Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 27 – Part Two

Marko Arnautovic returns to the West Ham teamsheet with a goal in the home win over Watford. Newcastle United’s new keeper Martin Dubravka impresses on his debut against Man United, who welcome back Paul Pogba, Phil Jones and Anthony Martial to the starting XI. Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge lasts less than five minutes of West Brom’s defeat at Chelsea before sustaining another injury setback.

Here’s the second of our Line-up Lessons articles – the first is here – assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 27 with one eye on what’s to come over the midweek Champions League and Europa League knockout stages, weekend FA Cup fixtures and beyond.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Otamendi (Stones 81), Zinchenko (Danilo 65); De Bruyne, Fernandinho (Foden 80), Gundogan; Silva, Aguero, Sterling. Subs not used: Bravo, Kompany, Diaz, Nmecha.

• What we saw: Pep Guardiola handed recalls to Aymeric Laporte and Oleksandr Zinchenko in defence against Leicester City, with Vincent Kompany and Danilo dropping to the bench. With his side leading 4-1, the City boss had the luxury of being able to take off both Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho for the final 10 minutes, with the fit-again John Stones and Phil Foden coming on in straight swaps.
• What we learned: Guardiola’s side have now reached a point in the season where the congested schedule will heighten the likelihood of rotation. That situation is compounded by the return of Fabian Delph, David Silva and Leroy Sane in the 4-0 win over FC Basel in the Champions League on Tuesday. City now play Wigan in the FA Cup and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final before their Gameweek 28 fixture against the Gunners on Thursday March 1. That would be postponed if City fail to get past Wigan at the first attempt. City are then due to host Chelsea three days after the scheduled league match with Arsenal and face FC Basel in the return leg three days after that. However, the margin of last night’s victory will surely allow Guardiola leeway to rest some key assets against the Swiss outfit. Kompany and Stones are viable alternatives in central defence, with Otamendi perhaps at risk of being rested having started eight consecutive matches in all competitions and 16 of the last 17. Meanwhile, after playing the full 90 minutes in Switzerland, Delph should be the first choice at left-back once again, with Danilo and Oleksandr Zinchenko providing cover in the full-back areas. David Silva is likely to replace Ilkay Gundogan in central midfield, although the German remains a viable starter should any of the regular starters in central midfield be in need of a rest. The return to fitness of Sane will provide the option for City to rotate on the flanks, with Bernardo Silva the most likely to make way. The fact that Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne were both withdrawn around the hour mark in Basel may lessen the chances of them being rested against Arsenal and Chelsea in Gameweeks 28 and 29, particularly if they are left out against Wigan. Guardiola has also suggested that Gabriel Jesus could be back to face the Latics, which will surely now impact on the pitch-time of Sergio Aguero. The striker has completed 90 minutes in each of the last six Gameweeks.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, left wing, lone forward

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Young; Matic (McTominay 76); Lingard (Carrick 65), Pogba (Mata 65); Martial, Lukaku, Sanchez. Subs not used: Romero, Lindelof, Rojo, Shaw.

• What we saw: Jose Mourinho again rolled out his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to Newcastle United. Phil Jones, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial were all handed recalls, with Marcos Rojo, Scott McTominay and Juan Mata making way.
• What we learned: Following the 1-0 defeat, changes are a distinct possibility for the home meeting with Chelsea on Sunday 25 February, particularly after he criticised the defensive showing at St James’ Park. Rojo and Luke Shaw are the players most likely to push for starts at the back. If the United boss considers starting with a three-man midfield against the champions, Ander Herrera (if fit) could be an option to join Nemanja Matic and Pogba in the middle of the park, with Michael Carrick potentially another alternative. Jesse Lingard’s start would perhaps be the most at risk in that scenario, while Mata provides a different option in the attacking midfield spots. Marcus Rashford missed the defeat to Newcastle due to a muscle injury but should have a good chance of being fit for Gameweek 28, although he appears an unlikely starter. United play twice before Gameweek 28, facing Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup and Sevilla in the Champions League, so those matches may provide some clues as to Mourinho’s thinking for the Chelsea match-up. Although the trip to Sevilla takes place four days before the Blues encounter, Mourinho seems unlikely to rotate and bring fringe players onto the teamsheet for either fixture.

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

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Shelvey, Diame; Ritchie, Perez (Hayden 90), Kenedy (Atsu 83); Gayle (Joselu 78). Subs not used: Darlow, Murphy, Manquillo, Merino.

• What we saw: Florian Lejeune returned in central defence for the Magpies against Man United due to Ciaran Clark being sidelined with a knee injury. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was handed his Premier League debut at the expense of Karl Darlow. Newcastle lined up in the usual 4-4-1-1 system, with Ayoze Perez stationed in the support striker role behind lone forward Dwight Gayle. Rafa Benitez introduced Isaac Hayden late on in place of Perez, seeing the home side finish the match in a defensive 4-5-1 as they looked to hold on for all three points.
• What we learned: The shock 1-0 win over United is likely to ensure that changes are kept to a minimum for the Gameweek 28 trip to Bournemouth. Dubravka and Lejeune both impressed on Sunday, though while the former now looks to have secured the role between the posts, Clark will be pushing for a return to central defence if fit. The break should allow Islam Slimani enough time to fully recover from a thigh injury, so he may be an option to replace Gayle as the lone striker. It’s probably unlikely that Hayden, Mikel Merino, Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy will push for starts given the result and performance against United.

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

Southampton

Starting XI: McCarthy, Soares, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand; Romeu (Davis 80), Lemina (Boufal 57), Hojbjerg; Ward-Prowse (Long 71), Carrillo, Tadic. Subs not used: Forster, Yoshida, Redmond, Gabbiadini.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pellegrino made one change for the home clash against Liverpool, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg coming in for Sofiane Boufal. Hojbjerg played just in front of Oriol Romeu and Mario Lemina in a withdrawn No 10 role in a 4-2-3-1 formation. But Lemina had to be withdrawn due to illness, seeing Hojbjerg drop back to the base of midfield. Substitute Boufal moved onto the left wing, with Dusan Tadic playing as an orthodox No 10.
• What we learned: Given his fairly limited options, Pellegrino is unlikely to make major changes to the starting XI for the trip to Burnley. Lemina should be available to face the Clarets given the two-week break, with Steven Davis the main alternative in central midfield. Hojbjerg could also start alongside Romeu, allowing a more attacking player such as Boufal to come into the side. Nathan Redmond, Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini are the other attacking options available to Pellegrino, while Maya Yoshida remains available in central defence but seemingly out of favour.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defence, central midfield

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Bauer, Shawcross, Zouma, Pieters; Fletcher (Berahino 46); Shaqiri, Allen, Ndiaye (Adam 79), Choupo-Moting (Jese 62); Diouf. Subs not used: Grant, Johnson, Cameron, Ramadan Sobhi.

• What we saw: Paul Lambert kept faith in the 4-1-4-1 formation for the home encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion, although he did make a couple of changes. The fit-again Darren Fletcher replaced Geoff Cameron in the defensive midfield role, while Mame Biram Diouf took up the lone striker position in the absence of the injured Peter Crouch. But with his side trailing 1-0 at half-time, Lambert decided to switch to a 4-4-2, bringing on Saido Berahino to join Diouf up front.
• What we learned: Lambert will hope to have Crouch available for the trip to Leicester City following an ankle problem. If fit, Crouch would be an option to either replace or play alongside Diouf in attack. After being taken off shortly after the hour mark, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s start may come under threat from Jese Rodriguez, who returned against the Seagulls. Ramadan Sobhi provides another alternative out wide for the Potters. Cameron is a possible option to replace Fletcher if Lambert continues to play with three central midfielders.

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

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Van der Hoorn, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson (A Ayew 59); Dyer (Abraham 74), Ki Sung-yueng, Carroll, Clucas; J Ayew (King 90). Subs not used: Nordfeldt; Bartley, Narsingh, Routledge.

• What we saw: Carlos Carvalhal was forced into making one change for the visit of Burney to the Liberty Stadium, with Tom Carroll replacing the injured Leroy Fer in central midfield. The Swans lined up in a 5-4-1 formation once more, although Kyle Naughton and Martin Olsson were afforded more freedom to push forward. That became more of a 3-4-3 when Carvalhal decided to bring on Andre Ayew for Olsson, who had picked up a yellow card during the first half. That change saw Ayew join brother Jordan and Nathan Dyer in the front three, while Sam Clucas took up a wing-back role on the left. Tammy Abraham came on in the central striker position, seeing Jordan Ayew shift to the right of the front three. The Swans ended the match in a 3-5-2, with Andy King brought on to help shore up the midfield as the home side looked to cling on to their lead.
• What we learned: Following another victory, Carvalhal is likely to stick with the 5-4-1 formation for the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion. That would make changes unlikely providing no injuries are picked up against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup, although a switch to a slightly more attacking 3-4-3 could make Andre Ayew an option to start on the left of a front three. Clucas would then be an alternative to Carroll in central midfield, with Olsson’s start not expected to be under threat.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele; Eriksen, Alli (Wanyama 85), Son Heung-min (Lamela 70); Kane. Subs not used: Vorm, Rose, Sissoko, Aurier, Lucas Moura.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pochettino named an unchanged starting XI for the north London derby, although after using a midfield diamond in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool, he reverted back to his preferred 4-2-3-1 system. The Spurs boss decided to bring on Victor Wanyama for Dele Alli for the final five minutes, switching to a more defensive 4-3-3, with Wanyama joining Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele in central midfield as Spurs looked to preserve their 1-0 lead.
• What we learned: With Spurs playing their Gameweek 28 match at Crystal Palace on a Monday night, eight days after their FA Cup meeting with Rochdale, the likelihood of rotation should be lessened. There are some areas where Pochettino could change things up, with Serge Aurier and Danny Rose viable starters in the full-back positions. Providing he’s fully fit by Gameweek 28, Toby Alderweireld may be an option in central defence, while Wanyama offers a strong alternative in the middle of the park. Erik Lamela surprisingly started ahead of Son Heung-min in last night’s 2-2 draw with Juventus, while Lucas Moura also made his Spurs debut as a late substitute in Turin, providing another option for Pochettino in the attacking midfield spots. It’s the Gameweek 29 meeting with Huddersfield Town that looks a potential hotspot for rotation, given that the second leg against Juventus follows four days later.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central defenders, central midfield, flanks

Watford

Starting XI: Karnezis; Mariappa, Prodl, Holebas; Janmaat, Capoue, Doucoure, Zeegelaar (Pereyra 56); Deulofeu (Lukebakio 74), Deeney, Richarlison (Gray 82). Subs not used: Bachmann, Ndong, Gray, Carrillo, Mukena.

• What we saw: Javi Gracia unsurprisingly named the same side that beat Chelsea 4-1 for the trip to West Ham United, with the Hornets lining up in a 3-4-2-1 system. But with his side trailing 1-0, he decided to switch to a 4-2-3-1, with Roberto Pereyra coming on in place of Marvin Zeegelaar. Pereyra took up the No 10 role, while Jose Holebas shifted across to left-back. Dodi Lukebakio was handed his Premier League debut from the bench, joining fellow substitutes Pereyra, Andre Gray and Troy Deeney in a four-pronged attack as Watford looked to get back into the match.
• What we learned: The disappointing display at the London Stadium could make Gracia reconsider his tactical approach for the home meeting with Everton in Gameweek 28. In a 3-4-2-1, changes are less likely, unless some of Watford’s injured players are ready to return. Providing he recovers from a hamstring problem, Tom Cleverley seems the outfield player most likely to come back into the starting XI, perhaps in place of Etienne Capoue in central midfield. Heurelho Gomes should return at the expense of Orestis Karnezis in goal if he overcomes a back injury. But in a 4-2-3-1, Cleverley or Pereyra are options to start in the No 10 role, with Zeegelaar the player likely to miss out, seeing Holebas start at left-back.

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

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, Hegazi, Evans; Phillips, Brunt (Burke 46), Barry (Yacob 80), Krychowiak, Gibbs; Sturridge (Rodriguez 4), Rondon. Subs not used: Myhill, Nyom, Yacob, McClean, McAuley.

• What we saw: Alan Pardew switched to a 3-5-2 system for the trip to Chelsea, with the fit-again Jonny Evans returning as part of the three-man defence. Kieran Gibbs also returned from injury at left wing-back, while Matt Phillips was stationed at right wing-back. Grzegorz Krychowiak was another who returned from injury, joining Chris Brunt and Gareth Barry in central midfield. But Pardew was forced into an early reshuffle after Daniel Sturridge picked up a hamstring problem, seeing Jay Rodriguez take his place in a straight swap.
• What we learned: The Baggies face Southampton in the FA Cup on Saturday, before hosting Huddersfield Town in a crucial clash in Gameweek 28. Sturridge is an early doubt for the Terriers fixture, so Rodriguez could join Salomon Rondon up front though, with his FA charge in place, a suspension could be looming which would rule him out; we will know more on Friday, with Rodriguez likely to appeal. In what looks a must-win match, Pardew is likely to revert back to a more attacking 4-4-2. Should Jake Livermore be available, he would be an option in central midfield, but the likes of Oliver Burke, James McClean and Sam Field appear unlikely to replace either Phillips or Brunt out wide. A switch to a back four would see Craig Dawson shift across to right-back.

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

West Ham United

Starting XI: Adrian; Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Antonio; Mario (Byram 77), Hernandez (Hugill 88), Arnautovic (Rice 84). Subs not used: Hart, Fonte, Evra, Cullen.

• What we saw: The return to fitness of Marko Arnautovic allowed David Moyes to return to a 3-4-2-1 formation for the home encounter against Watford. The Austrian joined Joao Mario in the advanced midfield positions behind lone striker Chicharito. Michail Antonio also returned to start at left wing-back, while Pablo Zabaleta was stationed in a more familiar role at right wing-back, having filled in as a central midfielder in recent matches. The Argentinian did return to that position after Sam Byram was brought on for Mario, with the substitute take over at right wing-back, seeing the Hammers switch to a more defensive 3-5-2. The home side then ended the match with just substitute Jordan Hugill in attack as Moyes tried to ensure they held on for a crucial victory.
• What we learned: The win against the Hornets, along with the fact that West Ham travel to Liverpool in Gameweek 28, is likely to mean that Moyes sticks with a similar formation at Anfield. Should Manuel Lanzini (hamstring) be ready to return, he could be an option to join Arnautovic in attack is a more defensive 3-5-1-1, with Chicharito perhaps dropping to the bench. That system would see Mario shifted to a slightly deeper role in central midfield. The extra preparation time should allow Patrice Evra to build up his fitness levels, but he seems an unlikely starter against Liverpool. Winston Reid and Jose Fonte may be fit enough to come under consideration for starts in central defence, although after keeping a clean sheet, they could also find it difficult to break back into the XI for the time being. But if Aaron Cresswell is favoured at left wing-back over Antonio due to his defensive qualities, one of Reid, Fonte or Declan Rice may be needed to partner Angelo Ogbonna and James Collins in the back three.

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