Sergio Aguero drops to Manchester City’s bench ahead of the midweek Champions League trip to Barcelona. Riyad Mahrez is named amongst the substitutes as Claudio Ranieri shuffles his pack to cope with the schedule, while Ross Barkley and cut-price striker Adama Diomande are omitted from Everton and Hull’s starting line-ups for the first time this term.
Arsenal
Starting XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Cazorla, Walcott, Ozil (Gibbs 83), Iwobi (Coquelin 68), Sanchez (Oxlade-Chamberlain 82).
- Arsene Wenger named an unchanged starting XI from the one that beat Burnley 1-0 for the visit of Swansea City to the Emirates.
- Granit Xhaka kept his place alongside Santi Cazorla in the double-pivot in the 4-2-3-1 formation, with the fit-again Francis Coquelin named among the substitutes.
- It was Coquelin who was the first player to be brought on by Wenger, with Alex Iwobi making way in a defensive substitution after Swansea pulled a goal back to make the score 3-2. But minutes later, Xhaka was sent off for violent conduct, leaving only Coquelin and Cazorla in central midfield, with Mesut Ozil filling in on the left side. Then, with under 10 minutes remaining, Wenger introduced Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain off the bench, with Ozil and Alexis Sanchez making way. Gibbs played in front of Nacho Monreal at left-back, with Chamberlain operating on the right wing, allowing Theo Walcott to move into the central striker role.
- With Xhaka suspended for the home clash against Middlesbrough, it’s Coquelin who’s likely to return to the side in central midfield, with Mohamed Elneny another alternative. Wenger is keen to give Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud time to build up their match fitness, so changes in the front four positions appear unlikely, although Chamberlain and Lucas Perez could come into contention should Wenger look to rotate.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield
Bournemouth
Starting XI: Boruc; Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Arter, Surman; Ibe (King 61), Wilshere (Gosling 79), Stanislas; Wilson (Afobe 86).
- Eddie Howe named an unchanged starting XI from the one that drew 2-2 against Watford for the home clash against Hull City.
- The Cherries lined up in more of a 4-2-3-1 on Saturday, with Andrew Surman and Harry Arter in the double-pivot. Junior Stanislas (right), Jack Wilshere (number ten) and Jordon Ibe (left) formed the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Callum Wilson.
- Ibe was once again substituted by Howe, with Josh King coming on just after the hour mark. King played on the right flank, with Stanislas switching over to the left. Then, with 11 minutes left on the clock, Dan Gosling took over from Wilshere in the number ten position. Howe’s final change saw Benik Afobe handed a brief run-out in place of Wilson.
- Given the impressive nature of Bournemouth’s 6-1 victory, Howe could again name an unchanged side for the home clash against Spurs on Saturday, providing Arter shakes off a knee problem. King is a viable option to replace Ibe, but will have to show patience before he earns a recall to the starting XI.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield
Burnley
Starting XI: Heaton; Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward; Defour (O’Neill 41), Marney; Boyd (Bamford 81), Hendrick, Gudmundsson (Kightly 70); Vokes.
- Sean Dyche named an unchanged starting XI from the one that lost 1-0 to Arsenal for the trip to St Mary’s.
- It was a 4-1-4-1 formation again for the Clarets, then, although it was Jeff Hendrick who was the most advanced central midfield player.
- Steven Defour’s afternoon was cut short after suffering a hamstring injury, with the Belgian replaced by Aiden O’Neill in a straight swap after 41 minutes. With 20 minutes remaining, Michael Kightly was introduced in place of Johann Berg Gudmundsson, while Dyche’s final substitution saw Patrick Bamford come on for George Boyd. Bamford joined Sam Vokes and Kightly in attack, with O’Neill, Dean Marney and Hendrick left in central midfield in more of a 4-3-3.
- Should Defour be ruled out for the home clash against Everton, O’Neill could deputise in midfield, or Dyche could consider switching to a 4-4-2, with Bamford earning a starting berth alongside Vokes. Kightly and Scott Arfield are alternatives to Gudmundsson and Boyd on the flanks.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks
Chelsea
Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses (Aina 82), Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro (Chalobah 68), Costa, Hazard (Loftus-Cheek 81).
- Antonio Conte was forced into making one adjustment for the home encounter against Leicester City, with Pedro coming in for Willian, who granted compassionate leave following the death of his mother.
- Pedro slotted in on the right of the front three in the same 3-4-3 formation that was used in the 2-0 victory over Hull City. Victor Moses was fit to keep his place at right wing-back for the Blues.
- It was Pedro who was the first player to be hooked, with Nathaniel Chalobah taking his place after 68 minutes. Chalobah moved into central midfield, with Eden Hazard then pushed into a more central role, seeing a switch to a 3-5-1-1. The Belgian then made way for Ruben Loftus-Cheek in a straight swap with nine minutes remaining. The final substitution saw Ola Aina handed a run-out at right wing-back in place of Moses.
- If Willian is available for Sunday’s home encounter against Man United, it’s likely he’ll come straight back into the side in place of Pedro. After keeping another clean sheet, Conte may continue with the same personnel in defence and in the wing-back positions, although John Terry is now fully fit, and an option to return to the starting XI.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Right Wing-Back, Right Wing
Crystal Palace
Starting XI: Mandanda, Ward, Delaney, Tomkins, Kelly (Fryers 46); McArthur (Wickham 70), Ledley (Cabaye 46); Townsend, Puncheon, Zaha, Benteke.
- Alan Pardew named an unchanged starting XI from the one that drew 1-1 at Everton for the visit of West Ham to Selhurst Park.
- Yohan Cabaye had to make do with a place among the substitutes once again, then, with Joe Ledley partnering James McArthur at the base of midfield in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation.
- But following a disappointing first half display that saw the Eagles head into the break 1-0 down, Pardew opted to make a double substitution, with Cabaye and Zeki Fryers coming on in place of Ledley and Martin Kelly in straight swaps. His final change saw Connor Wickham enter the fray for McArthur with 20 minutes remaining as Pardew’s men looked to find a late equaliser. Palace ended the match in a standard 4-4-2, with Jason Puncheon dropping into central midfield alongside Cabaye, while Wickham joined Christian Benteke in attack.
- Pardew could make changes in defence for the trip to Leicester City on Saturday, with Fryers perhaps set to replace Kelly at left-back, while Scott Dann (hamstring) may be fit to return at centre-back. Cabaye also seems likely to come back into the side, with Ledley perhaps dropping to the bench.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Left-Back, Central Midfield
Everton
Starting XI: Stekelenberg; Coleman, Jagielka, Williams, Oviedo, Barry, Cleverley (Funes Mori 90), Bolasie (Mirallas 84), Gueye, Deulofeu (McCarthy 57), Lukaku.
- Ronald Koeman made one alteration for the trip to the Etihad, with Gerard Deulofeu recalled in place of Ross Barkley.
- Deulofeu played on the left wing in Koeman’s standard 4-2-3-1 formation, with Yannick Bolasie utilised in the number ten role, leaving Tom Cleverley on the right.
- Koeman made his first substitution just before the hour mark, with James McCarthy brought on in place of Deulofeu. McCarthy played on the right side of midfield, with Cleverley moving more centrally. Bolasie was then pushed out to the left wing. With six minutes remaining, Bolasie made way for Kevin Mirallas, while Ramiro Funes Mori came on in stoppage time as the Toffees looked to hold on for a point.
- Barkley was surprisingly dropped on Saturday, and may find it difficult to get back into the side for the trip to Burnley. He, Deulofeu and Mirallas all look to be battling for one spot at present, with Cleverley’s berth appearing slightly more secure having started the last two matches.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, Attacking Midfield
Hull City
Starting XI: Marshall; Elmohamady, Maguire, Davies, Robertson (Diomande 63); Snodgrass, Livermore, Clucas, Mason (Meyler 78), Maloney (Huddlestone 55); Keane.
- Hull City boss Mike Phelan made four changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Chelsea for the trip to Bournemouth, with Ahmed Elmohamady, Harry Maguire, Shaun Maloney and Will Keane coming in for David Meyler, Markus Henriksen, Adama Diomande and the injured Dieumerci Mbokani.
- Those changes saw the Tigers line up in more of a 4-2-3-1, with Elmohamady, Maguire, Curtis Davies and Andrew Robertson starting in defence. Jake Livermore moved into central midfield alongside Sam Clucas, with Robert Snodgrass (right), Ryan Mason (number ten) and Maloney (left) starting in the three advanced midfield positions. Keane operated as the lone striker.
- Phelan’s first substitution saw Tom Huddlestone come on in place of Maloney 10 minutes into the second half. Then eight minutes later, Robertson had to be replaced by Diomande after picking up a knock. Those changes saw Clucas drop in at left-back, with Hull moving to a 4-5-1 system, with Diomande stationed on the left flank, while Huddlestone joined Livermore and Mason in central midfield. The final substitution saw Meyler come on for Mason to provide some fresh legs for the final 12 minutes. Meyler played in front on right-back Elmohamady, with Snodgrass moving into a more central midfield role.
- Maguire was handed a rare start in central defence on Saturday, but given the result, and with Michael Dawson close to a first-team return, he could drop back out of the side for Saturday’s home encounter against Stoke City. With Robertson today confirmed as ruled out for eight weeks with a calf problem, Clucas, Maguire or even Meyler may have to fill in at left-back. It’s likely that Livermore will now play in central midfield after slotting in at centre-back during the opening months of the season, with Huddlestone perhaps set to earn a recall in the middle of the park should Clucas be needed in defence. Maloney and Keane earned starts on Saturday, but Phelan may consider handing recalls to Diomande and Abel Hernandez on the left wing and up front respectively. Mbokani will be another option up in attack if he can recover from a knock.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Left-Back, Flanks, Lone Striker
Leicester City
Starting XI: Schmeichel; Hernandez, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Schlupp (Mahrez 67), Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton (King 74); Musa (Slimani 67), Vardy.
- Claudio Ranieri made three changes for the trip to Stamford Bridge, with Luis Hernandez, Jeffrey Schlupp and Ahmed Musa coming in for Danny Simpson, Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani.
- Hernandez slotted in at right-back for the Foxes, while Schlupp played on the left side of midfield, with Marc Albrighton stationed on the opposite flank. Musa partnered Jamie Vardy in attack in the 4-4-2 formation.
- Ranieri chose to make a double substitution after 67 minutes with his side trailing 2-0, with Mahrez and Slimani replacing Schlupp and Musa. Mahrez played in his usual position on the right of midfield, with Albrighton switching back to the left. With 16 minutes left on the clock, Andy King came on in place of Albrighton in a straight swap.
- Ranieri had revealed before the match that he will be rotating his squad over the next few weeks to deal with both the Premier League and Champions League campaigns. Hernandez and Simpson are both now viable options at right-back, while Schlupp and Demarai Gray could take minutes from both Mahrez and Albrighton. Slimani should earn a recall when Leicester host Crystal Palace on Saturday, but Musa may continue to eat into the minutes of both the Algerian and even Vardy over the coming period.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Flanks, Strikers
Man City
Starting XI: Bravo; Otamendi, Stones, Clichy; Fernandinho (Aguero 56), Gundogan (Kompany 90); Sane (Nolito 71), De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Iheanacho.
- Pep Guardiola made five changes for the home encounter against Everton, with Gael Clichy, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Kelechi Iheanacho and the fit-again Kevin De Bruyne coming in for Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov, Fernando, Jesus Navas and Sergio Aguero.
- Guardiola looked to use a 3-2-4-1 formation on Saturday, with Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones and Gael Clichy forming the three-man backline. Fernandinho and Gundogan patrolled central midfield, with Sane, De Bruyne, David Silva and Raheem Sterling all starting in attacking midfield positions behind lone striker Iheanacho.
- But with the match goalless, Guardiola turned to Aguero off the bench, with Fernandinho making way for the Argentine, seeing City switch to more of a 3-1-4-2 system. Nolito then entered the fray for Sane in a straight swap after 71 minutes, with Vincent Kompany handed a brief run-out late on in place of Gundogan.
- After using yet another different formation against the Toffees, there’s plenty of uncertainty surrounding how City will line up against Southampton next weekend. Having failed to pick up the three points on Saturday, Guardiola may switch back to the 4-1-4-1, with Zabaleta and Kolarov perhaps returning to the starting XI. With Kompany now fit again, there’s a rotation threat to both Stones and Otamendi in central defence, while Sane, Sterling, Nolito and Navas are all viable options for the wide roles. Aguero should come back into the starting XI against Saints, with Iheanacho dropping to the bench.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, Flanks
Middlesbrough
Starting XI: Valdes; Barragan (Ayala 69), Chambers, Gibson, Friend; De Roon (Rhodes 88), Forshaw; Stuani (Traore 69), Ramirez, Downing; Negredo.
- Aitor Karanka made two changes for the home encounter against Watford, with Gaston Ramirez and Alvaro Negredo recalled in place of Viktor Fischer and Jordan Rhodes.
- Ramirez returned in his usual number ten role, with Negredo back leading the line for ‘Boro in Karanka’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.
- Karanka made a double substitution after 69 minutes, with Adama Traore and Daniel Ayala coming on for Cristhian Stuani and Antonio Barragan. Traore took over on the right wing for the home side, while Calum Chambers shifted over from centre-back to right-back to allow Ayala to partner Ben Gibson in central defence. As a final roll of the dice, Karanka threw on Rhodes for Marten de Roon as ‘Boro looked to find a late equaliser, ending the match in a 4-1-3-2 formation.
- Karanka will be forced into making at least one change for the trip to the Emirates, with Chambers ineligible to face his parent club. Ayala is the favourite to fill in at centre-back, then, while Adam Clayton may come into contention for a recall in central midfield. Traore and Fischer may possibly come into Karanka’s thinking in the attacking midfield positions, while after again failing to impress up front, Negredo’s place could again come under threat from Rhodes.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, , Attacking Midfield, Lone Striker
Part Two of Lineup Lessons, covering the remaining ten teams, will be published tomorrow.
