Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 23 – Part Two

Having rolled out Part One yesterday, we now turn our attentions to the remaining ten Premier League sides to review the personnel, formations and changes made, whilst speculating on the likely Gameweek 24 lineups…

Newcastle

Starting XI: Elliot; Lascelles, Coloccini (Riviere 88), Mbemba; Janmaat, Saivet (Perez 59), Shelvey, Aarons (Gouffran 59); Sissoko, Wijnaldum; Mitrovic.

• Steve McClaren made three change for the trip to Vicarage Road, with Jamaal Lascelles, Rolando Aarons and Henri Saivet coming in for Paul Dummett, Jack Colback and Ayoze Perez.
• The injuries to Dummett and Colback meant McClaren had to change tactics, opting for a 3-4-2-1 formation. That saw Lascelles, Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba form a three-man defence, with Daryl Janmaat and Aarons operating as wing-backs. Jonjo Shelvey partnered Saivet in central midfield, with Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum starting centrally behind lone striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
• With Newcastle trailing 2-0, McClaren made two attacking changes just before the hour mark, with Perez coming on for Saivet, while Yoan Gouffran replaced Aarons. Perez partnered Mitrovic in attack, with Wijnaldum dropping slightly deeper alongside Shelvey in the middle of the park. Gouffran took over down the left flank, with the formation then resembling more of a 3-4-1-2. McClaren final substitution saw Emmanuel Riviere handed his first appearance of the season following a long injury lay-off, coming on for Coloccini with the Magpies desperately pushing forward in search of a late equaliser.
• With McClaren optimistic that Dummett and Colback will shrug off their injuries in time to face Everton, the Magpies could well revert back to their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lascelles, Aarons and Saivet all dropping out of the starting XI, and Perez being restored to the side. Should Dummett remain out, he could use Mbemba at left-back in a four-man backline, with Lascelles at centre-back. If fit, Colback could also cover at left-back if McClaren wants to retain Saivet alongside Shelvey in the centre of the park.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield

Norwich

Starting XI: Rudd; Pinto, Martin, Bassong, Brady; Redmond (Jarvis 70), Dorrans, Howson, Hoolahan (Olsson 70); Naismith (Jerome 82); Mbokani.

• Alex Neil made four changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Bournemouth, with Graham Dorrans and Nathan Redmond coming in for Alex Tettey and Matt Jarvis, while Ivo Pinto and Steven Naismith were handed their debuts in place of Ryan Bennett and Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe.
• The Norwich boss did keep faith in the 4-2-3-1 formation, though, with Redmond (right), Naismith (number ten) and Wes Hoolahan (left) forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Dieumerci Mbokani. Dorrans partnered Jonny Howson at the base of midfield after Tettey pulled out on Saturday morning due to illness, while Pinto started at right-back, with Russell Martin shifting to centre-back.
• With 20 minutes remaining, Neil made a double substitution, with Jarvis replacing Redmond out wide, while Martin Olsson came on for Hoolahan, with Robbie Brady moved to the left of the three advanced midfield positions. Neil’s final change saw Cameron Jerome enter the fray for debutant Naismith, with the Canaries ending the match with two up front.
• Given the porous defensive display, changes in the back four could be in the offing ahead of the home encounter against Tottenham next week. New signing Timm Klose could replace Martin in central defence, although the Norwich skipper may keep his place in the side at right-back, with Pinto dropping out of the side. Brady also struggled defensively at times against Liverpool, with Olsson an option to come in at left-back. Tettey will presumably return in central midfield providing he’s fully fit, with Dorrans probably likely to make way. The likes of Jarvis, Odjidja-Ofoe and Youssouf Mulumbu may also push for recalls.

Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Left-Back, Central Midfield, Flanks

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand, Soares, Wanyama, Clasie (Romeu 67), Targett, Tadic (Ward-Prowse 67), Mane (Austin 79), Long.

• Ronald Koeman only made two alterations for the trip to Old Trafford, with Jordy Clasie and Dusan Tadic coming in for James Ward-Prowse and Steven Davis.
• Koeman continued with three at the back against Man United, with his side lining up in a 3-5-2 system. Tadic supported front two Sadio Mane and Shane Long, while Clasie operated alongside Victor Wanyama in central midfield.
• Koeman made a double substitution midway through the second-half, with Oriol Romeu replacing Clasie in a straight swap, while Ward-Prowse came on for Tadic, playing in a slightly deeper role than the Serbian. His final change saw Charlie Austin make his debut off the bench, taking the place of Mane. Austin played alongside Long in a front pairing that ultimately proved a brilliant substitution, with the former QPR striker heading in the winner.
• Following three successive victories, Koeman isn’t likely to tinker to much with his side. Rotation looks set to continue in central midfield, with Clasie, Ward-Prowse and Romeu all options to partner Wanyama, while Davis could come back into the mix after missing Saturday’s match due to a minor knock. He looks to be vying with Tadic for a starting berth, although Austin could also earn a first start when Southampton travel to the Emirates next week, either playing alongside or replacing Long in the starting XI.

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

Stoke

Starting XI: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross (Wilson 30), Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Afellay; Walters, Shaqiri (Crouch 79), Diouf (Odemwingie 71); Joselu.

• Mark Hughes made a couple of changes for the trip to Leicester, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Mame Biram Diouf coming in for Marko Arnautovic and Bojan.
• Hughes stuck with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation at the King Power Stadium, with Diouf on the left of the attacking midfield trio and Jon Walters on the right, allowing Shaqiri to operate in the number ten role behind lone striker Joselu.
• The Stoke boss was forced into a change in the first-half, with captain Ryan Shawcross forced off with a back injury – he was replaced by Marc Wilson. His second change saw Peter Odemwingie introduced in place of Diouf, with the Nigerian playing on the right, meaning Walters witched to the left. Hughes’ final substitution saw Peter Crouch replace Shaqiri, with the striker partnering Joselu in attack for the final 10 minutes or so in a 4-4-2 formation.
• With Shawcross be ruled out for around three-to-four weeks due to a muscle problem in his back, Wilson or Marc Muniesa could return to the starting XI in central defence. Geoff Cameron (ankle) could also be back for next week’s trip to Old Trafford, though, and is an option not only in defence but in central midfield too. Arnautovic was rested with Stoke’s important cup matches in mind given he continues to have to manage a hamstring problem, but the Austrian looks a sure starter providing he’s fit. Likewise, Bojan should also return to the starting XI, with Diouf and Walters perhaps the most likely to make way. Those two are contenders to fill the lone striker role though, with Joselu’s place possibly under threat.

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

Sunderland

Starting XI: Mannone; Jones, O’Shea, Brown, Van Aanholt; Cattermole, M’Vila; Johnson, Lens (Rodwell 86), Borini (Watmore 66); Defoe.

• Sam Allardyce made two adjustments from the side that lost 4-1 at Tottenham, with Vito Mannone and Fabio Borini coming in for Jordan Pickford and Danny Graham.
• It was a 4-2-3-1 for Big Sam once again on Saturday, with Borini returning to the side on the left of the three advanced midfield positions.
• The Italian was the first player to be substituted, though, with Duncan Watmore taking his place. Watmore was stationed on the right, with Adam Johnson moving to the number ten role and Lens shifting to the left. Lens was then replaced by Jack Rodwell though in a slightly defensive move by Allardyce.
• Big Sam could opt to hand Watmore a start when the Black Cats host Man City a week today. A change in formation would probably be needed to get either Dame N’Doye or Steven Fletcher in the starting XI alongside Jermain Defoe, with that probably unlikely against a side such as City.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, Attacking Midfield

Swansea

Starting XI: Fabianski; Rangel (Naughton 90), Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork, Britton, Ki Sung-yeung; Sigurdsson; Routledge (Amat 77), Ayew (Eder 87).

• New Swansea head coach Francesco Guidolin only made one change from the side that beat Watford 1-0, with Angel Rangel coming in for Kyle Naughton.
• Rangel returned in his usual position at right-back, with Guidolin keeping faith with the diamond formation that caretaker boss Alan Curtis has favoured in recent weeks.
• Guidolin made his first change with 13 minutes remaining, with Jordi Amat coming on for Wayne Routledge in a defensive change, forming a five-man backline. Eder then took over from Andre Ayew in attack, with Naughton brought on in stoppage time for Rangel.
• Rangel looks in the box seat to continue at right-back having got the nod in Guidolin’s first match in charge, but Naughton remains a viable option at the back. Bafetimbi Gomis didn’t feature at Goodison Park as his wife was about to give birth, but he or Eder could possibly challenge Routledge for a starting position in attack. The Swans are also likely to be in the market for a new striker.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Strikers

Tottenham

Starting XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen (Wimmer 75), Rose; Dier (Chadli 56), Dembele; Heung-Min Son, Eriksen (Bentaleb 89), Alli; Kane.

• Mauricio Pochettino only made adjustment from the side that beat Sunderland 4-1 for the trip to Selhurst Park, with Heung-Min Son coming in for Erik Lamela.
• Son started on the right of the attacking midfield trio, with Dele Alli in the middle and Christian Eriksen on the left.
• Pochettino made an interesting substitution 10 minutes into the second-half, with Nacer Chadli replacing Eric Dier. The Belgian was stationed on the left of the three attacking midfield players, with Eriksen moving to the middle and Alli dropping back slightly alongside Mousa Dembele. A knee injury meant Jan Vertonghen had to be replaced with 15 minutes remaining, with Kevin Wimmer coming on in central defence. Nabil Bentaleb was handed a few minutes at the death, entering the fray in place of Eriksen as Spurs looked to hold on for the three points.
• Vertonghen has been ruled out for a number of weeks with a knee injury, meaning that Kevin Wimmer or Federico Fazio could come in alongside Toby Alderweireld, though Dier is another option if Pochettino chooses to move him out of his midfield berth. Although Trippier has now started the last two league matches, Kyle Walker was missing at Selhurst Park as he was given time off due to the birth of his child. Meanwhile, Ben Davies remains an alternative to Danny Rose at left-back. The Argentine boss has a plethora of options in the attacking midfield areas, with Chadli’s goal and assist off the bench enhancing his prospects of returning to the starting XI. Lamela could also earn a recall though, with Son’s place in the side looking the most vulnerable.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Full-Backs, Central Defence, Flanks

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Paredes (Nyom 89), Cathcart, Britos, Ake; Behrami, Capoue, Watson, Jurado (Abdi 77); Ighalo, Deeney (Amrabat 90).

• Quique Sanchez Flores only made one adjustment to the side that lost 1-0 at Swansea, with Juan Carlos Paredes replacing Allan Nyom.
• Paredes slotted in at right-back for the Hornets, with Flores opting for a slightly different tactical approach, with his side lining up in more of a 4-3-2-1 formation. That saw Valon Behrami, Etienne Capoue and Ben Watson form a three-man midfield, with Troy Deeney and Jurado playing centrally in support of lone striker Odion Ighalo.
• All of Flores’ substitutions came late in the match, with the first seeing Almen Abdi come on for Jurado in a straight swap. Nyom then took to the field in place of Paredes at right-back, while new signing Nordin Amrabat was handed his debut in stoppage time, replacing Deeney.
• Paredes got the nod ahead of Nyom at right-back on Saturday, and could keep his starting berth for the Hornets next match against Chelsea. Behrami could also remain in the starting XI should Flores use the same formation against the Blues, with Abdi perhaps only earning a recall if he reverts back to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Amrabat will likely continue to be used off the bench as he settles into English football.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Midfield, Flanks

West Brom

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans; Yacob, Fletcher; Sessegnon (McManaman 74), Gardner (Berahino 63), McClean; Rondon (Anichebe 64).

• Tony Pulis made two changes for the visit of Aston Villa to the Hawthorns, with Salomon Rondon replacing Victor Anichebe, while Ben Foster made his first league appearance of the season following a long-term knee injury, coming in for Boaz Myhill in goal.
• After using a 4-4-1-1 formation at Southampton last time out, Pulis reverted to a 4-2-3-1 system against Villa. Rondon started as the lone striker, with Stephane Sessegnon (right), Craig Gardner (middle) and James McClean starting in the three advanced midfield positions. Jonny Evans continued at left-back for the Baggies.
• With the match goalless, Pulis brought on Anichebe and Saido Berahino shortly after the hour mark, with Rondon and Gardner making way, forming a 4-4-2 formation. His final change saw Callum McManaman replace Sessegnon out wide.
• With Chris Brunt a doubt for next week with a calf injury, Evans looks likely to continue at left-back for the Baggies. Brunt would also be an option on the right side of midfield having featured there earlier this month, so it’s perhaps McManaman who poses the biggest threat to Sessegnon for a starting spot. With Pulis pondering a rest for the fatigued Rondon, Anichebe looks the likeliest to lead the line if the Venezuelan is given some time off..

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Flanks, Strikers

West Ham

Starting XI: Adrian; Jenkinson (Byram 12), Collins, Reid, Creswell; Noble, Song, Kouyate; Antonio (Moses 65), Valencia (Jelavic 86), Payet.

• Slaven Bilic made three changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Newcastle, with Carl Jenkinson coming in for the injured James Tomkins, while Winston Reid and Alex Song replaced Angelo Ogbonna and Pedro Obiang.
• Bilic did keep faith in the 4-3-3 formation used at St James’ Park though, with Song operating as the defensive midfielder with Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate stationed just in front of the former Arsenal man. Jenkinson slotted in at right-back, while Reid partnered James Collins in central defence.
• Jenkinson picked up a knee injury when giving away a penalty in the early exchanges, and had to be replaced by debutant Sam Byram. Victor Moses came on for Michail Antonio in a straight swap with 25 minutes remaining, while Bilic’s final substitution saw Nikica Jelavic replace Enner Valencia as the lone striker.
• With Jenkinson likely to be out for the season and Tomkins still doubtful, Byram could be set to start at right-back against Aston villa next week. Reid and Collins will likely continue in central defence, but Ogbonna may push for a recall. Bilic also has options in the middle of the park, with Obiang a genuine option to come back in should he persist with a three-man midfield. Moses could also push Antonio for a starting spot out wide as he continues to build up his fitness.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks