Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 5 – Part Two

United’s Marcus Rashford stakes a claim for another start by netting his second goal in three Gameweeks. Mauricio Pochettino rotates in attacking midfield after Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League match, while Nacer Chadli thrives in the central support role for West Brom.

After rolling out part one of Lineup Lessons yesterday, here’s the lowdown on the remaining 10 teams.

Man United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia (Mata 62), Smalling, Bailly, Shaw (Memphis 85); Fellaini, Pogba; Rashford, Rooney, Martial (Young 38); Ibrahimovic.

• Jose Mourinho made three changes for the trip to Vicarage Road, with Chris Smalling, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial replacing Daley Blind, Jesse Lingard and the injured Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
• Smalling partnered Eric Bailly in central defence, while Martial and Rashford started out wide for United, with the pair regularly switching wings. Mourinho started with a 4-3-3, with Wayne Rooney in central midfield, but changed to 4-2-3-1 after the break.
• Martial’s afternoon only lasted 38 minutes, though, having suffered a head injury, while he also appeared to take a knock to his ankle. Ashley Young replaced him in a straight swap. Then shortly after the hour mark, Mourinho turned to Juan Mata, with the Spaniard coming on at the expense of Antonio Valencia. That change saw Young move to right-back, allowing Mata to operate on the right of the three advanced midfield positions. As a final roll of the dice, Memphis Depay was thrown on for Luke Shaw, who picked up a groin problem.
• After a disappointing performance, Mourinho could ring the changes for the home encounter against champions Leicester on Saturday. Valencia may have just been substituted for tactical reasons and should keep his place, though Shaw is more of a concern – he could utilise Matteo Darmian, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo or even Young at left-back if Shaw fails to make it. Blind could return in central defence following a poor display by Smalling, though, while Mourinho may consider both tactical and personnel changes in midfield, with Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin all options to replace Marouane Fellaini and even Wayne Rooney should he consider using a 4-3-3 system. Ibrahimovic and Rashford should keep their places, with Mata, Young, Lingard and Mkhitaryan, provided he’s passed fit, options should Martial be ruled out.

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

Middlesbrough

Starting XI: Valdes: Barragan, Ayala, Gibson, Friend: Nsue (Nugent 60), de Roon, Forshaw (Clayton 83): Downing: Negredo, Ramirez (Fischer 70).

• Aitor Karanka made three alterations for the trip to Goodison Park, with Marten de Roon, Emilio Nsue and Gaston Ramirez recalled in place of Adam Clayton, Viktor Fischer and the injured Cristhian Stuani.
• De Roon partnered Adam Forshaw in central midfield in Karanka’s standard 4-2-3-1 formation, with Nsue playing further forward than we’ve seen so far this season on the right of the attacking midfield trio. Ramirez returned in the number ten role, with Stewart Downing stationed on the left wing.
• With his side trailing 3-1, Karanka initially turned to David Nugent off the bench, with the forward replacing Nsue on the right in a straight swap. Fischer then came on in place of Ramirez in the number ten role with 20 minutes remaining, with Karanka’s final change seeing Clayton take over from Forshaw in the engine room.
• With De Roon likely to take one of the two central midfield spots, there remains little to choose between Clayton and Forshaw for the other position. Clayton is a doubt for the weekend, though, after picking up a knock last time out. Stuani would appear set to come straight back into the side should he recover from a groin injury, with Nugent and Fischer other viable options in the advanced midfield positions. Calum Chambers could also perhaps be an option in central defence, although he may have to wait a bit longer for his chance.

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

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Romeu, Clasie (Hojbjerg 53); Davis; Long (Austin 53), Redmond, Tadic (Martina 80).

• Southampton manager Claude Puel only made one alteration from the side that lost 2-1 to Arsenal for the visit of Swansea to St Mary’s, with Shane Long coming in for the injured Jay Rodriguez.
• Long partnered Nathan Redmond in attack in Puel’s usual 4-1-2-1-2 formation, although at times it resembled a 4-3-3, with Dusan Tadic drifting to the right, and Long to the left.
• With the match goalless after 53 minutes, Puel made a double substitution, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Charlie Austin replacing Jordy Clasie and Long in straight swaps. With 10 minutes remaining, Puel made a slightly defensive substitution in an attempt to preserve the 1-0 lead, with Cuco Martina replacing Tadic. Martina played at right-back, with Cedric Soares playing in front of him as a right-sided midfielder.
• After picking up his first Premier League win, Puel is expected to name a similar starting XI for the trip to West Ham. With three goals in his last two matches in all competitions, Austin could replace Long in attack, while Hojbjerg is a viable alternative to Clasie in midfield. Rodriguez will also return to contention providing he shakes off a minor knock.

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

Stoke City

Starting XI: Given, Cameron, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Johnson, Whelan, Allen, Walters, Bojan (Diouf 68), Arnautovic, Bony.

• Mark Hughes made two alterations for the trip to Selhurst Park, with Glen Johnson returning from injury to replace Erik Pieters, while Bojan started in place of Giannelli Imbula.
• The inclusion of Bojan saw Hughes switch back to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the former Barcelona player flanked by Jon Walters (right) and Marko Arnautovic (left) in the attacking midfield positions. Johnson played in his usual position at right-back, with Geoff Cameron shifting over to the left.
• Given the poor performance by his side, it was somewhat surprising to see Hughes only make one change during the match, with Mame Biram Diouf replacing Bojan after 68 minutes. That substitution saw the Potters end in a traditional 4-4-2, with Diouf stationed alongside Wilfried Bony in attack
• While Stoke are on a terrible run of form, it doesn’t appear as if Hughes has many options in which to help reverse his side’s fortunes. Pieters and Phil Bardsley have failed to impress this season, leaving Marc Muniesa as the only other option in defence. Likewise, Imbula was dropped against Palace, with Charlie Adam perhaps another option to come into the side in midfield. Xherdan Shaqiri is still struggling to overcome a calf injury, and Hughes will be desperate for the Swiss international to be passed fit to face West Brom on Saturday.

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

Sunderland

Starting XI: Pickford; Denayer (McNair 90), Kone, Djilobodji, Manquillo; Kirchhoff (Khazri 79); Januzaj, Ndong, Cattermole, Pienaar (Watmore 63); Defoe.

• David Moyes made four changes for the trip to White Hart Lane, with Jason Denayer and the fit-again Lee Cattermole replacing the injured Patrick van Aanholt and Jack Rodwell, while Didier Ndong and Steven Pienaar started in place of Lynden Gooch and Duncan Watmore.
• Moyes opted for more of a 4-1-4-1 formation against Tottenham, with Adnan Januzaj, Cattermole, Ndong and Pienaar forming the four-man midfield behind lone striker Jermain Defoe. Jan Kirchhoff was stationed in front of the back four, which saw Denayer starting at right-back, with Javier Manquillo switching over to the left.
• Moyes’ first substitution came just after the hour mark, with Watmore taking over from Pienaar on the left flank. Wahbi Khazri was then introduced in an attacking move by Moyes, coming on in place of Kirchhoff to operate in the number ten role in more of a 4-2-3-1 formation. With Denayer tiring in his first start for the club, Paddy McNair came on in his place for the final few minutes.
• Earlier this morning, Moyes confirmed that Van Aanholt missed out on the advice of cardiologists following test results – the Dutchman has been included in the EFL Cup squad to face QPR but may not feature. Denayer and Manquillo did a relatively good job in the full-back positions, though, so they may keep their places in the side should Van Aanholt be unavailable for the home clash against Crystal Palace. Januzaj will serve his one-match ban in the EFL Cup, so he will be available to face the Eagles on Saturday. Moyes may consider moving to the slightly more attacking 4-2-3-1 formation, which would give the likes of Watmore, Khazri and Gooch more of a chance to earn a starting berth. Jermain Defoe has been ruled out of tomorrow’s cup clash with QPR but is expected to recover from a minor knock in time for the weekend.

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

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Kingsley (Rangel 46), Amat; Cork (Borja 81), Ki Sung-yeung (Montero 65), Fer; Sigurdsson, Llorente, Barrow.

• Francesco Guidolin only made one adjustment for the trip to Southampton, with Modou Barrow earning a recall in place of Neil Taylor.
• Barrow operated as one of two attacking midfield players, along with Gylfi Sigurdsson, in a 4-3-2-1 formation.
• After struggling somewhat at the end of the first half, Stephen Kingsley was replaced by Angel Rangel at half-time. That change saw the Spaniard operate in his usual position at right-back, with Kyle Naughton shifting over to left-back. After falling a goal behind, Guidolin turned to Jefferson Montero off the bench, with the Ecuadorian coming on for Ki Sung-yeung. That change saw the Swans switch to a more attacking 4-2-3-1, with Montero (left) and Barrow (right) providing the width. The final substitution saw Borja Baston handed his debut for the Welsh side, with the Spaniard joining his compatriot Fernando Llorente in attack, leaving just Leroy Fer in central midfield.
• Guidolin revealed Neil Taylor will start Wednesday night’s clash against Man City in the EFL Cup, and should he impress in that match, he could push Kingsley for the starting spot at left-back. Leon Britton provides an alternative in central midfield, while Montero may only come into the side should the Italian opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation from the off against the Citizens on Saturday. Borja is also likely to feature in midweek, and depending on how many minutes he plays, he could challenge Llorente for the lone striker role.

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

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Walker, Dier (Davies 77), Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Wanyama, Dembele (Lamela 74); Sissoko, Alli, Heung-Min Son; Kane (Janssen 87).

• Mauricio Pochettino made two changes for the home encounter against Sunderland, with Mousa Dembele and Moussa Sissoko coming in for Ben Davies and Christian Eriksen.
• Those changes meant Eric Dier dropped into central defence next to Toby Alderweireld, with Jan Vertonghen shifting over to left-back. Dembele partnered Victor Wanyama in the double-pivot in the usual 4-2-3-1, with Sissoko stationed on the right of the attacking midfield trio.
• All three of Tottenham’s substitutions were injury related, with Dier and Dembele both withdrawn due to hamstring problems. They were replaced by Davies and Erik Lamela respectively. Then in the final five minutes, Harry Kane suffered what looked to be a nasty ankle injury, and was replaced in a straight swap by Vincent Janssen.
• While Davies may have just been rested against Sunderland, Pochettino will hope to have Danny Rose available to return at left-back against Middlesbrough. It remains to be seen whether Dier and Dembele’s injuries were anything worse than just cramp caused by fatigue, but they certainly mean it’s more likely that Wanyama will keep his place in the starting XI, partnered by either Sissoko or Alli in central midfield should Dier and Dembele fail to make it. Janssen is the obvious replacement up front if Kane is ruled out with ligament damage.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central midfield, Flanks, Lone Striker

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Cathcart, Britos, Prodl, Holebas; Janmaat (Amrabat, 49), Behrami, Capoue (Zuniga 82), Pereyra; Deeney, Ighalo (Success 90).

• Walter Mazzarri only made one change from the side that beat West Ham 4-2 for the home clash against Man United, with Sebastian Prodl coming in for the injured Younes Kaboul.
• Prodl started alongside Miguel Britos and Craig Cathcart in the three-man defence, while Odion Ighalo was asked to play in an inside left position for large parts of the match, leaving Troy Deeney as the lone striker.
• After suffering a shoulder injury, Daryl Janmaat had to be replaced four minutes into the second half, with Nordin Amrabat taking his place in a straight swap. Mazzarri then turned to Juan Zuniga off the bench, with the Colombian playing in midfield in place of Etienne Capoue for the final eight minutes. Isaac Success was handed a run-out late on, taking over from Ighalo in a straight swap.
• Mazzarri will check on the fitness of Janmaat and Kaboul ahead of the trip to Burnley. If the pair are ruled out, Prodl should keep his place in the starting XI, which he could do even if Kaboul is passed fit, while Amrabat is the obvious replacement for Janmaat. Otherwise, the Italian will likely continue with the same side following consecutive victories.

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

West Brom

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans ,Galloway (Nyom 67); Yacob, Fletcher; McClean, Chadli (Morrison 75), Phillips, Rondon (Robson-Kanu 86).

• Tony Pulis made two alterations for the visit of West Ham to the Hawthorns, with James McClean and Salomon Rondon coming in for Sam Field and Saido Berahino.
• McClean started on the left of an attacking midfield trio in the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Nacer Chadli used in the number ten role behind lone striker Rondon.
• Pulis made his first substitution after 67 minutes, with Allan Nyom coming on for Brendan Galloway. Nyom played at centre-back, with Jonny Evans moving over to left-back. Chadli was forced off with a knock with 15 minutes remaining, with James Morrison taking his place in a straight swap. Pulis’ final substitution saw Hal Robson-Kanu make his Baggies debut in place of Rondon for the final four minutes.
• After his side’s most impressive performance of the season, Pulis may look to name an unchanged side for the trip to his former club Stoke City. Berahino does offer another option in the number ten role should Chadli be ruled out, but if the Belgian is passed fit, Berahino may again have to settle for a place among the substitutes. Chris Brunt stepped up his recovery with a run out for the reserves last night but is unlikely to be fit in time for the weekend after an extended period on the sidelines.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left Wing, Attacking Midfield

West Ham

Starting XI: Adrian, Nordtveit, Collins, Ogbonna, Masuaku (Fletcher 76); Kouyate, Noble (Feghouli 46); Antonio, Lanzini, Payet, Zaza (Calleri 46).

• Slaven Bilic made two changes from the side that lost 4-2 to Watford for the trip to West Brom, with Havard Nordtveit and Angelo Ogbonna coming in for the injured Sam Byram and Winston Reid.
• Nordtveit and Ogbonna slotted in at right-back and centre-back respectively, while Bilic once again used Michail Antonio, Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet in the three advanced midfield positions in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
• Heading into the break 3-0 down, Bilic made a double substitution at half-time, with Sofiane Feghouli and Jonathan Calleri coming on in place of Mark Noble and Simone Zaza. The changes saw Bilic switch to a 4-1-4-1 system, with Feghouli on the right of midfield, allowing Antonio to move over to the left wing. Calleri replaced Zaza as the lone striker. After enduring a torrid afternoon, Arthur Masuaku was replaced by Ashley Fletcher for the final 14 minutes as West Ham continued to try and get back into the match.
• Following successive 4-2 defeats, Bilic will be considering changes in almost all positions ahead of the visit of Southampton to London Stadium. Darren Randolph offers an alternative to Adrian in goal, while none of his defenders look assured of a starting role. Byram and in particular Reid could return should they recover from knocks, while Alvaro Arbeloa should be close to being fit enough to feature in the Premier League. Nordtveit is also an option in central midfield, along with Pedro Obiang, with Lanzini’s position perhaps in doubt should Bilic switch to a more solid 4-3-3 formation. Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio look the only two players certain of keeping their starting spots, with Calleri and Fletcher alternatives to Zaza in attack.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: All Positions