Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 3 – Part Two

Pep Guardiola changs both formation and personnel – most pertinently in attack – as rotation begins to bite at Manchester City.

Mauricio Pochettino makes a similar move for Spurs, but it’s closer to business as usual for Manchester United, Southampton and a host of other sides.

Here’s part two of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 3, with one eye on what’s to come following the international break. Part one can be viewed here.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Mendy; D Silva (Stones 90), Fernandinho, De Bruyne; B Silva (Aguero 66), Gabriel Jesus (Sane 82), Sterling. Subs not used: Bravo, Mangala, Toure, Delph.

• What we saw: Pep Guardiola opted for a 4-1-2-3 system against Bournemouth, handing first starts to Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva. Mendy played at left-back, with Silva on the right of a front three. Raheem Sterling was utilised on the left, with Gabriel Jesus favoured over Sergio Aguero as the central striker. David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne operated just in front of holding midfielder Fernandinho, while John Stones dropped to the bench due to the change in formation. Danilo started at right-back in the absence of the suspended Kyle Walker.
• What we learned: The change in system still saw City struggle to overcome Bournemouth, leaving further question marks over how Guardiola will set up his side moving forward. Walker will return for the home meeting with Liverpool after the international break and will be expected to replace Danilo at right-back. A four-man defence doesn’t bode well for Stones’ prospects, while Bernardo Silva’s encouraging debut adds further doubt among the City attack. Leroy Sane certainly looks to be down the pecking order, while with the UEFA Champions League group stage starting next month, Jesus and Aguero could share minutes. Rotation in general looks a big concern along with De Bruyne’s deeper role that limits his influence around the penalty area.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defenders, attacking midfield, forwards

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Bailly, Blind; Matic, Pogba; Mata (Rashford 67), Mkhitaryan (Fellaini 74), Martial (Lingard 77); Lukaku. Subs not used: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Herrera.

• What we saw: Jose Mourinho only made one adjustment for the visit of Leicester City to Old Trafford, with the in-form Anthony Martial getting a start on the left wing in place of Marcus Rashford. The United boss went with a 4-2-3-1 from the off, switching again to a 4-3-3 once Marouane Fellaini was brought on for Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Fellow subs Rashford and Jesse Lingard operated either side of central striker Romelu Lukaku.
• What we learned: While Martial enjoyed an impressive outing, Rashford’s goal means he may come back into the side for the Gameweek 4 trip to Stoke City. Further changes appear unlikely, although with the Champions League group stage getting underway next month, we could begin to see some rotation. Phil Jones is playing with a minor ankle problem but is set to continue at centre-back as he is suspended for United’s first Champions League group stage matche. Eric Bailly is also banned for the opener, so they look to be assured starters over the next two Gameweeks.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Left wing

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Elliot; Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Mbemba; Hayden (Diame 82), Merino; Ritchie (Murphy 88), Perez, Atsu; Joselu (Mitrovic 72). Subs not used: Woodman, Gamez, Aarons, Saivet.

• What we saw: Rafa Benitez handed a first league start to Joselu, with Dwight Gayle missing out due to illness. The rest of the Newcastle side was unchanged in a 4-2-3-1 formation as Chancel Mbemba continued at left-back.
• What we learned: After picking up a first win of the season, changes are unlikely for the Gameweek 4 trip to Swansea City. Benitez will hope Florian Lejeune (ankle) and DeAndre Yedlin (hamstring) recover in time for the trip to south Wales, with Mbemba’s start looking most at risk. After impressing in the lone striker role, Joselu should get another chance to start after the international break. Jonjo Shelvey will be available again following his three-match ban, but he may have to wait for his chance, with Mikel Merino particularly impressive against the Hammers.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central defenders

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Cedric, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand; Davis, Romeu; Redmond, Lemina (Long 64), Tadic (McQueen 74); Gabbiadini (Ward-Prowse 70). Subs not used: McCarthy, Hoedt, Austin, Ward-Prowse, Boufal.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pellegrino kept faith in the side that beat West Ham United 3-2, with Mario Lemina recovering from a gashed shin to start at the base of midfield in the 4-2-3-1 formation. The Saints boss brought on Shane Long on the right wing, with Steven Davis dropping back alongside Oriol Romeu, before the Republic of Ireland international replaced Manolo Gabbiadini as the lone striker and James Ward-Prowse took over down the right.
• What we learned: Pellegrino has kept a settled side over his first three league matches, and that shouldn’t change radically as we head into September. Wesley Hoedt is expected to push for a start in central defence though, leaving either Jack Stephens or Maya Yoshida at risk. Charlie Austin was surprisingly unused against the Terriers, suggesting that Gabbiadini’s start remains secure. Ward-Prowse may find it difficult to force his way back into the starting XI.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Zouma, Shawcross, Martins Indi; Cameron (Ramadan Sobhi 70), Allen, Fletcher, Pieters; Shaqiri, Jese (Crouch 62); Choupo-Moting. Subs not used: Grant, Johnson, Berahino, Adam, Bojan.

• What we saw: Mark Hughes made one alteration from the side that beat Arsenal 1-0 for the trip to West Bromwich Albion, with Bruno Martins Indi starting at the expense of Mame Biram Diouf. Geoff Cameron shifted across to right wing-back. Xherdan Shaqiri recovered from a hamstring problem to start in the front three. Peter Crouch came on to replace Jese shortly after the hour mark, with Choupo-Moting moving to the left. Hughes then switched to a 4-2-3-1 following the introduction of Ramadan Sobhi for Cameron. Zouma moved to right-back, while Sobhi was stationed primarily on the right wing, with Shaqiri drifting into a No 10 position.
• What we learned: While Hughes looks set to favour a three-man defence, particularly now that Kevin Wimmer has joined the club, he can easily shift to a 4-2-3-1 during matches if needs be. Cameron could see more playing time at right wing-back, given Diouf’s tendency to be rash in the tackle. While Crouch scored the vital equaliser, the front three may stay unchanged for the visit of Manchester United to the bet365 Stadium following the break.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, right wing-back

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Fernandez, van der Hoorn (Routledge 70), Mawson; Naughton (Rangel 88), Carroll, Fer, Olsson, Clucas; Ayew, Abraham (McBurnie 78). Subs not used: Narsingh, Nordfeldt, Roque Mesa, Fulton.

• What we saw: Swans head coach Paul Clement stuck with a three-man defence for the trip to Crystal Palace, with Mike van der Hoorn replacing the injured Kyle Bartley. Sam Clucas was handed his debut, taking over from Roque Mesa in central midfield in the 3-5-2 system. Van der Hoorn was replaced by Wayne Routledge for tactical reasons as the Swans moved to a 4-4-2. The substitute operated wide on the right, with Tom Carroll drifting over to the left.
• What we learned: This was the second successive match in which Clement opted for a three-man backline, and after picking up a first league win of the season, he may well retain this system for the home clash against Newcastle United. Mesa and Leon Britton may struggle to get back into the side in central midfield, but Fernando Llorente is expected to be available – providing he remains in south Wales. Other new faces are expected over the next few days, though.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, forwards

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele (Sanchez 90); Eriksen (Winks 88), Alli, Son Heung-min (Sissoko 70); Kane. Subs not used: Vorm, Walker-Peters, Oakley-Boothe, Janssen.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pochettino changed to a 4-2-3-1 formation for the home meeting with Burnley, with Eric Dier joining Mousa Dembele in the double-pivot in the absence of the injured Victor Wanyama (knee). Son Heung-min earned a first start of the season alongside Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen in the attacking midfield positions, while Kieran Trippier recovered from a knock to start at right-back. Davinson Sanchez was handed his Spurs debut late on.
• What we learned: Pochettino is still trying to find the best formula this season, and a switch back to a 3-4-2-1 looks possible for the Gameweek 4 trip to Everton. Dier or Sanchez could start next to Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in central defence, with Son dropping to the bench. Wanyama may start in central midfield, providing he’s passed fit. Further new additions are expected over the next 48 hours, which could change the picture further by the time Spurs play next.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Femenia, Prodl, Kabasele, Britos; Doucoure, Cleverley, Chalobah; Richardlison, Gray (Deeney 83), Amrabat (Cathcart 28) (Carrillo 47). Subs not used: Pantilimon, Success, Watson, Capoue.

• What we saw: Hornets head coach Marco Silva decided to use Miguel Britos at left-back in place of the suspended Jose Holebas, in what was again a 4-2-3-1 formation. But after Britos was sent off, Silva moved Kiko Femenia over to the left, with Craig Cathcart brought on to play at right-back. That change saw Tom Cleverley operate slightly wider on the right in more of a 4-4-1 system. Cathcart was then forced off with a knock just after half-time, Andre Carrillo making his Hornets debut.
• What we learned: Britos will now miss the next three league matches due to suspension, although Holebas will return from his one-match ban for the Gameweek 4 trip to Southampton. Silva will hope that Younes Kaboul, Daryl Janmaat and Roberto Pereyra are all fit for the clash at St Mary’s to bolster his options.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defenders, left wing

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Brunt; Barry; Phillips (McClean 75), Livermore, Morrison (Yacob 70), Rodriguez (Burke 88); Rondon. Subs not used: Myhill, Chadli, Field, Wilson.

• What we saw: Baggies head coach Tony Pulis once again deployed a 4-1-4-1 formation for the home fixture against Stoke City, but he decided to hand a first league start of the season to Salomon Rondon. The Venezuelan operated as the lone striker, with Jay Rodriquez moving out to the left wing. The fit-again James Morrison also came into the starting XI in central midfield, replacing Sam Field. During the latter stages, James McClean came on to operate on the left, while Oliver Burke was handed his Premier League debut down the opposite flank.
• What we learned: The decision to deploy Rodriguez out wide paid off for Pulis when the former Southampton man ghosted in at the far post to score his first Premier League goal for the club. Rodriguez and Rondon may be used in the same positions when the Baggies travel to Brighton in Gameweek 4, although Burke could come into contention for a start out wide. Claudio Yacob and Field remain viable starters in central midfield, while a new centre-back is likely if Jonny Evans departs the Hawthorns over the coming days. Gareth McAuley may also be in contention after the international break, having missed the start of the campaign due to a thigh injury.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, flanks, lone striker

West Ham United

Starting XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice (Lanzini 46), Noble (Kouyate 71); Antonio, Ayew (Sakho 70), Fernandes; Hernandez. Subs not used: Adrian, Fonte, Masuaku, Obiang.

• What we saw: Hammers boss Slaven Bilic chose to use Edimilson Fernandes on the left wing in the absence of the suspended Marko Arnautovic. He opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Michail Antonio on the opposite flank, leaving Andre Ayew in a support striker role. James Collins was favoured over Jose Fonte in central defence. At half-time, Bilic decided the introduce the fit-again Manuel Lanzini, who replaced youngster Declan Rice and took over from Fernandes in the advanced midfield spot. Cheikhou Kouyate also made his first league appearance of the season off the bench.
• What we learned: Following a dismal 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park, Bilic looks set to make changes for the home clash against Huddersfield Town. Lanzini and Kouyate could both return to the starting XI, with Fernandes and Rice perhaps most likely to make way. The West Ham boss will also hope Winston Reid recovers from a calf injury to return in central defence, with Collins in line to move back to the bench. Andy Carroll (hip) was believed to be close to a first-team return last weekend and could feature against the Terriers.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield, forwards