Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 25 – 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 26 lineups.

Newcastle

Starting XI: Elliot; Janmaat, Taylor, Coloccini, Aarons; Shelvey (Saivet 90), Tiote; Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Townsend (Perez 87); Mitrovic.

• Steve McClaren made four alterations to the side that slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Everton, with Steven Taylor and Rolando Aarons coming in for the injured Chancel Mbemba and Paul Dummett. Elsewhere, Cheick Tiote and Aleksandar Mitrovic earned recalls in place of Henri Saivet and Ayoze Perez.
• McClaren did stick with the 4-2-3-1 system against West Brom, though, with Tiote lining up alongside Jonjo Shelvey in the double-pivot. Mitrovic started as the lone striker, while Aarons and Taylor came in at left-back and centre-back respectively.
• The former England boss only looked to the bench late on, with Perez and Saivet handed brief run-outs in the latter stages in place of Andros Townsend and Shelvey.
• After registering a 1-0 win against the Baggies, McClaren is likely to keep faith with much of the same starting XI. Daryl Janmaat did pick up a dead leg on Saturday, but is expected to be fit to face Chelsea. Jamaal Lascelles will be available again after serving a one-match ban and will provide cover in defence. Perez and Seydou Doumbia could provide different options in attack should McClaren look for a greater goal threat at Stamford Bridge, with Mitrovic’s place probably the most in doubt among the front four. Saivet also offers an alternative to Tiote in the engine room, but is probably likely to start on the bench once more.

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

Norwich

Starting XI: Rudd; Martin, Bassong, Klose, Brady; Mulumbu (Redmond 56), O’Neil; Howson, Naismith (Jarvis 80), Hoolahan (Bamford 56); Mbokani.

• Alex Neil made four alterations for the trip to Aston Villa, with Russell Martin, Wes Hoolahan and the fit-again Robbie Brady coming in for Ivo Pinto, Martin Olsson and Matt Jarvis, while Gary O’Neil came straight back into the starting XI after serving his suspension in place of the suspended Alex Tettey.
• Neil once again rolled out the 4-2-3-1 formation, with O’Neil partnering Youssouf Mulumbu at the base of midfield. Jonny Howson (right), Steven Naismith (number ten) and Hoolahan (left) formed the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Dieumerci Mbokani. Martin started at right-back, while Brady returned at left-back for the Canaries.
• With his side 2-0 down, Neil made a double substitution 11 minutes into the second-half, with Nathan Redmond and Patrick Bamford coming on for Mulumbu and Hoolahan. Those changes saw Howson drop in alongside O’Neil in the middle of the park, while Redmond provided width on the right. Naismith, Mbokani and Bamford all played through the middle though, with Brady pushing forward from left-back to provide the width on that side of the pitch. Jarvis did come on for Naismith with 10 minutes remaining and moved out onto the left, forming more of a natural 4-4-2 formation.
• After five successive defeats, Neil could make wholesale changes ahead of the home fixture against West Ham. Declan Rudd was at fault for the second goal on Saturday, so John Ruddy could push for a recall in goal. Pinto and Ryan Bennett could come into the mix, although Brady should keep his spot at left-back ahead of Olsson. Graham Dorrans may could into the mix in central midfield should he recover from illness, while Neil has plenty of options in the attacking midfield positions, with Redmond and Jarvis viable starters against the Hammers. Bamford impressed off the bench against Villa, and may well be handed a first start on Saturday in place of Mbokani.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, Central Midfield, Flanks,

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Cedric Soares, Yoshida, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand; Clasie (Ward-Prowse 90), Wanyama; Mane (Romeu 56), Long; Pelle (Austin 72).

• Ronald Koeman made three changes to the starting XI that drew 0-0 against Arsenal, with Maya Yoshida, Jordy Clasie and Graziano Pelle coming in for Oriol Romeu, James Ward-Prowse and Dusan Tadic.
• Koeman rolled out a 3-4-2-1 formation against West Ham, having opted for a four-man backline at the Emirates. Yoshida, Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk formed the three-man backline, with Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand operating as wing-backs. Clasie partnered Victor Wanyama in central midfield, with Sadio Mane and Shane Long supporting Pelle.
• Following Wanyama’s sending off, Koeman immediately made a change, with Romeu replacing Mane, forming what became more of a 3-5-1 formation with Long being forced back into a much more defensive position. Charlie Austin then came on for Pelle as the lone striker, with the final substitution seeing the fresh legs of Ward-Prowse brought on for Clasie as Saints looked to hold on for a valuable victory.
• After keeping a fifth clean sheet, Koeman could go with a three-man backline for the trip to Swansea. Yoshida may keep his place in the side, with Bertrand continuing at left wing-back. Matt Targett may miss out on a starting berth again, then. The physicality of Romeu could be favoured in the middle of the park to fill the void left by the suspended Wanyama, while Ward-Prowse could come in for Clasie if Koeman continues to rotate in that area. Austin could push for a first start in place of Pelle, while Tadic provides another attacking option, particularly if Koeman looks to change formations once again.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left Wing-Back, Central Midfield, Strikers

Stoke

Starting XI: Butland; Johnson, Wollscheid, Muniesa, Pieters; Whelan, Imbula; Shaqiri (Odemwingie 62), Afellay (Ireland 62), Arnautovic (Joselu 76); Diouf.

• Mark Hughes made three changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Man United, handing a debut to club record signing Giannelli Imbula, who came in for Jon Walters. The other two changes saw Xherdan Shaqiri and Mame Biram Diouf replace Bojan and Peter Crouch.
• Those alterations did mean a slight tactical tweak for the Potters, who lined up in more of a 4-3-3 formation. Imbula and Ibrahim Afellay played just in front of defensive midfielder Glenn Whelan, while Shaqiri (right) and Marko Arnautovic (left) flanked central striker Diouf.
• Hughes made a double substitution just after the hour mark, with Peter Odemwingie and Stephen Ireland coming on in place of Shaqiri and Afellay as like-for-like replacements. His final change saw Joselu replace Arnautovic, with the Spaniard taking over as the central striker and Diouf shifting over to the left
• Following back-to-back 3-0 defeats, Hughes could make further changes for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth. The likes of Bojan and Joselu in particular could earn recalls, while Odemwingie, Ireland and Crouch offer alternatives in the final third. Jon Walters should also come into the equation having missed the 3-0 defeat to Everton due to illness.

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

Sunderland

Starting XI: Mannone: Jones (Yedlin 75), Kone, O’Shea, Van Aanholt: Watmore (N’Doye 25), M’Vila, Cattermole, Kirchhoff (Johnson 66), Khazri: Defoe.

• Sam Allardyce made two changes for the trip to Anfield, with Duncan Watmore coming in for the injured Jeremain Lens, while Wahbi Khazri was handed a first start in place of Fabio Borini.
• Big Sam kept faith in the 4-1-4-1 formation that saw the Black Cats put in a decent performance in the 1-0 defeat to Man City. Khazri was stationed on the left side of midfield, although he did play quite narrowly. Watmore offered much width on the opposite flank.
• Allardyce had to change his plans in the first-half though after Watmore picked up an ankle injury. January signing Dame N’Doye was introduced in his place, and immediately moved alongside Jermain Defoe in attack, forming a more natural 4-3-1-2 formation, with Khazri operating in the number ten role. Big Sam then made another attacking change, with Adam Johnson coming on for Jan Kirchhoff. Johnson played “in the hole” behind Defoe and N’Doye, with Khazri dropping slightly deeper. The final substitution saw the more attack-minded DeAndre Yedlin replace Billy Jones at right-back.
• Younes Kaboul wasn’t risked against the Reds having not fully recovered from a groin injury. He could be available for the home clash against Man United, although he is perhaps unlikely to start in place of either John O’Shea or Lamine Kone. Watmore is a doubt for Saturday’s match, while Lens may also miss out again with a groin injury. Borini may be back though having missed out due to illness against his former side, so he or Johnson may perhaps earn a recall to the starting XI. Much will depend on what formation Allardyce opts for, with N’Doye also an option to start alongside Defoe.

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

Swansea

Starting XI: Fabianski; Rangel (Naughton 87), Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork, Britton, Ayew; Sigurdsson, Routledge (Barrow 61); Paloschi (Gomis 88).

• Swansea head coach Francesco Guidolin only made one adjustment from the starting XI that drew 1-1 against West Brom, with Alberto Paloschi handed his first start in place of the injured Ki Sung-yeung.
• Guidolin kept faith in the midfield diamond, with Andre Ayew taking Ki’s spot on the left. Paloschi partnered Wayne Routledge in attack for the Swans.
• The Italian’s first change saw Routledge replaced by Modou Barrow in a straight swap. He then replaced Angel Rangel with Kyle Naughton in the final five minutes, and as a last roll of the dice in search of a late winner introduced Bafetimbi Gomis for Paloschi.
• Should Ki fail to recover from a head injury in time to face Southampton on Saturday, Guidolin could continue with Ayew in a deeper role, with Leroy Fer appearing the only other viable option in that position. If the South Korean is fit to start, Ayew could perhaps replace Routledge alongside Paloschi in attack.

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

Tottenham

Starting XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Dembele, Dier; Chadli (Alli 61), Eriksen (Carroll 90), Lamela (Son 71); Kane.

• Mauricio Pochettino made four changes to the side that won 3-0 at Norwich, with Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies, Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela coming in for Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min.
• Tottenham still lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation though, with Lamela, Chadli and Christian Eriksen forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Harry Kane.
• With the match goalless at the hour mark, Pochettino introduced Alli in place of Chadli, with the England international stationed on the left of the three advanced midfield positions. Son then replaced Lamela on the right flank, while Tom Carroll got a run-out in the final stages.
• Walker and Rose could be recalled when Spurs travel to take on Man City on Sunday as they are usually the Argentine’s first-choice full-backs. Pochettino has plenty of options in the attacking midfield areas, with Alli certain to earn a recall after being used off the bench against Watford due to suffering dizziness last week. Chadli, Son and Lamela will likely battle it out for one spot alongside Alli and Eriksen.

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

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Paredes, Cathcart, Britos (Prodl 54), Ake; Suarez (Behrami 46), Capoue, Watson; Abdi (Deeney 46), Jurado; Ighalo.

• Quique Sanchez Flores made three alterations for the trip to White Hart Lane, with Miguel Britos, Mario Suarez and Almen Abdi starting in place of Sebastian Prodl, Valon Behrami and Troy Deeney.
• Abdi started alongside Jurado in the attacking midfield positions behind lone striker Odion Ighalo in the 4-3-2-1 formation favoured by Flores in recent weeks. Suarez made his first Watford start next to Etienne Capoue and Ben Watson in central midfield, while Britos returned from injury to partner Craig Cathcart in central defence.
• After a goalless first-half, Flores made two substitutions at the break, with Behrami and Deeney replacing Suarez and Abdi in straight swaps. He was forced into making his final change after just 54 minutes when Britos had to be taken off after picking up a minor knock – with Prodl coming on at centre-back.
• Deeney should return to the starting XI against Crystal Palace on Saturday after being benched due to fatigue last weekend. Prodl will likely fill in for Britos should he be ruled out, while Behrami could replace Suarez in the middle of the park.

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

West Brom

Starting XI: Foster; Chester, McAuley, Olsson, Dawson; Gardner (Pritchard 46), Sandro (Berahino 46), Yacob, McClean; Fletcher; Anichebe (Rondon 74).

• Tony Pulis made three changes for the trip to St James’ Park, with James Chester coming in for the injured Jonny Evans, while Craig Gardner and Victor Anichebe started in place of Stephane Sessegnon and Salomon Rondon.
• Pulis went for a 4-5-1 formation against Newcastle, with Craig Dawson shifted over to left-back, allowing Chester to come in at right-back. Gardner started on the right of midfield, with James McClean on the left, providing support for lone striker Anichebe.
• Following a lacklustre first-half showing, Pulis made a double substitution at the break, with Saido Berahino and Alex Pritchard coming on for Gardner and Sandro. Those changes saw Albion switch to what looked like a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Dawson at right wing-back and McClean at left wing-back. Pritchard played in “the hole” behind Berahino and Anichebe in attack. The final substitution saw Rondon replace Anichebe in a straight swap.
• After experimenting with a different formation against Newcastle, we could see further changes when the Baggies face Everton on Saturday. Personnel changes are unlikely at the back, with Jonny Evans set to be ruled out once again, but we could see either a back four or wing-backs deployed, with McClean perhaps filling that void once again. Pulis will hope Chris Brunt (calf) is available if he wants a natural left-back in a four-man backline, whilst Dawson, Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley are all expected to recover from weekend knocks in time for the trip to Goodison. The likes of Sessegnon, Rondon and Berahino could push for recalls, with Anichebe failing to take his chance against the Magpies.

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

West Ham

Starting XI: Adrian; Tomkins (Byram 63), Reid, Collins, Cresswell; Song, Noble; Moses (Carroll 61), Payet, Antonio (Emenike 73); Valencia.

• Slaven Bilic made one adjustment from the side that beat Aston Villa 2-0, with Victor Moses replacing the injured Cheikhou Kouyate.
• That change meant Bilic opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation at St Mary’s, with Alex Song sat alongside Mark Noble at the base of midfield, while Moses came in on the left of the attacking midfield trio.
• Moses was the first player to be substituted, though, with Andy Carroll coming on in his place in an attacking move following Victor Wanyama’s sending off. James Tomkins was then forced off with a calf problem, with Sam Byram taking over at right-back. Bilic’s final substitution saw Emmanuel Emenike handed his Hammers debut as he came on for Michail Antonio. West Ham ended the match with three strikers on the pitch, but still couldn’t find a late equaliser against 10-man Southampton.
• Tomkins could be out for a few weeks with that calf injury, so Byram appears likely to come in at right-back for the trip to Norwich. Kouyate should stand a good chance of recovering from the eye injury that ruled him out on Saturday, so Bilic could revert back to a 4-3-3, with Moses the most likely to make way. With Carroll and Emenike both now available, though, Enner Valencia could be moved out wide, or the Croatian boss could opt to play with two strikers at Carrow Road.

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