Newcastle United travel down to Birmingham to play Aston Villa on Saturday in the Championship.
Villa have had a very average season so far, drawing five games. As a result they sit in 18th place with a goal difference of zero.
The Magpies, on the other hand, have been doing a lot better than their former Premier League colleagues and are third in the league.
On paper United should dispatch the Villains, who have only won one fixture all season – but things never work out on paper.
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When the two outfits are experience such different starts to the new campaign, a combined XI is always going to be slightly lopsided.
This team will play in a 4-3-2-1 formation, which allows both teams to use their wingers but only one striker. Click through the slides below to see who makes it!
Matz Sels
Aston Villa’s goalkeeper is 21-year-old Pierluigi Gollini, who is a recent addition from Italian side Verona.
Like the Tyneside outfit, both managers decided to bring in someone new between the sticks – although Villa’s decision was forced on them when Brad Guzan left.
Matz Sels pips Gollini to the post here on the basis on his experience and the fact that he’s been better between in goal this campaign.
The Belgian has started his Toon career with an average rating of 6.75 according to WhoScored, while Golli has accumulated a 6.61 score.
Aly Cissokho
Left-back is a problem area for Newcastle United and so it is Aston Villa who beat the Magpies to securing this position.
Paul Dummett lacks the ability to offer a threat from defence and while Achraf Lazaar can, it’s too early in his United career to pick him ahead of Aly Cissokho.
The former Liverpool man has had a good start to his Championship campaign and has created one assist this season.
Cissokho should be one of the stand out players for the Villa Park side this season – and he’ll look to provide more of a threat down the flank.
Jamaal Lascelles
Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles gets into this XI wearing the skipper’s armband – and for good reason.
He’s grown in stature since being installed into the defence by Rafa Benitez, and his call to arms at the end of that campaign inspired many Toon fans.
Lascelles suffered a bit of a blip early in the Championship campaign, but he’s come back from that well and deserves his place in the combined XI.
Expect him to start the game at Villa Park on Saturday after being left out the cup side on Tuesday against Wolves.
James Chester
Welsh international James Chester has had a good summer with Wales at Euro 2016 and carried that into the Championship season.
He’s played seven league games for Aston Villa this season and emerged as a key part of their defence.
And now he’s a key part of this combined XI’s defence as he’ll slot in alongside former Nottingham Forest man Jamaal Lascelles.
Ciaran Clark or Micah Richards could have easily forced their way into the side, but Chester’s strong presence just pips it.
Chancel Mbemba
With Vurnon Anita banned for three games, DeAndre Yedlin not quite ready to start and Jesus Gamez injury Chancel Mbemba gets a run out at right-back.
This is a position that Aston Villa aren’t particularly strong in, but Mbemba is still a good full-back and is rewarded with a start.
Sure, Micah Richards can operate there – but his early performances in the Championship have been slightly underwhelming.
The former Anderlecht man is still quick enough to get up and down the touchline and has a good engine as well.
Jonjo Shelvey
Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has had a mixed season so far – but still makes this team because when he’s good, he’s very good.
With three goals to his name already, the former Swansea City man is proving to be an unexpected asset in the final third.
But Shelvey needs to sort his consistency out and he showed last week that when he had an off day, it’s really bad.
The English midfielder range of passing is so good that he easily makes this XI ahead of the nearest Aston Villa player.
Mohamed Diame
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez played Mohamed Diame behind the striker against Wolves on Tuesday, but in this formation he drops back into midfield.
With Jonjo Shelvey beside him, Diame can launch runs forward and drive at the opposition defence before freeing up the striker.
The former Hull City man also has a good pass in his locker, as he showed earlier this season when he assisted Dwight Gayle.
Diame will have benefited from more minutes under his belt during the EFL Cup game – expect him to have more of an influence.
Jack Grealish
The left-wing position is an area that has troubled Newcastle United a little bit this season and so Jack Grealish gets the nod.
Yoan Gouffran has played well from that area, but Grealish has more spark and more creativity and so gets the nod.
The youngster has plenty to prove this season after breaking through under Tim Sherwood – but can he show that he’s the real deal?
Gouffra will feel disappointed to miss out on inclusion, but the flair factor is one that’s just too tricky to ignore.
Ayoze Perez
Is Ayoze Perez a striker, winger or number 10? Well in this formation he is the latter and will link up with the central striker.
His best performances have come when used behind another player – and Mohamed Diame dropping down into central midfield allows this.
Jordan Ayew has been playing well and so it was tricky to leave him out, but he is more of a striker or a left winger.
Otherwise, Aston Villa don’t have anyone pulling up any trees in this area of the pitch so it wasn’t too tricky a choice.
Matt Ritchie
Former Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie is the first name on Newcastle United’s teamsheet and he’s the first name on this one.
Ritchie has been in excellent form since moving up north to play for the Tyneside outfit, scoring two goals and assisting two others in all competitions.
This is another area Jordan Ayew could play in, but its impossible to drop the Scotland international in his current form.
Christian Atsu could also feature here, but he isn’t ready to start after making another substitute appearance on Tuesday.
Dwight Gayle
Up front is one area where there is lots of competition. For Newcastle United, Aleksandar Mitrovic could have easily got the nod.
While for Aston Villa, Rudy Gestede, Ross McCormack and Jonathan Kodjia are all good players, but none have scored the goals that Dwight Gayle have.
His four strikes is the main reason why Gayle has been selected over the four mentioned previously, and his pace and dribbling will cause trouble for the opposition.
The former Crystal Palace striker will be keen to add to his tally and prove to Rafa Benitez why he should start every game.
Pierluigi Gollini, Micah Richards, Ciaran Clark, Jack Colback, Yoan Gouffran, Jordan Ayew, Aleksandar Mitrovic
Starting with the goalkeepers, Aston Villa stopper Pierluigi Gollini comes into the side ahead of Karl Darlow of Newcastle United.
In defence, Micah Richards is named on the bench because of his physical attributes and leadership skills – while Ciaran Clark is added as he is a versatile player who started the campaign well.
Jack Colback is the sole out and out midfielder and can add some bite into the midfielder if the game needs to be closed down.
Yoan Gouffran and Jordan Ayew will add fresh legs up front, while Ayew can come on for Ayoze Perez or Dwight Gayle.
Making up the contingent is Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who can bring his strength into play and bully tired defenders in the final quarter of the game.
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