Spurs – Newcastle combined XI: North London dominates but Cisse, Janmaat & Colback all feature

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Ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash between both sides, here is a suggested combined XI…

GK – Lloris

Tim Krul is a very good goalkeeper. But the Newcastle United man has not quite reached the level where he is often the only standout player on the pitch for his side. Hugo Lloris has.

LB – Rose

A difficult choice considering the competition for places in Tottenham Hotspur’s defence but Danny Rose gets the nod here.

CB – Kaboul

Similarly, Tottenham’s centre-backs are kept on their toes in terms of the fight for a starting spot but their captain is a straightforward pick.

CB – Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen also makes the XI as none of Newcastle’s centre-backs have anything to write home about in terms of current form.

RB – Janmaat

Despite north London’s dominance, Daryl Janmaat is the Magpies’ first name in this combined XI. Eric Dier is naturally a centre-back so is not as strong at right-back and the injured Kyle Walker is also more effective going forward than he is defensively, although Janmaat is far from perfect.

LM – Chadli

Nacer Chadli has been superb for Spurs so far this season and is included here without a second’s thought.

CM – Eriksen

The same can be said for Christian Eriksen, who is arguably Mauricio Pochettino’s player of the season so far.

CM – Capoue

In central midfield, Mousa Dembele has certainly had his moments for Tottenham – and so too has Ryan Mason. Etienne Capoue, however, has been an unsung hero in a lot of their games.

CM – Colback

Only the second Newcastle player to feature, completing a central midfield three, Jack Colback is also quite the unsung hero. During a poor run of form for Alan Pardew’s side, Colback has stood up to be counted.

RM – Lamela

A divisive figure due to his £30 million price-tag last year, Erik Lamela has been much improved for Spurs this season. And his rabona goal in the Europa League on Thursday… need anything more be said?

ST – Cisse

The one department where Newcastle can arguably outdo Tottenham, despite their lack of goals. If both were to choose one striker to play on his own up front, Papiss Cisse would be the man. Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado have struggled for goals, while Harry Kane is yet to make his mark on the Premier League. Cisse, however, looks like he is rediscovering his clinical form of old.