Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 36 – Part Two

After rolling out Part One yesterday, we now turn our attentions to the remaining ten Premier League sides to review the personnel, formations and changes made, whilst speculating on the likely Gameweek 37 line-ups.

Chelsea

Starting XI: Begovic, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Matic (Oscar 78), Willian, Fabregas, Pedro (Hazard 46), Costa.

• Guus Hiddink made two alterations from the side that won 4-1 at Bournemouth for the home clash against Tottenham, with the fit-again Gary Cahill and John Terry coming in for Baba Rahman and Eden Hazard.
• Cahill and Terry formed the centre-back partnership, with John Obi Mikel returning to his usual position in central midfield alongside Nemanja Matic. Cesc Fabregas moved to the number ten role, flanked by Pedro and Willian in the attacking midfield trio in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation.
• With his side 2-0 down at half-time, Hiddink decided to introduce Hazard in place of Pedro on the left wing. His only other change came with 12 minutes remaining, with Oscar sent on for Matic in an attacking move as the Blues looked to find an equaliser.
• After a scintillating second-half display, Hazard looks likely to return to the starting XI for the trip to Sunderland on Saturday. Given he’s still coming back from a long-term injury, he may not necessarily start both matches against Liverpool and Leicester that follow. Oscar is another who should see some playing time in the final three matches, along with Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Rotation seems likely in the attacking midfield places, then, while Baba Rahman may start in one of the final three matches, seeing a potential reshuffle in defence. Fabregas could return to a deeper role, meaning Matic and Mikel may share playing time over the next two weeks. Reports earlier today, though, suggest that Fabregas could be charged for his alleged involvement in last night’s tunnel bust-up. In attack, Alexandre Pato and Radamel Falcao offer alternatives to Costa, though the Spain international could still start all three of the final three matches. Thibaut Courtois will be available again after completing his suspension, but with his long-term future at Stamford Bridge in some doubt, Asmir Begovic could remain in goal for the Blues.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Attacking Midfield, Lone Striker

Norwich

Starting XI: Ruddy; Pinto, Martin, Bassong (Jarvis 89), Olsson; Redmond, O’Neil, Howson, Hoolahan (Mbokani 68); Brady (Naismith 78), Jerome.

• Alex Neil made five changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Sunderland in Norwich’s last match, with Ivo Pinto, Russell Martin, Nathan Redmond, Wes Hoolahan and Cameron Jerome replacing Matt Jarvis, Steven Naismith, Dieumerci Mbokani, Andre Wisdom and Ryan Bennett.
• Neil did stick with the 4-4-1-1 formation used against the Black Cats though, with Hoolahan taking over the number ten role behind lone striker Jerome. Redmond came in on the right side of midfield, with Pinto and Martin returning at right-back and centre-back respectively.
• Mbokani was the first player called upon off the bench, with the striker replacing Hoolahan after 68 minutes. That change saw the Canaries switch to a 4-4-2 formation, with Mbokani partnering Jerome in attack. With 12 minutes left on the clock, Naismith replaced Robbie Brady in a straight swap on the left side of midfield, with Jarvis thrown on as a final roll of the dice in place of Sebastian Bassong as the visitors searched for a late equaliser.
• With Norwich facing a home clash against Man United on Saturday, Neil may resist the temptation to start with two strikers in that match. Hoolahan may keep his place in the number ten role, then, with Redmond another likely starter after a lively showing at the Emirates. Against Watford, Neil could start with a 4-4-2 system, though, with two from Jerome, Mbokani and Naismith starting up front. If Bennett recovers from illness, he could return in central defence, with Pinto likely to drop to the bench, allowing Martin to shift to right-back.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Centre-Back, Flanks, Strikers

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Martina, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Wanyama, Clasie (Romeu 60); Mane, Davis (Ward-Prowse 73), Tadic (Rodriguez 87); Long.

• Ronald Koeman made three changes from the team that beat Aston Villa 4-2 for the visit of Man City to St Mary’s, with Cuco Martina, Jordy Clasie and Sadio Mane recalled in place of Cedric Soares, Oriol Romeu and Jay Rodriguez.
• Martina slotted in at right-back for Saints, with Clasie partnering Victor Wanyama at the base of midfield in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Mane (right), Steven Davis (number ten) and Dusan Tadic (left) formed the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Shane Long.
• Having already picked up a yellow card, Koeman decided to take off Clasie on the hour mark, with Romeu taking his place in a straight swap. James Ward-Prowse then took over from Davis in the central attacking midfield position for the final 17 minutes, with Koeman’s final substitution seeing Rodriguez handed a late cameo appearance in place of Tadic on the left flank.
• With a tough trip to Tottenham up next for Koeman’s side, the more defensive-minded Martina may keep his place in the starting XI ahead of Soares. Romeu offers an alternative to Clasie in the middle of the park, but could again be used off the bench. Given the impressive performance of the front four on Sunday, Graziano Pelle may not force his way back into the side after being excluded from the squad due to poor training performances. The fit-again Charlie Austin also appears a likely substitute at White Hart Lane.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Midfield, Lone Striker

Stoke

Starting XI: Haugaard; Bardsley, Cameron, Shawcross, Pieters; Whelan, Imbula; Shaqiri (Diouf 78), Adam (Muniesa 86), Arnautovic (Walters 56); Crouch.

• Mark Hughes made five changes from the side that lost 4-0 at Man City for the home clash against Sunderland, with Jakob Haugaard, Charlie Adam, Peter Crouch and the fit-again Erik Pieters and Xherdan Shaqiri coming in for Marc Muniesa, Philipp Wollscheid, Mame Biram Diouf, Joselu and the injured Shay Given.
• Crouch returned as the central striker for the Potters in more of a 4-3-3 formation, flanked by Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic. Glenn Whelan operated as the deepest of the three central midfielders, with Adam and Giannelli Imbula slightly further forward. Cameron dropped back into central defence alongside Ryan Shawcross, with Pieters slotting into his usual position at left-back.
• Hughes had to make an enforced first substitution, after Arnautovic picked up a knock. The Austrian was replaced by the fit-again Jon Walters, who took over on the left wing. Diouf was then introduced for Shaqiri in a straight swap for the final 12 minutes, with Muniesa replacing Adam for the final few minutes in a defensive change designed to help try and hold onto the 1-0 lead.
• For the second successive match, Hughes surprisingly didn’t use Bojan off the bench. Should he remain out of favour for the trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, Adam may keep his place in the starting XI in what could again be a 4-3-3 formation. Joselu, Diouf and Walters offer alternatives to Crouch in attack, but Wollscheid may again be left out, with Cameron continuing in central defence.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield, Central Striker

Sunderland

Starting XI: Mannone; Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul, Van Aanholt; Kirchhoff (Larsson 77); Borini (N’Doye 59), M’Vila, Cattermole, Khazri (Watmore 60); Defoe.

• Sam Allardyce once again named an unchanged side for the trip to Stoke.
• That meant it was the 4-1-4-1 formation once more for Big Sam, with Jan Kirchhoff continuing in the defensive midfield role, while Fabio Borini and Wahbi Khazri were again favoured in the wide positions.
• Borini and Khazri endured tough days at the office, though, and were replaced on the hour mark by Dame N’Doye and Duncan Watmore. Allardyce’s final substitution saw Sebastian Larsson replace Kirchhoff, with Lee Cattermole dropping into the defensive midfield role.
• Given how Borini and Khazri struggled to make an impact on Saturday, both N’Doye and Watmore may push for recalls for the home fixture against Chelsea on Saturday. The Black Cats do face another Gameweek 37 fixture, at home to Everton next Wednesday before heading to Watford on the final day, and with Big Sam admitting he will make changes to his XI over the final three matches, the likes of Larsson, Jack Rodwell, John O’Shea and Billy Jones may perhaps see some playing time.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks

Swansea

Starting XI: Fabianski; Rangel, Amat, Williams, Taylor; Britton (Fulton 90), Cork; Routledge, Sigurdsson, Montero (Naughton 72); Ayew.

• Head Coach Francesco Guidolin made two alterations from the side that lost 4-0 to Leicester for the home encounter against Liverpool, with Jordi Amat and Jefferson Montero replacing Federico Fernandez and the injured Leroy Fer.
• Having opted for a 4-3-3 system against the Foxes, Guidolin reverted back to the 4-2-3-1 formation on Sunday. Montero was stationed on the left of the attacking midfield trio, with Gylfi Sigurdsson back in his preferred number ten role and Wayne Routledge out on the right. Andre Ayew started as the lone striker for the Welsh side. Amat slotted into central defence alongside Ashley Williams.
• Guidolin didn’t make a substitution until the 72nd minute, with the Italian bringing on defender Kyle Naughton in place of Montero with his side holding a 3-1 lead. Naughton played in front of Angel Rangel on the right of the attacking midfield trio, with Routledge moving over to the left. Youngster Jay Fulton was handed a few minutes at the death in place of Leon Britton in central midfield.
• With safety mathematically confirmed after Sunday’s win, Guidolin could look to hand opportunities to youngsters Stephen Kingsley, Fulton and Modou Barrow in the last two matches. The places of Neil Taylor, Britton and Routledge may be in some doubt, then, though after a strong performance against the Reds, he could well stick with the same starting XI, with Amat keeping his place ahead of Fernandez in central defence.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks

Tottenham

Starting XI: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld (Chadli 90), Vertonghen, Rose (Davies 82), Dier, Dembele, Lamela, Eriksen, Son (Mason 65), Kane.

• Mauricio Pochettino was forced into making one change from the side that drew 1-1 against West Brom for the trip to Stamford Bridge, with Heung-Min Son coming in for the suspended Dele Alli.
• Son started on the right of the attacking midfield trio in the Argentine’s standard 4-2-3-1 formation, with Erik Lamela shifting over to the left and Christian Eriksen taking over in the number ten role.
• Pochettino brought on the more defensive-minded Ryan Mason for Son shortly after the hour mark, switching to more of a 4-3-2-1 formation. Danny Rose was replaced by Ben Davies with eight minutes remaining after picking up a hamstring problem, while Nacer Chadli was thrown on for Toby Alderweireld after the latter sustained a knee problem.
• Both Rose and Alderweireld may be a doubtful for the match against Southampton on Sunday, with Kevin Wimmer and Davies on standby to deputise. Mousa Dembele may be in hot water after appearing to put his hand in the face of Diego Costa, whilst Erik Lamela could also face retrospective action for an alleged stamp on Cesc Fabregas. If both are banned, Mason may come in alongside Eric Dier in central midfield then, while Chadli is likely to be handed a wide role.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Paredes (Berghuis 57), Cathcart, Britos, Anya; Abdi, Suarez, Watson; Deeney, Jurado (Amrabat 71); Ighalo.

• Quique Sanchez Flores made five changes from the side that lost 3-1 to West Ham in the Hornets’ last league match, with Miguel Britos, Ikechi Anya, Ben Watson, Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo replacing Sebastian Prodl, Jose Holebas, Valon Behrami, Adlene Guedioura and Nordin Amrabat.
• Flores kept faith in the 4-4-2 formation used in the 2-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace, with Almen Abdi and Jurado operating on the flanks in midfield. Watson and Mario Suarez formed the central midfield partnership, with Deeney and Ighalo combining up front. Britos and Anya slotted in at centre-back and right-back respectively.
• With his side trailing 2-1, Flores made an attacking first substitution, with natural wide man Steven Berghuis replacing right-back Juan Carlos Paredes. His only other change came with 19 minutes remaining, with Amrabat entering the fray in place of Jurado in a straight swap down the left flank.
• With matches against Liverpool and Norwich in Gameweek 37 before a final day clash against Sunderland, we can expect to see some rotation from Flores. Deeney, Ighalo, Watson, Craig Cathcart and Heurelho Gomes perhaps look the players most likely to start all three matches, with rotation certainly likely in the full-back positions. Behrami and Suarez may share playing time in central midfield, with Guedioura also an option there as well as out wide. Berghuis and Amrabat should also challenge Abdi and Jurado for the wide positions.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-Backs, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks

West Brom

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans; Yacob (Sandro 62); Leko, Fletcher, Gardner (Sessegnon 78), McClean (Berahino 61); Rondon.

• Tony Pulis made one adjustment from the side that drew 1-1 at Tottenham for the visit of West Ham, with youngster Jonathan Leko coming in for Stephane Sessegnon.
• Leko was stationed on the right of the attacking midfield trio in the 4-2-3-1 formation favoured once again by Pulis. Saido Berahino returned to the bench after missing the previous match with a minor ankle injury.
• With his side trailing 2-0, Pulis made a double substitution on the hour mark, with Berahino and Sandro replacing James McClean and Claudio Yacob. Berahino operated in the number ten role, with Gardner shifting over to the left-wing, while Sandro partnered Darren Fletcher at the base of midfield. Pulis’ final change saw Sessegnon enter the fray in place of Gardner, with Sessegnon out on the right flank and Leko moving over to the left.
• Sandro offers an alternative to Yacob in central midfield, and may push for a recall for the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday. Berahino is another who may be recalled to the number ten role, with Gardner or McClean perhaps dropping to the bench after Leko impressed on his first Premier League start. Sessegnon is another who may come into consideration for one of the wide berths.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks, Attacking Midfield

West Ham

Starting XI: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Lanzini (Oxford 87), Kouyate, Noble, Payet (Moses 81); Carroll, Sakho (Emenike 66).

• Slaven Bilic named an unchanged starting XI from the one that beat Watford 3-1 in the Hammers last league match.
• The Croatian stuck with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, with Diafra Sakho (right), Dimitri Payet (number ten) and Manuel Lanzini (left) forming the advanced midfield trio behind lone striker Andy Carroll.
• Sakho was the first player to be replaced, with Emmanuel Emenike taking over down the right flank for the final 24 minutes. Victor Moses and Reece Oxford then took to the field during the final 10 minutes, with Payet and Lanzini making way as the Hammers strolled to a 3-0 victory.
• Bilic has a pretty settled first-choice side, but with three matches during the final eight days of the season, we’ll likely see some rotation from the Croatian. Sam Byram and James Tomkins offer alternatives to Michail Antonio at right-back, while Antonio himself is an option to feature on the right wing. Pedro Obiang may get one start in place of either Mark Noble or Cheikhou Kouyate in central midfield, while Bilic is spoilt for choice out wide and in the forward areas, with Moses, Emenike and Enner Valencia viable alternatives to Lanzini, Sakho and Carroll.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Midfield, Flanks, Strikers