Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 13 – Part One

Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy bites again as Kevin De Bruyne takes his turn on the bench. Elsewhere, Arsene Wenger reverts to “Plan A” by shifting Alexis Sanchez back up front, while Philippe Coutinho’s potential lay-off open up an unlikely opportunity for Divock Origi. Here’s the first half of our lessons learned from the Gameweek 13 teamsheets and tactical tinkering.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Debuchy (Gabriel 16), Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Elneny, Xhaka; Walcott (Giroud 75), Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Ramsey 75); Sanchez.

• Arsene Wenger made three changes for the home encounter against Bournemouth, with Mathieu Debuchy, Granit Xhaka and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain drafted in in for Carl Jenkinson, Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey.
• Debuchy made his first appearance of the season at right-back for the Gunners, while Xhaka partnered Mohamed Elneny at the base of midfield in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Oxlade-Chamberlain operated on the left of the attacking midfield trio.
• Debuchy’s afternoon only lasted 16 minutes, though, after he suffered a hamstring injury. Gabriel was brought on to replace the Frenchman at right-back in a straight swap. Then with 15 minutes remaining, Ramsey and Olivier Giroud were brought on in place of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott. Ramsey played in the No 10 role, seeing Mesut Ozil move out to the right. Alexis Sanchez dropped back onto the left wing, allowing Giroud to play as the lone striker.
• Debuchy looks almost certain to be ruled out for Saturday’s match against West Ham United, so either Gabriel or Jenkinson look set to come in at right-back. Coquelin may earn a recall in central midfield, while Ramsey could challenge Oxlade-Chamberlain for a starting spot out wide. Given’s Sanchez’s performance as the lone striker, Giroud appears unlikely to earn a starting berth at the London Stadium, particularly after the French forward also suffered a hamstring problem during the final seconds of the match. Walcott was on the end of a kick which played a part in him being substituted, but Wenger declared Giroud as his only injury concern with no reports to the contrary at this point.

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

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Federici; Francis, Cook, Ake, B Smith (Mousset 81); A Smith, Arter, Gosling, Stanislas (Ibe 71); King, Wilson (Afobe 63).

• Eddie Howe made two enforced changes from the side that beat Stoke City 1-0 for the trip to the Emirates, with Brad Smith coming in for the injured Charlie Daniels, while Adam Smith returned from suspension to replace Jack Wilshere, who was ineligible to play against his parent club.
• Those changes saw Howe adopt a slightly different formation, with Adam Smith playing on the right of a four-man midfield. Josh King played behind lone striker Callum Wilson in what was more of a 4-4-1-1 system. Brad Smith slotted in at left-back.
• Howe’s first substitution saw Benik Afobe take over from Wilson as the lone striker for the final 27 minutes. With 19 minutes left, Jordon Ibe was brought on to replace Junior Stanislas on the left wing, while as a final roll of the dice in search of an equaliser, Lys Mousset entered the fray in place of Brad Smith. That saw the Cherries end the match in more of a 3-4-3, with Mousset, Afobe and King in attack.
• Artur Boruc was once again ruled out due to a back injury, but he may have a chance of being fit to return in place of Adam Federici to face Liverpool on Sunday. Wilshere’s return may see Howe return to his favoured 4-2-3-1, so either Ake or Adam Smith are likely to miss out. If Andrew Surman can recover from a hamstring injury, he would be likely to replace Dan Gosling in central midfield.

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

Burnley

Starting XI: Robinson; Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward; Marney (Arfield 40), Defour (Barnes 82); Gudmundsson (Tarkowski 43), Hendrick, Boyd; Vokes.

• Sean Dyche made two changes from the side that lost 4-0 at West Bromwich Albion for the home clash against Man City, with George Boyd earning a recall in place of Scott Arfield, while Paul Robinson earned his first start of the campaign in place of the injured Tom Heaton.
• Boyd started on the left of the attacking midfield trio in the 4-2-3-1 formation used once again by Dyche. Jeff Hendrick once again played in the No 10 role.
• Dyche was forced into making two changes towards the end of the first-half, with Dean Marney (knock) and Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson (hamstring) forced off with injuries. Arfield and James Tarkowski came on in their place, with Arfield taking over on the right wing, while Tarkowski slotted in alongside Steven Defour in the double-pivot. With the Clarets seeking a late equaliser, Dyche brought on Ashley Barnes in place of Defour, finishing the match in a 4-4-2.
• Heaton missed out with a calf injury on Saturday, but he may have a chance of returning in place of Robinson for the trip to Stoke City on Saturday. Arfield would be the obvious replacement should Gudmundsson be ruled out, while Tarkowski, Aiden O’Neill and Michael Kightly offer further options in midfield. Dyche could also consider switching back to a 4-4-2, with Barnes and Andre Gray options to partner Sam Vokes in attack.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Central Midfield, Right Wing, Forwards

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses (Ivanovic 81), Kante, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Pedro (Oscar 83), Costa, Hazard (Willian 77).

• Antonio Conte named an unchanged starting XI for the sixth consecutive match as Chelsea entertained Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
• The Italian rolled out the familiar 3-4-3 then, with Pedro once again preferred to Willian on the right of the front three.
• The Brazilian was the first player summoned off the bench, though, replacing Eden Hazard for the final 13 minutes. Willian played on the right, with Pedro shifting over to the left. Branislav Ivanovic then took over from Victor Moses at right wing-back, while Oscar provided fresh legs in place of Pedro for the final seven minutes.
• With Chelsea travelling to the Etihad to take of Man City on Saturday, it’s likely that Conte will stick with the same starting XI providing there are no fresh injury issues.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: None

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Tomkins, Kelly (Fryers 73); Zaha, Cabaye, McArthur (Sako 82), Puncheon; C Benteke, Wickham (Townsend 52).

• Alan Pardew made one adjustment from the side that lost 2-1 to Man City for the trip to south Wales, with Connor Wickham earning a starting spot in place of Andros Townsend.
• That change saw Pardew switch from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2 system, with Wickham partnering Christian Benteke in attack for the Eagles. Jason Puncheon played on the left of a four-man midfield.
• Wickham’s afternoon ended in the 51st minute, though, after suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury. He was replaced by Andros Townsend, which saw Palace switch back to the 4-2-3-1. Townsend played on the right of the attacking midfield trio, with Wilfried Zaha moving onto the left, allowing Puncheon to operate in the No 10 role. Martin Kelly then made way for Zeki Fryers in a straight swap for the final 17 minutes, while with his side trailing 3-2, Pardew introduced Bakary Sako in place of James McArthur. Sako played as an attacking midfielder, with Puncheon dropping in alongside Yohan Cabaye in central midfield.
• After conceding five goals at the Liberty Stadium, Pardew has said he plans to make changes in defence ahead of Saturday’s crucial home clash with Southampton. Damien Delaney and Fryers could be set to earn starting spots, then, with James Tomkins and Kelly perhaps dropping to the bench. The more defensive Joe Ledley may challenge for a starting berth in central midfield, with a switch to a 4-3-3 possible in Wickham’s absence. Townsend and Sako provide different options in the wide positions, but Cabaye will be unavailable due to suspension. Steve Mandanda (knee) remains a doubt, but he will probably earn a recall in place of Wayne Hennessey if passed fit.

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

Everton

Starting XI: Stekelenburg; Coleman, Jagielka, Williams, Baines (Valencia 83); Gueye, Barry; Lennon (Deulofeu 64), Barkley (Mirallas 70), Bolasie; Lukaku.

• Everton manager Ronald Koeman only made one adjustment for the trip to his former side Southampton, with Gareth Barry returning from his one-match ban to replace James McCarthy who missed out with a hamstring problem.
• Barry slotted in alongside Idrissa Gueye at the base of midfield in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation, then, while Aaron Lennon kept his place on the right wing.
• Lennon once again struggled to make much of an impact and was replaced by Gerard Deulofeu in a straight swap shortly after the hour mark. Six minutes later, Ross Barkley, who also had a quiet afternoon, made way for Kevin Mirallas. In search of a late equaliser, Koeman replaced Leighton Baines with Enner Valencia, seeing the Toffees end the match in more of a 3-2-3-2 formation, with Valencia joining Romelu Lukaku in attack.
• Phil Jagielka may come under a bit of pressure from Ramiro Funes Mori for a starting spot in central defence for Sunday’s home clash against Man United. Given the lack of form for both Lennon and Barkley, Koeman may consider switching to a 4-3-3, with a fit-again McCarthy or Cleverley perhaps starting alongside Barry and Gueye in central midfield. Valencia and Deulofeu could then battle it out to join Yannick Bolasie and Lukaku in attack.

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

Hull City

Starting XI: Marshall; Elmohamady, Dawson, Davies, Tymon (Robertson 90); Snodgrass, Livermore, Mason (Diomande 46) Clucas; Henriksen (Meyler 88), Mbokani.

• Mike Phelan named an unchanged starting XI for the visit of West Bromwich Albion to the KCOM Stadium.
• That meant it was a 4-4-1-1 once again for the Tigers, with Markus Henriksen deployed in the No 10 role behind lone striker Dieumerci Mbokani.
• Phelan was forced into making a change at half-time, with Ryan Mason being replaced by Adama Diomande due to illness. Diomande played on the left, with Clucas moving into central midfield next to Jake Livermore. David Meyler and the fit-again Andrew Robertson were handed brief run-outs late on in place of Henriksen and Josh Tymon.
• With Robertson back to full fitness, he could well replace Tymon at left-back for the trip to Middlesbrough a week today. Clucas could slot into central midfield if Mason is unavailable, with Diomande an option to start on the left wing. Diomande could also be an option to play in a central attacking role though, if Phelan tweaks with his formation, so Henriksen’s starting spot may also be in a little doubt. Clucas picked up a fifth booking of the season on Saturday but will serve it in the EFL Cup tie with Newcastle in midweek.

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

Leicester City

Starting XI: Zieler; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez (Musa 68), Amartey, King, Albrighton; Okazaki (Gray 76), Vardy (Slimani 65).

• Claudio Ranieri was forced into making one change for the home fixture against Middlesbrough, with Andy King handed a recall in place of the suspended Danny Drinkwater.
• King slotted in alongside Daniel Amartey in central midfield for the Foxes in the 4-4-1-1 formation used once again by Ranieri.
• But with the match level at 1-1, Ranieri decided to take off Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy shortly after the hour mark, with Ahmed Musa and Islam Slimani taking their places. After falling 2-1 behind, Ranieri brought on Demarai Gray for Shinji Okazaki, with Gray, Musa and Marc Albrighton forming an attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Slimani in a 4-2-3-1 system.
• Ranieri may consider handing starts to the likes of Gray and Musa in the wide positions for Leicester’s trip to Sunderland on Saturday. Slimani appears very likely to earn a recall in attack, either in place of Vardy, or alongside the England international, with Okazaki making way. Kasper Schmeichel remains a doubt due to a hand injury, so Ron-Robert Zieler may continue in goal, while Luis Hernandez or Jeffrey Schlupp could be considered for the full-back positions if Ranieri feels the need to freshen up his defence.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, Forwards

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Wijnaldum (Woodburn 90), Henderson, Emre Can, Coutinho (Origi 34), Firmino (Lucas Leiva 87), Mane.

• Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged starting XI for the home encounter with Sunderland.
• Klopp kept faith in the 4-3-3 formation, then, with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho once again starting in attack for the Reds.
• Liverpool were forced into making a substitution in the first-half, though, after Coutinho was stretchered off with an ankle injury. The Brazilian was replaced by Divock Origi, who played as the central striker, with Firmino moving out to the left. Firmino was then withdrawn after receiving a kick to his calf, with Lucas Leiva brought on in his place in a bid to preserve Liverpool’s 1-0 lead. Youngster Ben Woodburn was handed his Premier League debut late on, replacing Georginio Wijnaldum.
• Initial reports suggest that Coutinho may have suffered damaged ankle ligaments, although we expect to know more following scans later today. With Daniel Sturridge missing Saturday’s match due to a calf problem, Origi could be in line to start at Bournemouth on Sunday, with Firmino deployed on the left should he shake off a minor calf problem. Adam Lallana may have a chance to return from a groin injury: he would offer Klopp an option both in the midfield three and on the left of the front three if he is passed fit.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Forwards

Man City

Starting XI: Bravo; Sagna, Otamendi, Kolarov, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Sterling (Sane 58), Toure, Nolito (De Bruyne 79); Aguero (Navas 89).

• Man City boss Pep Guardiola made two alterations from the side that won 2-1 at Crystal Palace for the trip to Turf Moor, with Gael Clichy and Fernando coming in for Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne.
• Clichy played at left-back for City, with Aleksandar Kolarov partnering Nicolas Otamendi in central defence. Fernando joined Fernandinho in the double-pivot in the 4-2-3-1 used by Guardiola on Saturday, allowing Yaya Toure to be pushed forward into the No 10 role.
• Raheem Sterling was replaced just before the hour mark after picking up a knock, with Leroy Sane introduced in his place in a straight swap. With 11 minutes remaining, De Bruyne was brought on for Nolito on the left of the attacking midfield trio, while Jesus Navas replaced Sergio Aguero late on in a defensive move to pack the midfield as City looked to hold on.
• With City having no match in midweek, ahead of the top of the table clash against Chelsea, it’s expected that Guardiola will name his strongest side to take on the league leaders. John Stones may return at centre-back, then, leaving either Kolarov or Clichy to play at left-back. If he switches back to the 4-1-4-1 system, Fernando looks set to drop out, with De Bruyne surely earning a recall. David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan may also push for starting spots, with Yaya Toure and Nolito perhaps at risk of dropping to the bench if Sterling is, as expected, in contention.

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

Part Two of Lineup Lessons, assessing the remaining ten teams, will be published tomorrow.