Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 4

Mid-match tinkering from Manuel Pellegrini and Garry Monk proves key in securing weekend wins for City and Swansea. Arsene Wenger rotates up top, whilst Claudio Ranieri start with a lone striker system for the first time this term. Here’s our regular post-Gameweek look at the lineups over the weekend fixtures and the conclusions we can draw…

Arsenal
Starting XI: Cech, Bellerín, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arteta 80), Ramsey, Sanchez, Walcott (Giroud 70)

Per Mertesacker’s continued absence with a chest infection was somewhat compensated by Laurent Koscielny’s return from injury. That meant Calum Chambers dropped to the bench as Gabriel continued in the starting XI. Elsewhere, Mesut Ozil missed out with a “minor” knee problem, allowing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain his second start of the campaign, while Arsene Wenger belatedly handed Theo Walcott the central striker berth at the expense of Olivier Giroud.

Walcott’s ineffectual display, hindered by Newcastle’s rearguard action after being reduced to ten men, saw Giroud eventually replace him up front. The central striker spot remains the only real point of contention in Wenger’s lineup, with no sign of rotation at full-back just yet. Mertesacker and Ozil are likely to return for the visit of Stoke to the Emirates in Gameweek 5.

Aston Villa
Starting XI: Guzan; Hutton, Richards, Clark, Amavi; Bacuna (Gil 68), Gana, Westwood; Sanchez, Sinclair, Gestede.

With skipper Gabriel Agbonlahor absent through illness and Jack Grealish ruled out by a training ground ankle knock, Tim Sherwood recalled Scott Sinclair his starting XI and handed Alan Hutton his first start of the campaign. The latter’s start at right-back allowed Leonardo Bacuna to shift forward to the right flank, with Sinclair operating on the left of Rudy Gestede in a 4-3-3. Despite his goals, Sinclair’s starting role is not yet fully secure given that Sherwood will be keen to work both Agbonlahor and Grealish back into his lineup once available. Jordan Veretout and Jordan Ayew currently seem destined for cameo roles at this stage, having been unused subs.

Bournemouth
Starting XI: Boruc; Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels (Mings 46) (Smith 57); Ritchie, O’Kane, Surman, Gradel (Pugh 67); Tomlin; Wilson.

Eddie Howe only made one change to the side that beat West Ham 4-3, with Lee Tomlin replacing the injured Josh King (minor hamstring) as the second striker behind Callum Wilson. The Cherries picked up three injuries against Leicester, with Charlie Daniels being forced off at half-time due to a knee injury. He was replaced by Tyrone Mings, making his first appearance for the Premier League new boys, but the former Ipswich defender only lasted 11 minutes before being forced off with a leg problem. Max Gradel was replaced by Marc Pugh after 67 minutes after picking up a knee complaint, which may well rule him out for the next few weeks. Despite those injuries, Howe did stick to the 4-4-1-1 system that he’s favoured so far this season.

Chelsea
Starting XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta (Kenedy 68); Fabregas , Matic (Loftus Cheek 73); Pedro, Hazard, Willian (Falcao 66); Diego Costa.

Gary Cahill earned a recall as expected with John Terry sitting in the stands in what was the only change to Jose Mourinho’s starting XI: Kurt Zouma retained his starting role, then, while Baba Rahman made his first league appearance on the Chelsea bench. Mourinho’s substitutions throughout, particularly the introduction of Radamel Falcao on 66 minutes for Willian and Kennedy for Cesar Azpilicueta on 68 minutes were governed by the Blues’ need to chase the match. Having said that, Oscar absence from the squad through injury meant that there remains doubt over Willian’s starting role in the number ten role. Terry will be expected to make his return to the teamsheet for the Gameweek 5 trip to Goodison – although Mourinho may well look to retain Zouma to counter the threat of Romelu Lukaku.

Crystal Palace
Starting XI: McCarthy; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Puncheon, Cabaye (Ledley 82), McArthur, Zaha (Bolasie 55); Wickham, Sako (Lee Chung-yong 84).

Bakary Sako kept his starting role on the left of Palace’s midfield attacking three in Alan Pardew’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Yannick Bolasie’s introduction on 55 minutes saw Wilfried Zaha make way, with Sako shifting to the right flank. Given the impact of Sako and Bolasie on this match, this would appear to cast serious doubt over Zaha’s start for the visit of Manchester City in Gameweek 5. The rest of the Eagles lineup now looks fairly settled, with Connor Wickham making his return to the starting XI at Stamford Bridge and Glenn Murray left out of the squad amidst suggestion of a deadline day move.

Everton
Starting XI: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Oviedo; McCarthy, Barry; Kone (Deulofeu 84), Barkley, Cleverley (Mirallas 45); Lukaku (Naismith 69).

Bryan Oviedo’s inclusion in the starting XI at White Hart Lane was forced by the injury to Brendan Galloway, although there’s every chance that the Costa Rican will now retain that role in the coming weeks, having recovered from further injury concerns. There were no other alterations in Roberto Martinez’ teamsheet, although the loss of Tom Cleverley to injury will enforce changes next time out for the Goodison meeting with Chelsea. Martinez has a number of options in that position on the left in the 4-2-3-1, with Kevin Mirallas perhaps in the box seat, having occupied that role for much of last season. Gerrard Deulofeu is another option – he was again restricted to a cameo role with just five minutes remaining at Spurs. Oviedo could even shift forward to a left flank role, with Tyias Browning possibly slotting in at left-back.

Leicester
Starting XI: Schmeichel; De Laet (Benalouane 90), Morgan, Huth, Schlupp; Mahrez (Okazaki 46), King, N’Kante, Drinkwater, Albrighton (Dodoo 72); Vardy.

Claudio Ranieri made one change to his Foxes lineup for the trip to Bournemouth, dropping Shinji Okazaki to the bench and handing N’Golo Kanté a first league start. That saw a shift to a 4-2-3-1, having previously deployed Okazaki in a two-man attack with Jamie Vardy. Ranieri changed his setup at half-time, forced by the back problem suffered by Riyad Mahrez which saw his withdrawal. Okazaki was introduced, then, with Leicester moving to two up front and Kanté occupying the left flank. Ranieri’s starting XI for the visit of midlands rivals Aston Villa will be of interest, with Kanté’s role the key component. He is now putting pressure on both Danny Drinkwater and Andy King in central midfield which will presumably see one of the pair make way. Gokhan Inler is also pushing for a central midfield berth, having been an unused sub on the South Coast. Okazaki will be expected to earn a recall against Villa, with the Foxes boss shifting back to a two-man attack.

Liverpool
Starting XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez (Ibe 78), Can (Moreno 45), Lucas, Milner, Firmino (Ings 61), Benteke, Coutinho.

Brendan Rodgers named an unchanged starting XI for the visit of West Ham following the 0-0 stalemate at the Emirates. That saw a 4-1-4-1 setup, with Lucas shielding the back four, Emre Can and James Milner in the engine room and Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino flanking Christian Benteke up front. Rodgers quickly abandoned this setup as the match began to slip away, replacing Can at the break and introducing Alberto Moreno. This saw the formation shift to a three-man defence with Joe Gomez slotting alongside Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel, with Nathaniel Clyne and Moreno operating as wing-backs. This is a formation which Rodgers utilised for prolonged spells last term and, given the nature of the defeat to West Ham, could now be back on the agenda. Certainly the Liverpool defence is now under scrutiny with the roles of Lovren and, to a lesser extent, Gomez, called into question. Mamadou Sakho could about to be given an opportunity having been frozen out of the first four league outings.

Rodgers will hope to have both Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana back in contention after the international break, although he will be without Coutinho for the Gameweek 5 trip to Old Trafford through suspension. That’s likely to see Jordan Ibe push for a start should Lallana fail to be in contention. Daniel Sturridge is now another name to consider when discussing the Liverpool teamsheet after he returned to training last week.

Man City
Starting XI: Hart; Sagna, Mangala, Kompany, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; Sterling (Iheancho 90), Silva (Delph 75), Navas (Nasri 45); Aguero.

Manuel Pellegrini named an unchanged starting line-up once again, with the main take away from the 2-0 win against Watford the tactical tweak made at half-time. This saw City switch to 4-4-2, with Raheem Sterling alongside Sergio Aguero up front, with Samir Nasri and David Silva fielded on the flanks. Kevin de Bruyne’s arrival could further cloud who will line up where, although the Belgian, Silva and Sterling appear the likely starters, and should form a fluid trio behind the Argentine. Samir Nasri has made an impact of late but his role as a option introduced from the bench looks certain to continue and is surely hampered further by De Bruyne’s arrival.

The back four remains solid, although Nicolas Otamendi is soon expected to challenge Eliaquim Mangala for a place alongside Vincent Kompany after the international break. Both Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy remained sidelined and that ensures that Bacary Sagna and Aleks Kolarov are certain starters for the month ahead.

Man United
Starting XI: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Schneiderlin (Carrick 70), Schweinsteiger, Mata (Young 70), Herrera (Fellaini 76), Depay, Rooney.

The “number ten” role looks up for grabs, with Ander Herrera given the nod at the Liberty Stadium, although he was replaced by Marouane Fellaini as United chased an equaliser, while there is still strong speculation linking Adnan Januzaj with a possible loan move to Dortmund. Rotation in central midfield continued, with Bastian Schweinsteiger starting alongside Morgan Schneiderlin this time, although it was the latter who was replaced by Michael Carrick this week. Louis van Gaal stuck with the 4-2-3-1 system though, with the back four unchanged once again. Javier Hernandez was an unused substitute – he is expected to complete his move to Bayer Leverkusen today. Sergio Romero’s role in Swansea’s winner will cast doubt over his tenancy in the United goal although Louis van Gaal’s options are unclear in this area given David de Gea’s seemingly imminent departure.

Newcastle
Starting XI: Krul, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Haidara, Colback, Anita (Perez 72), Thauvin (de Jong 87), Wijnaldum, Sissoko (Cisse 78), Mitrovic.

Steve McClaren made three changes for the visit of Arsenal, with Florian Thauvin making an impressive first league start in the place of Gabriel Obertan on the right of the three attacking midfield positions in his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. The fit-again Moussa Sissoko replaced Ayoze Perez, while Daryl Janmaat returned from suspension at right-back, with Chancel Mbemba partnering Fabricio Coloccini at the heart of the defence; Steven Taylor was dropped to the bench. Aleksandar Mitrovic’s early red card means he’ll miss the matches against West Ham and Waford, with Papiss Cisse likely to start in his absence. Thauvin’s display could lead to limited roles for the likes of Obertan and Perez from now on. Siem de Jong may be pushing for a first start of the season after coming on as a late substitute.

Norwich
Starting XI: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Brady; Redmond, Tettey, Dorrans (Johnson 70), Howson; Hoolahan (Wisdom 32); Jerome (Hooper 89).

Alex Neil named an unchanged side for the trip to St Mary’s, but was forced to make an early alteration following Steven Whittaker’s first-half red card. Wes Hoolahan was sacrificed, with Andre Wisdom stepping in at right-back. Wisdom is now expected to start the Canaries next match against Bournemouth as Whittaker serves a one-match suspension. Bradley Johnson came on as a substitute once again and looks to be pushing for a recall to the starting XI, while Neil is expected to add attacking reinforcements in particular before the transfer window closes.

Southampton
Starting XI: Stekelenburg; Cedric (Martina 72), Fonte, Yoshida, Targett; Romeu, S Davis (Rodriguez 46); Ward-Prowse, Tadić, Mané (Juanmi 80); Pellè.

After opting for a 3-4-1-2 formation against Watford, Ronald Koeman reverted back to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation against Norwich. Maya Yoshida partnered Jose Fonte at the heart of the defence, so James Ward-Prowse replaced Steven Caulker, while Dusan Tadic came in for Victor Wanyama, who wasn’t in the matchday squad supposedly because through illness, although the midfielder has been linked with a move away from St Mary’s. Jay Rodriguez replaced Steven Davis at half-time as Koeman went on the offensive following Steven Whittaker’s dismissal, with the former Burnley forward playing alongside Graziano Pelle. Interestingly, Sadio Mane mainly operated from the right flank, with Dusan Tadic on the left, while right-back Cedric Soares was once again substituted by the Saints mid-way through the second period.

Stoke
Starting XI: Butland; Johnson (Wilson 63), Cameron, Muniesa, Pieters; Van Ginkel, Whelan; Shaqiri (Arnautovic 68), Adam, Afellay; Diouf (Ireland 81).

Mark Hughes only made one alteration to his starting line-up, with Charlie Adam replacing Marko Arnautovic, and playing as the “number ten”, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Ibrahim Afellay operating out wide. The Welshman’s plans were thrown into turmoil when both Afellay and Adam were sent off during the first-half against West Brom. Both players will now miss the matches against Arsenal and Leicester. Those suspensions should see Arnautovic return to the starting XI, while Stephen Ireland, Jon Walters and Bojan are also expected to come into contention.

Sunderland
Starting XI: Pantilimon, Jones, van Aanholt, O’Shea, Kaboul, Cattermole (Toivonen 46), M’Vila, Rodwell, Lens (Larsson 77), Defoe, Graham (Fletcher 46).

Dick Advocaat made one change for the trip to Villa Park, with the fit-again Younes Kaboul replacing Sebastian Coates at centre-back. Playing away from home, the formation was more 4-5-1 than 4-3-3, with Jermain Defoe in particular playing very deep on the left. Ola Toivonen came on at half-time to make his Sunderland debut, and played just off fellow substitute Steven Fletcher, in what was more of a 4-2-3-1 system, with M’Vila and Jack Rodwell playing at the base of midfield. At this point, it looks as if Advocaat is still yet to decide on his favoured personnel in attack outside of the in-form Jeremain Lens and Defoe. New signings are likely to be imminent by end of play Tuesday which will undoubtedly lead to a further shake-up.

Swansea
Starting XI: Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Cork, Shelvey (Bartley 88), Ayew, Sigurdsson, Routledge 6 (Ki 58), Gomis (Eder 80)

Jefferson Montero missed the 2-1 win against Man United after pulling up in training with soreness in his thigh. The Ecuadorian winger should be fit to return for the trip to Watford in 12 days time. Wayne Routledge deputised for Montero on the left in a 4-2-3-1 system, but the wide man was replaced by Ki Sung-yeung just before the hour mark, as Garry Monk switched to a midfield diamond in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation. Jack Cork played at the base, with Jonjo Shelvey and the South Korean operating on the left and right, and Gylfi Sigurdsson at the tip of the diamond, playing behind Bafetimbi Gomis and Andre Ayew. This could be a formation we see fairly regularly if Montero is ever unavailable through injury.

Tottenham
Starting XI: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Bentaleb; Dembele (Alli 53), Mason (Pritchard 85), Chadli; Kane.

Mauricio Pochettino made two changes to his starting line-up for the visit of Everton, with Danny Rose making his first start of the season at left-back ahead of Ben Davies, and Nabil Bentaleb replacing Erik Lamela. That change saw Ryan Mason play on the right of the three attacking midfield positions, with Mousa Dembele in the middle, and Nacer Chadli on the left, although the average position map shows the Belgian stationed much deeper than Mason and Chadli. Bentaleb played alongside Eric Dier in the double-pivot in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. New signings Clinton N’jie and Heung-Min Son should come into contention for the trip to Sunderland after the international break. Christian Eriksen could return from his knee injury, although compatriot Dembele is a fresh doubt having sustained a foot injury against Everton: Dele Alli replaced him just before the hour mark as he continued to increase his stock and claims for a first team role.

Watford
Starting XI: Gomes; Nyom, Prodl, Cathcart, Holebas; Behrami, Capoue (Watson 76), Abdi (Anya 63); Ighalo (Layun 72), Jurado, Deeney.

Almen Abdi started in place of Ikechi Anya alongside Odion Ighalo and Jurado in the three advanced midfield positions behind the lone forward Troy Deeney, although he was replaced by the Scotland international shortly after the hour mark. Jose Holebas kept his place at left-back, while Ben Watson was utilised from the bench, just as he was a week earlier against Southampton. Miguel Layun was once again used in an attacking role when he replaced Ighalo. The rest of Quique Sanchez Flores’ side has a very settled look to it, with the 4-2-3-1 system once again in operation.

West Brom
Starting XI: Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Lescott; Yacob (Lambert 35); Fletcher; Gardner (McManaman 46), Morrison, McClean (Gamboa 63); Rondon.

Tony Pulis made two changes to his starting line-up, with Joleon Lescott filling in at left-back due to Chris Brunt’s hamstring problem. The other change saw Craig Gardner replace Callum McManaman, although the former Wigan man was introduced at half-time for Gardner, with Pulis going on the offensive after Stoke were reduced to nine men in the first half at the Britannia. Those sendings off also saw Rickie Lambert brought on for Claudio Yacob, with Pulis playing with two strikers for the majority of the match. Cristian Gamboa saw his first action of the season, replacing James McClean out wide in midfield. Like many sides, the West Brom lineup is in a certain state of flux whilst deadline deals are struck. Already Jonny Evans’ arrival would suggest a further shake-up in defence; presumably the former United man will have been assured of starts and could therefore oust Gareth McAuley or Jonas Olsson from the teamsheet. Despite the shutout at the Potteries, Boaz Myhill’s role between the sticks could also be in doubt given that the Baggies are reportedly chasing Manchester United’s Anders Lindegaard.

West Ham
Starting XI: Randolph, Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Obiang, Noble, Lanzini (Oxford 81), Sakho (Cullen 90), Payet (Jarvis 88).

Slaven Bilic handed a first Premier League start to Manuel Lanzini on the Hammers’ right flank, while James Tomkins replaced the suspended Carl Jenkinson at right-back. The Croatian opted for more a 4-1-4-1 formation, although Cheikhou Kouyate, who usually operates in the midfield three, ended up in a more advanced position than Lanzini on the average position map. With the Hammers expected to add to their attacking options in the next 36 hours, with Victor Moses possibly joining on a season-long loan, Lanzini doesn’t yet look a sure starter despite his impressive showing at Anfield. Jenkinson is available again for the visit of Newcastle in a fortnight’s time after serving a one-match ban, although Bilic may consider retaining Tomkins following the Anfield shut-out. Elsewhere, Mark Noble is set to miss the next two league outings pending an appeal against his dismissal on Saturday; Reece Oxford could therefore come back into the starting XI in a holding role should Noble’s ban be upheld.