After running the rule over the team sheets and tactics for the first 10 sides over Gameweek 3, we take our time to sift through the remaining half as we assess the lessons learned.
Man United
Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw; Fellaini, Pogba; Mata (Rashford 71), Rooney (Smalling 90), Martial (Mkhitaryan 60); Ibrahimovic.
- Following a strong performance in the 2-0 win over Southampton, Jose Mourinho unsurprisingly named an unchanged team for the trip to Hull.
- Mourinho rolled out the 4-2-3-1 formation once again, then, with Marouane Fellaini continuing alongside Paul Pogba in the double-pivot.
- After another quiet performance, Anthony Martial was hooked just before the hour mark, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan taking his place. With United dominating possession, the Armenian played all across the attacking midfield positions, allowing Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia to play high up the pitch on either flank. Marcus Rashford was then summoned from the bench 10 minutes later, replacing Juan Mata, and he was stationed through the middle, with Wayne Rooney moving to the left and Mkhitaryan switching over to the right. Immediately after United took the lead, Mourinho brought on Chris Smalling in place of Rooney to help see out the 1-0 victory.
- Fellaini did pick up a minor back injury, but should be fit for the Manchester derby following the international break. The likes of Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin or Michael Carrick could deputise should the Belgian be ruled out. Mkhitaryan and Rashford both impressed off the bench for United, and could push for starting berths, leaving the positions of Martial and Mata in a little doubt.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks
Middlesbrough
Starting XI: Guzan; Nsue, Ayala, Gibson, Barragan; Forshaw, Clayton; Stuani (Fischer 90), Ramirez (Nugent 84), Downing; Negredo.
- Aitor Karanka was forced into making one change from the side that beat Sunderland 2-1 for the trip to the Hawthorns, with Daniel Ayala earning his first league start of the season in place of the injured George Friend.
- Ayala’s inclusion alongside Ben Gibson in defence saw Antonio Barragan switch to left-back. Otherwise, it was the same 4-2-3-1 set up for the Spanish boss.
- David Nugent and Viktor Fischer provided fresh legs off the bench during the final 10 minutes, coming on in place of Gaston Ramirez and Christhian Stuani in straight swaps.
- Victor Valdes, Friend and Marten de Roon could all be fit following the international break, so Brad Guzan and Adam Forshaw could both lose their starting spots. The pair have performed well over the past two matches though, so Karanka will likely face a selection headache for the home encounter against Crystal Palace. Now fully fit, Ayala may continue alongside Gibson in central defence. Should Friend return, Barragan could then oust Emilio Nsue on the right of the back-four.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Defence, Central Midfield
Southampton
Starting XI: Forster; Soares, Van Dijk, Fonte, Targett; Romeu; Hojbjerg (Ward-Prowse 82), Davis; Tadic (Long 67); Austin (Rodriguez 74), Redmond.
- Claude Puel only made one adjustment from the side that lost 2-0 to Man United for the home clash against Sunderland, with Charlie Austin starting in place of Shane Long.
- Austin started alongside Nathan Redmond in attack for the Saints, with Puel once again sticking with the midfield diamond in the 4-1-2-1-2 formation.
- With the match goalless, Puel turned to Long off the bench, with the Republic of Ireland international replacing Dusan Tadic after 67 minutes. That change saw the former Nice boss shift to more of a 4-3-3 formation, which included Jay Rodriguez in the front three alongside Redmond and Long after he was introduced in place of Austin. Puel’s final substitution saw James Ward-Prowse replace Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg in a straight swap for the final eight minutes.
- Ryan Bertrand was an unused substitute on Saturday, having recovered from his knee problem, and he could replace Matt Targett at left-back when Southampton travel to the Emirates after the international break. Austin failed to take his chance against the Black Cats, so Long may push for a recall in attack. Should Rodriguez remain at the club after the transfer window closes, he may also come into contention. Record signing Sofiane Boufal might be eased into action, though; he had a delayed start to pre-season as a result of knee surgery and needs time to build up his fitness.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Strikers
Stoke
Starting XI: Given: Bardsley, Shawcross, Cameron, Pieters: Whelan: Diouf (Sobhi 78), Allen, Imbula (Bojan 78), Arnautovic: Crouch (Walters 65).
- Mark Hughes made two changes for the trip to Goodison Park, with Geoff Cameron coming in for the injured Philipp Wollscheid, while Peter Crouch replaced Bojan.
- Crouch took over the central striker role for the Potters in the 4-3-3 formation, flanked by Mame Biram Diouf (right) and Mark Arnautovic (left) in attack. Cameron partnered Ryan Shawcross at the heart of the defence.
- Having failed to fire in the final third, Hughes changed things up in attack, with Jon Walters firstly coming on in place of Crouch after 65 minutes, while Ramadan Sobhi and Bojan replaced Diouf and Imbula respectively with 12 minutes left. The Potters ended with Sobhi, Bojan and Arnautovic providing support to lone striker Walters in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
- With Stoke enduring another slow start to a new season, Hughes could ring the changes for the home clash against Tottenham following the international break. Jack Butland may be fit following his ankle injury, while Glen Johnson could also be close to a return, putting pressure on Phil Bardsley at right-back. Wollscheid missed out last weekend due to a ear infection, but is another who should be fit to face Spurs. He could return at centre-back, then, while Hughes will also hope to have Xherdan Shaqiri available after the Swiss international missed out due to a calf problem. The Welsh boss is also trying to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closes, with his forwards all struggling to make an impact so far this season.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Right-Back, Central Defence, Flanks, Central Striker
Sunderland
Starting XI: Pickford; Manquillo, Kone, Djilobodji, Van Aanholt; Rodwell; Pienaar (Lens 67), Gooch (Love 77); Januzaj; Defoe, Borini (Watmore 64).
- David Moyes made five changes for the trip to St Mary’s, with Jordan Pickford, Javier Manquillo, Lamine Kone, Steven Pienaar and Fabio Borini coming in for Vito Mannone, Donald Love, John O’Shea, Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore.
- Moyes opted for a 4-3-3 formation against Southampton, with Borini (right) and Adnan Januzaj (left) flanking central striker Jermain Defoe. Lynden Gooch and Pienaar operated just ahead of holding midfielder Jack Rodwell, while Manquillo and Kone started at right-back and centre-back respectively.
- Borini suffered a minor groin injury, so the Italian was replaced by Watmore in a straight swap shortly after the hour mark. Jeremain Lens then took to the field in place of Pienaar, with the Dutch international playing in a deeper role than he’s usually accustomed to. Moyes’ final substitution saw Love replace Gooch, with the former Man United player another to play in a slightly unfamiliar position in front of the back four.
- Pickford performed admirably in goal until being at fault for Rodriguez’ equaliser and it remains to be seen whether Moyes will sign a goalkeeper before the transfer window closes. Kone’s future at the club is still in doubt, so McNair could earn a recall should the Ivorian be sold over the next day or so. Moyes is also expected to strengthen in central midfield, so that’s another area where we could see changes ahead of the Gameweek 4 clash at home to Everton, while Watmore will push for a recall in either wide position. Lens looks set to leave the club on loan.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks
Swansea
Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Amat, Kingsley; Cork (McBurnie 86), Fer; Barrow, Sigurdsson (Montero 59), Routledge (Ki Sung-yeung 59); Llorente.
- Francesco Guidolin named an unchanged starting XI for the trip to the King Power Stadium.
- The Italian kept faith in the 4-2-3-1 system, with Jack Cork and Leroy Fer combining in central midfield, while Modou Barrow (right) and Wayne Routledge (left) provided the width on the flanks.
- With the Welsh side trailing 2-0, Guidolin decided to take off Sigurdsson and Routledge, bringing on Ki sung-yeung and Jefferson Montero. The Ecuadorian replaced Routledge on the left-wing, while Ki joined Cork at the base of midfield, allowing Fer to push forward into the number ten role. After getting back into the match at 2-1, Guidolin threw on young striker Oliver McBurnie in place of Cork in search of a late equaliser, ending the match in a 4-4-2, with Fer dropping back into central midfield.
- Stephen Kingsley once again performed well for the Swans, but Neil Taylor has continued to build up his match fitness for the club’s under-23s. Should he also feature for Wales over the break, a fully-fit Taylor may well oust the Scot at left-back. Ki and Leon Britton may come into contention in central midfield, while Montero is pushing Routledge for the starting spot on the left wing. Club-record signing Borja Baston is expected to train this week following a thigh injury, and should be fit to make his debut against Chelsea in Gameweek 4. He may not be risked from the start, though, so Fernando Llorente may lead the line once more.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield, Flanks, Lone Striker
Tottenham
Starting XI: Vorm; Walker (Janssen 28), Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Wanyama; Eriksen (Winks 90), Alli, Lamela; Kane (Onomah 82).
- Mauricio Pochettino made one alteration for the visit of Liverpool to White Hart Lane, with Dele Alli recalled in place of Vincent Janssen.
- Alli returned to the number ten role in the Argentine’s usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Harry Kane operating as the lone striker.
- Pochettino was forced into making an early change, with Kyle Walker substituted due to illness. With Liverpool the better side, Pochettino decided to bring on Janssen, forcing a slight reshuffle. Eric Dier moved to right-back, with Alli switching into central midfield alongside Victor Wanyama and Kane dropping back into the number ten role, allowing Janssen to operate as the lone striker. Kane was then substituted with eight minutes remaining, with Josh Onomah introduced from the bench. The youngster was stationed on the right wing, with Erik Lamela moving into the number ten role. Harry Winks was handed a brief run-out late on in place of Christian Eriksen.
- Walker should be fine to face Stoke in 12 days time, but it’s the ongoing dilemma surrounding Janssen which remains Pochettino’s main selection dilemma. That decision will continue to effect the positions that both Alli and Kane are fielded in, while Eriksen’s slow start to the campaign also puts him at slight risk, with Alli perhaps being considered for one of the wide roles to help accommodate the Dutch striker.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield, Lone Striker
Watford
Starting XI: Gomes; Kabasele (Janmaat 52), Prodl, Kaboul; Amrabat (Success 77), Guedioura (Pereyra 46), Capoue, Behrami, Holebas; Ighalo, Deeney.
- Walter Mazzarri made two changes for the home encounter against Arsenal, with Christian Kabasele and Younes Kaboul starting in place of Craig Cathcart and Miguel Britos.
- Kabasele and Kaboul joined Sebastian Prodl in the usual three-man backline favoured by Mazzarri. The rest of the 3-5-2 formation remained unchanged.
- After falling 3-0 down during the first half, Mazzarri made a change at the break, with new signing Roberto Pereyra coming on in place of Adlene Guedioura in a straight swap. Kabasele was then replaced by another new boy, Daryl Janmaat, seven minutes into the second half, seeing the Italian switch to a 4-4-2 formation. That saw Nordin Amrabat remain on the right, with Etienne Capoue moving to an inside left position. Isaac Success was another handed his Hornets debut, and he then took over from Amrabat for the final 13 minutes. Capoue moved back into central midfield, with Pereyra pushed out to the right as Success was stationed on the left flank.
- With Cathcart missing out on Saturday due to a groin injury, and Britos not selected due to his wife giving birth, it remains to be seen what the pecking order is among the centre-backs under Mazzarri. After scoring on his debut, Pereyra looks set to replace Guedioura in central midfield for the trip to Burnley following the international break. If Mazzarri continues with his favoured 3-5-2 formation as expected, Success may continue to acclimatise to English football from the bench. New signing from Anderlecht Stefano Okaka adds competition to the places up front.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield
West Brom
Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Galloway; Yacob, Field; Phillips, Fletcher (Gardner 76), McClean (Leko 64) (Berahino 72); Rondon.
- Tony Pulis made three changes for the home fixture against Middlesbrough, with Brendan Galloway, Sam Field and James McClean coming in at the expense of Jonas Olsson, Craig Gardner and Saido Berahino.
- Galloway came in at left-back for the Baggies, with Jonny Evans moving into central defence alongside Gareth McAuley. Field took over the number ten role in the 4-2-3-1 formation, with McClean stationed on the left of the attacking midfield trio.
- McClean was the first player to be substituted, with youngster Jonathan Leko entering the fray after 64 minutes. Leko’s afternoon only last eight minutes after picking up an ankle injury, with Berahino then summoned from the bench. Berahino took up his usual number ten role, with Field shifting to the left wing. Pulis’ final change saw Gardner replace Darren Fletcher, with the substitute moving to the right of the attacking midfield trio and Matt Phillips shifting over to the left. That reshuffle saw Field drop in alongside Claudio Yacob in central midfield.
- After a strong performance on his Baggies debut, Galloway appears likely to keep his place in the starting XI for the trip to Bournemouth, in what may be an unchanged back four. It’s further forward where there are likely to be changes, with new signing Nacer Chadli in line to make his debut for the club. He could start on the left wing or in a central support role in the 4-2-3-1 formation, and the former Tottenham player could be one of a number of new faces at the Hawthorns before the transfer window closes. Berahino’s future at the club should also be resolved over the next 48 hours.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Flanks, Attacking Midfield
West Ham
Starting XI: Adrian; Ogbonna, Reid (Calleri 78), Collins; Antonio, Tore (Byram 46), Noble, Kouyate, Masuaku; Fletcher, Valencia (Lanzini 60).
- Slaven Bilic made two alterations for the trip to the Etihad, with Angelo Ogbonna and Ashley Fetcher coming in for Sam Byram and the injured Havard Nordtveit.
- Having used a 4-3-3 formation in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth, Bilic opted for a 3-5-2 system against City. Ogbonna joined James Collins and Winston Reid in the three-man backline, with Michail Antonio and Arthur Masuaku operating as wing-backs. Gokhan Tore, Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate formed the three-man midfield behind Fletcher and Enner Valencia in attack.
- After falling 2-0 behind in the first half, Bilic made a substitution at the break, with Byram coming on in place of Tore. Byram moved to right wing-back, with Antonio moving to a position on the right of a midfield trio. Valencia was then replaced by Manuel Lanzini on the hour mark, with Antonio moved into attack. Winston Reid suffered a blow to his throat in an incident involving Sergio Aguero, and had to be substituted, so with West Ham searching for an equalizer, Bilic threw on Jonathan Calleri, ending the match in what seemed to be a 4-4-2 formation.
- With Dimitri Payet back in training for France ahead of the Gameweek 4 clash against Watford, and Lanzini also with a further two weeks of training behind him, Bilic may revert back to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. New signing Simone Zaza could also lead the line, so Fletcher and Valencia look set to drop out of the starting XI. Antonio’s goal scoring form should see him continue in an attacking role, so Byram appears likely to earn a recall at right-back. Reid’s injury isn’t thought to be serious, so he and Collins look the favourites to start in central defence, with Ogbonna the alternative. Even if he does recover from a foot injury, Nordtveit may struggle to get back in the side should Bilic only play with two central midfield players.
Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back/Right Wing-Back, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Attacking Midfield, Strikers
