander Isak is having. He ended 2024 with 25 goals, the second-most for Newcastle in a calendar year in Premier League history. Twelve of those goals came in 2024-25, at an average of 0.78 per 90, the second-most record in the Premier League among players with at least 855 minutes played. His non-penalty spot average of 2.67 per 90 also places him in the 95th percentile and above among Premier League strikers. There haven’t been any better than him this season in general, never mind just between Tottenham and Newcastle players.

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