Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 8 – Part One

Wilfried Zaha fires Crystal Palace to victory over Chelsea after being unleashed up front in his first appearance under Roy Hodgson.

Blues’ boss Antonio Conte reverts back to 3-4-2-1 at Selhurst Park as Eden Hazard shifts back to the left flank, while Roberto Firmino returns to the Liverpool teamsheet at home to Man United.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 8, with one eye on what’s to come over the European matches and the weekend.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Koscielny (Holding 86), Mertesacker, Monreal; Bellerin, Elneny, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Iwobi, Welbeck (Ozil 61), Lacazette (Giroud 68). Subs not used: Ospina, Walcott, Coquelin, Wilshere.

• What we saw: Arsene Wenger stuck with his favoured 3-4-2-1 formation for the trip to Watford, although Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey both missed out after picking up minor muscle injuries during their international exploits. Danny Welbeck returned from injury to join Alex Iwobi in the attacking midfield spots, while Mohamed Elneny partnered Granit Xhaka in central midfield. Laurent Koscielny passed a late fitness test to start in the back three, while Per Mertesacker replaced the injured Shkodran Mustafi. Wenger’s first change was an enforced one, with Mesut Ozil coming on for Welbeck, who picked up a hamstring problem. Koscielny was then forced off during the closing stages with a muscle injury, leaving Rob Holding to take his place in a straight swap.
• What we learned: After throwing away a 1-0 lead at Vicarage Road, we can expect to see alterations for Sunday’s trip to Everton. If, as expected, both Sanchez and Ramsey are fit, they should return to the starting XI. Ozil provides a possible alternative to Iwobi, while Holding could start in central defence although Koscielny’s problem is thought to have been cramp rather than anything more sinister. As always, the Gunners’ teamsheet for their Europa League tie on Thursday will provide some insgith into for Wenger’s likely XI at Goodison Park.

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

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; A Smith (Ibe 75), Francis, S Cook, Ake, Daniels; L Cook (Mousset 83), Surman, Gosling, Stanislas (Defoe 75); King. Subs not used: Boruc, Pugh, Arter, Afobe.

• What we saw: Eddie Howe switched from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a defensive 5-3-2 set-up for the trip to Wembley. Steve Cook was handed a recall in central defence, while Dan Gosling returned in central midfield. Josh King recovered from a hamstring problem to start in attack alongside Junior Stanislas. The Cherries ended the match in a more attacking 4-4-1-1, with King operating just behind lone striker Jermain Defoe. Fellow substitutes Jordon Ibe and Lys Mousset were stationed out wide, while Simon Francis moved to right-back.
• What we learned: With a trip to Stoke City up next for Bournemouth, it’s likely that Howe will revert back to either a 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1 system. In defence, either Steve Cook or Adam Smith could drop to the bench. Harry Arter was likely rested following international exertions so his recall could see Lewis Cook make way. Ibe and Defoe will also be pushing for starts and their return could see Stanislas shift back out wide, leaving King just behind Defoe in attack. As ever, Benik Afobe provides another alternative up front.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, flanks, forwards

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy (Hunemeier 73), Dunk, Suttner; Knockaert, Stephens, Propper, March (Izquierdo 72); Gross; Murray (Brown 84). Subs not used: Krul, Bong, Schelotto, Molumby.

• What we saw: The Seagulls lined up in an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation against Everton, with Glenn Murray recalled as the lone striker in place of Izzy Brown who dropped to the bench. Anthony Knockaert and Markus Suttner also returned at the expense of Jose Izquierdo and Gaetan Bong. A groin injury meant Shane Duffy had to be replaced for the final 18 minutes, with Uwe Hunemeier taking over in central defence.
• What we learned: After a good performance against the Toffees, Chris Hughton is likely to name a similar side for Friday night’s trip to West Ham United. Izquierdo did make a positive impact off the bench but will struggle to oust either Knockaert or Solly March from the starting XI. Hunemeier will be on standby to replace Duffy at centre-back, while Brown is a viable alternative to Murray in attack with Tomer Hemed suspended.

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

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward (Barnes 81); Brady, Cork, Defour, Arfield (Gudmundsson 46); Hendrick (Vokes 46); Wood. Subs not used: Lindegaard, Taylor, Westwood, Long.

• What we saw: Clarets boss Sean Dyche unsurprisingly named an unchanged starting XI once again for the visit of West Ham United to Turf Moor. The home side switched from a 4-4-1-1 system to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 formation following the dismissal of Hammers striker Andy Carroll. That became a 4-4-2 at half-time, with Sam Vokes joining Chris Wood up front. Indeed, Burnley ended the match with three forwards, once Ashley Barnes entered the fray, with Robbie Brady covering the left flank after Stephen Ward had been replaced.
• What we learned: With a trip to high-flying Manchester City up next, Dyche may well switch to a more defensive 4-5-1 formation. Jeff Hendrick could be used in a deeper midfield role next to Jack Cork and Steven Defour. Although he made a strong impact from the bench, Johann Berg Gudmundsson may struggle to earn a recall ahead of the more defensive-minded Scott Arfield.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses (Zappacosta 40), Fabregas, Bakayoko, Alonso; Willian (Musonda 65), Batshuayi (Pedro 57), Hazard. Subs not used: Caballero, Rudiger, Christensen, Scott.

• What we saw: After using a 3-5-1-1 formation in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, Antonio Conte switched back to a 3-4-2-1 system for the trip to Crystal Palace. Willian returned alongside Eden Hazard in the attacking midfield positions, with Michy Batshuayi stationed as the lone striker in the absence of the injured Alvaro Morata. David Luiz was back from suspension to start in central defence. Conte’s first substitution was an enforced one, with Davide Zappacosta replacing the injured Victor Moses at right wing-back. Hazard ended the match as a “false nine,” flanked by substitutes Pedro and Charly Musonda.
• What we learned: The champions badly missed Morata at Selhurst Park, but the Spaniard could be ready to return from a hamstring injury against Watford in Gameweek 9. The Blues travel to Roma in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, with Morata in line for a return. Pedro may push for a recall in place of Willian, while with Moses a major doubt due to a hamstring injury, Zappacosta could start at right wing-back. Cesar Azpilicueta is the other alternative in that position, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen then options to start in central defence.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right wing-back, central defenders, attacking midfield, lone striker

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Speroni; Ward, Dann, Sakho, Van Aanholt; McArthur (Fosu-Mensah 85), Cabaye (Riedewald 86), Milivojevic, Schlupp (Puncheon 75); Zaha, Townsend. Subs not used: Tomkins, Kaikai, Sako, Henry.

• What we saw: Eagles boss Roy Hodgson switched to a 4-4-2 formation for the home clash against Chelsea, with Wilfried Zaha returning from a knee injury to join Andros Townsend in attack. James McArthur came in on the right side of midfield, while Joel Ward was preferred to Timothy Fosu-Mensah at right-back. Hodgson switched to five-man defence late on, with Jairo Riedewald coming on for Yohan Cabaye. Fosu-Mensah was also brought on to operate just in front of Ward as Palace looked to hold onto their 2-1 lead.
• What we learned: The return to fitness of Zaha proved to be a game changer for the Eagles after he was utilised centrally up front. After registering a first win of the season, it’s likely that Hodgson will name a similar starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle United. Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be available after being ineligible to face his parent club, providing he recovers from a groin problem. He is back in full training and expected to be in contention and could start up in support of Zaha, with Townsend shifted back to a flank role.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Holgate, Jagielka, Keane, Baines (Mirallas 84); Schneiderlin, Gueye (Niasse 68); Vlasic, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin; Rooney (Davies 90). Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Williams, Martina, Klaassen.

• What we saw: Ronald Koeman decided to go with a 4-2-3-1 system for the trip to Brighton, with Wayne Rooney deployed as the lone striker. That saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin move to the left wing, with Gylfi Sigurdsson stationed as the No 10, and Nikola Vlasic on the right flank. Phil Jagielka returned from injury to replace Ashley Williams in central defence, while Mason Holgate was preferred to Cuco Martina at right-back. Koeman switched to an attacking 4-1-3-2 following the introduction of Oumar Niasse in place of Idrissa Gueye, with the substitute joining Rooney in attack. Then, after falling a goal behind, Koeman brought on Kevin Mirallas for Leighton Baines, seeing the visitors switch to a three-man defence.
• What we learned: Following another patchy performance from Everton, there remains uncertainty over how they’ll line up ahead of the Gameweek 9 meeting with Arsenal. Niasse, Mirallas and Davies are the players most likely to push for recalls, while Rooney, Calvert-Lewin and Gylfi Sigurdsson could all theoretically switch positions in the forward line. Holgate may retain his start at right-back ahead of Martina, while Jagielka is likely to be favoured over the faltering Ashley Williams once again.

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

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Malone (Lowe 81); Billing (Williams 60), Hogg (Mooy 46); Kachunga, van La Parra, Ince; Depoitre. Subs not used: Sabiri, Coleman, Cranie, Hadergjonaj.

• What we saw: David Wagner kept faith in his usual 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to Swansea City, although he decided to start with Philip Billing at the base of midfield in place of Aaron Mooy. The Australian was a late arrival back in England after representing his country over the international break but entered the fray at half-time in place of Jonathan Hogg. Scott Malone was handed his first start of the season in place of Chris Lowe at left-back. An injury to Billing then saw Danny Williams join Mooy in central midfield.
• What we learned: Billing had to be stretchered off due to an ankle injury, and could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Mooy should return for the home meeting against Manchester United, then, with Williams an alternative to replace Hogg. Malone failed to impress on his first start, so Lowe may yet push for a recall at left-back, while Abdelhamid Sabiri is an option to replace Rajiv van La Parra in the attacking midfield positions. Steve Mounie was thought to be close to being available for the trip to south Wales following a heel injury, so the forward looks well placed to start in place of Laurent Depoitre in attack.

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

Liverpool

Starting XI: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Emre Can, Salah (Oxlade-Chamberlain 78), Firmino (Solanke 87), Coutinho (Sturridge 78). Subs not used: Karius, Milner, Klavan, Alexander-Arnold.

• What we saw: Jurgen Klopp decided to hand a recall to Roberto Firmino, with the Brazilian replacing Daniel Sturridge as the central striker in the usual 4-3-3 system. Philippe Coutinho operated on the left of the front three in the absence of the injured Sadio Mane, allowing Emre Can to return in central midfield.
• What we learned: With Klopp not changing formation throughout the match, it’s expected that he’ll retain the same system for Sunday’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. Firmino is likely to keep his spot as the central striker ahead of Sturridge, while the rest of the side may well stay unchanged. Tomorrow night’s Champions League clash away to NK Maribor could provide some clues as to whether any changes are likely for Gameweek 9.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Striker, right-back

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Delph; De Bruyne (Gundogan 66), Fernandinho (Toure 73), D Silva; Sterling, Jesus (B Silva 63), Sane. Subs not used: Bravo, Danilo, Mangala, Aguero.

• What we saw: Pep Guardiola named the same side that beat Chelsea 1-0 for the visit of Stoke City to the Etihad, retaining the 4-1-2-3 formation. Sergio Aguero was fit enough to be named among the substitutes following a rib injury, although the Argentinian was ultimately unused from the bench.
• What we learned: While City’s Champions League campaign resumes against Napoli tomorrow night, we continue to see Guardiola favour a settled starting XI, preferring to manage the minutes of his first choice players. His selection against the Italian side should provide major clues as to who will start against Burnley on Saturday, with Aguero likely to be a factor. Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Yaya Toure provide viable alternatives in midfield, while Danilo offers cover in the full-back positions. Unless Vincent Kompany is back from a calf injury, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi should continue at the heart of the defence. But based on what we’ve seen so far this season, it’s unlikely we’ll see extensive rotation against the Clarets.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Forwards

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