Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 24 – Part Two

Mame Biram Diouf returns to the Stoke City teamsheet with a goal as Paul Lambert gets off to a winning start against Watford.

Virgil van Dijk makes his league debut for Liverpool in a surprise loss to Swansea, as Carlos Carvalhal opts for a 5-4-1 set-up. Meanwhile, Ashley Young returns from suspension to oust Luke Shaw from the Manchester United XI.

Here’s the second of our Line-up Lessons articles – the first is here – assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 24, with one eye on what’s to come over the midweek Carabao Cup semi-finals, weekend FA Cup fourth round fixtures and beyond.

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius: Gomez, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson: Oxlade-Chamberlain (Lallana 68), Emre Can, Wijnaldum (Ings 73): Salah, Firmino, Mane. Subs not used: Mignolet, Milner, Klavan, Solanke, Alexander-Arnold.

• What we saw: Jurgen Klopp only made one change from the side that beat Manchester City 4-3 for the trip to Swansea City. The fit-again Virgil van Dijk was handed his first league start for the club in place of Dejan Lovren, who missed the trip to south Wales due to illness. In search of a second-half equaliser, the Reds ended the match with Danny Ings alongside Roberto Firmino up front, flanked by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. Fellow substitute Adam Lallana played just behind the front four, leaving Emre Can as the holding midfielder.
• What we learned: Despite the defeat, Klopp seems unlikely to make wholesale changes for the Gameweek 25 trip to Huddersfield Town. His line-up for the FA Cup tie with West Brom on Saturday will reveal his hand and if the likes of Lallana and perhaps Trent Alexander-Arnold impress then they could push for starts in place of Joe Gomez and Georginio Wijnaldum. Should they prove their fitness, Jordan Henderson and Alberto Moreno may also offer alternatives in central midfield and at left-back respectively.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, left-back

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young; Matic; Lingard (Rashford 80), Pogba, Mata (Fellaini 72), Martial (Herrera 90); Lukaku. Subs not used: Romero, Marcos Rojo, Shaw, McTominay.

• What we saw: Following his three-match ban, Ashley Young returned at left-back for the trip to Burnley in place of Luke Shaw in the only change from the side that beat Stoke City 3-0. United lined up in a flexible 4-2-3-1, with Juan Mata playing narrowly on the right of the attacking midfield trio, while Paul Pogba was handed the freedom to push forward in the double-pivot. Initially, Marouane Fellaini was brought on to bolster the midfield, seeing United switch to more of a 4-1-4-1, with Jesse Lingard, and then substitute Marcus Rashford, operating down the right flank. Ander Herrera replaced Anthony Martial late on, leaving only Lukaku in attack as Jose Mourinho’s side looked to hold onto their 1-0 lead.
• What we learned: Given that United play Yeovil Town in the FA Cup on Friday, before facing Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 25 a week tomorrow, Mourinho will surely play his strongest side at Wembley Stadium. There remains little to choose between Shaw and Young at left-back – whoever is named on the bench on Friday night seems the likely starter against Spurs. Fellaini and Herrera are options in central midfield if Mourinho opts for a 4-1-4-1 set-up. The arrival of Alexis Sanchez will impact on the three attacking midfield roles in Mourinho’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, though. Mata’s start is the least secure, with both Lingard and Martial in fine form. Yet it’s uncertain where the Chilean will fit in, either on the flank or centrally, and the knock-on effect that will have.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-back, attacking midfield

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Darlow; Manquillo (Yedlin 66), Lascelles, Hayden, Clark, Dummett; Atsu (Perez 64), Shelvey, Diame, Murphy; Joselu (Gayle 77)
Subs not used: Elliot, Haidara, Ritchie, Merino.

• What we saw: Rafa Benitez opted for a more defensive 5-4-1 system for the daunting trip to Manchester City, with Isaac Hayden lining up in central defence. Javier Manquillo was recalled at right-back in place of DeAndre Yedlin, while Jacob Murphy was preferred to Matt Ritchie on the right side of midfield. Following his goal in the 1-1 draw with Swansea City, Joselu was rewarded with a start as the lone striker in place of Dwight Gayle, while the change in formation also meant that Ayoze Perez dropped to the bench. Perez eventually entered the fray in place of Christian Atsu down the left flank, while Yedlin and Gayle were also handed minutes from the bench.
• What we learned: Given Newcastle host Burnley in Gameweek 25, it is expected that Benitez will revert back to either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1 formation. Hayden should either move into midfield or drop to the bench, then, while Yedlin and Manquillo may continue to share starts at right-back. Whoever fails to start in Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Chelsea is the favourite to get the nod against the Clarets. Mikel Merino could come back into contention in central midfield, while Ritchie is a viable starter out wide. Perez and Gayle both look set to push for recalls in attack, although Joselu could retain his start. Although Karl Darlow has started the last four in the league, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Rob Elliot come under consideration for a recall, particularly if he starts and impresses against Chelsea in the cup. Confirmation of Kenedy’s loan signing from Chelsea appears imminent and, while he is unable to face his parent club in the FA Cup, he will come into contention for the meeting with the Clarets. It’s not yet clear if Benitez will deploy the Brazilian wide on the left to threaten Christian Atsu start, or use him as an attacking left-back.

Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, right-back, central midfield, flanks, support striker, lone striker

Southampton

Starting XI: McCarthy; Cedric Soares, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand; Romeu, Lemina (Davis 80); Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg (Boufal 65), Tadic; Gabbiadini (Obafemi 82). Subs not used: Forster, Redmond, Pied, Bednarek.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pellegrino opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to St Mary’s with Mario Lemina earning a recall alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in central midfield. Shane Long missed out due to illness, seeing Manolo Gabbiadini handed a rare start as the lone striker. While Sofiane Boufal replaced Hojbjerg in what appeared an attacking substitution, Saints generally kept to the 4-1-4-1 in order to hold on for a point. Michael Obafemi was handed his Premier League debut late on, replacing Gabbiadini in a straight swap.
• What we learned: With Saints hosting Brighton & Hove Albion in Gameweek 25, it is likely that Pellegrino will opt for a more attacking 4-2-3-1 system. Boufal could come into contention for a recall, perhaps most likely in place of Lemina. That would see Hojbjerg drop back alongside Oriol Romeu at the base of midfield. Long should be available again following illness, and may well be favoured over Gabbiadini in attack. The break until Gameweek 25 should also give Maya Yoshida time to recover from a hamstring injury, with Jack Stephens’ start in central defence then at risk. Southampton face Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday and, after playing a strong team in the third round, it will be worth monitoring the starting XI chosen by Pellegrino ahead of Gameweek 25.

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

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Bauer, Shawcross, Zouma, Pieters; Fletcher; Shaqiri, Allen, Adam (Cameron 71) Choupo-Moting (Sobhi 90); Diouf (Crouch 77). Subs not used: Ireland, Martins Indi, Grant, Edwards.

• What we saw: In his first match in charge, new Stoke boss Paul Lambert opted for a 4-3-3 formation at home to Huddersfield Town. Mame Biram Diouf was recalled as the central striker, flanked by Xherdan Shaqiri and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Charlie Adam was handed a start as part of the three-man midfield, while Ryan Shawcross and Erik Pieters returned from injuries to start at centre-back and left-back respectively.
• What we learned: After kicking off his tenure with a 2-0 victory, and with struggling Watford the visitors to the bet365 Stadium in Gameweek 25, changes appear unlikely. The likes of Geoff Cameron, Ramadan Sobhi and Peter Crouch provide decent alternatives but are not expected to force their way into the starting XI against the Hornets. New arrival Konstantinos Stafylidis will provide Pieters with competition at left-back but, after the Potters’ clean sheet on Saturday, he may have to wait to force his way into Lambert’s plans.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski: Van der Hoorn, Fernandez, Mawson: Naughton, Clucas, Fer, Ki Sung-yueng, Olsson: Ayew (Bony 79), Dyer (Carroll 64). Subs not used: Nordfeldt, Narsingh, Carroll, Bartley, Mesa, McBurnie.

• What we saw: Carlos Carvalhal opted for a defensive 5-4-1 formation against Liverpool, with Federico Fernandez earning a recall in central defence, while Kyle Naughton returned from suspension at right-back. Leroy Fer was recalled in central midfield, with Nathan Dyer (right) and Sam Clucas (left) operating out wide, leaving Jordan Ayew as the lone striker. Tom Carroll took over from Dyer on the right side of midfield for the final 26 minutes, while a tiring Ayew made way for Wilfried Bony in a straight swap late on.
• What we learned: With the Swans facing a similar opponent in Arsenal in their next league encounter, Carvalhal is likely to stick with the same formula. If he’s fit to return, Renato Sanches could provide a different option either out wide or in the middle of the park, but changes elsewhere appear unlikely for Gameweek 25. Carvalhal’s selection for Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Notts County should certainly provide some pointers, with many of the key players who started on Monday set to be rested.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, central midfield

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Vorm; Aurier (Trippier 72), Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele (Wanyama 85); Sissoko, Alli, Son Heung-min (Lamela 70); Kane. Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Walker-Peters, Foyth, Llorente.

• What we saw: Hugo Lloris and Christian Eriksen both missed the trip to Southampton due to illness, seeing Michel Vorm and Moussa Sissoko come into the side. Interestingly, Serge Aurier made his third successive start at right-back ahead of Kieran Trippier. Spurs started in a conventional 4-2-3-1 formation, before switching to a midfield diamond at the start of the second half, seeing Son Heung-min join Harry Kane up front. That became more of a 4-3-2-1 after Erik Lamela was brought on in place of Son, with the Argentine and Deli Alli operating behind lone striker Kane. Aurier was eventually forced off with a knock, with Trippier taking over at right-back.
• What we learned: With over a week until Spurs host Man United at Wembley in Gameweek 25, Lloris and Eriksen should both be ready to return, while Aurier will also have plenty of time to recover. Lloris and Eriksen should both earn recalls, then, with Trippier the alternative at right-back. Should Toby Alderweireld recover from a hamstring injury, he could replace Davinson Sanchez in central defence or allow Mauricio Pochettino to revert to a three-man defence. But even if Harry Winks is back following an ankle injury, he may struggle to displace Mousa Dembele in central midfield. Further changes appear unlikely unless any injuries are picked up during Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Newport County. But Pochettino is expected to rest many of his regular starters in south Wales.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, right-back, attacking midfield

Watford

Starting XI: Karnezis; Janmaat (Okaka 81), Wague (Prodl 61), Kabasele, Zeegelaar; Doucoure, Watson; Carrillo, Pereyra (Gray 60), Richarlison; Deeney. Subs not used: Mariappa, Sinclair, Capoue, Bachmann.

• What we saw: Marco Silva was forced into making a couple of changes for the trip to Leicester City, with Orestis Karnezis replacing Heurelho Gomes, who was ruled out due to a back injury, in goal. Elsewhere, Roberto Pereyra replaced Tom Cleverley (hamstring) in the No 10 role in the 4-2-3-1 formation, while Troy Deeney was preferred to Andre Gray as the lone striker. With his side a goal down on the hour mark, Silva switched to 4-4-2, bringing on Gray for Pereyra, while after suffering a hamstring problem, Molla Wague was replaced by Sebastian Prodl. Chasing a late equaliser, the Hornets head coach then turned to Stefano Okaka, seeing the Hornets end the match with three strikers on the pitch, leaving Andre Carrillo to cover the right side of the pitch.
• What we learned: The 2-0 defeat to Leicester turned out being Silva’s last match in charge, with Javi Gracia taking over at Vicarage Road. His first match at the helm will be against Southampton in the FA Cup on Saturday, before Watford travel to Stoke City in Gameweek 25. He’ll hope that Gomes is fit to return in goal by then, while should some of the injured defenders return to fitness, changes could also be possible at the back. The change of manager could also provide a new lease of life to players such as Prodl, Etienne Capoue and Okaka, who had been out of favour under Silva. Providing he’s fit to return, Cleverley would appear a probable starter against the Potters.

Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: All Positions

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster, Dawson, Hegazi, Evans (McAuley 80), Gibbs: Krychowiak, Barry: Rodriguez (McClean 79), Phillips, Brunt (Livermore 79): Rondon. Subs not used: Myhill, Nyom, Robson-Kanu, Field.

• What we saw: Unsurprisingly, Alan Pardew named the same side that beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 for the trip to Everton. Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazi recovered from knocks to the head to start in defence, while Grzegorz Krychowiak kept his place in central midfield. The Baggies ended the match in a 4-1-4-1, with Jake Livermore coming on the bolster the midfield in place of Rodriguez, while James McClean took over from Chris Brunt on the left wing. Jonny Evans was forced off with concussion and was replaced by Gareth McAuley in a straight swap.
• What we learned: The Baggies will assess Evans ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Liverpool, before they travel to Manchester City in Gameweek 25. McAuley will be on standby to start at the Etihad, while both he and Allan Nyom are options if Pardew considers switching to a five-man defence. Similarly, Livermore is an option if the West Brom boss decides to instead reinforce the midfield in a 4-1-4-1 system, perhaps putting Rodriquez’s start at risk unless he moves to the left in place of Brunt.

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

West Ham United

Starting XI: Adrian; Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell (Byram 90); Zabaleta, Kouyate (Rice 90), Obiang, Noble, Masuaku; Lanzini (Hernandez 64), Arnautovic. Subs not used: Hart, Martinez, Burke, Cullen.

• What we saw: Hammers boss David Moyes named the same side that beat Huddersfield Town 4-1 for the visit of Bournemouth to the London Stadium. The home side again lined up in a 3-5-1-1 formation, with Marko Arnautovic continuing as the lone striker. Manuel Lanzini was forced off shortly after the hour mark, seeing Chicharito enter the fray. The Mexican took up the lone striker role, with Arnautovic dropping into a central support position. Aaron Cresswell was forced off with what is thought to have been cramp late on, with Sam Byram, making his first appearance of the season following his recent injury, taking his place.
• What we learned: Cresswel should be fit to start when West Ham entertain Crystal Palace in Gameweek 25. Winston Reid has missed the last two matches with a groin injury, but the extra time between league matches could give him the chance to return to contention, most likely in place of James Collins. Lanzini’s hamstring problem is a major concern, while Arnautovic also picked up a hamstring problem and looks set to join him on the sidelines. Chicharito seems set to earn a recall against Palace following his goal last weekend, then, while Andre Ayew could also come into contention if Michail Antonio fails to recover from a calf complaint. Moyes’ side travel to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Saturday, when he is likely to make changes where possible, given the lengthy injury list at present.

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