Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 32 – Part Two

After rolling 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 33 lineups.

Newcastle

Starting XI: Darlow; Janmaat, Mbemba, Taylor, Anita (Mitrovic 62); Townsend, Tiote (Perez 46), Shelvey, Sissoko; Wijnaldum; Cisse.

• Rafael Benitez made five changes for the trip to Norwich, with Karl Darlow replacing the injured Rob Elliot in goal, while Steven Taylor, Vurnon Anita, Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse came in for Jamaal Lascelles, Ayoze Perez, Aleksandar Mitrovic and the suspended Jack Colback.
• Benitez stuck with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Tiote partnering Jonjo Shelvey in the double-pivot, while Andros Townsend, Georginio Wijnaldum and Moussa Sissoko formed the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Cisse. Taylor started alongside Chancel Mbemba in central defence, with Anita filling in at left-back for the Magpies.
• Benitez made a change at the break after his side conceding just before half-time, with Perez introduced in place of Tiote. That substitution saw Wijnaldum drop in alongside Shelvey in central midfield, with Perez moving into the number ten role. Benitez then made another positive change, with Mitrovic coming on in place of Anita. That substitution saw Sissoko move to left-back, with Perez drifting out to the left, forming more of a conventional 4-4-2 system.
• With Fabricio Coloccini back in training as he recovers from a calf injury, Taylor is likely to drop to the bench this week. Elsewhere in defence, Paul Dummett (hamstring) is still facing a race against time to feature in the Gameweek 34 matches. Jack Colback will be back from suspension for the Swansea match though, so he or Anita appear likely to fill in at left-back. With the Magpies now needing to go out and win matches, Benitez may well start Wijnaldum alongside Shelvey in central midfield to try and get as many attack-minded players on the pitch, with the possibility of starting two centre forwards in Cisse and Mitrovic. The latter didn’t start on Saturday but after scoring twice off the bench, he looks very likely to be named in the first XI for both matches in Gameweek 34.

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

Norwich

Starting XI: Ruddy; Wisdom, Bennett, Klose, Olsson; Jarvis (Redmond 75), Howson, O’Neil, Brady; Naismith (Hoolahan 81); Mbokani (Jerome 85).

• Alex Neil made three alterations from the team that beat West Brom 1-0 for the visit of Norwich to Carrow Road, with Andre Wisdom coming in for the injured Russell Martin, while Ryan Bennett and Steven Naismith replaced Sebastian Bassong and Patrick Bamford.
• Having used a 4-4-2 formation at West Brom, Neil decided to opt for a 4-2-3-1 system on Saturday. Matt Jarvis (right), Naismith (number ten) and Robbie Brady (left) formed the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Dieumerci Mbokani. Wisdom slotted in at right-back for the Canaries, with Bennett partnering Timm Klose in central defence.
• All three of Neil’s substitutions came during the final 15 minutes, with Nathan Redmond, Wes Hoolahan and Cameron Jerome providing fresh legs in place of Jarvis, Naismith and Mbokani in straight swaps.
• If Martin shakes off a minor knock, he could return to the starting XI at Crystal Palace on Saturday in place of Wisdom at right-back. Hoolahan and Bamford provide alternatives to Naismith in either the 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 formations, but following the 3-2 win over Newcastle, the Scot looks favourite to retain his starting berth at Selhurst Park.

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

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand; Soares, Clasie (Austin 73), Wanyama, Targett (Tadic 46); Davis (Ward-Prowse 73), Mane; Pelle.

• Ronald Koeman made four changes for the trip to Leicester, with Cedric Soares, Matt Targett, Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane replacing Cuco Martina, Oriol Romeu, Dusan Tadic and the injured Shane Long.
• Koeman switched from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-2-1 system for the trip to the league leaders, with Targett and Soares operating as wing-backs. Wanyama partnered Jordy Clasie in central midfield, with Steven Davis and Sadio Mane playing in the central attacking midfield positions behind lone striker Graziano Pelle.
• With the change in formation not paying dividends in the first-half, Koeman made a change at the break, with Tadic coming on for Targett, seeing Saints switch back to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Tadic was stationed on the left flank, with Mane on the right and Davis in the number ten role. The Dutch boss then threw caution to the wind with his side still a goal down with 17 minutes remaining, introducing Charlie Austin for Clasie, with James Ward-Prowse replacing Davis. Southampton ended in a traditional 4-4-2, then, with Pelle and Austin up front, while Ward-Prowse partnered Wanyama in central midfield.
• The make-up of Saints’ starting XI largely depends on what formation Koeman looks to start with. With a home clash against Newcastle up next, he could well revert back to a 4-2-3-1, meaning Tadic could earn a recall out wide. Targett could miss out, then, while Martina or Maya Yoshida could challenge Soares for the starting berth at right-back given the Portuguese defender’s strengths lie in his attacking threat.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back/Right Wing-Back, Flanks, Strikers

Stoke

Starting XI: Haugaard; Bardsley, Cameron, Wollscheid, Pieters; Imbula, Whelan (Ireland 81); Afellay, Bojan (Diouf 74), Arnautovic; Joselu.

• Mark Hughes made three changes for the home clash against Swansea, with Jakob Haugaard replacing the injured Jack Butland in goal, while Erik Pieters and Bojan came in for Marc Muniesa and the injured Jon Walters.
• Bojan slotted into the number ten role for the Potters, with Ibrahim Afellay moving to the right of the three attacking midfield positions in Hughes’ standard 4-2-3-1 formation. Pieters started in his usual position at left-back.
• With Bojan lacking match fitness having not featured much in the first-team of late, he only lasted 74 minutes before being replaced by Mame Biram Diouf. The Senegal international was stationed on the right wing, with Afellay moving into the number ten role. Stephen Ireland was then introduced in place of Glenn Whelan, who had been struggling with a back injury prior to Saturday’s match, with 10 minutes left on the clock.
• Should Ryan Shawcross be fit for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, he would likely replace Geoff Cameron in central defence. Likewise, although Xherdan Shaqiri (thigh) remains a major doubt, he’s another who would likely earn a recall if fully fit. Diouf or Peter Crouch may push for a recall in place of Joselu as the central striker should Hughes look to freshen up his forward line.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Right Wing, Strikers

Sunderland

Starting XI: Mannone; Yedlin, Kaboul, Kone, van Aanholt; Kirchhoff; Borini, Cattermole, M’Vila, Khazri (N’Doye 82); Defoe.

• Sam Allardyce only made one adjustment from the starting XI that took to the field for the Tyne-Wear derby for the visit of West Brom to the Stadium of Light, with Lee Cattermole coming in for Jack Rodwell.
• Big Sam kept faith in the 4-1-4-1 formation, with Cattermole stationed alongside Yann M’Vila in central midfield.
• Allardyce only made one substitution, with Dame N’Doye introduced in a straight swap for Wahbi Khazri with only eight minutes remaining as the Black Cats searched for that elusive winning goal.
• Allardyce looks to have a fairly settled starting XI right now, with Cattermole and Rodwell seemingly battling it out for one central midfield berth. N’Doye offers an alternative to Khazri and Fabio Borini out wide, and may push for a recall for the home clash against Leicester on Sunday.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks

Swansea

Starting XI: Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Naughton (Taylor 82); Cork, Britton (Montero 61), Fer; Sigurdsson; Gomis (Paloschi 71), Routledge.

• Head coach Francesco Guidolin made three alterations for the trip to the Britannia, with Kyle Naughton, Leon Britton and Wayne Routledge starting in place of Stephen Kingsley, Ki Sung-yeung and Modou Barrow.
• Having started with a 4-3-2-1 formation against Aston Villa last time out, Guidolin reverted back to a midfield diamond against Stoke. Britton started at the base of the diamond, with Jack Cork and Leroy Fer on the sides and Gylfi Sigurdsson at the tip behind the front pairing of Routledge and Bafetimbi Gomis. Naughton slotted in at left-back for the Swans.
• With the Welsh side trailing 2-0, Guidolin made an attacking substitution on the hour mark, with Jefferson Montero coming on for Britton. That change saw Swansea switch to a 4-2-3-1 system, with Montero on the left flank and Routledge on the right, leaving Cork and Fer at the base of midfield. Alberto Paloschi then replaced Gomis as the lone striker with 20 minutes left on the clock, with Guidolin’s final change seeing Neil Taylor replace Naughton at left-back in a straight swap.
• With the Italian coach still stating his belief that his side still need another three points to be safe from relegation, it’s probably unlikely that Montero will push for a starting berth despite a hugely positive contribution off the bench. A midfield diamond remains the likely formation to start against Chelsea on Sunday, with Ki Sung-yeung perhaps an option to replace either Britton or Fer in the starting XI. Paloschi may also push Gomis for a starting berth in attack after scoring his second goal for the club on Saturday. Barrow didn’t feature after picking up a slight knock while on international duty, but he could challenge Routledge for a starting position this weekend after turning out for the reserves last night. Andre Ayew (ankle) may also be close to a return, although he may have to be patient to return to the starting XI. Taylor has been struggling with a few minor niggles over the last few weeks, but the Wales international should start against Chelsea at left-back.

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

Tottenham

Starting XI: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Heung-Min Son (Chadli 66), Alli (Mason 88), Eriksen; Kane.

• Mauricio Pochettino only made one adjustment fro the trip to Anfield, with Heung-Min Son coming in for the injured Erik Lamela.
• Son was stationed on the right of the three advanced midfield players in Pochettino’s standard 4-2-3-1 formation.
• The South Korean was the first player to be replaced, with Nacer Chadli coming on in a straight swap shortly after the hour mark. Ryan Mason provided fresh legs for the final few minutes, replacing Dele Alli.
• Lamela missed out against Liverpool due to a slight knock, but he could well be fit to face Man United on Sunday, and start on the right of the three attacking midfield positions. Jan Vertonghen may also be close to a return for Sunday’s match, with the Belgian nearing full fitness following a knee injury. Kevin Wimmer’s run as a regular starter in central defence could be coming to an end, then.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Right Wing

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Nyom, Prodl, Cathcart, Ake; Capoue (Anya 40), Watson, Suarez; Abdi (Guedioura 68), Deeney; Ighalo (Amrabat 46).

• Quique Sanchez Flores made three changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Stoke, with Sebastian Prodl, Ben Watson and Almen Abdi replacing Miguel Britos, Valon Behrami and Jurado.
• Flores opted for a 4-4-1-1 formation at the Emirates, with Abdi (right) and Etienne Capoue (left) stationed out wide. Watson started alongside Mario Suarez in the engine room, while Prodl partnered Craig Cathcart in central defence.
• Ikechi Anya was brought on after 40 minutes with Capoue struggling to make any impact as a left-sided midfielder. Odion Ighalo was then replaced by Nordin Amrabat at half-time, with Flores’ final change seeing Adlene Guedioura replace Abdi out wide on the right with just over 20 minutes remaining.
• Behrami missed out due to illness, but looks certain to feature during double Gameweek 34. Britos was dropped to the bench on Saturday, but following the 4-0 defeat, could well return in place of Prodl. The likes of Amrabat and Jurado could also push for recalls out wide or in the attacking midfield positions depending on what formation Flores looks to use, but with the Hornets struggling for form and with very few players likely to play both matches in the double Gameweek due to Watford facing a crucial FA Cup semi-final on April 24, it probably looks best to avoid their players for those using their wildcards this week.

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

West Brom

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Chester; Sandro, Yacob; Gardner (McClean 71), Fletcher, Berahino (Leko 79); Rondon (Anichebe 82).

• Tony Pulis made two changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Norwich, with James Chester and Sandro replacing Jonas Olsson and Stephane Sessegnon in the starting XI.
• Chester started at left-back for the Baggies, while Sandro partnered Claudio Yacob at the base of midfield in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Darren Fletcher, Craig Gardner and Saido Berahino formed a narrow attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Salomon Rondon.
• Pulis’ first substitution came with 20 minutes remaining, with James McClean coming on in place of Gardner. Jonathan Leko was then handed his Premier League debut in place of Berahino eight minutes later, with Pulis’ final change seeing Victor Anichebe come on in a straight swap for Rondon as the lone striker.
• Olsson was an unused substitute on Saturday, but had been a doubt before the match due to a slight niggle. He could push for a recall in place of Chester at left-back, then, although Craig Dawson and Gareth McAuley look the most nailed on defenders when it comes to the Baggies’ double Gameweek 34. Sandro earned a recall against Sunderland, but Sessegnon or McClean could push for starts out wide, meaning Darren Fletcher may revert back to a deeper role in the coming weeks. Berahino and Rondon look fairly certain of their places in the side, and should feature for the majority of the two matches in Gameweek 34.

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

West Ham

Starting XI: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble (Obiang 80); Emenike (Carroll 60), Lanzini, Payet; Sakho (Valencia 69).

• Slaven Bilic only made one alteration for the home clash against Crystal Palace, with Emmanuel Emenike starting in place of Enner Valencia.
• Emenike started on the right of the three advanced midfield positions in Bilic’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, with Dimitri Payet (number ten) and Manuel Lanzini (left) providing support for line striker Diafra Sakho.
• Emenike was substituted on the hour mark, though, with Andy Carroll taking his place. That change saw Carroll operate as the lone striker, with Sakho moving out to the right flank, although he was replaced shortly after by Valencia. Bilic’s final change was made with 10 minutes left, with Pedro Obiang taking over from Mark Noble in the middle of the park as Bilic looked for some fresher legs after the Hammers were reduced to 10-men following Cheikhou Kouyate’s dismissal.
• Kouyate has successfully appealed his three-match ban and is available for selection for the weekend visit of Arsenal. James Tomkins was named among the substitutes on Saturday, and may be ready to return to the starting XI this weekend. Sam Byram and James Collins also look in line to return to contention, which would allow Michail Antonio to finally return to his favoured position on the right wing. In defence, then, only Aaron Cresswell looks totally assured of his place, particularly should the Hammers advance in the FA Cup. For the double Gameweek, Payet and Lanzini look the most secure attacking options, with rotation also possible in the forward areas with Carroll and Valencia both fully.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Right Wing, Central Striker