Sunderland vs Newcastle United: AI picks Wear-Tyne combined XI - 'Unyielding control'
We tasked X's AI chatbot, Grok, with picking a Sunderland vs Newcastle combined XI ahead of Sunday's derby clash.
The Wear-Tyne derby is here, with Sunderland and Newcastle United preparing to lock horns in the Premier League for the first time since March 2016.
The two sides go into Sunday’s Stadium of Light showdown separated by just one point and three places in the table, but it’ll come as a surprise to some that it’s the newly-promoted Black Cats who lead the way, ahead of the Champions League Magpies. That got us thinking about what a combined XI of the two teams would look like, based on their form this season. But rather than make the picks ourselves, we’ve turned to X’s AI chatbot, Grok, to see what insights it can offer.
GK: Robin Roefs (Sunderland)
Grok: Roefs' 75% save rate eclipses Ramsdale's 60% in limited outings, with four clean sheets anchoring Sunderland's strong start. His command in the box and reflexes at 22 years old make him the shutdown specialist, turning pressure into shutouts amid derby chaos.
RB: Tino Livramento (Newcastle)
Grok: Livramento's blistering pace and 352 ball carries outstrip Hume's solid but less explosive showings, winning 1.12 fouls per 90 to disrupt attacks. His progressive carries and 85% pass accuracy fuel overlaps in a width-hungry 4-3-3, making him the dynamic right-flank engine to stretch and sting.
CB: Dan Burn (Newcastle)
Grok: Burn's colossal frame delivers 3.85 aerial wins per 90, towering over Ballard's metrics in leadership and duel dominance. His passing range (2.22 long passes completed per 90) stitches transitions, providing the rock-solid spine to repel counters—Newcastle's Geordie giant cements the core with unyielding presence.
CB: Dan Ballard (Sunderland)
Grok: Ballard's 62.81% duel wins and two goals from set-pieces get him in over Thiaw, blending tenacity with offensive threat. Paired with Burn, his recovery speed quells breakthroughs, forming a hybrid wall that exploits set-pieces—a Northern Irish powerhouse for defensive steel.
LB: Lewis Hall (Newcastle)
Grok: Hall's 3.75 successful dribbles per 90 and 0.63 key passes surpass Reinildo’s consistency, injecting youth and verve for surging runs. His versatility plugs left-flank gaps, enhancing fluidity in attacks while covering smartly—England's prospect powers the overlap in this balanced set-up.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
Grok: Guimarães' 84% pass accuracy and 2.01 tackles per 90 dwarf Le Fée's progressive output, with a recent masterclass against Burnley dictating play. As the Brazilian fulcrum, he shields the defence and slices openings, embodying midfield mastery to orchestrate the engine room's rhythm.
CM: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)
Grok: Tonali's tireless running and 1.16 interceptions per 90 nudge ahead of Sadiki's energy, fortifying transitions with Italian grit. His vision complements Guimarães, addressing tackling needs—a resilient enforcer whose work rate grinds through derbies for unyielding control.
CM: Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
Grok: Xhaka's 5.61 progressive passes per 90 and set-piece prowess outshine Miley's promise and Joelinton’s effort, fuelling surges with 1.6 expected assists per 90. His bite (four yellows) adds edge, elevating the trio - Switzerland's skipper imposes composure and creativity at the heart.
Xhaka captains this XI through proven leadership at club and international level, vocal authority, composure under pressure, and ability to unite a split squad while driving standards with his experience and set-piece expertise.
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RW: Jacob Murphy (Newcastle)
Grok: Murphy's 6.5 crosses per 90 and direct bursts top Traoré's flair, delivering end product from the right. His pace exploits flanks, turning service into strikes—Newcastle's winger sparks width, countering long-shot vulnerabilities with unrelenting threat.
ST: Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)
Grok: Woltemade's 1.62 aerial wins per 90, hold-up play and clinical edge (0.3 xG overperformance) overpower Isidor's physicality, thriving centrally with recent big performances against Everton and Tottenham. He feasts on supply, blending height and nous—a towering finisher to bully and bury in the 4-3-3 hub.
LW: Harvey Barnes (Newcastle)
Grok: Barnes' 2.7 dribbles per 90 and 20 shots (eight on target) edge Gordon's output, terrorising with left-footed curlers and scoring three goals to Gordon’s two. His unpredictability turns scraps to gold—Newcastle's speed demon flanks the assault, weaving chaos on the left.