Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 10 – Part Two

Jose Mourinho opts for a three-man defence against Spurs, as does Paul Clement for Swansea City’s trip to Arsenal.

Marco Silva, meanwhile, goes the other way in Watford’s loss to Stoke City, and it’s back four business as usual for Sean Dyche’s Burnley in the Monday night’s encounter.

Having rolled out part one yesterday, here’s our look at the other teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 10, with one eye on what’s to come over the midweek European matches and into the weekend.

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Brady, Defour (Westwood 76), Cork, Gudmundsson, Hendrick; Barnes. Subs not used: Vokes, Wells, Lindegaard, Bardsley, Long, Arfield.

• What we saw: After using a more defensive 4-1-4-1 formation in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, Sean Dyche switched back to a 4-4-1-1 system for the visit of Newcastle United to Turf Moor. Jeff Hendrick moved into a central support role behind lone striker Ashley Barnes, who replaced the injured Chris Wood. The other change saw Johann Berg Gudmundsson recalled in place of Scott Arfield. Gudmundsson was stationed on the right side of midfield as Robbie Brady moved over to the left flank.
• What we learned: After another solid performance, the spine of the Burnley side should stay unchanged for Saturday’s trip to Southampton. If he recovers from a hamstring injury, Wood could return as the lone striker, with Sam Vokes – who was back on the bench – another possibility. Arfield offers a more defensive option to Gudmundsson out wide.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, lone striker

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Bailly, Smalling, Jones; Valencia, Herrera, Matic, Young (Darmian 90); Mkhitaryan (Lingard 64); Lukaku; Rashford (Martial 69). Subs not used: Mata; Blind; Romero; McTominay.

• What we saw: Jose Mourinho decided to match up against Tottenham Hotspur, switching from his usual 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-1-2. Eric Bailly returned from injury to start in the three-man defence, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan was deployed behind the front pairing of Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford.
• What we learned: With Man United facing a trip to Chelsea next – a team who also play with three at the back – Mourinho could well stick with the same defence on Sunday. After scoring as a substitute, Anthony Martial may push for a start at Stamford Bridge, with the minutes both he and Rashford are handed against Benfica tonight likely to tell us more. While Mkhitaryan is struggling for form right now, he may hold off the challenge of Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata. Mourinho could tweak the formation slightly to a 3-4-3, though, with two from Rashford, Martial, Mkhitaryan, Lingard and Mata flanking central striker Lukaku. Ashley Young remains the favoured option on the left side of the defence – should he be rested tonight, that would likely confirm he starts in Gameweek 11. If Mourinho does opt for a four-man defence, Chris Smalling looks the favourite centre-half to drop to the bench, with Phil Jones’ start surely assured barring any further injury concerns.

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

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Manquillo; Diame (Gayle 83), Shelvey; Ritchie (Murphy 79), Perez (Hayden 76), Atsu; Joselu. Subs not used: Clark, Saivet, Darlow, Jesus Gamez.

• What we saw: Rafa Benitez kept faith is his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to Burnley, with the one personnel change seeing Mohamed Diame replace Isaac Hayden at the base of midfield. Seeking a late equaliser, Diame was temporarily pushed into a central support role before he made way for Dwight Gayle as Newcastle ended the match in a 4-4-2.
• What we learned: Benitez may consider freshening up his attack for Saturday’s home meeting with Bournemouth. Joselu has now failed to score in his last three matches and could come under pressure from Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic for the lone striker role. Jacob Murphy provides an alternative out wide, while Hayden and Mikel Merino, providing he recovers from a back injury, may come into contention for starts in central midfield. Ciaran Clark and Jesus Gamez are currently the back-up options in defence, with Chancel Mbemba remaining out of the matchday squad at Turf Moor.

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

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Cedric, van Dijk, Hoedt, Bertrand; Romeu, Davis; Tadic (Long 84), Ward-Prowse (Hojbjerg 84), Boufal (Redmond 72); Gabbiadini. Subs not used: Yoshida, Stephens, McCarthy, McQueen.

• What we saw: Having used a midfield diamond in recent matches, Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino returned to a 4-2-3-1 system for the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion. With Mario Lemina (ankle) ruled out, Steven Davis dropped back to the base of midfield, allowing James Ward-Prowse to start in a central attacking midfield role. Sofiane Boufal was rewarded for his goal against West Bromwich Albion with a start on the left wing, with Shane Long making way. There was also a significant change in central defence as Wesley Hoedt was preferred to Maya Yoshida. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was handed his first league minutes of the season as a substitute.
• What we learned: If Lemina is fit to face Burnley on Saturday, it’s likely that he’ll return in central midfield, with Davis then replacing Ward-Prowse in the No 10 role. Boufal should retain his start on the left ahead of Nathan Redmond, while Hoedt could again be favoured over Yoshida in central defence.

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

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Zouma, Shawcross, Wimmer; Diouf, Allen, Fletcher, Pieters; Shaqiri (Adam 88), Sobhi (Berahino 78); Choupo-Moting. Subs not used: Grant, Jese, Afellay, Ngoy, Edwards.

• What we saw: Mark Hughes went with a 3-4-3 formation for the trip to Watford, with Xherdan Shaqiri returning from injury on the right of the front three. Ramadan Sobhi was handed a rare start on the left, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting stationed as the central striker. That meant Mame Biram Diouf returned to right wing-back, while Kevin Wimmer was recalled in the back three. Geoff Cameron and Glen Johnson missed out due to concussion and illness respectively. The Potters ended the match in more of a 3-5-2, with Saido Berahino joining Choupo-Moting in attack, while Charlie Adam helped shore up the midfield.
• What we learned: After returning to winning ways, Hughes may be tempted to stick with the majority of the same starting XI for Saturday’s home clash against Leicester City. Should Cameron, Bruno Martins Indi or Johnson be available, however, the Stoke boss will have some selection posers in defence. Wimmer would be the most at risk of losing his place, while Diouf is an option to return in attack if Hughes can select either Cameron or Johnson at right wing-back. Sobhi is the player most likely to drop to the bench in that scenario, with Choupo-Moting able to shift to the left flank.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right wing-back, central defenders, flanks, central striker

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; van der Hoorn (Dyer 82), Fernandez, Mawson; Naughton, Ki Sung-yeung, Fer, Carroll (McBurnie 84), Clucas; Ayew (Narsingh 81), Abraham. Subs not used: Nordfeldt, Routledge, Roque, Rodon.

• What we saw: As he has done on several occasions when facing one of the leading clubs, Paul Clement decided to switch to a back three for the trip to Arsenal. Mike van der Hoorn returned in central defence, while Sam Clucas was stationed at left wing-back in the absence of the injured Martin Olsson. Ki Sung-yeung made his first league start of the season in place of the injured Leon Britton in the defensive midfield role in a 3-1-4-2 formation. With the Swans chasing a late equaliser, Clement moved to a 4-1-2-3, with substitutes Luciano Narsingh (right) and Nathan Dyer (left) flanking central striker Tammy Abraham. That became a 4-4-2 after Oliver McBurnie came on to join Abraham in attack.
• What we learned: A home meeting against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday means it’s likely Clement will switch back to a 4-1-2-3. One of Narsingh or Dyer could join Abraham and Ayew in attack, while Britton (groin) and Renato Sanches (thigh) may be options to challenge for a start in central midfield if they are available. Van der Hoorn should drop back to the bench, but if Olsson remains out with a hamstring injury, Clucas could be needed to fill-in at left-back. Angel Rangel, providing he recovers from a groin problem, offers an alternative in the full-back positions, with Kyle Naughton capable of playing on both sides.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central midfield, right wing

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Alderweireld, Dier, Vertonghen; Aurier, Sissoko (Dembele 62), Winks, Eriksen, Davies; Son (Llorente 62); Alli. Subs not used: Trippier; Rose; Sanchez; Vorm; Nkoudou.

• What we saw: In the absence of the injured Harry Kane, Mauricio Pochettino opted for a 3-5-1-1 formation at Old Trafford, fielding Dele Alli just behind lone striker Son Heung-min. Christian Eriksen occupied a deeper central midfield role, Eric Dier was used as part of the back three, and Ben Davies returned at left wing-back. It became more of a 3-4-2-1 once Fernando Llorente replaced Son as the lone striker, with Eriksen moving forward next to Alli.
• What we learned: After returning to training on Tuesday, Kane looks set to overcome a hamstring injury to face Crystal Palace on Sunday. The striker will likely come straight back into the side after Spurs dropped points at Old Trafford, and after previous toils in home matches. Pochettino could choose a more attacking 4-2-3-1 system against the Eagles, with Son an option to play out wide on the left. Mousa Dembele could push for a start in central midfield, while Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose will be options to start as either full-backs or wing-backs. The Spurs boss also has the option to rest one of his central defenders, with Dier and Davinson Sanchez potential replacements. Alternatively, in a 3-4-2-1, Son will probably drop to the bench if Kane is fit. The likely starting XI should become clearer after we see who Pochettino selects against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs/wing-backs, central defenders, central midfield, lone striker

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Femenia, Kabasele, Britos, Holebas; Doucoure, Cleverley, Capoue (Gray 58); Carrillo (Hughes 80), Deeney, Richarlison. Subs not used: Karnezis, Janmaat, Mariappa, Zeeglaar, Watson.

• What we saw: After using a three-man defence against Arsenal and Chelsea, Marco Silva returned to a four-man backline against Stoke. Adrian Mariappa dropped to the bench, while Tom Cleverley played as part of a three-man midfield. Andre Carrillo was recalled on the right of the front three, with Troy Deeney again preferred to Andre Gray as the central striker. With his side trailing 1-0, Silva decided to pair Gray and Deeney up front, seeing the Hornets switch to a 4-4-2. Will Hughes was handed his Premier League debut as a substitute.
• What we learned: While the Hornets endured a frustrating afternoon, it’s unlikely there will be major changes for Sunday’s trip to Everton. Unless either Sebastian Prodl or Younes Kaboul are available, the back four may stay unchanged, with Mariappa an option should the Hornets boss want to switch to a back three. His options in the attacking midfield areas also appear limited, with Roberto Pereyra likely to remain sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Troy Deeney has been charged by the FA for alleged violent conduct following an incident involving Joe Allen. He faces a three-match ban which will be decided today,  so Gray looks set to spearhead the Watford attack on Sunday.

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

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; McAuley (Phillips 68), Hegazi, Evans; Nyom, Krychowiak (McClean 81), Barry, Livermore, Gibbs; Rondon (Robson-Kanu 58), Rodriguez. Subs not used: Myhill, Yacob, Brunt, Chadli.

• What we saw: Up against high-flying Manchester City, Tony Pulis decided to switch to a 3-5-2 formation. Gareth McAuley started in central defence, with Allan Nyom coming in at right wing-back in place of the injured Craig Dawson. Jay Rodriguez was used alongside Salomon Rondon up front. The Baggies ended the match in a 4-2-3-1, with substitutes Matt Phillips (right) and James McClean (left) operating either side of Rodriguez, leaving Hal Robson-Kanu as the lone striker.
• What we learned: Pulis was happy to adopt a more defensive formation against the league leaders, but with a trip to Huddersfield Town on Saturday, he is likely to revert to a four-man defence. McAuley could drop to the bench, with Ahmed Hegazi’s start appearing slightly more secure. After scoring from the bench, Phillips may push for a recall, while Robson-Kanu could challenge Rondon for a start in attack. McClean, Nacer Chadli and Chris Brunt provide options on the left wing in either a 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 system.

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

West Ham United

Starting XI: Hart; Fonte (Rice 76), Kouyate, Ogbonna; Zabaleta (Antonio 62), Noble, Fernandes, Lanzini, Cresswell (Masuaku 46); Ayew, Chicharito. Subs not used: Adrian, Arnautovic, Carroll, Obiang.

• What we saw: On the back of the 3-0 home defeat to Brighton in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Slaven Bilic opted for 3-5-2 for the trip to Crystal Palace. With Winston Reid absent due to a calf injury, the Hammers boss decided to use Cheikhou Kouyate and Angelo Ogbonna alongside Jose Fonte in central defence. Aaron Cresswell was recalled at left wing-back, while Mark Noble and Edimilson Fernandes were used next to Manuel Lanzini in central midfield. The change at wing-back was reversed at half-time when Masuaku replaced Cresswell. With Pablo Zabaleta on a yellow card, Bilic then brought on Michail Antonio at right wing-back. A knock meant Fonte had to be replaced with 14 minutes remaining as Declan Rice came into the back three.
• What we learned: Following an improved performance, and with a home encounter against Liverpool up next, Bilic may choose to stick with a three-man defence. If fit, Reid and Fonte could join Kouyate in the three-man backline, with Ogbonna and Rice the alternatives. Zabaleta will miss the Gameweek 11 clash after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, so either Antonio or Sam Byram look set to fill-in at right wing-back. In a flat back four, it’s Byram who is more likely to get the nod. Meanwhile, Masuaku will push for a start at left-back, with Cresswell possibly carrying a knock following Saturday’s withdrawal. Obiang provides the main alternative in central midfield, while a change in formation would probably be needed for Marko Arnautovic to earn a recall. Goals for Chicharito and Ayew means that Andy Carroll may have to settle for a place among the substitutes once again.

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