Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 14 – Part One

Antonio Conte is forced to make his first Chelsea change for seven Gameweeks, while Pep Guardiola’s shuffles again ahead of losing three key players to suspension. Elsewhere, Adam Lallana returns to the bench to provide Jurgen Klopp a selection headache, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan earns a first start for Manchester United since Gameweek 4. Here’s the first part of our Gameweek 14 teamsheet summary, outlining the trends and tactics on show, along with early insight into the weekend’s likely line-ups.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Gabriel, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin (Elneny 88), Xhaka; Walcott (Ramsey 66), Ozil (Iwobi 88), Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sanchez.

• Arsene Wenger made two changes from the side that saw off Bournemouth 3-1 for the trip to West Ham, with Gabriel coming in for the injured Mathieu Debuchy, while Francis Coquelin earned a recall in place of Mohamed Elneny.
• Gabriel slotted in at right-back for the Gunners, while Coquelin partnered Granit Xhaka at the base of midfield in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
• Shortly after the hour mark, Wenger chose to withdraw Theo Walcott, with Aaron Ramsey taking his place in a straight swap. With the match won, the Arsenal boss handed out brief run-outs to Elneny and Alex Iwobi in place of Coquelin and Mesut Ozil.
• Gabriel did take a few knocks during the 90 minutes at the London Stadium but should be okay to keep his starting role at right-back for Saturday’s home clash against Stoke City. Coquelin and Xhaka will also be expected to retain their places in central midfield, but Wenger does have options in those positions, with Elneny and Ramsey both viable alternatives. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s strong display looks set to earn him a third successive start on the left, with Iwobi again likely to figure from the bench.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Midfield, Left Flank

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Boruc; Francis, Cook, Ake, A.Smith; Arter, Gosling (Afobe 75); Stanislas (Fraser 55), Wilshere, King (Ibe 46); Wilson.

• Eddie Howe made two changes for the home clash against Liverpool, with Artur Boruc returning from a back injury to replace Adam Federici in goal, while Jack Wilshere, who was ineligible to play against his parent club Arsenal in Gameweek 13, returned at the expense of Brad Smith.
• Wilshere played in his usual No 10 role in the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Adam Smith, who was deployed in midfield at the Emirates, stationed at left-back on Sunday. Nathan Ake partnered Steve Cook in central defence, with Simon Francis playing at right-back.
• After struggling to make an impact in the first-half, Josh King was replaced at half-time by Jordon Ibe in a straight swap on the right wing. But after Junior Stanislas was forced off with a knee problem, Ryan Fraser took over on the right flank, with Ibe moving across to the left. As a final roll of the dice, Howe introduced Benik Afobe in place of Dan Gosling, seeing the Cherries finish the match in a 4-4-2, with Wilshere dropping back alongside Harry Arter in central midfield. Afobe joined Callum Wilson up front.
• If either Charlie Daniels (hip) or Andrew Surman (hamstring) are available for Saturday’s trip to Burnley, they will come into contention for starting places at left-back and in central midfield respectively. Daniels’ inclusion could lead to a reshuffle in defence, with one of Adam Smith, Ake, Cook or Francis forced to make way. If Stanislas is ruled out, one of Fraser or Ibe look certain to take his place out wide for the Cherries. Fraser’s inspirational display from the bench is likely to earn him the start.

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

Burnley

Starting XI: Robinson; Flanagan (Tarkowski 81), Keane, Mee, Ward; Arfield (Kightly 90), Hendrick, Marney, Boyd (Vokes 76); Barnes, Gray.

• Sean Dyche made four changes for the trip to the bet365 Stadium, with Jon Flanagan, Scott Arfield, Ashley Barnes and Andre Gray coming in for Matt Lowton, Steven Defour, Sam Vokes and the injured Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
• Those changes saw Dyche switch for a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2, with Barnes and Gray combining in attack. George Boyd (right) and Arfield (left) played out wide in midfield, while Flanagan came in at right-back.
• With his side trailing 2-0, Dyche firstly turned to Vokes off the bench, with the striker replacing Boyd for the final 14 minutes. That saw the Clarets switch to more of a 4-3-1-2, with Barnes playing slightly behind Vokes and Gray in attack. James Tarkowski then replaced Flanagan at right-back, while Michael Kightly was given a few minutes late on in place of Arfield.
• After suffering a third successive defeat, Dyche’s starting XI for the home clash against Bournemouth on Saturday appears uncertain. Tom Heaton missed a second consecutive match due to a calf problem, but could return to replace Paul Robinson next time out. Flanagan got the nod ahead of Lowton at right-back on Saturday, although he suffered a torrid afternoon up against Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic. Defour was surprisingly dropped against the Potters but may well return this weekend, either in the 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1. Vokes is another who may well earn a recall, with Barnes and Gray’s starting roles appearing vulnerable. Boyd and Arfield are perhaps more likely to retain starting berths if, as expected Gudmundsson remains sidelined.

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

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro (Willian 49), Diego Costa (Chalobah 81), Hazard (Batshuayi 90).

• Antonio Conte was forced into making one change to the side that defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 for the trip to the Etihad, with Cesc Fabregas coming in for the injured Nemanja Matic.
• Fabregas started alongside N’Golo Kante in central midfield in the 3-4-3 then, with Pedro, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa continuing in the front three.
• Having picked up a knock during the first-half, Pedro only lasted four minutes into the second half before making way for Willian in a straight swap. Diego Costa then also appeared to sustain a problem, forcing Conte to bring on Nathaniel Chalobah in his place late one. That change saw Hazard take over as the lone striker, with Chalobah slotting into midfield as Chelsea looked to hold their 2-1 lead. After scoring the third, Hazard made way for Michy Batshuyai in a straight swap.
• While Fabregas impressed at the Etihad, Matic could come straight back into the side for the home clash against West Bromwich Albion if he recovers from a muscle injury. Pedro may return from his ankle knock, but after scoring off the bench, Willian will be pushing for a start on the right of the front three. Diego Costa is expected to shrug off his issue which, according to Conte was due to fatigue.

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

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey, Ward, Dann, Tomkins (Kelly 89), Delaney, Zaha, Ledley, McArthur (Flamini 89), Puncheon, C Benteke, Townsend (Sako 80).

• Eagles boss Alan Pardew made three changes for the visit of Southampton to Selhurst Park, with Andros Townsend coming in for the injured Connor Wickham, while Damien Delaney earned a recall at the expense of Martin Kelly at the back. The final change saw Joe Ledley replace the suspended Yohan Cabaye.
• Delaney slotted in at centre-back alongside Scott Dann, with James Tomkins shifting to right-back, seeing Joel Ward move across to the left. Townsend was stationed on the left of the attacking midfield trio, while Ledley joined James McArthur at the base of midfield in the 4-2-3-1.
• With Palace putting in a much-improved performance, Pardew only made his three substitutions during the final 10 minutes, with Bakary Sako firstly taking over from Townsend. Kelly and Mathieu Flamini then replaced Tomkins and McArthur in straight swaps.
• After returning to form with a 3-0 win, Pardew is likely to name a similar side for the trip to Hull City. Cabaye will be available again after serving his one-match ban but may have to settle for a place on the bench. After keeping their first clean sheet of the season, changes are also unlikely at the back.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield

Everton

Starting XI: Stekelenburg; Coleman (Holgate 67), Williams, Funes Mori, Baines; Barry, Gueye; Bolasie (Valencia 68), Mirallas, Cleverley (Deulofeu 65); Lukaku.

• Everton boss Ronald Koeman made two alterations from the side that lost 1-0 to Southampton for the home fixture against Man United, with Ramiro Funes Mori, Tom Cleverley and Kevin Mirallas recalled in place of Phil Jagielka, Ross Barkley and Aaron Lennon.
• Funes Mori started alongside Ashley Williams in central defence, while Cleverley operated on the left of a three-man midfield. Mirallas was stationed in front of him as part of the attacking three for the Toffees.
• With Everton trailing 1-0, Koeman turned to Gerard Deulofeu off the bench, with the Spaniard replacing Cleverley. Minutes later, Seamus Coleman and Yannick Bolasie were forced off with knocks to be replaced by Mason Holgate and Enner Valencia. Holgate slotted in at right-back, while Valencia’s introduction saw Everton switch to a 4-4-2, with Valencia joining Romelu Lukaku up front. Deulofeu played on the right side of midfield, with Mirallas on the left.
• After an improved performance, Koeman may look to name a similar starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Vicarage Road. Coleman and Bolasie are doubts, though, so Holgate and Deulofeu will be on standby, with Jagielka and Lennon also providing alternative options. Barkley is another who may push for a recall, although Koeman may well stick with the 4-3-3, perhaps meaning that Cleverley will retain a starting berth. James McCarthy could potentially challenge for a place in central midfield, though. Maarten Stekelenburg was at fault for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s goal but would seem likely to keep his place ahead of Joel Robles.

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

Leicester City

Starting XI: Zieler; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez (Musa 73), Amartey, King, Albrighton (Gray 73); Slimani (Okazaki 68), Vardy.

• Claudio Ranieri only made one adjustment from the side that drew 2-2 against Middlesbrough for the trip to the Stadium of Light, with Islam Slimani starting in place of Shinji Okazaki.
• Slimani partnered Jamie Vardy in attack as Ranieri rolled out the 4-4-2.
• But after falling a goal behind, Ranieri chose to bring on Okazaki in place of Slimani for the final 22 minutes, seeing a switch back to a 4-4-1-1 system. Shortly after, Demarai Gray and Ahmed Musa replaced Marc Albrighton and Riyad Mahrez in straight swaps as the champions looked for a foothold.
• Given the Foxes have failed to win in their last five league matches, Ranieri appears likely to make some changes for Saturday’s home clash against Manchester City. Nampalys Mendy was an unused substitute on Saturday and could challenge for a place in central midfield in place of either Daniel Amartey or Andy King. Gray or Musa may challenge Albrighton for a starting spot on the left wing, while after scoring as a substitute, Okazaki will be pushing to replace either Slimani or Vardy. Ranieri could also consider freshening up in the full-back positions, with Luis Hernandez and Jeffrey Schlupp possible alternatives. A switch to a 4-5-1 or similar formation may also be a possibility given the Foxes are regularly being outnumbered in midfield this season.

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

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius; Clyne, Lovren, Lucas, Milner; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Emre Can; Mane (Lallana 69), Origi, Firmino.

• Jurgen Klopp was forced into making two changes from the side that beat Sunderland 2-0 for the trip to Bournemouth, with Lucas Leiva and Divock Origi coming in for the injured Joel Matip and Philippe Coutinho.
• Lucas partnered Dejan Lovren in central defence for the Reds, while Origi operated as the central striker, seeing Roberto Firmino shift over to the left of the front three.
• Klopp only made one change, with Adam Lallana returning from a groin injury to replace Sadio Mane, who limped off with what appeared to be a muscle problem.
• After conceding four goals at the Vitality Stadium, Klopp will be desperate for Matip to recover from an ankle injury to replace Lucas in central defence. Ragnar Klavan provides another option in that position. Lallana looks set to push for a recall, although it’s difficult to know how he will slot in if Mane is passed fit for Sunday’s home fixture against West Ham United. Wijnaldum could be the one to make way in central midfield, with Origi perhaps more likely to keep his starting role after scoring his third goal in three appearances in all competitions.

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

Manchester City

Starting XI: Bravo; Stones (Iheanacho 78), Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Gundogan (Toure 76), Navas, Sane (Clichy 69), Silva, De Bruyne, Aguero.

• Pep Guardiola made six changes for the visit of Chelsea to the Etihad, with John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, Jesus Navas, Leroy Sane, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne coming in for Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Fernando, Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling and Nolito.
• Those changes saw Guardiola match up against Chelsea’s 3-4-3, with Sane (left) and Navas (right) used as wing-backs. Stones joined Nicolas Otamendi and Aleksandar Kolarov in the three-man backline, while De Bruyne and Silva flanked central striker Sergio Aguero.
• With Sane struggling defensively, Guardiola decided to bring Clichy on in his place in a straight swap for the final 21 minutes. Toure then took over from Gundogan in central midfield, with Guardiola’s final substitution seeing Kelechi Iheancho come on for Stones, with the Nigerian joining Aguero in attack as City looked to find an equaliser, leaving just Otamendi, Kolarov and Fernandinho in defence.
• Guardiola will be without the suspended Otamendi, Fernandinho and Aguero for Saturday’s trip to Leicester City, so Iheanacho would appear likely to start in attack, while if he goes back to a four-man backline, Stones, Kolarov and Clichy are all set to figure. Either Sagna or Pablo Zabaleta could play at right-back, with Fernando perhaps set to earn a recall in midfield. Sterling could return if he shakes off a minor knock, with Navas and Sane both perhaps likely to drop down to the bench. Toure is another who may well come into contention for a recall given that he is ineligible to play in tomorrow night’s Champions League clash with Celtic. Gundogan’s starting spot could also be in doubt, then.

Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: All Positions

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Darmian; Carrick; Mkhitaryan (Fellaini 84), Herrera, Pogba, Martial (Rashford 82); Ibrahimovic.

• Jose Mourinho made three changes from the side that drew 1-1 against West Ham United for the trip to Goodison Park, with Michael Carrick, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial coming in for Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford.
• Carrick returned at the base of midfield in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Mkhitaryan (right) and Martial (left) operating out wide. Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba formed the central midfield partnership.
• With United holding a 1-0 lead, Mourinho decided to freshen up his midfield during the final 10 minutes, with Rashford firstly replacing Martial in a straight swap. Marouane Fellaini then entered the fray in place of Mkhitaryan, who may have suffered a knock. Fellaini played in central midfield, with Herrera moving over to the right.
• Eric Bailly returned from injury to be named among the substitutes on Sunday: he will now challenge for a starting role for Sunday’s home clash against Tottenham Hotspur, with Marcos Rojo perhaps the most likely to come under threat. If Mourinho sticks with the 4-1-4-1, Carrick, Herrera and Pogba should all keep their places, but a switch to a 4-2-3-1 could see one of those make way for an extra attacking midfielder, such as Juan Mata or Wayne Rooney. Rashford and Lingard provide further attacking options on the flanks, although Mkhitaryan and Martial may have done enough to retain their starts.

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

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