Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 25 – Part Two

An injury to Andy Carroll allows Manuel Lanzini to turn in a starring role in his return to the West Ham teamsheet. Josh King starts up front for Bournemouth once again, while the fit-again Jonny Evans is afforded no more than a cameo role for West Brom.

Having published Part One yesterday, we assess the remaining ten teams, looking at the tactical tweaks and personnel changes ahead of a slightly truncated Gameweek 26 schedule.

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Boruc; A Smith, Francis (Mings 22), Cook, Daniels; Surman, Arter; Ibe (Pugh 76), Wilshere (Afobe 45), Fraser; King.

• Eddie Howe made three changes from the side that lost 6-3 to Everton for the home encounter against Manchester City, with Adam Smith, Charlie Daniels and Jordon Ibe replacing Tyrone Mings, Dan Gosling and Marc Pugh.
• Howe reverted back to a four-man defence, then, with Smith and Daniels returning at right-back and left-back respectively. Ibe started on the right of the attacking midfield trio, while Josh King continued as the Cherries’ lone striker.
• Bournemouth were forced into making two substitutions during the first half, with Simon Francis replaced by Tyrone Mings in a straight swap after picking up a knock. Jack Wilshere then appeared to suffer an ankle injury, and made way for Benik Afobe. The substitute took over as the lone striker, with King dropping into the No 10 role vacated by Wilshere. Howe’s final switch saw Pugh come on in place of Ibe – the former operated on the left wing, with Ryan Fraser moving over to the right flank.
• Howe will hope the injuries suffered by Francis and Wilshere are not serious, ahead of the trip to West Bromwich Albion in 11 days’ time. Should they be ruled out, Mings and Afobe appear likely replacements, although Pugh and Junior Stanislas offer further attacking alternatives, with King also capable of playing across the forward line.

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

Manchester City

Starting XI: Caballero; Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Fernandinho; De Bruyne, Toure (Otamendi 70), Silva; Sterling (Nolito 90), Gabriel Jesus (Aguero 15), Sane.

• Pep Guardiola only made one adjustment for the trip to the Vitality Stadium, with Bacary Sagna recalled in place of Gael Clichy.
• Sagna slotted in at right-back for City, with Fernandinho shifting over to left-back. Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane once again formed the front three.
• Guardiola had to make an early change after Gabriel Jesus was forced off a foot injury. The Brazilian was replaced by Sergio Aguero in a straight swap. Nicolas Otamendi was then introduced for Yaya Toure, who had picked up a yellow card. Otamendi joined John Stones in central defence, with Aleksandar Kolarov moving to left-back, and Fernandinho into the defensive midfield role. Nolito was handed a brief cameo appearance late on, replacing Sterling.
• Guardiola continues to rotate in defence, and with matches in both the FA Cup and Champions League before their next league encounter, against Sunderland on March 5, that looks set to continue. The likes of Otamendi, Vincent Kompany, Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta could all push for starts. then. Rotation could also sneak into the front six positions too, with the likes of Nolito, Jesus Navas and Fernando perhaps likely to come back into contention. City have today confirmed that Jesus has suffered a fractured metarsal, which is likely to see Aguero return as the first-choice striker for the season run-in, although Kelechi Iheanacho may also be a factor.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Defence, Lone Striker

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Cédric Soares, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand; Romeu, Davis; Ward-Prowse, Tadić (Hojbjerg 81), Redmond; Gabbiadini (Long 72).

• Saints boss Claude Puel made two alterations for the trip to the Stadium of Light, with Nathan Redmond recalled in place of the injured Sofiane Boufal, while Dusan Tadic replaced Jay Rodriguez.
• Those changes saw Puel tweak his usual 4-3-3, instead opting for a 4-2-3-1. Oriol Romeu and Steven Davis started in the double-pivot, with James Ward-Prowse (right), Dusan Tadic (No 10) and Nathan Redmond (left) forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Manolo Gabbiadini.
• Puel’s first substitution saw Shane Long take over the lone striker role from Gabbiadini for the final 18 minutes. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was then handed a few minutes late on in place of Tadic, as the visitors looked to see out that match in a slightly more defensive 4-3-3.
• Southampton are now without a league match until March 4, when they travel to Watford. Given the success of the 4-2-3-1, Puel may consider giving it another try against the Hornets, making changes less likely. Much may depend on how Saints fare against Man United in the EFL Cup six days before the trip to Vicarage Road, though. The likes of Hojbjerg and Jordy Clasie are viable alternatives in central midfield, while Rodriguez and perhaps Boufal, if he recovers from an ankle injury, could challenge for places out wide. After scoring twice on Wearside, Gabbiadini should keep his place up front.

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

Stoke City

Starting XI: Grant; Bardsley (Johnson 58), Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters; Whelan, Adam (Afellay 79); Arnautovic, Allen, Ramadan Sobhi (Diouf 81); Crouch.

• Mark Hughes made one adjustment for the visit of Crystal Palace to the bet365 Stadium, with Ramadan Sobhi recalled in place of Ibrahim Afellay, following his return from the AFCON.
• Sobhi was stationed on the left of the three advanced midfield positions in the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Marko Arnautovic switching over to the right.
• Hughes was forced into making a change just before the hour mark, with the returning Glen Johnson taking over from Phil Bardsley at right-back, after he’d picked up a slight knock. Afellay then replaced Charlie Adam in a straight swap at the base of midfield, while Hughes’ final substitution saw Mame Biram Diouf come on for Sobhi for the final nine minutes. Diouf played down the right flank, seeing Arnautovic return to his usual position on the left wing.
• Even if Bardsley does recover from the knock to be fit for the Gameweek 26 trip to White Hart Lane, the return to fitness of Johnson is likely to see him start at right-back. Afellay offers an alternative in central midfield and on the right wing, but could struggle to earn a recall. Xherdan Shaqiri could push for a start if he recovers from a calf injury, though, which in turn could allow Arnautovic to return to the left flank. Hughes has stated Berahino may be able to start matches over the coming weeks as he improves his match sharpness, but the fact that he didn’t come on against Palace suggests Peter Crouch’s starting role may not be under too much threat for the time being.

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

Sunderland

Starting XI: Mannone; Kone, O’Shea (Pienaar 46) Denayer; Jones, Ndong, Gibson (Khazri 81), Larsson (Borini 58), Oviedo; Januzaj, Defoe.

• David Moyes was forced into making one change from the side that beat Crystal Palace 4-0 for the home clash against Southampton, with Darron Gibson earning his first start for the club in place of the injured Jack Rodwell.
• Gibson operated as the deepest of the three central midfield players, alongside Didier Ndong and Sebastian Larsson in the 3-5-1-1 formation favoured by Moyes in recent matches.
• But with his side trailing 2-0 at half-time, Moyes decided to introduce Steven Pienaar in place of John O’Shea, seeing a shift to more of a 4-4-1-1 system. All four midfielders played narrowly, though, with the width provided by full-backs Billy Jones and Bryan Oviedo. Moyes then turned to Fabio Borini, who was brought on for Larsson just before the hour mark, seeing the home side switch to what appeared to be a 4-3-1-2, with Adnan Januzaj playing just behind Borini and Jermain Defoe. Wahbi Khazri then replaced Gibson for the final nine minutes.
• After tinkering with his tactics throughout the match, it’s uncertain which formation Moyes will look to use at Goodison Park in Gameweek 26. He may well stick with a three-man backline, in which case there may be no changes in personnel in defence. Rodwell may have a chance of returning from a hamstring injury to face his former club, and perhaps start at the expense of another former Everton player in Gibson. Pienaar offers another option in midfield, while if Moyes considers a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, the likes of Borini and Khazri may be considered for recalls. A change in goal is also possible, with Jordan Pickford back in training following a knee injury, so Vito Mannone’s starting berth now looks under threat.

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

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Mawson, Fernandez, Olsson; Cork; Dyer (Routledge 7) (Narsingh 89), Fer, Carroll, Sigurdsson; Llorente (Ayew 72).

• Paul Clement made one adjustment for the home clash against Leicester City, with Nathan Dyer replacing Wayne Routledge.
• Dyer was chosen to start on the right of the front three, alongside Fernando Llorente and Gylfi Sigurdsson in the 4-3-3 formation favoured under Clement.
• Clement was forced into making an early change, though, after Dyer suffered an Achilles injury. Routledge took over in a straight swap on the right wing. Jordan Ayew was handed his Swans debut off the bench, providing fresh legs in place of Llorente, while Luciano Narsingh did likewise in place of Routledge late on.
• Dyer was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI on Sunday, but has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Given that the Swans travel to leaders Chelsea next, it may be Routledge who is handed the starting spot on the right wing, with Narsingh and Ayew providing more attacking alternatives.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Right Wing

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Dier, Davies; Dembele (Sissoko 77), Wanyama; Alli, Eriksen (Winks 68), Son Heung-min (Janssen 82); Kane (Janssen 90).

• Mauricio Pochettino named the same side that beat Middlesbrough 1-0 for the trip to Anfield.
• The Spurs boss stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation, then, with Christian Eriksen (right), Dele Alli (No 10) and Son Heung-min (left) again forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Harry Kane.
• Pochettino’s first substitution saw Harry Winks come on in place of Eriksen. Winks joined Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele in midfield, with Son then playing more centrally next to Kane in more of a 4-3-1-2 system. Moussa Sissoko then replaced Dembele in the middle of the park, while Vincent Janssen took over from Son in attack for the last eight minutes.
• Following a disappointing performance against Liverpool, Pochettino may consider switching from the 4-2-3-1 back to the 3-4-2-1, particularly if Danny Rose is available to return from his knee injury for the home fixture against Stoke City in Gameweek 26. Kevin Wimmer could push for a recall in central defence, then, with Son’s place in the side perhaps under threat. But if the Tottenham boss does stick with the 4-2-3-1, his options in terms of changing personnel appear limited, with Winks, Sissoko and Janssen unlikely to push for starting berths.

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

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Cathcart (Success 83), Kaboul, Prodl, Britos (Janmaat 46), Holebas; Capoue, Cleverley; Niang, Deeney, Zarate (Okaka 74).

• Walter Mazzarri made one alteration for the trip to Old Trafford, with Miguel Britos starting in place of Valon Behrami.
• Britos was stationed at left-back for Watford, with Jose Holebas playing on the left side of midfield in what was more of a 4-5-1 formation.
• Britos was replaced at half-time, though, with Daryl Janmaat taking his place at left-back. Stefano Okaka was the brought on for Mauro Zarate, while as a final roll of the dice in an attempt to get back into the match, Isaac Success was introduced for Craig Cathcart. That saw Watford switch to more of a 4-4-2, with Janmaat and Holebas playing at right-back and left-back respectively, while Success played on the left wing, leaving Okaka and Troy Deeney up front.
• With the Hornets hosting West Ham United in their next match, Mazzarri may well revert back to the 4-3-3 formation used in the 2-1 win over Burnley. Behrami may earn a recall in central midfield, then, with Britos likely to make way, allowing Holebas to return to left-back. Okaka and Success offer different options in attack, but they may struggle to earn recalls in place of either M’Baye Niang or Zarate.

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

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Nyom, Dawson, McAuley, Brunt; Fletcher, Livermore; Phillips (Robson-Kanu 67), Morrison (Yacob 79), Chadli (Evans 53); Rondon.

• Tony Pulis named the same side that beat Stoke City 1-0 for the trip to the London Stadium.
• Both Jonny Evans and Claudio Yacob were fit to return to the bench though, but the likes of Allan Nyom and Jake Livermore retained their places in the starting XI.
• Evans was the first player brought on by Pulis, replacing Nacer Chadli eight minutes into the second half. That change forced a reshuffle, with Pulis switching from his usual 4-2-3-1 system to a 3-4-3. Evans joined Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson in central defence, allowing Nyom and Chris Brunt to operate as wing-backs. Once Hal Robson-Kanu was brought on for Matt Phillips, that changed to more of a 3-4-1-2, with James Morrison playing just behind the front two of Salomon Rondon and Robson-Kanu. Yacob replaced Morrison with 11 minutes remaining in a defensive-minded move, with Pulis seemingly happy to take a point at that stage.
• The return to fitness of Evans from a calf injury could have several knock-on effects through the rest of the side when the Baggies host Bournemouth in Gameweek 26. If he goes with the 4-2-3-1, Dawson should return to right-back, with Nyom either dropping to the bench, or starting at left-back, allowing Brunt to play in either wide position. But with Chadli and Morrison in particular in good form, it could be that Phillips’ place is the most under threat should Brunt be used in a more attacking role. Yacob may also push for a recall in place of Livermore in the middle of the park.

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

West Ham United

Starting XI: Randolph; Kouyate, Fonte, Reid, Cresswell (Calleri 46); Noble, Obiang; Feghouli (Collins 90), Snodgrass (Fernandes 87), Lanzini; Antonio.

• Slaven Bilic was forced into making once change from the side that beat Southampton 3-1 for the home fixture against West Bromwich Albion, with Manuel Lanzini recalled in place of the injured Andy Carroll.
• That saw Bilic switch from the 4-4-2 he’s been favouring of late to a 4-2-3-1, with Sofiane Feghouli (right), Robert Snodgrass (No 10) and Manuel Lanzini (left) forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Michail Antonio.
• But after Aaron Cresswell picked up a knock during the first-half, and was subsequently replaced at the break by Jonathan Calleri, Bilic was forced into changing things around. Winston Reid moved to left-back, and Pedro Obiang to centre-back, while Lanzini dropped into central midfield alongside Mark Noble. Antonio shifted out to the left wing, with Calleri taking over as the lone striker. Edimilson Fernandes and James Collins were introduced late on in place of Snodgrass and Feghouli as the Hammers looked to see out their 2-1 lead.
• With 11 days until West Ham travel to Watford, both Cresswell and Carroll may have enough time to recover from their respective injuries. If they’re both fit, it’s likely that Bilic will return to the 4-4-2, with Carroll and Antonio up front, meaning one of Feghouli or Lanzini will likely drop to the bench. Andre Ayew will also be available for selection following his return from the AFCON, while Calleri provides another alternative in attack.

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