Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 6 – Part One

Pep Guardiola’s taste for rotation returns and bites Gabriel Jesus owners, although that gives Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling the opportunity to fill their boots and submit CVs to Fantasy managers.

Elsewhere, Antonio Conte shuffles his Chelsea pack, Sean Dyche switches to one up front at home, and Ronald Koeman’s decision to revert to a four at the back pays off – eventually.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 6, with one eye on what’s to come at the weekend.

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; A Smith, Francis, Ake (Mousset 83), Daniels: Ibe, Gosling, Surman, Stanislas: King (S Cook 79), Defoe (Afobe 75). Subs not used: Pugh, Ramsdale, L Cook, Fraser.

• What we saw: The Cherries lined up in more of a 4-4-2 against Everton, with Josh King stationed alongside Jermain Defoe in attack. Jordon Ibe was rewarded for his impressive cameo appearance in Gameweek 5 with a start on the right wing, while the fit-again Junior Stanislas was handed his first league start of the campaign on the opposite flank. Dan Gosling came back into the side in central midfield, but Steve Cook had to settle for a place on the bench.
• What we learned: While he was returning from an injury, the fact that Cook didn’t automatically come back into the starting XI might mean he has fallen down the pecking order. Adam Smith and Simon Francis could both keep their places at right-back and centre-back respectively. Harry Arter missed out with a minor Achilles injury and will be expected to return in place of Gosling in central midfield against Leicester City. Ryan Fraser and Marc Pugh provide possible alternatives in the wide positions.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defenders, central midfield, flanks

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Suttner; Stephens, Propper; Knockaert (Murphy 80), Gross, March; Hemed. Subs not used: Hunemeier, Izquierdo, Schelotto, Rosenior, Krul, Brown.

• What we saw: Chris Hughton only made one alteration for the visit of Newcastle United to the Amex Stadium, with fit-again captain Bruno replacing Liam Rosenior at right-back. Otherwise, he stuck with the usual 4-4-1-1 formation. Izzy Brown was fit to return among the substitutes, but Glenn Murray missed out on the squad, despite returning to full training earlier in the week.
• What we learned: The Brighton side has a settled look to it, and after registering their second win of the season, changes appear unlikely for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal. Tomer Hemed could be the subject of a retrospective charge of violent conduct following a stamp on DeAndre Yedlin, though. If found guilty, he could be handed a three match-ban. Should that be the case, Murray, or perhaps even Brown, might get an opportunity to lead the Brighton attack. With Solly March and Anthony Knockaert performing well, Jose Izquierdo will have to remain patient for first-team opportunities.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Lone striker

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Arfield (Gudmundsson 77), Cork, Defour, Brady; Hendrick (Barnes 74); Wood. Subs not used: Legzdins, Vokes, Westwood, Bardsley, Long.

• What we saw: Having used a 4-5-1 formation in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool, Clarets boss Sean Dyche tweaked his tactics at home to Huddersfield Town, opting for a 4-4-1-1 system. The fit-again Jeff Hendrick was stationed in the central support role, with Robbie Brady (right) and Scott Arfield (left) on the flanks.
• What we learned: Dyche is still generally favouring a 4-5-1 system for tough away matches and either a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-4-2 at home. Burnley travel to Everton next, so Hendrick may drop into a slightly deeper midfield role. Johann Berg Gudmundsson was left out last weekend but provides a different option out wide. Sam Vokes and Ashley Barnes may have to bide their time for opportunities, with Chris Wood currently favoured in attack.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, forwards

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso (Cahill 58); Willian (Hazard 73), Morata, Pedro (Fabregas 68). Subs not used: Caballero, Zappacosta, Musonda, Batshuayi.

• What we saw: Antonio Conte decided to hand a start to Andreas Christensen for the trip to Stoke City, with Gary Cahill dropping to the bench. Tiemoue Bakayoko was preferred to Cesc Fabregas in central midfield, while Eden Hazard had to again settle for a place among the substitutes. In danger of being dismissed due to being on a yellow card, Marcos Alonso was substituted agonisingly just before the hour mark, with Cesar Azpilicueta moving to left wing-back to accommodate Cahill.
• What we learned: The Blues face Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, which should provide some clues as to the likely line-up for Gameweek 7’s match against Man City. If Hazard starts at the weekend, it’s probably Willian who is more likely to miss out than Pedro. Fabregas provides a viable alternative to Bakayoko in central midfield, while Cahill should return in defence at the expense of Christensen. David Luiz remains suspended for next weekend but serves out his suspension in that match.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, attacking midfield

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Fosu-Mensah, Dann, Sakho, van Aanholt; Townsend, Milivojevic, Cabaye (Puncheon 57), Schlupp; Loftus-Cheek; Benteke (Sako 71). Subs not used: Speroni, Ward, Tomkins, McArthur, Riedewald.

• What we saw: After using a 4-2-3-1 in his first match in charge at home to Southampton, Roy Hodgson opted for a more defensive 4-4-1-1 away to Manchester City. Mamadou Sakho made his first start of the season in central defence as Timothy Fosu-Mensah shifted across to right-back in place of Joel Ward. Patrick van Aanholt came in at left-back, allowing Jeffrey Schlupp to push forward to a left-sided midfield role. Luka Milivojevic started at the expense of James McArthur in central midfield. Christian Benteke was forced off with a suspected knee ligament injury, with Bakary Sako having to take over as a makeshift striker.
• What we learned: Benteke has been ruled out of Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford by Hodgson, although we still await a full prognosis. Loanee Fosu-Mensah is ineligible to face his parent club so he will also miss Gameweek 7. With Wilfried Zaha (knee) not expected to return, Sako looks set to lead the Eagles’ attack. At right-back, Ward could earn a recall, with James Tomkins and Jairo Riedewald other options. McArthur and Jason Puncheon provide alternatives in midfield.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central midfield, lone striker

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Martina (Kenny 76), Holgate, Williams, Baines: Schneiderlin, Gueye: Rooney (Niasse 54), Klaassen (Davies 54), Sigurdsson: Calvert-Lewin. Subs not used: Ramirez, Stekelenburg, Vlasic, Lookman.

• What we saw: After opting for a 3-4-2-1 formation in the 4-0 defeat to Manchester United, Ronald Koeman switched back to a 4-2-3-1 for the home clash against Bournemouth. Davy Klaassen earned a recall in the No 10 role, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin stationed as the lone striker. Michael Keane (foot) and Phil Jagielka (hamstring) both missed out, so Mason Holgate joined Ashley Williams in central defence. The introduction of Tom Davies and Oumar Niasse saw the Toffees switch to a 4-4-2, with Niasse joining Calvert-Lewin in attack, while Davies operated on the right side of midfield.
• What we learned: Given Niasse scored twice from the bench, he should push for a start against Brighton & Hove Albion in Gameweek 7. He and Calvert-Lewin could both play up front if Koeman decides to continue with the 4-4-2, with Rooney, who was forced off due to a facial injury, and certainly Klaassen, both at risk of dropping to the bench. Davies also looks to have a good chance of earning a recall, with Koeman’s selection for Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League clash at home to Apollon Limassol likely to provide some clues as to how the Toffees will line up against the Seagulls. At the back, both Keane and Jagielka should come into contention for recalls with the former the more likely to return. That would see Holgate compete with Cuco Martina for the right-back role once again.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defenders, right wing, forwards

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe; Hogg (Billing 80), Mooy; Sabiri (Van La Parra 62), Ince, Kachunga (Hadergjonaj 89); Depoitre. Subs not used: Green, Malone, Whitehead, Hefele.

• What we saw: Danny Williams was ruled in midfield, so David Wagner handed a first league start of the season to the fit-again Jonathan Hogg alongside Aaron Mooy in the double pivot. Laurent Depoitre shrugged off a muscle problem to continue as the lone striker in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Defender Florent Hadergjonaj replaced Elias Kachunga late on in a defensive change, with the substitute stationed just in front of Tommy Smith down the right flank as the Terriers looked to hold on for a point.
• What we learned: The Terriers line-up continues to have a fairly settled look to it, although Wagner will hope Steve Mounie can recover from a knock to be fit to face Spurs on Saturday. Hogg – a favourite of Wagner – seems likely to retain his start in central midfield at the expense of Philip Billing.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, lone striker

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Mahrez (Gray 61), King, Ndidi, Albrighton (Slimani 80); Okazaki (Iheanacho 75); Vardy. Subs not used: Hamer, Amartey, Iborra, Fuchs.

• What we saw: Jamie Vardy was fit to spearhead the Foxes’ attack against Liverpool following a groin problem, while Shinji Okazaki was recalled as the support striker after netting against the Reds in the EFL Cup. Christian Fuchs was named among the substitutes following an eye problem, with Ben Chilwell retaining his start at left-back. Leicester ended the match with four players in attack as they hunted for a late equaliser.
• What we learned: Craig Shakespeare is expected to continue with the 4-4-1-1 for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, with Okazaki perhaps likely to get the nod over Iheanacho once again in the support striker role. At left-back, Fuchs should come into contention to replace Chilwell.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back, support striker

Liverpool

Starting XI: Mignolet; Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Emre Can (Milner 75); Salah, Firmino (Sturridge 65), Coutinho (Oxlade-Chamberlain 79). Subs not used: Karius, Klavan, Solanke, Alexander-Arnold.

• What we saw: Philippe Coutinho was moved to the left of the front three for the trip to the King Power Stadium, with Daniel Sturridge dropping to the bench. In defence, Joe Gomez was favoured over Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, while both Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip were passed fit to start in central defence.
• What we learned: While Coutinho played in a more advanced role in Gameweek 6, Sadio Mane will be back from suspension for the trip to Newcastle United on Sunday so the Brazilian may drop back into the three-man midfield. Should that be the case, one of Emre Can or Georginio Wijnaldum could make way, with Jurgen Klopp’s team selection for tomorrow night’s trip to Spartak Moscow in the Champions League perhaps providing some clues. Sturridge produced a lively cameo performance against the Foxes and is a viable option to dent Firmino’s minutes as the central striker, while at the back, Ragnar Klavan and Andrew Robertson are all potential starters if Klopp looks to rotate. Alexander-Arnold is a likely starter in Moscow with Gomez suspended, so the roles will likely be reversed at Newcastle.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central midfield, flanks

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones (Delph 70), Otamendi, Mendy (Danilo 29); D. Silva, Fernandinho, De Bruyne; Sterling (B Silva 61) Aguero, Sane. Subs not used: Bravo, Mangala, Gabriel Jesus, Toure.

• What we saw: Pep Guardiola kept faith in the 4-1-2-3 formation, although after playing 90 minutes against West Bromwich Albion in the EFL Cup, Gabriel Jesus dropped to the bench and Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane flanked central striker Sergio Aguero. Benjamin Mendy was forced off with a knock during the first half. His replacement, Danilo, initially operated at left-back before moving to centre-back in place of John Stones, with substitute Fabian Delph taking over on the left side of the defence.
• What we learned: Despite starting in midweek, the benching of Jesus still came as something of a surprise, and given how well Sane and Sterling performed, both he and Aguero could now be more vulnerable to rotation. But at Chelsea on Saturday, the pair are likely to be named in the starting XI with one of Sterling or Sane dropping out. Guardiola’s line-up for Tuesday’s meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk will offer some clues as to his thinking for Stamford Bridge. Mendy is likely to miss out in midweek with Danilo also on standby to start the next two. Guardiola could also consider switching to shape to a 3-4-1-2 at Chelsea if Vincent Kompany is ready to return from a calf problem – he is ruled out of Tuesday’s tie, however. In that system, neither Sterling or Sane are likely starters.

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