Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 10 – Part Two

Son Heung-min is shifted back onto the flank as Vincent Janssen leads the line for Spurs. Michail Antonio is handed a role up front for West Ham United’s trip to Goodison, whilst Nacer Chadli is moved to the wing for West Bromwich Albion’s home encounter with Man City.

After assessing the first ten teams yesterday, here’s the lowdown on the remaining half.

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea, Darmian, Rojo, Blind, Shaw, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard (Fellaini 72), Mata (Rooney 72), Rashford (Memphis 81), Ibrahimovic.

• Jose Mourinho made four changes for the visit of Burnley to Old Trafford, with Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Juan Mata coming in for Marouane Fellaini and the injured trio of Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling.
• Darmian started at right-back, with Shaw at left-back and Rojo and Daley Blind combining at the heart of the defence. Paul Pogba started alongside Ander Herrera in the double-pivot in the 4-2-3-1, with Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
• After a goalless first-half, Mourinho switched to a 4-4-2, with Rashford joining Ibrahimovic up front, seeing Mata and Lingard move out wide. Those two players were the first to be substituted, though, with Fellaini and Rooney coming on in their place with 18 minutes remaining. With Herrera being dismissed for a second yellow card, both substitutes joined Paul Pogba in midfield, with the full-backs the only players providing any width. Memphis Depay was introduced for the final nine minutes, with the Dutchman replacing Rashford in a straight swap.
• After undergoing surgery on a broken arm, Valencia won’t be available for Sunday’s trip to Swansea. Darmian should keep his place in the side, then, but Smalling may have a chance of returning in central defence should he shake off a niggle, perhaps replacing Rojo. If Anthony Martial recovers from a knock, he could push for a recall either out wide or even as a striker, with Mourinho perhaps set to consider starting with two up top. Michael Carrick may earn a rare start in place of the suspended Herrera, while Rooney and Fellaini could come into contention, particularly if Mourinho considers using a 4-3-3 in south Wales.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Strikers

Middlesbrough

Starting XI: Valdes, Barragan, Gibson, Chambers, Friend, Clayton, Forshaw, Traore (Fischer 90), Ramirez (Leadbitter 62), Downing, Negredo (Rhodes 85).

• Aitor Karanka made two changes for the home encounter against Bournemouth, with Calum Chambers returning in place of Daniel Ayala after he was ineligible to play against his parent club Arsenal. Stewart Downing was recalled in place of the injured Marten de Roon.
• After using a more defensive 4-1-4-1 at the Emirates, Karanka switched back to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation against the Cherries. Downing started on the left of the attacking midfield trio, which was completed by Gaston Ramirez (No 10) and Adama Traore (right), while Chambers partnered Ben Gibson in central defence.
• Having been cautioned, and with ‘Boro holding a 2-0 lead, Karanka made a defensive first change, with the returning Grant Leadbitter brought on in place of Ramirez. That substitution saw the home side revert back to the 4-1-4-1, with Adam Clayton in front of the back four, leaving Leadbitter and Adam Forshaw in the middle of the park. Jordan Rhodes and Viktor Fischer then provided fresh legs late on in place of Alvaro Negredo and Traore in straight swaps.
• Ramirez is suspended for Saturday’s trip to the Etihad, so Karanka may start with the 4-1-4-1 against City, with either De Roon, providing he’s passed fit, or Leadbitter starting in place of the Uruguayan. Negredo’s poor form means Rhodes may be in with a sniff to start up front, but after a good team performance on Saturday, changes are set to be at a minimum.

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

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Martina, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand (McQueen 78); Romeu, Clasie (Boufal 61), Davis; Redmond, Tadic (Hojbjerg 78), Austin.

• Saints boss Claude Puel only made one alteration from the side that drew 1-1 against Man City for the home fixture against Chelsea, with the fit-again Ryan Bertrand coming in for Sam McQueen.
• Bertrand slotted in at left-back in the 4-3-3 formation, with Dusan Tadic (right) and Charlie Austin (left) flanking central striker Nathan Redmond.
• But after falling 2-0 behind, Puel turned to club-record signing Sofiane Boufal of the bench, with Jordy Clasie making way. That change saw Saints switch to more of a 4-2-3-1, with Boufal (left) and Redmond (right) flanking Tadic in the No 10 role, leaving Austin as the lone striker. Then, with 12 minutes left, McQueen took over from the tiring Bertrand in a straight swap, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg replaced Tadic, seeing Saints switch back to a 4-3-3.
• Following a sub-par performance from Cuco Martina, Puel will be desperate to have Cedric Soares (ankle) back to face Hull City on Sunday. Hojbjerg offers an alternative to Clasie in midfield, while Boufal is pushing for a start in the front three. Much will depend on what side Puel chooses to face Inter Milan on Thursday night in regard to what team we’ll see line up at the KCOM Stadium on Sunday.

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

Stoke City

Starting XI: Grant; Bardsley, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters; Whelan, Adam; Allen, Shaqiri (Sobhi 26) , Arnautovic (Crouch 86); Bony (Walters 79).

• Mark Hughes was forced into making one change from the side that won 2-0 at Hull for the visit of Swansea City to the bet365 stadium, with a knee injury ruling out Geoff Cameron. The American was replaced in the starting XI by Charlie Adam.
• Adam slotted in alongside Glenn Whelan at the base of midfield in Hughes’ usual 4-2-3-1, with Joe Allen continuing in the No 10 role for the Potters.
• Hughes was forced into making an early change, with Xherdan Shaqiri appearing to suffer a muscular problem. He was replaced by Ramadan Sobhi, who played on the left wing, with Marko Arnautovic shifting over to the right. Then, with the Potters holding a 3-1 lead, Hughes introduced Jon Walters and Peter Crouch off the bench, with Wilfried Bony and Arnautovic making way. Walters played on the right wing, with Crouch stationed as the lone striker.
• With the short turnaround to Saturday’s match at West Ham, Shaqiri is a major doubt for the trip to London. Hughes will also be without the suspended Arnautovic, so Sobhi and Walters look the obvious payers to step in. Crouch, Bojan and Giannelli Imbula offer further options in midfield and attack. If he recovers from his knee injury, Cameron may earn a recall in place of Adam in central midfield.

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

Sunderland

Starting XI: Pickford; Jones, Kone, O’Shea (Djilobodji 42), van Aanholt; Rodwell, Ndong; Khazri, Pienaar (Januzaj 70), Watmore (Gooch 84); Defoe.

• Sunderland manager David Moyes only made one adjustment for the home encounter against Arsenal, will Billy Jones starting at the expense of Javier Manquillo.
• Jones slotted in at right-back for the Black Cats, who lined up in more of a 4-3-3, with Wahbi Khazri (right) and in particular Duncan Watmore (left) pushed forward either side of central striker Jermain Defoe.
• Moyes was forced into making a change towards the end of the first-half though, after John O’Shea suffered a hamstring injury. Papy Djilobodji came on in his place in a straight swap. Then, with 20 minutes left, the fit-again Adnan Januzaj came on for Steven Pienaar, seeing Sunderland switch to a more attacking 4-2-3-1. Moyes’ final substitution saw Lynden Gooch provide fresh legs in place of Watmore for the final six minutes.
• After conceding four goals on Saturday, Moyes may consider restoring Manquillo to the starting XI at Jones’ expense. O’Shea is a major doubt for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, so Djilobodji appears likely to deputise at centre-back, with Jason Denayer the only other option providing he recovers from a thigh problem. Lee Cattermole is struggling to overcome a back injury, so Moyes doesn’t appear to have too many options in the middle of the park bar Paddy McNair. After getting 20 minutes under his belt, and with Khazri enduring a difficult afternoon on Saturday, Januzaj may push for a start against the Cherries.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton (Rangel 41), Van der Hoorn, Mawson, Taylor; Fer, Ki Sung-yeung (Cork 86); Barrow (Borja Baston 62), Sigurdsson, Routledge; Llorente.

• Bob Bradley made three alterations for the trip to Stoke, with Neil Taylor, Leroy Fer and Fernando Llorente earning recalls in place of Stephen Kingsley, Leon Britton and Borja Baston.
• Taylor came in at left-back for the Swans, with Fer partnering Ki Sung-yeung at the base of midfield in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Llorente led the line for the Welsh side.
• Bradley was forced into making a change towards the end of the first-half though, with Kyle Naughton replaced by Angel Rangel after reportedly feeling ill. Then after falling 2-1 behind, Bradley introduced Borja in place of Modou Barrow, switching to a 4-4-2. Routledge moved to the right wing, with Gylfi Sigurdsson shifting across to the left, allowing Borja to join Llorente in attack. Ki was subbed off with four minutes remaining, with Jack Cork taking his place in a straight swap.
• After conceding three goals, Bradley may consider making more changes to his defence for Sunday’s home clash against Man United. Jordi Amat may come into contention for a recall in central defence, while Kingsley could challenge Taylor for the starting berth at left-back. If Naughton is ruled out, Rangel will likely start at right-back for the Swans. Britton and Borja are others who may push for recalls, with the starting spots of Fer and Llorente perhaps a little vulnerable.

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

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Wanyama (Winks 88); Eriksen, Alli (Nkoudou 83), Son Heung-min; Janssen.

• Mauricio Pochettino only made one alteration for the home clash against Leicester City, with Vincent Janssen recalled in place of Erik Lamela, who missed out due to illness.
• Janssen started as the lone striker for Spurs, with Son Heung-min dropped back onto the left of the attacking midfield trio in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
• Both of Pochettino’s substitutions came during the final 10 minutes, with Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Harry Winks coming on for Dele Alli and Victor Wanyama. Nkoudou played on the left wing, with Son moving to the right, allowing Christian Eriksen to take over in the No 10 role. Winks slotted into central midfield alongside Mousa Dembele.
• Depending on who Pochettino chooses in the full-back positions on Wednesday night against Bayer Leverkusen, we will probably see Kyle Walker and Danny Rose keep their starting spots given Tottenham travel to the Emirates on Sunday. Lamela may come back into contention should he be available, while Harry Kane is also close to a return following his ankle injury. The starting berths of Son and Janssen in particular may come under threat then. If Toby Alderweireld (knee) steps up his fitness ahead of the north London derby, Eric Dier could struggle to find a spot in the starting XI.

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

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes, Kaboul (Janmaat 72), Prodl (Kabasele 86), Britos, Amrabat (Zuniga 84), Pereyra, Behrami, Capoue, Holebas, Deeney, Ighalo.

• Watford head coach Walter Mazzarri only made one adjustment for the home clash against Hull City, with Nordin Amrabat earning a recall in place of Juan Zuniga.
• Amrabat returned at right wing-back for the Hornets, with Mazzarri sticking with the same 3-5-2 formation he used against Swansea City in Gameweek 9. Roberto Pereyra did play in a more advanced central midfield role, though.
• Mazzarri made his first substitution after 72 minutes, with the fit-again Daryl Janmaat coming on in place of Younes Kaboul. That change saw Watford switch to a four-man backline, with Janmaat playing at right-back. That allowed Amrabat to move into a wide attacking position on the right. Once Watford took the lead, though, Mazzarri immediately brought on Zuniga for Amrabat, with the substitute offering cover in front of Janmaat down the right flank. Sebastian Prodl was forced off with a groin problem late on, and had to be replaced, with Christian Kabasele taking over in central defence for the final four minutes.
• If Prodl is ruled out for Sunday’s trip to Anfield, Kabasele looks the obvious replacement if Craig Cathcart remains out with a groin injury as expected. Janmaat could return at right wing-back, although the impressive Amrabat is unlikely to be dropped. Isaac Success (foot) isn’t expected to be fit to face Liverpool, so Odion Ighalo could keep his place alongside Troy Deeney in attack.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Right Wing-Back

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson (Leko 51), Nyom; Chadli (Robson-Kanu 87), Fletcher (Morrison 51), Evans, Brunt, McClean; Rondon

• Tony Pulis made two changes for the visit of Man City to the Hawthorns, with Jonny Evans, returning after serving his one-match ban, replacing the suspended Claudio Yacob, while Chris Brunt earned his first start of the campaign in place of Matt Phillips.
• Those changes saw Pulis opt for more of a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Evans stationed in a defensive midfield role. Brunt started next to Darren Fletcher in central midfield, with Nacer Chadli and James McClean operating out wide in support of lone striker Salomon Rondon.
• But six minutes into the second-half, and with his side 2-0 down, Pulis decided to make a double substitution, introducing Jonathan Leko and James Morrison in place of Jonas Olsson and Fletcher. Those changes saw Evans drop into a back four, leaving Morrison and Brunt at the base of midfield in a 4-2-3-1. Leko (right), Chadli (No 10) and McClean (left) formed the attacking midfield trio. Pulis’ final change saw Hal Robson-Kanu get a brief run-out in place of Chadli.
• The absence of Yacob and the fact the Baggies faced City last weekend may have led to Pulis’ change in formation. So with Yacob available to face Leicester City on Sunday, Pulis will likely revert back to the 4-2-3-1. Brunt could be a viable alternative to Fletcher in central midfield, though, while he is also capable of playing on either flank. Given McClean will miss the trip to the King Power Stadium due to suspension, Brunt could well start on the left wing. Leko also impressed off the bench against City, so he may challenge Phillips for a starting spot on the right against the Foxes. Evans is expected to slot back into central defence alongside Gareth McAuley, with Olsson dropping to the bench.

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

West Ham United

Starting XI: Adrian; Kouyate, Reid, Ogbonna; Fernandes (Zaza 71), Obiang (Ayew 60), Noble, Cresswell; Payet, Antonio, Lanzini (Feghouli 78).

• Slaven Bilic only made one alteration from the side that beat Sunderland 1-0 for the trip to Goodison Park, with Aaron Cresswell returning from suspension to replace Simone Zaza in the starting XI.
• That change meant that Michail Antonio was utilised as the lone striker in the 3-4-3 formation, with Cresswell and Edimilson Fernandes occupying the wing-back roles.
• But after falling a goal behind, Bilic turned to the fit-again Andre Ayew off the bench, with the Ghanaian replacing Pedro Obiang. Ayew played on the right on the front three, with Manuel Lanzini dropping into central midfield. Zaza then came on for Fernandes after 71 minutes, with Sofiane Feghouli replacing Lanzini seven minutes later. West Ham finished the match with Antonio and Ayew flanking central striker Zaza, with Feghouli and Cresswell as attacking wing-backs. Dimitri Payet dropped into a deeper midfielder role in front of Mark Noble.
• West Ham will be without the suspended Winston Reid for Saturday’s home clash against Stoke City after he received his fifth yellow card of the season. Bilic is likely to stick with the 3-4-3, so James Collins may earn a recall against the Potters, with Havard Nordtveit the other option. After getting 30 minutes under his belt, Ayew may be ready to start as the central striker on Saturday, possibly meaning that Antonio could replace Fernandes at right wing-back.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Right Wing-Back, Central Striker