Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 1 – Part Two

Manchester City retain a three-man defence, while United revert to a back four as both secure opening day victories. Spurs blood youngster Kyle Walker-Peters in a convincing win at Newcastle United, who have plenty of injury and suspension issues to deal with.

We published the lessons learned from the first ten teamsheets of the new season here, and now round up the rest from a goal-strewn Gameweek 1.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Kompany, Stones, Otamendi; Fernandinho, Walker, De Bruyne, Silva, Danilo (Sane 68); Aguero (Bernardo Silva 83), Jesus (Sterling 78). Subs not used: Bravo, Mangala, Toure, Foden.

• What we saw: City boss Pep Guardiola kept faith in the 3-3-2-2 formation he favoured through pre-season, with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne operating just in front of holding midfielder Fernandinho and wing-backs Kyle Walker and Danilo. Leroy Sane replaced Danilo after the break, while Raheem Sterling played as a forward when he entered the fray.
• What we learned: While history tells us that Guardiola will tweak, he spoke post-match on how he expects to retain the formation for now. With Everton up next, the City manager seems unlikely to opt for the more attacking Sane at wing-back. Benjamin Mendy and Ilkay Gundogan are close to returning to contention and have been included in City’s squad for a midweek friendly clash with Girona but neither would seem unlikely to immediately break into the starting XI.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Left wing-back

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Bailly, Blind; Matic, Pogba; Rashford (Martial 80), Mata (Fellaini 77), Mkhitaryan (Lingard 88); Lukaku. Subs not used: Smalllng, Romero, Herrera, Darmian.

• What we saw: Jose Mourinho decided to opt for an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation against West Ham United, with Juan Mata joining Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford in the attacking midfield trio. Daley Blind was preferred to Matteo Darmian at left-back while, as expected, Phil Jones got the nod over Victor Lindelof to partner Eric Bailly in central defence.
• What we learned: The emphatic 4-0 victory suggests that Mourinho may continue to deploy the 4-2-3-1 against weaker opponents, with the 4-3-3 – with Ander Herrera looks a likely starter – perhaps only to be used in more testing fixtures. The United boss did finish this match in that system, though, with Marouane Fellaini joining Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba in central midfield. Anthony Martial impressed off the bench with a goal and an assist, but Rashford will be expected to retain his place for Saturday’s trip to Swansea City. Mourinho could adopt a “horses for courses” approach at left-back, with Darmian remaining a viable alternative to Blind for away matches. Lindelof was in the stands and will not be rushed into Premier League action, promoting Jones (5.0) as a cut-price route in the Red Devils’ backline.

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

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Elliot; Dummett (Lascelles 7), Clark, Lejeune (Mbemba 34), Manquillo; Hayden, Shelvey, Atsu, Perez; Ritchie, Gayle (Merino 76). Subs not used: Murphy, Aarons, Darlow, Mitrovic.

• What we saw: Rafa Benitez stuck with his favoured 4-2-3-1, with fit-again Dwight Gayle chosen to start as the lone striker ahead of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who had impressed in pre-season.
• What we learned: Newcastle suffered two defensive injuries during the first half, with Paul Dummett sustaining a hamstring injury, while Florian Lejeune was forced off with a knee problem. Early reports suggested the Wales international could be sidelined for two weeks, with the prognosis for Lejeune yet to be disclosed. Ciaran Clark moved to left-back on Sunday, while Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba combined in central defence. Those three, along with Javier Manquillo, may have to start at Huddersfield Town on Sunday if there is more bad news regarding Lejeune. In central midfield, Mikel Merino is set to replace the suspended Shelvey.

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

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Cedric Soares, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand (McQueen 86); Davis, Romeu; Ward-Prowse (Boufal 71), Tadic, Redmond, Gabbiadini (Austin 69). Subs not used: Taylor, Bednarek, Lemina, Long.

• What we saw: New Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino went with his favoured 4-2-3-1 for the home clash against Swansea City, with Cedric Soares fit enough to start at right-back ahead of Jeremy Pied. Manolo Gabbiadini was, as expected, preferred to Charlie Austin for the lone striker role.
• What we learned: After failing to score despite creating plenty of chances, it’s in the attacking positions where Pellegrino is most likely to consider making personnel changes for the visit of West Ham United. Austin will surely push to replace Gabbiadini, with Sofiane Boufal an alternative in the attacking midfield positions. New signing Mario Lamina could also vie for a place in centre midfield, with Steven Davis at risk.

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

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Cameron, Shawcross, Zouma; Diouf, Fletcher, Allen, Pieters; Shaqiri, Berahino (Choupo-Moting 72), Bojan (Crouch 72). Subs not used: Grant, Johnson, Tymon, Adam, Sobhi.

• What we saw: Mark Hughes opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation against Everton, with Bojan shaking off a knock to start alongside Xherdan Shaqiri in the attacking midfield spots. Mame Biram Diouf operated as the right wing-back, with Glen Johnson missing out.
• What we learned: The lack of a cutting edge for the Potters means Hughes may well consider a change in system for Saturday’s home opener against Arsenal. Peter Crouch is the obvious alternative in attack, while he could also play alongside Saido Berahino in a front two, with Bojan making way. Wide man Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting made a promising Stoke debut off the bench and could also threaten Bojan’s start. In defence, Bruno Martins-Indi should come into contention, most likely in place of Geoff Cameron. The American is also an option in central midfield, potentially freeing up Joe Allen for a more advanced role.

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

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson; Britton (Fulton 74), Fer, Carroll; Routledge (McBurnie 86), Ayew; Abraham (Bartley 81). Subs not used: Nordfeldt, Narsingh, Rangel, Mesa.

• What we saw: Swans head coach Paul Clement kept faith in the midfield diamond that was so successful during the final month of last season, with Wayne Routledge stationed at the tip behind the front pairing of Tammy Abraham and Jordan Ayew.
• What we learned: Until Clement is able to bring in new faces once the protracted move of Gylfi Sigurdsson to Everton is completed, he looks set to favour the 4-1-2-1-2 system. He has admitted that Roque Mesa may need time to adjust to the pace of English football, so changes appear unlikely for Saturday’s home meeting with Man United. Striker Fernando Llorente (arm) is unlikely to be available.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Davies, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Walker-Peters; Dembele (Winks 90), Dier, Sissoko (Son Heung-min 58); Eriksen, Alli (Wanyama 82), Kane. Subs not used: Janssen, Vorm, Wimmer, Carter-Vickers.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pochettino sprung one surprise with his team selection for the trip to Newcastle United, with youngster Kyle Walker-Peters named at right-back. The Spurs boss opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Moussa Sissoko joining Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen in a fluid attacking midfield trio.
• What we learned: While the 4-2-3-1 system worked well at St James’ Park, Pochettino could equally switch to a 3-4-2-1 for the home clash against Chelsea. Victor Wanyama has had a niggle during pre-season but could be ready to start against the Blues, allowing Eric Dier to drop into a back three. Alternatively, the fit-again Son Heung-min may be an option to replace Sissoko in a 4-2-3-1, with Walker-Peters keeping his place at right-back if Kieran Trippier fails to recover from his ankle injury.

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

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Janmaat (Femenia 18), Kaboul, Britos, Holebas; Doucoure, Chalobah; Amrabat, Cleverley, Pereyra (Richarlison 49); Okaka (Gray 63). Subs not used: Pantilimon, Prodl, Capoue, Watson.

• What we saw: New Hornets head coach Marco Silva went with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation against Liverpool, with Stefano Okaka chosen to lead the line. Andre Gray only appeared off the bench after joining midway through last week, while Troy Deeney (groin) missed out. Younes Kaboul and Miguel Britos were favoured in central defence at the expense of the benched Sebastian Prodl.
• What we learned: Watford suffered two injuries on Saturday. Daryl Janmaat was forced off with a knock, while Roberto Pereyra suffered a groin injury. Substitutes Kiko Femenia and Richarlison both did reasonably well when introduced and are the likely replacements if required for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth. Gray may push for a start, but Okaka’s strong performance could mean he keeps his place, even if Deeney is available.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, left wing, lone striker.

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Brunt; Yacob; Phillips (Robson-Kanu 72), Livermore, Field (Harper 70), McClean; Rodriguez (Rondon 87). Subs not used: Myhill, Chadli, Leko, Wilson.

• What we saw: Baggies head coach Tony Pulis opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation against Bournemouth, with youngster Sam Field earning a start alongside Jake Livermore in central midfield. Jay Rodriguez was deployed as the lone striker, while Jonny Evans missed out with a slight hamstring problem. That meant that Craig Dawson started next to Ahmed Hegazi in central defence, with Allan Nyom and Chris Brunt occupying the full-back spots.
• What we learned: Rodriguez impressed as the lone striker before moving to the right late on. Salomon Rondon’s stock suffered a severe dent, with Hal Robson-Kanu also brought on before the Venezuelan. Nacer Chadli, meanwhile, was an unused substitute and is being linked with a move to Swansea City. If Evans is fit for Saturday’s trip to Burnley, Pulis faces a tough decision on who to leave out in defence, with one of Nyom or Brunt perhaps most at risk, although the latter would seem likely to be moved into midfield, perhaps at the expense of Field or James McClean.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Defence, left wing

West Ham United

Starting XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Masuaku (Cresswell 81); Obiang, Noble (Rice 61); Ayew, Fernandes (Sakho 60) Arnautovic; Hernandez. Subs not used: Fonte, Adrian, Collins, Byram.

• What we saw: Hammers boss Slaven Bilic decided upon a 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to Old Trafford, with Edimilson Fernandes used in the central attacking midfield role. Having had an injury during pre-season, Aaron Cresswell only featured as a substitute, with Arthur Masuaku starting at left-back. Angelo Ogbonna was favoured over Jose Fonte in central defence. Bilic decided to throw caution to the wind with his side trailing 2-0, bringing on Diafra Sakho for Fernandes as West Ham switched to an attacking 4-4-2.
• What we learned: The struggles of Javier Hernandez as the lone striker could persuade Bilic to opt for a different approach for Saturday’s trip to Southampton, as we saw when Sakho was introduced for the final half hour. Michail Antonio got a run-out for the U23s last Friday and will be in contention to feature at St. Mary’s, either in the attacking midfield spots or even as a partner for Chicharito. Bilic has also indicated that both Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll are closing in on returns. Cresswell could also push for a start in place of Masuaku at left-back, while Fonte is a viable alternative at centre-back.

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