Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 7 – Part Two

As expected, Gabriel Jesus replaces Sergio Aguero in an otherwise settled Man City team, while Jose Mourinho surprises us all by starting a doubtful Phil Jones, while resting Eric Bailly in his defence. Elsewhere, Chancel Mbemba is omitted by Rafa Benitez while Virgil van Dijk is reinstated to the Southampton rearguard.

Here’s part two of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 7, with one eye on developments after the international break. Part one can be viewed here.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Delph; Fernandinho;  De Bruyne (Danilo 90), D Silva (B Silva 76); Sterling, Sane (Gundogan 84), Jesus. Subs not used: Bravo, Mangala, Zinchenko, Toure.

• What we saw: Pep Guardiola kept faith in the 4-1-2-3 formation for the trip to Chelsea, with Gabriel Jesus returning as the central striker in place of the injured Sergio Aguero. In the absence of Benjamin Mendy, Fabian Delph was preferred to Danilo at left-back. He was later introduced, along with Ilkay Gundogan in order to hold onto the 1-0 lead, leaving just Raheem Sterling and Jesus in attack.
• What we learned: With a home fixture against Stoke City up next, Guardiola is expected to continue with the 4-1-2-3 system. Man City do face Napoli in the UEFA Champions League in between Gameweeks 8 and 9, though, so rotation is a concern. Jesus should lead the attack against the Potters, but there is a chance Aguero may be ready to return against Burnley. Bernardo Silva is a viable alternative to Sterling, Sane and David Silva, while Gundogan could also be a factor in central midfield. Danilo should see some minutes in either full-back position over the next two league fixtures, while Vincent Kompany (calf) may be ready to return after the international break, threatening Stones’ pitch-time in particular.

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

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Young; Matic, Fellaini; Mata (Herrera 76), Mkhitaryan (Lingard 66), Rashford (Martial 71); Lukaku. Subs not used: Bailly, Blind, Romero, Darmian.

• What we saw: Jose Mourinho retained the usual 4-2-3-1 formation for the visit of Crystal Palace to Old Trafford, with Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones and Marouane Fellaini – who had all been pre-match doubts to varying degrees – available to start. Eric Bailly was handed a rest, with Chris Smalling given his first league start of the season in central defence. The Man United boss switched to a 4-3-3 late on, with Ander Herrera in central midfield, and fellow substitutes Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial flanking central striker Romelu Lukaku.
• What we learned: Mourinho continues to favour the 4-2-3-1, particularly against the lesser sides, but with a trip to Liverpool up next, there is a reasonable chance he opts for a more solid 4-3-3. That could mean Herrera joining Nemanja Matic and Marouane Fellaini in central midfield, with Juan Mata more likely to make way than Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the right of a front three. Martial and Rashford continue to be locked in rotation for the left flank role, although Rashford has now started six of the seven Gameweeks, with Martial used mainly in European ties. In defence, Bailly will be expected to return to replace Smalling at Anfield.

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

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo; Shelvey, Merino (Hayden 75); Ritchie, Perez (Diame 90), Atsu; Joselu (Gayle 78). Subs not used: Murphy, Lejeune, Darlow, Gamez.

• What we saw: Rafa Benitez stuck with the 4-4-1-1 system for the home meeting with his former club Liverpool, but did opt to recall former Reds midfielder Jonjo Shelvey in place of Isaac Hayden. Chancel Mbemba was also surprisingly left out of the matchday squad, with Javier Manquillo recalled at left-back.
• What we learned: Following another positive result, we should see a very similar line-up for the trip to Southampton. Manquillo and Shelvey may have done enough to retain their starts ahead of Mbemba and Hayden, while changes appear unlikely elsewhere. Matt Ritchie has withdrawn from the Scotland squad due to a knock, but he will be expected to be in contention for the south coast trip. The likes of Florian Lejeune, Jacob Murphy and Dwight Gayle all look unlikely to force their way back into the starting XI for now.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back, central midfield

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Cedric Soares, Van Dijk, Yoshida, Bertrand; Romeu, Lemina (Austin 86), Davis (Boufal 61); Tadic, Long, Redmond (Gabbiadini 67). Subs not used: McCarthy, Hoedt, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pellegrino decided to hand a first start of the season to Virgil van Dijk, with Wesley Hoedt making way in central defence. The rest of the side remained unchanged in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Sofiane Boufal was introduced onto the left wing just after the hour mark. Dusan Tadic moved to the No 10 role, and Shane Long to the right once Manolo Gabbiadini was brought on as the lone striker. That became a 4-2-4 late on, with Charlie Austin joining the Italian up front.
• What we learned: After making a strong impression from the bench, Boufal could come into contention for a start when Newcastle visit St Mary’s in Gameweek 8. Any of the three starting attacking midfielders could make way, while in attack, Gabbiadini and Austin are viable alternatives to Long. Van Dijk and Yoshida may again be favoured in central defence, although Hoedt will push for a recall should Pellegrino wish to freshen things up.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, flanks, attacking midfield, lone striker

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Zouma, Cameron, Wimmer; Diouf (Johnson 90), Fletcher, Allen, Pieters; Shaqiri (Afellay 87), Choupo-Moting, Berahino (Crouch 70). Subs not used: Grant, Tymon, Adam, Sobhi.

• What we saw: Potters boss Mark Hughes used a 3-4-2-1 formation against Southampton, with Xherdan Shaqiri playing centrally behind lone striker Saido Berahino, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting operated wider on the left. Hughes welcomed back Kurt Zouma, Geoff Cameron and Kevin Wimmer in central defence, with Glen Johnson and Ramadan Sobhi dropping to the bench.
• What we learned: Jese Rodriguez missed the 2-1 victory due to compassionate leave but the Spaniard should be available again for the Gameweek 8 trip to Manchester City. Despite scoring the winner against the Saints Peter Crouch appears unlikely to force his way into the starting XI for City, so Jese could get the nod over Berahino in attack. Bruno Martins Indi (groin) isn’t expected to be available for the trip to the Etihad, while Ryan Shawcross (back) remains doubtful, so the three-man defence looks set to remain untouched.

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

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson (Clucas 87); Britton (Roque Mesa 69); Sanches, Ayew, Carroll; Abraham, Bony (Fer 46). Subs not used: Nordfeldt, van der Hoorn, Rangel, Narsingh.

• What we saw: After ending the Gameweek 6 defeat to Watford in a 4-1-2-1-2 midfield diamond, head coach Paul Clement stuck with that system for the trip to West Ham. Ayew started at the tip with the recalled Leon Britton at the base. Renato Sanches also returned in central midfield for the Swans, with Sam Clucas and Leroy Fer dropping to the bench. Fer was introduced at half-time, with Bony feeling tightness in his hamstring. The Dutchman operated at the tip of the diamond, with Ayew shifted slightly further forward in support of Abraham.
• What we learned: The Welsh outfit have confirmed that Bony suffered no injury at the London Stadium, so providing he returns from international duty fully fit, he should be available for the Gameweek 8 clash at home to Huddersfield Town. Clement is expected to keep with the back four, so his options appear to be to either stick with the 4-1-2-1-2 formation, or consider switching to a 4-3-3. In the 4-1-2-1-2, Ayew, Bony and Abraham all appear certain starters, with Roque Mesa, Fer and Sam Clucas different options in midfield. Both Nathan Dyer and Ki Sung-yeung have featured for the U23s over the past week as they look to build up their match fitness, and may have an outside chance of being available to feature from the bench against the Terriers.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks, forwards

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier (Walker-Peters 82), Winks, Dier, Davies; Eriksen (Sissoko 74), Alli; Kane (Son Heung-min 87). Subs not used: Vorm, Nkoudou, Llorente, Foyth.

• What we saw: Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino again turned to the 3-4-2-1 formation against Huddersfield Town, although he did hand a first league start of the season to Harry Winks, who replaced Moussa Sissoko in central midfield. Kieran Trippier came in for the suspended Serge Aurier at right wing-back.
• What we learned: Following the emphatic 4-0 win, Pochettino is expected to stick with the majority of the same side for the visit of Bournemouth to Wembley after the international break. Sissoko could replace Winks in central midfield, while Mousa Dembele will also be an option if he is fit following an ankle injury. Aurier will be available again following his one-match ban and is a viable alternative to Trippier at right wing-back. Son Heung-min could operate on the left wing if Pochettino considers switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation against the Cherries, with Davinson Sanchez’s start in doubt should he use that system.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right wing-back, central midfield

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Femenia, Mariappa, Kabasele, Holebas; Doucoure, Capoue (Pereyra 62); Carrillo (Gray 74), Cleverley, Richarlison; Deeney. Subs not used: Karnezis, Janmaat, Britos, Hughes, Watson.

• What we saw: Despite Miguel Britos being available following his three-match ban, Marco Silva decided to stick with Adrian Mariappa and Christian Kabasele in central defence against West Bromwich Albion. The Hornets head coach only made one change, with Troy Deeney handed his first league start of the season in place of Andre Gray as the lone striker in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. When Silva decided to introduce Roberto Pereyra, he switched to a 4-1-4-1, with the Argentine joining Tom Cleverley in central midfield. The Watford boss then switched to a 4-4-2, with Pereyra moving out to the right and Gray joining Deeney up front.
• What we learned: Silva demonstrated that when chasing a match, he isn’t afraid to throw men forward in more attacking formations. Up next for the Hornets is a home meeting with Arsenal, so Britos may push for a recall in central defence, while should either Sebastian Prodl (hamstring) or Younes Kaboul (leg) be available, they could also be in contention. Gray’s pace on the counter-attack could see him get the nod over Deeney’s physicality against the Gunners.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, lone striker

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, Hegazi, Evans, Gibbs; Krychowiak, Barry; Brunt (Livermore 62), Rodriguez, Phillips (McClean 58); Rondon (Robson-Kanu 72). Subs not used: Myhill, Nyom, Morrison, Chadli.

• What we saw: Baggies head coach Tony Pulis opted for a 4-4-1-1 formation against Watford. Salomon Rondon returned as the lone striker, with Jay Rodriguez operating just behind the Venezuelan. Matt Phillips (right) and Chris Brunt (left) were handed recalls out wide, with Jake Livermore and Allan Nyom dropping to the bench. Pulis switched to a 4-5-1 during the second half, with James McClean taking over down the right wing, while Rodriguez shifted over to the left.
• What we learned: It’s likely we’ll only see Pulis switch to a back three against the leading clubs, so with a trip to Leicester City up next, he is expected to use either a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ahmed Hegazi continues to keep his place in the side, but with Nyom and, potentially, Gareth McAuley, options in defence, the Egyptian remains at risk. Pulis has plenty of midfield options, with Livermore and James Morrison possible starters. Hal Robson-Kanu remains the back-up option to Rodriguez and Rondon in attack.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield

West Ham United

Starting XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Fonte, Reid, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble (Lanzini 62); Antonio, Chicharito (Sakho 78), Ayew (Masuaku 78); Carroll. Subs not used: Adrian, Byram, Ogbonna, Rice.

• What we saw: Having been favouring a 3-4-3 formation of late, Slaven Bilic switched to a 4-2-3-1 system for the home encounter with Swansea. With the match at 0-0, the Hammers boss brought on the fit-again Manuel Lanzini for Mark Noble in central midfield, while Arthur Masuaku operated out of position on the left wing in place of Ayew.
• What we learned: The change of formation eventually paid dividends for Bilic, but there remains uncertainty over which system he’ll favour. In a 4-2-3-1, it’s difficult to get the best out of both Carroll and Chicharito. But it does allow Antonio, Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic – who missed out due to illness last weekend – to start in the attacking midfield positions. Ayew and Diafra Sakho provide other attacking alternatives, while Masuaku has impressed in a couple of matches coming on as a left winger. Bilic has so far, at least, been reluctant to use a 4-4-2, though that may have been influenced by the number of injuries he’s had to deal with. In a back four, it’s likely that Angelo Ogbonna will continue to miss out.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, attacking midfield, forwards