Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 18 – Part One

The fit-again Alvaro Morata is limited to minutes from the bench at home to Southampton as Chelsea keep faith with a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Sead Kolasinac is omitted once again as Arsene Wenger persists with a four-man Arsenal defence at home to Newcastle, while Liverpool’s Sadio Mane sits out Sunday’s rout of Bournemouth.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 18, with one eye on what’s to come over the midweek Carabao Cup matches and beyond.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Monreal, Maitland-Niles; Ozil, Xhaka, Wilshere; Iwobi (Welbeck 72), Lacazette (Giroud 73), Sanchez (Coquelin 89). Subs not used: Ospina, Chambers, Kolasinac, Elneny.

• What we saw: Arsene Wenger made just one alteration for the home fixture against Newcastle United, with Alexandre Lacazette recalled in place of Olivier Giroud. Lacazette was flanked by Alex Iwobi and Alexis Sanchez in attack in a 4-1-2-3 system, with Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil operating in the middle of the park in front of holding midfielder Granit Xhaka. Surprisingly, Ainsley Maitland-Niles kept his place at left-back ahead of Sead Kolasinac. To help see out the 1-0 lead late on, Wenger brought on Francis Coquelin for Alexis Sanchez, seeing the Gunners end the match in a defensive 4-5-1 formation.
• What we learned: Having reverted to a back four in recent matches, Wenger could stick with a 4-1-2-3 system for Friday night’s home clash against Liverpool. While Maitland-Niles has impressed in the last two matches, he may miss out against the Reds as Shkodran Mustafi is now available following a thigh injury. The German could join Laurent Koscielny in central defence, seeing Nacho Monreal shift across to left-back. Kolasinac provides another alternative, although the shift in formation has been to the detriment of the Bosnian, with Wenger seemingly unconvinced by his defensive qualities in a four-man defence. Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny provide more defensive options in central midfield, while Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud are the back-up options in attack. They appear unlikely to start on Friday night, though, with their chances more likely to come perhaps against West Ham in the Carabao Cup this evening, or the fixtures that follow the Liverpool clash over the busy festive period.

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

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; A Smith, Francis, Ake, Daniels (S Cook 56); Ibe, L Cook, Surman, Pugh (Fraser 46); King (Stanislas 31); Defoe. Subs not used: Boruc, Gosling, Arter, Afobe.

• What we saw: After being left out of the starting XI for the midweek defeat to Manchester United, Andrew Surman, Lewis Cook and Jermain Defoe all returned to the side for the home clash against Liverpool. Harry Arter and Dan Gosling dropped to the bench, while Jordon Ibe and Marc Pugh were handed starts out wide in place of Junior Stanislas and Ryan Fraser in the usual 4-4-1-1 system. Callum Wilson missed out with a minor knee issue. But Eddie Howe was forced into making a first-half substitution, after Josh King was forced off with knock, seeing Stanislas take over the central support role. Charlie Daniels was then replaced after suffering a leg injury, with Steve Cook entering the fray. He played at centre-back, with Nathan Ake moving to left-back.
• What we learned: Daniels and King have been ruled out of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea, while Wilson is doubtful. All three are set to be assessed ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester City, then. If Daniels is ruled out, the Cherries back four at the Etihad could be the one that finished Sunday’s match. Fraser may push for a start on the left wing in place of Pugh, with Stanislas is another option out wide if he’s not needed to replace King in the central support role. Defoe could keep his place as the lone striker, while Benik Afobe provides a different option in attack. Over the festive period, both Arter and Gosling should earn a start or two in central midfield, with there also being the option of one starting alongside Lewis Cook and Surman in a more defensive 4-5-1 formation against Man City.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-back, central midfield, flanks, attacking midfield, lone striker

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Propper, Stephens, Knockaert (Izquierdo 83), Gross (Brown 75), March; Murray (Hemed 63). Subs not used: Krul; Kayal, Goldson, Schelotto.

• What we saw: After rotating his side in the midweek defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Chris Hughton again shuffled his starting XI against Burnley. Bruno, Pascal Gross and Glenn Murray all returned, while Solly March was chosen ahead of both Jose Izquierdo and Izzy Brown on the left wing in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The Seagulls ended the match with March and Izquierdo out wide, leaving Brown in support of lone striker Tomer Hemed.
• What we learned: Hughton will have to make do without Shane Duffy for Saturday’s home meeting with Watford after the defender picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Burnley. Connor Goldson could be handed his Premier League debut in Duffy’s absence, with Uwe Hunemeier the other alternative. In attack, Izquierdo, Brown and Hemed will all push for recalls against the Hornets. Over the festive period, squad players such as Ezequiel Schelotto and Beram Kayal could be handed a start at right-back and in central midfield respectively.

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

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Bardsley, Mee, Tarkowski, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Cork, Defour (Barnes 68), Arfield; Hendrick, Wood (Vokes 81). Subs not used: Lindegaard; Lowton, Westwood, Wells, Long.

• What we saw: Clarets boss Sean Dyche made two changes for the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, with Charlie Taylor replacing the injured Stephen Ward at left-back, while Ben Mee returned in central defence in place of Kevin Long. The Clarets lined up in more of a 4-1-4-1 system at the Amex Stadium, with Steven Defour deployed in the defensive midfield role. That did become a 4-4-1-1 after Ashley Barnes was brought on for the Belgian, allowing Jack Cork and Jeff Hendrick form the central midfield partnership, while Barnes operated just behind lone striker Chris Wood, and latterly Sam Vokes.
• What we learned: Ward failed to recover in time for the trip to the south coast but he may have a chance of returning in place of Taylor of Saturday’s visit of Spurs to Turf Moor. The rest of the starting XI could remain unchanged, but through the festive period, the likes of Matt Lowton, Barnes and Vokes should get the opportunity of starts. Lowton returned from injury to be named on the bench last weekend, but now looks to have a battle on his hands to regain his place in the side, given the form of Phil Bardsley in his absence.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Moses (Zappacosta 82), Bakayoko, Kante, Alonso; Pedro (Fabregas 68), Willian; Hazard (Morata 73). Subs not used: Caballero, Rudiger, Drinkwater, Batshuayi.

• What we saw: Antonio Conte handed a recall to Gary Cahill in the three-man defence against Southampton, with Antonio Rudiger dropping to the bench. Alvaro Morata was only named among the substitutes after missing the 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town due to a back problem, so Pedro, Willian and Eden Hazard – operating as the false nine – formed the front three once again. The Blues ended the match in a 3-1-4-1-1 system, with Willian stationed in a central support role behind lone striker Morata.
• What we learned: Conte has stated that Morata is over his back injury but suggested that he will sit out the Carabao Cup match with Bournemouth, with Michy Batshuayi handed an opportunity to lead the attack. That would indicate a likely start for Morata at Everton. His return would see Pedro or Willian make way if the Blues boss opts for a 3-4-2-1 system. Alternatively, in the 3-1-4-1-1 formation, Cesc Fabregas could earn a recall, leaving Hazard in the central support role, which would mean both Pedro and Willian dropping to the bench. Conte will likely stick with the same backline at Everton, with rotation more likely to come against Brighton & Hove Albion on Boxing Day, when the likes of Davide Zappacosta, Rudiger and Danny Drinkwater all possible starters.

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

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Speroni; Kelly, Dann, Tomkins, Schlupp; Loftus-Cheek, McArthur, Cabaye (Riedewald 83), Townsend; Zaha; Benteke (Sako 87). Subs not used: van Aanholt, Hennessey, Chung-yong, Souare, Wan-Bissaka.

• What we saw: Roy Hodgson kept faith in the 4-4-2 formation for the trip to Leicester City, although the Eagles boss was forced into making two changes. Martin Kelly started at right-back in place of the injured Timothy Fosu-Mensah, while James McArthur was recalled in central midfield in place of the suspended Luka Milivojevic.
• What we learned: After picking up his fifth yellow card of the season on Saturday, Christian Benteke will be suspended for Saturday’s trip to Swansea City. But Milivojevic will be available to return, so he could start in central midfield, possibly seeing McArthur shift out wide, and Andros Townsend move up front alongside Wilfried Zaha. Alternatively, Bakary Sako may partner Zaha in attack, with McArthur dropping to the bench. Unless either Joel Ward (calf) or Fosu-Mensah (hamstring) are available, Kelly should keep his place at right-back.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central midfield, flanks, forwards

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Kenny, Holgate, Williams, Martina; Schneiderlin (Davies 61), Gueye; Lennon (Lookman 79), Rooney (Sandro 89), Sigurdsson; Calvert-Lewin. Subs not used: Keane, Jagielka, Vlasic, Robles.

• What we saw: Sam Allardyce named the same line-up that beat Newcastle United 1-0 for the home fixture against Swansea City, but he did switch from a 4-1-4-1 system to a 4-2-1-3, seeing Wayne Rooney stationed behind the front three. Idrissa Gueye was joined by Morgan Schneiderlin at the base of midfield.
• What we learned: Following another victory, Big Sam could consider naming an unchanged starting XI once again for Saturday’s home meeting with Chelsea. Tom Davies and Ademola Lookman provide possible alternatives to Schneiderlin and Aaron Lennon, but they have to wait until later in the festive period before getting their chance. The same can be said for the likes of Michael Keane, Phil Jagielka and perhaps Sandro, who was surprisingly named on the bench ahead of Oumar Niasse. Should Leighton Baines recover from a calf injury over the next week or so, he is likely to return at left-back, giving Allardyce the option of using Cuco Martina at right-back as an alternative to Jonjoe Kenny. Seamum Coleman is unlikely to return to contention until the New Year.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Hadergjonaj, Zanka, Schindler, Lowe (Malone 46); Mooy, Hogg; Quaner, Kachunga (Ince 19), van La Parra (Williams 64); Depoitre. Subs not used: Coleman, Whitehead, Cranie, Mounie.

• What we saw: David Wagner initially opted for a 4-4-2 formation against Watford, pairing Laurent Depoitre and Elias Kachunga up front. Florent Hadergjonaj was preferred to Tommy Smith at right-back, while Rajiv van La Parra (left) and Collin Quaner (right) started out wide for the Terriers. But a knee injury to Kachunga saw Tom Ince introduced, as the visitors switched to a 4-2-3-1 with Ince occupying the No 10 role. Chris Lowe was then forced off with a foot problem, with Scott Malone taking over at left-back in a straight swap. Following the sending off of Jonathan Hogg, Wagner brought on Danny Williams, who joined Aaron Mooy in central midfield, while Ince moved out to the left wing in a 4-4-1 system.
• What we learned: Hogg will now miss Saturday’s trip to Southampton due to suspension, so Williams should earn a start in central midfield. With Kachunga ruled out for two-to-three months, Ince is likely to start in the No 10 role in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Malone will be on standby to replace Lowe at left-back if the German fails to recover, while Smith could return at right-back at the expense of Hadergjonaj. The in-form Depoitre should retain his start as the lone striker at St Mary’s, though Steve Mounie will be expected to get at least one start over the festive period.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central midfield, attacking midfield, lone striker

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Maguire, Morgan, Chilwell; Iborra (Okazaki 76) Ndidi; Mahrez, Gray, Albrighton (King 76); Vardy (Ulloa 84). Subs not used: Iheanacho, Hamer, Dragovic, Fuchs.

• What we saw: Claude Puel continued with a 4-2-3-1 formation for the visit of Crystal Palace to the King Power Stadium, although he made a couple of tweaks to the side that beat Southampton 4-1. Vicente Iborra, Marc Albrighton and Demarai Gray all returned, with Christian Fuchs, Andy King and Shinji Okazaki dropping to the bench. Those changes saw Ben Chilwell switch to left-back, while Albrighton started on the left wing. Gray took up the No 10 role for the Foxes. Puel did decide to introduce King and Okazaki off the bench, which saw Gray move to the left wing, allowing Okazaki to operate just behind lone striker Jamie Vardy, who was subsequently replaced by Leonardo Ulloa in a straight swap.
• What we learned: Given the attacking options available to Puel, rotation looks inevitable through the festive period, which also includes a Carabao Cup clash with Man City tonight. Depending on his minutes in that one, Okazaki could earn a recall against Man United on Saturday, with either Albrighton or Gray set to drop to the bench. There remains the option to start both Fuchs and Chilwell down the left flank, which would see another attacking player miss out. King provides back-up in central midfield, and could be handed another start at some point over the next four Gameweeks.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back, central midfield, flanks, support striker

Liverpool

Starting XI: Mignolet; Gomez, Lovren, Klavan, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Coutinho (Ings 87), Firmino (Solanke 75), Salah (Lallana 71). Subs not used: Karius, Milner, Mane, Alexander-Arnold.

• What we saw: Jurgen Klopp made four changes for the trip to Bournemouth, with Simon Mignolet, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starting in place of Loris Karius, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Emre Can and Sadio Mane. The Reds lined up in the usual 4-3-3 formation, with Oxlade-Chamberlain part of the three-man midfield, seeing Philippe Coutinho move forward to the left of the front three. Liverpool ended the match with Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings as the front three, with Adam Lallana, who was making just his second appearance of the season, part of the three-man midfield for the final 19 minutes.
• What we learned: The performance on the south coast is likely to have provided food for thought for Klopp ahead of Friday’s showdown with Arsenal. Mane is the player most likely to push for a recall, but that would likely see Coutinho drop back into midfield. Can and Milner provide possible alternatives to Georginio Wijnaldum in the middle of the park, with Lallana set to continue building up his match fitness from the bench. If Joel Matip and Alberto Moreno remain sidelined as expected, the back four will sure remain unchanged at the Emirates, with Alexander-Arnold more likely to start at right-back against Swansea City on Boxing Day. With an FA Cup match against Everton on January 5, Klopp’s rotation policy could continue and make teamsheets unpredictable. Interestingly, reports today state that Klopp will allow both Mane and Mohamed Salah to attend the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Player of the Year awards which takes place in Ghana on the eve of that FA Cup tie. The report indicates that the pair will return from a seven-hour flight the morning of the match but will remain available to Klopp. However, that would suggest that neither is likely to start against the Toffees, perhaps cementing their berths for Gameweek 22, but casting doubt over others for that match with the FA Cup tie in mind.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, Central midfield, flanks

Part two of Line-up Lessons, detailing the remaining ten teams, will follow tomorrow.