The best Sunderland & Newcastle United combined XI - according to the stats ahead of derby day
We've used WhoScored's player ratings system to pick a combined XI of Sunderland and Newcastle United players this season.
All eyes in the North East now turn to the Tyne-Wear derby, with Sunderland locking horns with Newcastle United in the Premier League for the first time since 2016.
Things are incredibly close between the two sides in the Premier League table, with just a single point separating the arch-rivals. Newcastle have a superior attacking record, but Sunderland have built their success with a tighter defence. Sunday’s intense clash could be decided by the finest of margins, be it the star quality at Eddie Howe’s disposal, or the raucous atmosphere at the Stadium of Light - not to mention the togetherness Regis Le Bris has forged.
With things so tight, that got us thinking about who would make up a combined XI between Sunderland and Newcastle. To provide the answers, we’ve turned to WhoScored’s statistical ratings, looking at which players scored highest, combined with who has played the most minutes.
The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.
GK: Nick Pope (Newcastle United)
If his current form continues, Robin Roefs may well go down as one of the Premier League’s best signings this season. However, he’s edged out by 0.04 on WhoScored’s ratings. That’s because, despite all the noise around his status as Newcastle No.1 over the summer, Nick Pope has been mostly solid for the Magpies.
The England international has kept five clean sheets so far, with only four goalkeepers managing more. He’s also third for crosses caught (17) and second for sweeper-keeper actions (15). Pope’s 39 saves total is highly respectable, as is the fact that he’s conceded just 13 goals.
However, a poor performance against Marseille in the Champions League coupled with injury has seen Pope lose his place to Aaron Ramsdale across the last three games, with the Magpies taking seven points from Everton (4-1), Tottenham (2-2) and Burnley (2-1). Roefs could overtake Pope in the near future.
RB: Trai Hume (Sunderland)
- WhoScored rating: 6.76
- Newcastle rival: Kieran Trippier (6.64)
Trai Hume has played in three different divisions with Sunderland now, and any doubts that he wouldn’t be able to translate his quality to the Premier League have been put firmly to bed. The Northern Ireland international is fourth among Sunderland players for aerial duels won (33), third tackles (40) and second for crosses blocked (6), while he’s contributed in attack with the third-most chances created (10) - providing an assist in the 2-0 win over Wolves in mid-October.
CB: Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United)
Anyone who thought Malick Thiaw was nothing but a back-up option to Newcastle’s missed targets has been left sorely mistaken. The 24-year-old has been one of the Magpies’ most consistent performers so far this season, sitting level with Bruno Guimaraes as their highest performer on WhoScored’s rating system. He’s first in Eddie Howe’s squad for shots blocked (10), while he’s only been dribbled past twice and features in the top three in a host of key metrics, such as interceptions (13), clearances (58) and aerial duels won (42). Thiaw scored a brace in the 4-1 win away at Everton recently, while his form on Tyneside has seen him pick up his first caps for Germany in two years.
CB: Nordi Mukiele (Sunderland)
- WhoScored rating: 7.08
- Newcastle rival: Sven Botman (6.53)
Sunderland’s success so far this season has been built upon a solid defensive record, with only five teams conceding fewer goals (17). Summer arrival Nordi Mukiele has been a key part of that rearguard effort. Sometimes deployed at right-back, the Frenchman has spent most of his time at the Stadium of Light so far as a centre-back, and is second among Sunderland players for aerial duels won (44), clearances (76) and tackles (43), and first for interceptions (19). Mukiele has also come up with two vital goal contributions, scoring the opener against Wolves and providing an assist in November’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
LB: Dan Burn (Newcastle United)
Though he’s come into the middle of defence with regularity this season, Dan Burn has still clocked the most minutes at left-back for Newcastle. The giant defender has been reliable as ever, with a team-high 53 aerial duels won and 15 interceptions, while he’s grabbed assists against Nottingham Forest and Everton. Burn was sent off against Brentford just before the international break, but Sunderland left-back Reinildo also saw red earlier in the campaign against Aston Villa, keeping his rating 0.02 below Burn’s.
CM: Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
- WhoScored rating: 7.17
- Newcastle rival: Joelinton (6.52)
Granit Xhaka has been nothing short of a revelation for Sunderland. The Swiss midfielder’s experience and elite-level know-how have been invaluable to Regis Le Bris’ side, almost singlehandedly turning the tide of multiple matches. On a more tangible level, Xhaka is joint-second in the Premier League for assists (4), sitting first among Sunderland players for chances created (18), passes completed (635) and recoveries (67), and second for shots blocked (12). The 33-year-old also scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Everton in November.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
As mentioned, Guimaraes is Newcastle’s joint-highest-rated player this season at 7.03. The Brazilian is the Magpies’ joint-highest scorer with five goals, including in his last two appearances against Tottenham and Burnley, and also joint-top for assists (2). Guimaraes is simply invaluable on both sides of the ball, sitting first among his teammates for tackles (40), chances created (18) and passes completed (590).
CM: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United)
If Guimaraes is the all-action heartbeat of the Newcastle midfield, Sandro Tonali is the precise, measured figure who gets the job done. Tonali has no goals and just one assist to his name, but his true effectiveness is in his ability to break up opposition moves, sitting second among his teammates for interceptions (13), possessions won in the middle third (33) and possessions won in the attacking third (7). The Italy international is also excellent at progressing the ball, figuring second for Newcastle in passes completed (529) and final third passes completed (166).
RW: Bertrand Traore (Sunderland)
- WhoScored rating: 6.70
- Newcastle rival: Anthony Elanga (6.28)
Bertrand Traore was one of Sunderland’s more understated signings, but he’s proven himself a useful member of the squad so far. The former Aston Villa and Chelsea winger scored the second goal in Sunderland’s 3-2 win over Bournemouth in November, while no Black Cats player has completed more dribbles (13). By contrast, the far more expensive Anthony Elanga has been one of the major disappointments of the season so far for Newcastle.
CF: Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United)
Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor made a blistering start to the campaign, netting three goals in his first five Premier League appearances. However, he’s managed just one goal in 10 appearances since. By contrast, Nick Woltemade has been a consistent threat, now sitting on five goals and an assist in 12 Premier League appearances, while providing an excellent focal point for Eddie Howe’s attack.
LW: Enzo Le Fee (Sunderland)
- WhoScored rating: 6.54
- Newcastle rival: Harvey Barnes (6.46)
Injury has limited Anthony Gordon this season, so this position came down to Enzo Le Fee vs Harvey Barnes. The Sunderland man won out by 0.08, thanks to an impressive record of two goals and three assists, while sitting second only to Xhaka for chances created (16). Le Fee also has a high defensive work rate, sitting first among his teammates for tackles (47), second for passes blocked (15) and third for crosses blocked (4).