Having assessed the team sheets so far in Part One of our analysis, we now turn our attentions to the remaining ten Premier League sides. We review the personnel, formations and changes made, whilst speculating on the likely line-ups for the remainder of Gameweek 34 and Gameweek 35.
Newcastle
Starting XI: Darlow; Anita, Mbemba, Lascelles, Dummett; Tiote (Shelvey 66) Colback; Townsend, Sissoko, Wijnaldum (Perez 73); Cisse (Mitrovic 80).
- Rafael Benitez made five changes from the side that lost 3-1 to Southampton for the home clash against Swansea, with Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Cheick Tiote, Jack Colback and Papiss Cisse replacing Daryl Janmaat, Steven Taylor, Jonjo Shelvey, Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
- Tiote and Colback started at the base of midfield in the 4-2-3-1 formation for the Magpies, with Georginio Wijnaldum (left), Moussa Sissoko (number ten) and Andros Townsend (right) forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Cisse. Anita covered at right-back, with Dummett returning at left-back, while Lascelles partnered Chancel Mbemba at the heart of the defence.
- Tiote was replaced by Shelvey in a straight swap shortly after the hour mark, with Benitez’s second substitution seeing Perez replace Wijnaldum down the left flank. The final change saw Mitrovic take over from Cisse as the lone striker for the final 10 minutes.
- Having tasted victory for the first time as Newcastle boss, Benitez may try and not make too many changes for tonight’s match at home to Man City. With Janmaat still sidelined by a groin injury, Anita looks set to keep his place at right-back, while Shelvey may have to settle for a place on the bench once more, with a recall against his former side Liverpool on Saturday perhaps more likely in order to provide some fresh legs. Likewise, Perez could start against the Reds on the left wing or in the number ten role, while playing time over the next two matches for the lone striker position could be shared by Cisse and Mitrovic.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Midfield, Left-Wing, Lone Striker
Norwich
Starting XI: Ruddy, Wisdom, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson, Jarvis (Hoolahan 58), O’Neil, Howson, Brady (Redmond 45), Naismith (Jerome 74), Mbokani.
- Alex Neil was forced into making one alteration from the side that lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace for the home fixture against Sunderland, with Sebastian Bassong coming in for the injured Timm Klose.
- Bassong lined up alongside Ryan Bennett in central defence for the Canaries, while Steven Naismith continued in the support striker role in the 4-4-1-1 formation behind Dieumerci Mbokani.
- Having been 1-0 down at the break, Neil decided to introduce Nathan Redmond in place of Robbie Brady. Redmond operated on the right wing, with Matt Jarvis switching over to the left. Then after falling two goals behind, Wes Hoolahan entered the fray in place of Jarvis, with Neil’s final substitution seeing Cameron Jerome come on for Naismith, with Norwich ending the match in more of a traditional 4-4-2.
- With Norwich facing a blank in Gameweek 35, their next match comes on the road against Arsenal on April 30. Neil has conceded that Klose will struggle to recover from a knee injury before the season is over, with Bassong likely to continue in place of the Swiss defender. Andre Wisdom picked up what may be a serious knee injury on Saturday, so Russell Martin (who missed out due to illness) or Ivo Pinto could step in at right-back. Redmond and Hoolahan may push for recalls either out wide or in the number ten role, while Jerome offers an alternative to Mbokani in attack.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Flanks, Strikers
Southampton
Starting XI: Forster; Martina, Fonte (Yoshida 38), Van Dijk, Bertrand: Wanyama (Rodriguez 72), Clasie: Tadic, Long, Mane; Pelle (S Davis 64).
- Ronald Koeman named an unchanged starting XI from the one that triumphed 3-1 against Newcastle for the trip to Goodison Park.
- That meant it was once again Dusan Tadic, Shane Long and Sadio Mane forming the attacking midfield trio in the 4-2-3-1 formation behind lone striker Graziano Pelle.
- Jose Fonte suffered a head injury in the first half, and was replaced by Maya Yoshida. Koeman’s second substitution came after 64 minutes, with Steven Davis coming on in place of Pelle. That change saw Saints switch to a 4-3-3 formation, with Davis part of a three-man midfield, with Long stationed as the central striker. The final change saw Jay Rodriguez come on for Wanyama for the final 18 minutes, with that seeing a return to the 4-2-3-1 formation.
- Cuco Martina has started five of the last six matches, and looks the favoured right-back at the moment, although Cedric Soares remains a viable alternative in that position. Should Fonte fail to recover from that head knock, Yoshida looks the obvious replacement.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence
Stoke
Starting XI: Given, Cameron, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Muniesa, Whelan (Adam 75), Imbula, Shaqiri (Joselu 45), Afellay, Arnautovic, Krkic.
- Mark Hughes made four changes from the side that lost 4-1 to Liverpool for the visit of Tottenham to the Britannia, with Shay Given, Marc Muniesa, Glenn Whelan and Marko Arnautovic coming in for Jakob Haugaard, Phil Bardsley, Peter Crouch and the suspended Erik Pieters.
- Muniesa slotted in at left-back for the Potters, with Geoff Cameron moving from central midfield to right-back. Whelan started next to Giannelli Imbula at the base of midfield in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Arnautovic stationed in his familiar position on the left of the attacking midfield trio. Bojan started as the “false nine” for Mark Hughes’ men.
- After picking up a slight knock during the first half, Xherdan Shaqiri was replaced by Joselu at half-time. That change saw Bojan move to the right flank, allowing Joselu to slot in as the lone striker. Hughes’ final substitution saw Charlie Adam replace Whelan in central midfield for the final 15 minutes.
- After conceding four goals for the second successive match, Hughes could consider handing a recall to Bardsley at right-back, with few other options available to him in defence. Erik Pieters is still suspended for the trip to the Etihad on Saturday, while Marc Wilson has only recently returned to training following a knee injury and is lacking match fitness. Should Joselu start as the lone striker, Bojan could continue on the right wing, or Mame Biram Diouf may push for a recall. Stephen Ireland and Peter Crouch offer further options in midfield and attack respectively.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right Back, Right Wing, Lone Striker
Sunderland
Starting XI: Mannone, Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul, Van Aanholt, Kirchhoff (O’Shea 86), Borini, Cattermole, M’Vila (Larsson 67), Khazri (Watmore 45), Defoe.
- Sam Allardyce named an unchanged side for the crucial clash at Carrow Road from the one that started in the 2-0 defeat to Leicester.
- Fabio Borini continued to keep Dame N’Doye out of the starting XI, with the Italian and Wahbi Khazri stationed out wide in the 4-1-4-1 formation favoured by Big Sam over the past few months.
- After picking up a yellow card and being largely ineffective during the first half, Khazri was replaced by Duncan Watmore in a straight swap at the break. Sebastian Larsson then came on for Yann M’Vila in central midfield after 67 minutes, with Allardyce’s final substitution seeing John O’Shea take over from Jan Kirchhoff in the defensive midfield role for the final four minutes.
- Big Sam has kept a settled side over the past month, and after such a strong showing against Norwich, he may again name an unchanged starting XI for the home clash against Arsenal. N’Doye and Watmore offer alternatives out wide, with the latter’s goal off the bench suggesting he could usurp Khazri on the wing over the run-in.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks
Swansea
Starting XI: Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork, Fer (Barrow 57); Ayew (Gomis 72) Sigurdsson, Montero; Paloschi (Routledge 84).
- Head Coach Francesco Guidolin unsurprisingly named an unchanged starting XI from the one that beat Chelsea 1-0 for the trip to St James’ Park.
- That meant Jefferson Montero kept his place in the side on the left wing in the 4-2-3-1 formation, while Leroy Fer held off the challenge of the fit-again Leon Britton to partner Jack Cork at the base of midfield.
- The Dutch midfielder was the first player to be replaced though, with Modou Barrow brought on in his place just before the hour mark. That change saw the Swans switch to more of a 4-3-3 formation, with Andre Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson playing centrally ahead of holding midfielder Cork, while Barrow and Montero operated out wide. Ayew was replaced by Bafetimbi Gomis shortly after though, then forming more of a 4-4-2 formation, while Wayne Routledge was brought on for the final five minutes in place of Alberto Paloschi.
- The Welsh side are still a point or two off securing their top flight status for another season, so Guidolin will likely keep faith in the same players for the trip to Leicester. Britton or Ki Sung-yeung may push for a recall in central midfield in place of Fer, while Barrow is another who could come back into contention, particularly if Guidolin opts to return to the diamond formation against the Foxes. Gomis may also challenge Paloschi for a position in attack.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks, Strikers
Tottenham
Starting XI: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Dembele (Mason 87); Lamela (Heung-Min Son 90), Alli (Chadli 84), Eriksen; Kane.
- Mauricio Pochettino named an unchanged side from the one that beat Man United 3-0 for the trip to Stoke.
- That meant it was the standard 4-2-3-1 formation for Pochettino, who has little need to change his tactics or personnel given the form of his side, along with the fact Spurs now only have the Premier League to focus on.
- All of Tottenham’s substitutions were made with the match won, with Nacer Chadli, Ryan Mason and Heung-Min Son providing fresh legs in place of Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele and Erik Lamela.
- After a fantastic display against Stoke, Pochettino will likely keep faith in the same starting XI once again for the home clash against West Brom next Monday. Chadli and Son offer alternatives in the attacking midfield positions, but neither look likely to replace Lamela in the side right now.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas:
Watford
Starting XI: Gomes; Nyom, Britos, Prodl, Ake; Guedioura (Suarez 66), Capoue, Watson, Jurado (Behrami 90); Deeney, Ighalo.
- Quique Sanchez Flores made four alterations for the trip to the Hawthorns, with Nathan Ake and Sebastian Prodl coming in for the injured Jose Holebas and Craig Cathcart, while Allan Nyom and Adlene Guedioura replaced Juan Carlos Paredes and Valon Behrami.
- Prodl partnered Miguel Britos in central defence for the Hornets, with Ake and Nyom slotted into their usual position at left-back and right-back respectively. Guedioura was stationed on the right of an attacking midfield trio, with Flores switching from the 4-3-2-1 formation to a 4-2-3-1 system. Troy Deeney occupied the number ten role, with Jurado out on the left flank.
- Guedioura was replaced by Mario Suarez after 66 minutes, with Flores reverting back to the 4-3-2-1, using Suarez alongside Etienne Capoue and Ben Watson. Behrami came on in the dying stages in place of Jurado as Watford looked to hold onto their 1-0 lead.
- With Watford moving onto 41 points after Saturday’s win, Flores confirmed earlier today that he is set to make numerous alterations against West Ham tomorrow night ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace. Cathcart has recovered from a slight knock, while rotation could continue in the full-back positions. Suarez and Behrami may be handed recalls in midfield, with Capoue and Watson perhaps being handed rests, while although Flores’ alternatives in attack appear thin on the ground, players such as Nordin Amrabat and Steven Berghuis could be handed an opportunity to impress against the Hammers, should Deeney and Odion Ighalo need to rest up for the cup semi-final.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-Backs, Central Defence, Central midfield, Attacking Midfield, Strikers
West Brom
Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Chester (McManaman 68); Sessegnon, Yacob (Gardner 75), Fletcher, McClean; Berahino, Rondon (Anichebe 68).
- Tony Pulis only made one adjustment for the home clash against Watford, with Claudio Yacob earning a recall in place of Sandro.
- Yacob started at the base of midfield alongside Darren Fletcher in the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Stephane Sessegnon (right), Saido Berahino (number ten) and James McClean (left) forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Salomon Rondon.
- With his side a goal down, Pulis made an attacking double substitution after 68 minutes, with Callum McManaman replacing James Chester to make his first appearance since Gameweek 23 following an ankle injury, while the other change saw Victor Anichebe come on for Rondon in a straight swap. McManaman took over on the left wing, with McClean dropping to left-back, although he played high up the pitch given the Baggies were in search of an equaliser. Pulis’ final substitution saw Craig Gardner come on in place of Yacob, leaving Fletcher as the only defensive midfielder, with Gardner pushing on from a central position.
- Although they face trips to Arsenal on Thursday and Tottenham on Monday, Pulis perhaps doesn’t have the strength in depth to rotate his side too much. Jonas Olsson offers an alternative in defence, with Chester’s place perhaps in the most doubt, while Sandro could share playing time with Yacob in central midfield. Gardner, McManaman and Jonathan Leko are options in the attacking midfield areas, while Anichebe and Rickie Lambert offer alternatives to Rondon up front.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield, Flanks, Strikers
West Ham
Starting XI: Adrian, Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Obiang (Carroll 45), Noble (Lanzini 63), Moses (Valencia 72), Emenike, Payet.
- Slaven Bilic made three changes from the side that drew 3-3 against Arsenal for the trip to league leaders Leicester, with Pedro Obiang, Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike coming in for James Tomkins, Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll.
- The Croatian boss switched back to a 4-3-3 formation on Sunday, with Obiang stationed alongside Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate in central midfield. Moses (right) and Dimitri Payet (left) flanked central striker Emenike. In defence, Michail Antonio was again used at right-back.
- With his side a goal behind, Bilic brought on Carroll in place of Obiang at half-time, reverting back to the 4-2-3-1 formation. After Jamie Vardy’s sending off, though, that became more of a 4-2-4 as the Hammers pushed forward against ten men. Lanzini was then introduced for Noble just after the hour mark in another attacking move, leaving Kouyate as the only defensive-minded midfielder on the pitch. Bilic’s final substitution saw Enner Valencia come on in place of Moses down the right flank with 18 minutes left on the clock.
- Lanzini and Carroll were named on the bench on Sunday having started in the 2-1 defeat to Man United in the FA Cup just four days earlier. The pair should be in line for recalls against Watford tomorrow night, though, with Emenike and Moses perhaps the favourites to make way. Diafra Sakho was passed fit earlier today and offers further competition. Bilic appears more likely to start with the 4-2-3-1 against Watford, so Obiang may also miss out, with Valencia a possibility to earn a recall. Antonio could also be used on the right wing, with Sam Byram and James Tomkins now available. James Collins also provides an alternative to Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna in central defence should either player be in need of a rest.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Flanks, Strikers
