Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 5 – Part Two

Flat back fours and minimal changes are the order of the day for the Manchester sides, while a three-man defence serves Swansea City rather better than Spurs.

Southampton ring the changes to good effect, but West Ham stick and reap the rewards.

Here’s the second part of our look at Gameweek 5’s line-ups – the first can be found here.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Mendy; Fernandinho; De Bruyne (Gundogan 66), D Silva (Sane 78), Sterling; Aguero, Jesus (B Silva 65). Subs not used: Bravo, Danilo, Mangala, Delph.

• What we saw: Pep Guardiola moved back to the 4-1-2-3 formation used against Bournemouth in Gameweek 3, after using a 3-4-1-2 versus Liverpool last time out. Danilo dropped to the bench, with Raheem Sterling recalled on the right of the front three. Gabriel Jesus operated on the opposite flank, leaving Sergio Aguero as the central striker. Ilkay Gundogan made his first appearance of the season from the bench.
• What we learned: It appears that Guardiola is generally preferring the 4-1-2-3 against weaker opposition. The return of Gundogan offers more flexibility in midfield, with Fernandinho and perhaps De Bruyne now able to get the occasional rest. This system does mean Jesus may spend more time in a wider position, with Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva viable alternatives to Sterling in attack. Vincent Kompany (calf) will be assessed further ahead of Saturday’s home encounter with Crystal Palace. Next week’s UEFA Champions League match could mean Guardiola ups the squad rotation this weekend. But Jesus was withdrawn on the hour-mark on Saturday and against Liverpool in Gameweek 4. Similarly, Aguero was preserved after 60 minutes against Feyenoord in the Champions League tie, so Guardiola appears to be managing the minutes, rather than the starts, of his attackers. He has also made just one change to the starting line-up in each of the last three matches in all competitions. Nonetheless, Wednesday’s teamsheet at West Brom in the Carabao Cup could be significant heading in Gameweek 6, with another European tie looming next Tuesday evening.

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

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Young; Fellaini, Matic; Mata (Herrera 77), Mkhitaryan (Martial 88), Rashford (Lingard 60); Lukaku. Subs not used: Smalling, Carrick, Romero, Darmian.

• What we saw: Jose Mourinho decided to start Marouane Fellaini in central midfield in place of the injured Paul Pogba, while Ashley Young was chosen to fill the troublesome spot at left-back. The United boss switched back to a 4-2-3-1, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan returning to the No 10 role. Mourinho switched back to a 4-3-3 late on, as Mkhitaryan moved back out wide in the front three.
• What we learned: Mourinho is still generally favouring a 4-2-3-1 formation, although there is always the option to switch to a 4-3-3 to include both Fellaini and Herrera at the expense of Juan Mata. With a trip to Southampton on Saturday, that could be a viable option in Gameweek 6. Martial remains a threat to Rashford on the left wing, while uncertainty remains at left-back, where Matteo Darmian, Daley Blind and the fit-again Luke Shaw are all in the mix. United’s Carabao Cup line-up will offer further clubs as to the likely starters at St Mary’s.

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

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Elliot; Yedlin, Clark, Lascelles, Mbemba; Hayden (Shelvey 69), Merino; Ritchie, Perez (Diame 85), Atsu; Joselu (Gayle 78). Subs not used: Murphy, Manquillo, Lejeune, Woodman.

• What we saw: Back on home turf, Newcastle lined up in a more attacking 4-2-3-1 formation against Stoke City. The two changes from the side that beat Swansea City 1-0 came in defence, with DeAndre Yedlin and Chancel Mbemba returning from injury to start at right-back and left-back respectively.
• What we learned: Having started the first four matches of this season, it appears Javier Manquillo could be behind both Yedlin and Mbemba in the full-back pecking order. Following a third consecutive win, changes elsewhere are unlikely for Sunday’s trip to Brighton, although the Magpies may line up in a slightly more defensive 4-4-1-1 system. Shelvey looks unlikely to regain his midfield berth anytime soon given the form of Mikel Merino.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Cedric Soares, Yoshida, Hoedt, Bertrand; Romeu, Lemina; Tadic (Van Dijk 87), Davis, Redmond (Ward-Prowse 85); Long (Gabbiadini 90). Subs not used: Stephens, McCarthy, Boufal, Targett.

• What we saw: After leaving Maya Yoshida, Mario Lemina and Dusan Tadic out of the starting XI in Gameweek 4 following their international exertions, all three returned to the side for the trip to Crystal Palace. Shane Long was handed his first start of the season in place of Manolo Gabbiadini as the lone striker in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Virgil van Dijk came on as a late substitute, with Saints going to five at the back to help hold onto their 1-0 lead.
• What we learned: Mauricio Pellegrino will be expected to name a near identical side for Saturday’s home encounter against Man United. One possible change could see Van Dijk push for a first start in place of Yoshida. Long may again be preferred to Gabbiadini in attack, with fellow striker Charlie Austin currently a doubt having missed the Selhurst Park trip.

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

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Zouma, Martins-Indi, Wimmer; Diouf, Allen (Crouch 84), Fletcher, Pieters; Shaqiri, Choupo-Moting; Jese (Sobhi 62). Subs not used: Johnson, Berahino, Tymon, Adam, Grant.

• What we saw: Mark Hughes once again rolled out the 3-4-3 formation for the trip to St James’ Park, with the only personnel change seeing Bruno Martins Indi start in place of the injured Geoff Cameron in the back three.  Ramadan Sobhi came on shortly after the hour mark, with the Egyptian lining up on the left flank and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting taking over as the central striker. In a bid to find a late equaliser, Hughes brought on Peter Crouch as the Potters ended the match in an attacking 3-3-4 system.
• What we learned: Kurt Zouma is ineligible to face his parent club, Chelsea, this weekend, so Hughes was likely preserving Ryan Shawcross against Newcastle with that in mind. He could return from a back injury to face the champions to allow the Potters to retain a three-man defence. Further forward, Jese has now been substituted in each of his four starts, and while he is still building up his match fitness, Hughes may consider giving Sobhi more minutes, with Choupo-Moting shifted to a central role.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back/right wing-back, central defenders, flanks, strikers

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Van Der Hoorn (Routledge 85) Fernandez, Mawson; Naughton, Clucas, Carroll, Olsson, Sanches (Fer 58); Ayew, Abraham (Bony 72). Subs not used: Narsingh, Nordfeldt, Rangel, Roque Mesa.

• What we saw: Having used a 4-1-2-1-2 midfield diamond in the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, Paul Clement switched back to a 3-5-2 for the difficult trip to Wembley Stadium. Mike van der Hoorn returned as part of the back three, with Leroy Fer dropping to the bench. With the Dutch defender suffering from some fatigue late on, Clement switched to a 4-4-1-1, with Wayne Routledge on the right wing and Jordan Ayew dropping into a support striker role as the Welsh outfit looked to cling on for a point.
• What we learned: Clement is another boss who has the flexibility to easily switch between two different formations. But after performing poorly against Newcastle in a 4-1-2-1-2, he could stick with the three-man defence at home to Watford this weekend, although the more attacking Fer could be an option to return in central midfield.

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

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Sissoko (Aurier 62), Dier, Eriksen, Son Heung-min (Llorente 74); Alli; Kane. Subs not used: Vorm, Dembele, Foyth, Winks, Davies.

• What we saw: Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino stuck with the 3-3-3-1 formation against Swansea, but due to a slight knock to his ankle, Ben Davies was rested to the bench, with Son Heung-min used at left wing-back. The introduction of Serge Aurier at right wing-back meant Kieran Trippier switched to the left, with Son moving into an attacking midfield position. Fernando Llorente’s introduction saw Spurs end the match in a 3-3-2-2 system.
• What we learned: With a trip to West Ham up next, Pochettino is likely to stick with a back three, although Mousa Dembele will surely push for a start next to Eric Dier in midfield in a 3-4-2-1 formation, at the expense of Moussa Sissoko. Davies will be expected to return at left wing-back, with Aurier a viable alternative to Trippier on the opposite flank. But in “easier” home fixtures from now on, we could see Pochettino try a 4-2-3-1, with Son on the left wing. That would mean one of Davinson Sanchez, Toby Alderweireld or Jan Vertonghen dropping to the bench.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Wing-backs, central midfield, attacking midfield

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Janmaat, Mariappa, Kabasele, Holebas; Chalobah (Capoue 70), Doucoure; Carrillo, Cleverley (Pereyra 65), Richarlison; Gray (Deeney 74). Subs not used: Karnezis, Success, Wague, Zeegelarr.

• What we saw: Injuries and suspensions meant that Hornets head coach Marco Silva had to start Adrian Mariappa in central defence against Man City, while Daryl Janmaat came in at right-back in place of Kiko Femenia who trained but wasn’t considered for selection following a head injury. The rest of the side remained unchanged in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Roberto Pereyra returned to fitness to take over the No 10 role from Tom Cleverly for the final 25 minutes.
• What we learned: Despite a 6-0 mauling by Man City, Silva doesn’t appear likely to make wholesale changes for Saturday’s trip to Swansea. Femenia should be available and could replace Daryl Janmaat at right-back. If either Sebastian Prodl (hamstring) or Younes Kaboul (leg) is passed fit, Mariappa should drop back to the bench. Molla Wague provides another alternative in central defence. Further forward, Pereyra offers a more attacking alternative to Cleverley, although he is also an option in the wide positions.

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

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, Hegazi, Evans, Gibbs (Nyom 84); Krychowiak, Barry; Brunt (Robson-Kanu 72), Morrison, Phillips (McClean 76); Rodriguez. Subs not used: Myhill, McAuley, Yacob, Rondon.

• What we saw: Head coach Tony Pulis opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation against West Ham United, with Grzegorz Krychowiak and Gareth Barry combining at the base of midfield. Chris Brunt (right) and Matt Phillips (left) flanked James Morrison in the No 10 role, while Jay Rodriguez operated as the lone striker. Kieran Gibbs made his first start at left-back, while Ahmed Hegazi retained his start in central defence as Allan Nyom dropped to the bench.
• What we learned: The additions of Krychowiak and Gibbs have added to the options available to Pulis, with rotation now a concern throughout the West Brom side. Jake Livermore missed out at the weekend due to mental tiredness but may come back into contention for the trip to Arsenal on Monday night. Pulis could look to shore up the midfield against the Gunners, so Livermore may join Krychowiak and Barry in a three-man midfield if he’s available. Gareth McAuley should get a run-out against Man City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, and along with Craig Dawson, is pushing to partner Jonny Evans in central defence at Hegazi’s expense. Nyom could be considered for a recall, though Dawson looks the preferred starter at right-back. Oliver Burke (hamstring) remains a doubt, but Nacer Chadli (knock) may be back in contention soon.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, flanks, lone striker

West Ham United

Starting XI: Hart; Fonte, Reid, Collins (Arnautovic 58); Zabaleta, Obiang, Kouyate, Cresswell; Antonio, Hernandez (Ayew 76); Carroll (Sakho 82). Subs not used: Adrian, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Rice.

• What we saw: Slaven Bilic named the same line-up that beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 for the trip to West Brom, keeping faith in the 3-4-3 formation. After James Collins was forced off with an ankle injury, Michail Antonio took over at right wing-back, with Pablo Zabaleta moving into central defence. Marko Arnautovic came on as a substitute, operating on the left of the front three.
• What we learned: Collins has been ruled out for “two to three weeks”, so either Zabaleta or Angelo Ogbonna will start at the back if Bilic wants to continue with a three-man defence against Spurs. That could see Antonio utilised at right wing-back, with Sam Byram the main alternative. Mark Noble is in line to return in the Carabao Cup clash against Bolton Wanderers but appears unlikely to push for a start in place of either Pedro Obiang or Cheikhou Kouyate in central midfield. If Antonio is used as a wing-back, one of Arnautovic or Ayew could earn a start in the attacking three. Chicharito will likely continue up in support of Andy Carroll on the opposite side, with Bilic ruling out a shift to a conventional front two.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Defence, flanks