[sbu_large_image] Team News
20 October 2015 1121 comments
James H James H
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Having rinsed through ten of the weekend team sheets in yesterday’s Part One article, we now turn our attentions to the remaining ten Premier League sides to review the personal, formations and changes made, whilst speculating on the likely Gameweek 10 lineups.

Newcastle

Starting XI: Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett (Haidara 64); Sissoko, Colback, Tiote (Anita 45), Wijnaldum; Perez, Mitrovic (Cisse 86).

  • Steve McClaren made three alterations from the side which suffered a 6-1 defeat at Man City, with Paul Dummett, Jack Colback and Cheick Tiote coming in for Kevin Mbabu, Yoan Gouffran and Vurnon Anita.
  • McClaren stuck with the 4-4-2 formation, with Ayoze Perez again partnering Aleksandar Mitrovic in attack. Dummett started at left-back, while Colback and Tiote lined up in central midfield.
  • After picking up a yellow card in the first-half, and with the Magpies looking wide open in the middle of the park, the former England boss brought Anita on for Tiote. Dummett was withdrawn just after the hour mark, with the Wales international short of match fitness. Massadio Haidara replaced him, while Papiss Cisse came on for Mitrovic in the dying stages.
  • After picking up their first win of the season, changes are likely to be kept to a minimum for the trip to Sunderland on Sunday. Anita could start in place of Tiote given the likely card-fest clash with Lee Cattermole, while Haidara could challenge Dummett for the starting berth at left-back.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back, Central Midfield.


Norwich

Starting XI: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson (Jerome 83); Dorrans (O’Neill 83), Tettey (Hoolahan 61); Redmond, Howson, Brady; Mbokani.

  • Alex Neil made three changes from the team which lost 2-1 to Leicester, with Martin Olsson, Nathan Redmond and Dieumerci Mbokani coming in for Matt Jarvis, Wes Hoolahan and Cameron Jerome.
  • The Canaries boss opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation at St James’ Park, with Jonny Howson operating in the number ten role, resulting in Hoolahan being left out. Redmond returned on the right wing, with Robbie Brady pushed forward on the left, leaving Olsson at left-back. Mbokani made his first league start, with Cameron Jerome having to settle for a place on the bench.
  • With Norwich trailing, Neil decided to make an attacking first change, with Hoolahan replacing Alex Tettey. Jerome and Gary O’Neil only entered the fray in the latter stages.
  • Hoolahan will be expected to return to the starting XI for the home clash against West Brom on Saturday as Neil looks to return to winning ways. Redmond’s impressive attacking performance could see him retain a starting berth, while similarly, Olsson caught the eye going forward against the Magpies and provided two assists. Norwich did ship six goals, though, so Brady could yet shift to left-back. Jarvis could also come into the equation, but Mbokani’s goal should see him lead the line once again.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-back, Flanks, Attacking Midfield.


Southampton

Starting XI: K Davis; Cedric (Yoshida 60), Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; S Davis (Clasie 60), Wanyama; Mane, Ward-Prowse, Tadic (Rodriguez 75); Pelle.

  • Ronald Koeman made two changes from the side which beat Chelsea 3-1, with Kelvin Davis replacing the injured Maarten Stekelenburg, while James Ward-Prowse came in for Oriol Romeu.
  • Saints lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Steven Davis this time partnering Victor Wanyama in the double-pivot, and Ward-Prowse operating in the central attacking midfield position.
  • Cedric Soares was replaced by Maya Yoshida on the hour mark after a clash of heads. At the same time, Koeman introduced Jordy Clasie for his first league appearance for Southampton after recovering from a hamstring injury – Steven Davis made way. Jay Rodriguez came on for Dusan Tadic in a straight swap with 15 minutes to go.
  • Stekelenburg missed out against the Foxes because of back spasms, but may well be able to return against Liverpool on Sunday. Clasie may push for a starting berth alongside Wanyama in midfield if he is deemed fit enough by Koeman. Yoshida again looked unconvincing in his spell at right-back, so Soares is expected to start at Anfield.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Right-back, Central Midfield.


Stoke

Starting XI: Butland; Johnson, Cameron, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Adam (Van Ginkel 70); Shaqiri, Bojan (Ireland 79), Arnautovic (Afellay 75); Joselu.

  • Mark Hughes made two changes for the trip to the Liberty Stadium, with the fit-again Xherdan Shaqiri and Joselu coming in for the injured Jon Walters and Mame Biram Diouf who was granted compassionate leave.
  • Stoke lined up in the 4-2-3-1 formation favoured by the Welsh boss, with Shaqiri on the right of the three advanced midfield positions, while Joselu took over as the central striker.
  • Marco van Ginkel came on in a straight swap for Charlie Adam, while Ibrahim Afellay and Stephen Ireland were also introduced late on to provide fresh legs.
  • With three consecutive wins, Hughes is unlikely to make changes for the home clash against Watford on Saturday. Diouf is en route back to the club and could come into contention up top, depending on his fitness, though aside from that, Hughes will be expected to name an unchanged starting XI, barring any unreported knocks or training ground injuries. Walters could also come into contention should he recover from his groin problem but would seem likely to figure from the bench.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Central Striker


Sunderland

Starting XI: Pantilimon; Yedlin, O’Shea, Kaboul, Jones; M’Vila; Larsson (Johnson 61), Cattermole, Gomez (Defoe 71), Borini; Fletcher (Graham 75).

  • In his first match in charge at Sunderland, Sam Allardyce made three changes from the team which drew 2-2 in Dick Advocaat’s final fixture at the helm. Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Larsson replaced the suspended Sebastian Coates and Jeremain Lens, while Jordi Gomez came in for the injured Ola Toivonen.
  • Big Sam opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lee Cattermole alongside Yann M’Vila at the base of midfield, while in the advanced midfield positions, Larsson played on the right, Gomez in the middle and Fabio Borini on the left. Steven Fletcher was the central striker.
  • Adam Johnson was introduced just after the hour mark for Larsson in an attempt to grab an equaliser. Allardyce went for a 4-4-2 formation towards the end, with Jermain Defoe and Danny Graham playing up front.
  • Lens will be available for the home clash against Newcastle, and having failed to score at the Hawthorns, the Dutchman looks set to come straight back into the starting XI. Coates will also be available following his ban, although it’s uncertain just how Allardyce fits the Uruguayan into his defensive pecking order. Elsewhere, Larsson and Gomez appear the most vulnerable, with Toivonen likely to be considered if fit, while Johnson may also gain a starting spot.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Centre-Half, Flanks, Attacking Midfield.


Swansea

Starting XI: Fabianski; Rangel, Williams, Fernandez, Taylor; Cork (Ki Sung-yeung 59), Shelvey; Barrow (Sigurdsson 59), Ayew (Eder 80), Montero; Gomis.

  • Garry Monk made two alterations from the side which drew 2-2 against Tottenham, with Jack Cork coming in for Ki Sung-yeung, while Modou Barrow replaced Gylfi Sigurdsson. Angel Rangel retained his starting berth at right-back ahead of Kyle Naughton.
  • Monk went with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, with Cork lining up alongside Jonjo Shelvey in the double-pivot, while Barrow played on the right of the three advanced midfield positions. Andre Ayew moved to the number ten role.
  • With the Swans trailing 1-0 after a lacklustre first-half, Monk introduced Ki and Sigurdsson on the hour mark, with Cork and Barrow making way. The Iceland international moved behind the lone striker, with Ayew shifting back to the right. Eder came on for Ayew late on, with the Ghanaian having been the subject of some robust challenges.
  • After such a disappointing performance, Monk may well ring the changes for the trip to Villa Park on Saturday. Naughton could well come back in at right-back for Rangel, while Ki may return to the starting XI in place of Cork. Sigurdsson also appears likely to regain a starting spot, with Barrow expected to make way. Another quiet showing from Bafetimbi Gomis means Eder could be handed his first league start for the Welsh outfit.

Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, Centre Midfield, Flanks, Attacking Midfield, Central Striker.


Tottenham

Starting XI: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Dembele, Alli, Lamela (Townsend 86), Eriksen, Chadli (N’Jie 10), Kane.

  • Mauricio Pochettino only made two changes from the team which drew 2-2 at Swansea, with Mousa Dembele coming in for the suspended Eric Dier, while Danny Rose replaced Ben Davies at left-back.
  • Spurs played in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Dembele operating alongside Dele Alli in the double-pivot. Christian Eriksen played in the number ten role.
  • Nacer Chadli was forced off in the early stages with an ankle injury, and was replaced by Clinton N’Jie in a straight swap.
  • With Davies playing 180 minutes for Wales in the international break, it’s hard to know whether Rose got the nod just because of fatigue for the former Swansea player. Chadli has been ruled out for around six weeks, so N’Jie and Andros Townsend look set to battle it out for a starting spot for the trip to Bournemouth. Pochettino’s other option could be to push Dembele further forward, with Dier expected to return to the first XI following his one-match suspension.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-back, Central Midfield, Flanks, Attacking Midfield.


Watford

Starting XI: Gomes, Nyom (Berghuis 69), Prodl, Cathcart, Ake, Anya (Paredes 81), Capoue, Watson, Abdi (Ibarbo 75), Ighalo, Deeney.

  • Quique Sanchez Flores named an unchanged team from the one which drew 1-1 at Bournemouth, with Nathan Ake retaining his place at left-back, while Ben Watson kept out Valon Behrami in centre midfield.
  • Flores retained his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ikechi Anya on the right of the three attacking midfield positions this time. Almen Abdi played on the left.
  • Flores sent Steven Berghuis on in search of a goal, moving Anya back to right-back. The Scotland international was then replaced by Juan Carlos Paredes. Victor Ibarbo continues to come off the bench as he acclimatises to English football.
  • Allan Nyom has been replaced in the last three matches, and while he has been carrying a minor knee injury, his place could be in slight doubt moving forward. Anya or Paredes would be the main options to come in at right-back. Behrami could also replace Watson in centre midfield.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, Centre Midfield, Flanks.


West Brom

Starting XI: Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Brunt; Fletcher, Yacob; Sessegnon, Berahino (Gardner 79), McLean; Rondon (Lambert 71).

  • Tony Pulis only made one alteration from the side which lost 2-0 at Crystal Palace, with Stephane Sessegnon coming in for the injured James Morrison. Jonny Evans shrugged off a hamstring injury to start.
  • Pulis opted for a 4-4-2 formation against the Black Cats, with Sessegnon playing on the right of the three attacking midfield players, and McLean on the left. Saido Berahino partnered Salomon Rondon up front.
  • With Rondon tired following his international excursions with Venezuela, Rickie Lambert offered fresh legs towards the end of the match, while Craig Gardner was introduced for Berahino to help hold on to the 1-0 scoreline.
  • Sessegnon impressed on Saturday, but it remains to be seen whether Pulis will be confident enough in his defensive work away from home to start him at Norwich this weekend. Gardner and Callum McManaman could also come into contention for a wide berth, then. Also, if Pulis opts for a 4-5-1 formation at Carrow Road, Gardner could start in centre midfield, with Berahino and McLean out wide.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks


West Ham

Starting XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, Tomkins, Collins, Cresswell; Noble (Carroll 63), Kouyate; Moses (Zarate 74), Lanzini, Payet; Sakho (Jelavic 85).

  • Slaven Bilic only made one change for the trip to Selhurst Park, with James Collins standing in for the injured Winston Reid. Angelo Ogbonna was declared fit but only made the bench.
  • The Hammers again lined up in the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Collins partnering James Tomkins at the heart of the defence. Aaron Cresswell shrugged off a minor knock to start at left-back. In attacking midfield, Dimitri Payet was moved to the left flank, with Manuel Lanzini stationed centrally, whilst Victor Moses was switched to the right wing.
  • With Crystal Palace reduced to ten men, Bilic made attacking substitutions, with Andy Carroll firstly replacing Mark Noble, and then Mauro Zarate and Nikica Jelavic were sent on for Moses and Diafra Sakho respectively.
  • Providing Reid can recover from his back injury, the New Zealand will be expected to come back into the starting XI at the expense of Collins for the home encounter against Chelsea – although that would be harsh on Collins who impressed at Palace. Competition for starts in that role is strong, however, with Ogbonna also set to push claims having returned to fitness. The rest of the team has a settled look to it, with Carroll set to continue building up his match fitness from the bench. Moses is ineligible to face his former side, so Zarate, Pedro Obiang or the fit-again Enner Valencia appear the most likely to fill the void, while. Michail Antonio may well be considered the most natural replacement for Moses, although he was omitted from the weekend squad and has confirmed this was not due to injury.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Flanks.


  1. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    If Wenger is going to play Wally on the right and Giroud up front with Ramsey out then why didn't he do it tonight? 😕

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      I thought he didn't like Walcott on the right?

    2. DannyBoy....
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Wenger is a pleb. Doesn't look like he'll play Theo wide which is ridiculous

      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Bellerin isn't strong enough defensively to be left alone on the right.

  2. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Boring boring Chelsea

    1. Boydinho
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      would love those CS for Azpi in my fpl later on

  3. KingNidge
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Monreal come on leaps and bounds as a player.. excellent tonight

    1. AlCapwnUK
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      he's been world class tonight

      1. KingNidge
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        up against opposition of this standard you have to be.. brilliant

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Still looks like the love child of Crouch and Chadwick

      1. KingNidge
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        yeah hes not gunna be modelling their kits anytime soon but they have giroud for that the big handsome barsteward

  4. Woy of the Wovers
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Do people even read these posts during games? Most posts are more like twitter messages which are more like diary entries - poor ones at that - rather than informative commentary that is useful for another reader. What this all boils down to is why do people even post any of this?

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      for banter

      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Fair enough. But it's the same banter you might get watching a match in a pub. Difference is, it makes no sense saying "Giroud goal" when 50 others say the same thing. At least that's not a conversation I've ever seen in a pub, it's 50 people talking to themselves. Banter still involves two-way communication.

      2. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Some top banter. 🙄

    2. Numb
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      It's different during a game.

    3. Ziro Becomes One
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      You exceeded character limit.

    4. funnyoldgame
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      sorry didn't read this comment - it was too long.

  5. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Chamberlain is not good at this football game thing

  6. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Got to love those Arsenal fans looking so completely annoyed.

    1. Pochecinno
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Wenger out?

  7. Declan
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Blow it up ref

  8. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Arsenal 175 passes Bayern 600.

    1. Declan
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Passing's overrated

    2. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      The commentary I'm listening to said that passes made is the most pointless stat in the world.. lol

  9. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    To win to nil vs Bayern is quite a feat

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Great result

  10. Hect.OR 98th
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Kolarov fit again?! Just got rid for Bellerin. Hope Clichy is back soon.

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      should've kept the faith. Clichy will be out till after Villa game at least. which is all we need

  11. Mark-O
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Bayern is going to make life very tough when they host Arsenal in the next match.

    Also, Arsenal played well with Giroud! 😉

  12. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Scoutcast link ...starting in a few mins

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moBWIcpXurM

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      you granny and mark?

  13. AlCapwnUK
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Yes OZIL

  14. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Lewandowski has been dreadful.

    1. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      No, Koscienly has been absolutely wonderful.

  15. AlCapwnUK
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    yes KOSCIELNY

  16. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Bosscielny

  17. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Need to get some arse defence.

  18. Pringle
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Who to start? Ighalo or Ayew?

    1. AlCapwnUK
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      no one cares

    2. Mark-O
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Ayew

  19. KingNidge
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    arsenals title challenge not looking so strong after this result

  20. Declan
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

  21. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    2-0 !!!

  22. 420king
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    WOW Bellarin. WTF is the goal tho?!??!

    1. 420king
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      oh there it isssssssssssssssssssss

  23. Declan
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Drubbing

  24. Debauchy
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Cmonnnnnnnn Yesssssssssssss

  25. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Ozil is allergic to scoring...

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Never mind...

  26. Rasping Drive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    WTF???

  27. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Get in!!!!!!!

  28. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Oxxxx

  29. AlCapwnUK
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    OZIL I LOVE YOU!!!

  30. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    That was so confusing