Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 20 – Part One

We begin our look back on the Gameweek 20 teamsheets and formations, to find Louis van Gaal trialling a 3-4-2-1 setup in the first-half of United’s win over Swansea. Diego Costa returns from suspension to lead the line for Chelsea’s trip to Palace, whilst Everton’s Aaron Lennon stakes a claim for pitch time by netting in a rare start against former club Tottenham.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Ramsey; Oxlade-Chamberlain (Campbell 68), Ozil, Walcott (Gibbs 81); Giroud (Chambers 89).

• Arsene Wenger made three changes from the side that saw off Bournemouth, with Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal and Mathieu Flamini returning in place of Gabriel, Kieran Gibbs and Calum Chambers.
• The Gunners lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Koscielny alongside Per Mertesacker in central defence, Monreal at left-back and Flamini in the double-pivot next to Aaron Ramsey.
• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was replaced by Joel Campbell out wide with just over 20 minutes to go. Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud were taken off during the final 10 minutes, with Gibbs and Chambers brought on to help see out a 1-0 victory.
• With Gameweeks 21 and 22 so close together, there is a chance Gabriel could earn another start at centre-back due to rotation, although it’s probably unlikely. Alexis Sanchez could be available for the trip to Anfield on January 13, so Walcott could shift back to the right, allowing the Chilean to start on the left. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Campbell remain viable starters, however, which could perhaps even give Wenger the option to rest Olivier Giroud up front with Walcott again considered for the central striker berth.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Flanks

Aston Villa

Starting XI: Guzan; Hutton (Kozak 76), Richards, Lescott, Cissokho; Gueye; Carles Gil, Grealish (Traore, 56 [Sinclair 88), Bacuna, Veretout; Gestede.

• Remi Garde made five alterations for the trip to the Stadium of Light, with Carles Gil and Rudy Gestede coming in for the suspended Ashley Westwood and Jordan Ayew, while Joleon Lescott, Aly Cissokho, Jack Grealish took the places of Ciaran Clark, Kieran Richardson and Scott Sinclair.
• The former Lyon boss switched formations once again, opting for a 4-3-2-1 against Sunderland. Leandro Bacuna, Idrissa Gueye and Jordan Veretout formed the three-man midfield, with Gil and Grealish playing centrally behind lone striker Gestede. Cissokho slotted in at left-back having returned from a loan spell at Porto.
• With Villa trailing 1-0, Garde turned to Adama Traore, with the winger coming on for Grealish. The former Barcelona man had to be replaced in the latter stages though having picked up a foot injury, with Sinclair taking his place. Grade’s other substitution saw Libor Kozak make his first appearance of the season, coming on for Alan Hutton who was forced off with a hamstring injury.
• Given Garde is still looking for his first league win, the Frenchman looks set to continue to ring the changes both tactically and personnel wise. Westwood and Ayew should come straight back into the starting XI after serving their bans, with Gestede perhaps not doing enough against the Black Cats to keep his place for the home clash against Crystal Palace. Ayew could start as the lone striker, then, with Gil likely to keep a starting berth after getting on the scoresheet. The likes of Grealish, Sinclair and Traore, if he’s fit, look set to battle it out for the other starting position in attack. Cissokho’s immediate inclusion in the starting line-up perhaps means he could occupy the left-back position for the time being. Leandro Bacuna looks an obvious replacement for Hutton, should the Scot be ruled out.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks, Central Striker

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Boruc; Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, Arter (Distin 59), Gosling, Surman; Stanislas, King (Murray 51).

• Eddie Howe made one adjustment for the trip to Leicester, with Junior Stanislas replacing Marc Pugh.
• Howe rolled out the 4-1-4-1 formation once again, with Stanislas returning on the left of the four-man midfield.
• Josh King was replaced by Glenn Murray in a straight swap just six minutes into the second-half. Following the sending off of Simon Francis, Howe brought on Sylvain Distin for Harry Arter, forming a 4-4-1 system.
• Francis will serve his one-match ban against Birmingham City in the FA Cup third round, so he will be available for the home encounter against West Ham in Gameweek 21. With Murray coming on for King so early in the match, the former Crystal Palace could perhaps push for a start against the Hammers. Loan signing Juan Iturbe could come into contention on the flanks if his work permit is finalised in time. It remains to be seen where the Paraguayan international will fit into Howe’s plans – primarily left-footed, Iturbe is known for his tendency to cut inside from the right flank which is, of course, Matt Ritchie’s position.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Striker

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Mikel; Willian, Oscar (Matic 88), Hazard (Pedro 16); Diego Costa.

• Guus Hiddink made two changes for the trip to Selhurst Park, with Diego Costa returning from his one-match ban in place of Pedro, while Cesc Fabregas came back into the side ahead of Nemanja Matic who dropped to the bench.
• Costa returned as the lone striker in the familiar 4-2-3-1 system, with Fabregas slotting in alongside John Obi Mikel in the double-pivot. Eden Hazard started on the left of the attacking midfield trio, with Willian on the opposite flank.
• Hazard’s afternoon only lasted 16 minutes, with the Belgian forced off with a groin problem. Pedro took Hazard’s place in a straight swap. Hiddink’s only other change saw Matic come on for Oscar in the dying moments.
• Following one of Chelsea’s best performances of the season, Hiddink will likely stick with the majority of the players who started on Sunday. That means Mikel may keep his starting berth ahead of Matic in central midfield, while even if Hazard is fit to face West Brom in just over a week’s time, he isn’t necessarily guaranteed a starting position with Pedro a viable alternative. Gary Cahill could be back from a foot injury to come into contention against the Baggies, although Kurt Zouma and John Terry appear likely to continue in central defence once more having kept back-to-back clean sheets.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Jedinak (Ledley 66), McArthur; Puncheon, Lee Chung-yong (Williams 80), Zaha; Campbell (Chamakh 66).

• Alan Pardew made three alterations from the side that drew 0-0 against Swansea, with Damian Delaney, Lee Chung-Yong and Frazier Campbell coming in for Brede Hangeland, Marouane Chamakh and the suspended Yohan Cabaye.
• The former Newcastle manager kept faith in the 4-2-3-1 system, pairing Mile Jedinak and James McArthur at the base of midfield. Lee, Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha formed the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Campbell, although Zaha did play centrally at different stages of the match.
• Campbell was replaced by Chamakh in a straight swap shortly after the hour mark, with Joe Ledley entering the fray in place of Jedinak at the same time. Pardew’s final substitution saw Jonny Williams make his first appearance of the season in place of Lee having returned from his loan spell with Nottingham Forest.
• Cabaye will come straight back into central midfield when the Eagles travel to Villa Park for their next match. Bakary Sako was back on the bench on Sunday, and could well return to the starting XI in eight day’s time, with Lee likely to make way. Connor Wickham could also be in contention as he nears recovery from a hamstring injury – his return would relegate Campbell and Chamakh to battle for a place on the bench.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, Central Striker

Everton

Starting XI: Howard: Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines; Barry, Cleverley: Lennon (Deulofeu 60), Barkley, Kone (Besic 60); Lukaku.

• Roberto Martinez made three changes for the visit of Tottenham to Goodison Park, with Leighton Baines, Tom Cleverley and Aaron Lennon replacing Brendan Galloway, James McCarthy and Gerard Deulofeu.
• Martinez rolled out the default 4-2-3-1 formation, with Cleverley alongside Gareth Barry at the base of midfield, while Lennon started on the right of the three attacking midfield positions. Baines slotted in at left-back for the Toffees.
• Deulofeu entered the fray for goalscorer Lennon on the hour mark, with the former Spurs wide man lacking the match fitness to complete the full 90 minutes. Muhamed Besic came on for Arouna Kone at the same time, with Martinez switching to more of a 4-3-2-1 formation, with Besic stationed alongside Barry and Cleverley in midfield, allowing Ross Barkley and Deulofeu to support lone striker Romelu Lukaku.
• McCarthy could well miss the trip to Chelsea in Gameweek 21 with the groin injury he picked up against Stoke, so Cleverley appears likely to partner Barry in central midfield once again, although Besic does provide the Spaniard with an alternative. The former Wigan boss continues to rotate his wide men, with Lennon and Mirallas pushing Deulofeu and Kone for the starting roles. Phil Jagielka was back on the bench yesterday, so seems likely to push Ramiro Funes Mori for a start alongside John Stones in central defence next time around.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks

Leicester

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson (De Laet 74), Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Kante, Albrighton (Okazaki 65); Ulloa (Dyer 45), Vardy.

• Claudio Ranieri only made one alteration from the team that drew 0-0 with Man City for the home clash against Bournemouth, with Leonardo Ulloa coming in for Gokhan Inler.
• Ulloa’s inclusion in the starting XI meant Ranieri switched back to a 4-4-2 formation, with the Argentine partnering Jamie Vardy in attack.
• The former Brighton striker failed to impress and was replaced by Nathan Dyer at half-time. Dyer played down the left, with Marc Albrighton deployed slightly more centrally before he was replaced by Shinji Okazaki. That saw the Foxes return to the 4-4-2 formation, with Okazaki and Vardy combining up front. Ranieri’s final substitution saw Ritchie de Laet come on for Danny Simpson in a straight swap at right-back.
• With Vardy reportedly undergoing minor groin surgery this week, the England international will be touch and go for the Gameweek 21 trip to White Hart Lane in nine days time, with a timescale of one to-two-weeks out predicted. Given Ulloa failed to impress on Saturday, Okazaki could return to the starting XI then, and if Vardy is ruled out, Dyer could perhaps push for a rare start if Ranieri returns to a more defensive 4-5-1 formation. Inler or Andy King could also return to bolster the middle of the park.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks, Strikers

Liverpool

Starting XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho (Allen 81), Moreno (Smith 61); Lucas, Can; Ibe, Firmino (Lallana 61), Coutinho; Benteke.

• Jurgen Klopp made two alterations from the starting XI that lined up against Sunderland, with Lucas Leiva replacing the injured Jordan Henderson, while Jordon Ibe came in for Adam Lallana.
• The German boss kept faith in his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lucas starting alongside Emre Can at the base of midfield, while Ibe was stationed on the right of the three advanced midfield positions.
• With his side trailing 2-0, Klopp made two changes on the hour-mark, with Brad Smith replacing Alberto Moreno at left-back, while Lallana came on for Roberto Firmino. His final substitution saw Joe Allen enter the fray for Mamadou Sakho.
• Daniel Sturridge’s availability remains very much in doubt for the Gameweek 21 clash with Arsenal. Should he fail to return to contention, Christian Benteke will be expected to continue as the lone striker with Firmino the only other real alternative to lead the attack. Henderson is another who may be fit to return against the Gunners: he could replace Lucas in midfield, although a switch to a 4-3-3 system could be a possibility, with Ibe potentially making way.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Central Striker

Man City

Starting XI: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala (Bony 75), Kolarov; Yaya Toure, Fernandinho; De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling (Navas 61); Aguero (Demichelis 86).

• Manuel Pellegrini named an unchanged side from the one that drew 0-0 against Leicester.
• The Chilean rolled out the 4-2-3-1 formation as usual, with Raheem Sterling (left), David Silva (number ten) and Kevin de Bruyne (right) providing the support to lone striker Sergio Aguero.
• Pellegrini brought on Jesus Navas with an hour on the clock, with the Spanish winger coming on for Sterling. Navas was stationed on the right flank, with De Bruyne switching over to the left. In a bold attacking move, Pellegrini replaced Eliaquim Mangala with Wilfried Bony, and after scoring what proved to be the winning goal, Sergio Aguero came off for Martin Demechelis.
• With the Capital One Cup semi-finals this month, rotation appears likely, particularly in the attacking midfield areas where Pellegrini has more options available. Sterling appears the most vulnerable, with Navas a viable alternative, while both Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta will begin to threaten Bacary Sagna and Aleksandar Kolarov in the full-back berths.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Full-Backs, Flanks

Man United

Starting XI: De Gea; Jones (Darmian 46), Smalling, Blind; Young (McNair 78), Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Martial; Mata, Ander Herrera (Carrick 90); Rooney.

• Louis van Gaal made one adjustment to his starting XI, with Phil Jones coming in for Matteo Darmian.
• The Dutchman began the match with a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Jones starting at centre-back alongside Chris Smalling and Daley Blind. This allowed Ashley Young and Anthony Martial to operate in the wide areas, with Juan Mata and Ander Herrera in central support roles behind lone striker Wayne Rooney.
• Jones was forced off at half-time with a foot injury, so Darmian was introduced at the break, with Van Gaal switching back to his 4-2-3-1 set-up – this saw Young and Blind stationed at full-back. Paddy McNair came on for the fatigued Young with just over ten minutes remaining in a slightly defensive move, given the latter had been rampaging down the right flank for much of the afternoon, helping see out the 2-1 victory.
• Given United’s improved performance, van Gaal may not make too many changes for the trip to Newcastle next time around. Jones’ injury means Darmian may well start at St James’ Park, alongside Blind, Smalling and Young (if fit) in a four-man backline. Michael Carrick may miss out to Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger once again in central midfield, while with Rooney and Martial far more effective on Saturday, Van Gaal will likely leave his attacking options untouched.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-Backs, Central Midfield, Flanks

Part two of Lineup Lessons, covering the remaining ten teams, will be published later tomorrow.