Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 12 – Part One

Yaya Toure comes in from the cold as Pep Guardiola ramps up his rotation for City’s win at Palace. Jose Mourinho drops Wayne Rooney to the Manchester United bench, despite being without Zlatan Ibrahimovic at home to Arsenal, while the absence of Adam Lallana affords Georginio Wijnaldum a first-team return for Liverpool’s clash with Southampton.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Jenkinson (Oxlade-Chamberlain 83), Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin (Xhaka 80), Elneny (Giroud 73); Ramsey, Ozil, Walcott; Sanchez.

• Arsene Wenger made three changes from the side that drew 1-1 against Tottenham Hotspur for the trip to Old Trafford. Carl Jenkinson came in for the injured Hector Bellerin, while Mohamed Elneny and Aaron Ramsey started in place of Granit Xhaka and Alex Iwobi.
• Jenkinson slotted in at right-back for the Gunners, while Elneny partnered Francis Coquelin at the base of midfield in Wenger’s standard 4-2-3-1 formation. Ramsey played in a slightly unfamiliar position on the left of the attacking midfield trio.
• With Arsenal trailing 1-0, Wenger turned to Olivier Giroud off the bench, with the Frenchman coming on in place of Elneny. That change saw Giroud operate as the lone striker, with Alexis Sanchez moving to the left wing. Ramsey then joined Coquelin in central midfield, although Xhaka was introduced shortly after in place of Coquelin in a straight swap. As a last roll of the dice, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought on for Jenkinson at right-back as Arsenal chased a late equaliser.
• Jenkinson played reasonably well in the absence of the injured Bellerin and appears likely to keep his place at right-back for the home clash against Bournemouth. Wenger may look to make a change in central midfield, though, with Ramsey or Xhaka possibly replacing Elneny to offer a more attacking option. If he were to recover from an Achilles injury, Santi Cazorla would be the clear favourite to replace Elneny – although that looks unlikely given recent reports. After scoring the equaliser, Giroud made a strong case for a starting berth against the Cherries, but it remains to be seen whether Wenger wants to move Sanchez back onto the left wing. Oxlade-Chamberlain may also put pressure on Walcott’s starting spot after providing the assist for Giroud’s late header.

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

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Federici; Francis, Cook, Ake, Daniels; Arter, Wilshere; Gosling, Stanislas, King (Pugh 79); Wilson (Afobe 67).

• Eddie Howe made three changes for the trip to the bet365 Stadium, with Nathan Ake coming in for the suspended Adam Smith, while Adam Federici replaced the injured Artur Boruc in goal. The final alteration saw the fit-again Callum Wilson come in for Jordon Ibe, who missed out due to illness.
• Ake started in central defence alongside Steve Cook for the Cherries, with Simon Francis moving to right-back. Wilson returned as the lone striker, with Josh King playing on the right of the attacking midfield trio. Junior Stanislas was stationed on the opposite flank for the visitors.
• Howe’s first substitution saw Benik Afobe take over from Wilson as the lone striker for the final 23 minutes. With 11 minutes remaining, Marc Pugh was introduced in place of King, with Pugh playing in his usual position on the left wing, seeing Stanislas switch to the opposite flank.
• Providing they’re fit, both Boruc (back) and Andrew Surman (hamstring) would be expected to return to the starting XI for Sunday’s trip to the Emirates, with Federici and Gosling making way. Smith will be available again after serving his one-match ban, and is likely to return to the XI despite Ake’s impressive display in the 1-0 win over Stoke. Even if Ibe is available for the match against Arsenal, he may struggle to get the nod ahead of either King or Stanislas.

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

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Moses, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Alonso; Kante, Matic; Pedro (Chalobah 80), Costa, Hazard (Oscar 90).

• Antonio Conte named an unchanged starting XI for the fifth consecutive match as Chelsea travelled to take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
• It was the 3-4-3 formation used again by the Italian, then, with Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso fielded as attacking wing-backs.
• Conte again made his substitutions late on, with Nathaniel Chalobah brought on in place of Pedro for the final 10 minutes as the Blues looked to hold onto their 1-0 lead. Chalobah joined N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic in central midfield, with Eden Hazard moving alongside Diego Costa to form a 3-5-2. The Belgian was withdrawn in the final minute, with Oscar providing some fresh legs for the visitors.
• The only position in the Chelsea side that had appeared slightly vulnerable was Pedro’s, but with Willian not even named in the matchday squad yesterday, the Spaniard looks set to keep his place in what’s likely to be an unchanged starting XI for Saturday’s home encounter with Tottenham Hotspur.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: None

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Tomkins, Kelly (Sako 86); McArthur, Cabaye; Townsend (Wickham 46), Puncheon, Zaha, Benteke (Lee Chung-yong 81).

• Alan Pardew made two changes from the side that lost 3-2 at Burnley for the visit of Man City to Selhurst Park, with Wayne Hennessey replacing the injured Steve Mandanda, while James Tomkins earned a recall in place of Damien Delaney.
• Tomkins joined Scott Dann in central defence for the Eagles, with Andros Townsend (left), Jason Puncheon (No 10) and Wilfried Zaha (right) forming the attacking midfield trio.
• With his side trailing 1-0 at half-time, Pardew decided to make a change, as Connor Wickham replaced Townsend. With nine minutes remaining, Pardew took off Christian Benteke, with Lee Chung-yong taking his berth. That change saw Lee play on the left flank, with Wickham taking over as the lone striker. Then as a final roll of the dice, Pardew introduced Bakary Sako for Martin Kelly as an attacking left-back in search of a late equaliser.
• While Tomkins got the nod ahead of Delaney against City, neither player has yet been able to cement a starting spot alongside Dann in central defence. After being substituted at half-time, Townsend’s starting role appears slightly at risk, with Wickham a viable alternative, while Puncheon could also move out wide, perhaps allowing a more defensive option such as Joe Ledley to start in midfield against Swansea City on Saturday, providing he recovers from a knock. Both Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur could potentially move in the No 10 role. Mandanda is likely to remain out due to a knee injury, so Hennessey should keep his start in goal.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Left Wing, Attacking Midfield

Everton

Starting XI: Stekelenburg; Coleman, Jagielka (Valencia 83), Williams, Baines; McCarthy (Mirallas 72), Gueye; Lennon (Deulofeu 66), Barkley, Bolasie; Lukaku.

• Everton manager Ronald Koeman made four alterations from the side that lost 5-0 to Chelsea for the visit of Swansea City to Goodison Park, with the fit-again Leighton Baines coming in for Bryan Oviedo, while James McCarthy replaced the suspended Gareth Barry. Idrissa Gueye returned from suspension to oust Ramiro Funes Mori, with Aaron Lennon starting in place of Tom Cleverley.
• After using a 3-5-2 against Chelsea, Koeman reverted back to his favoured 4-2-3-1 on Saturday. Baines slotted in at left-back, while Gueye and McCarthy combined at the base of midfield. Lennon (right), Ross Barkley (No 10) and Yannick Bolasie (left) formed the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Romelu Lukaku.
• Koeman’s first change saw Gerard Deulofeu replace Lennon in a straight swap shortly after the hour mark. Then, with his side still trailing 1-0, the Dutchman brought on Kevin Mirallas in place of McCarthy. That change saw Everton switch to more of a 4-1-4-1, with Mirallas and Barkley both playing centrally behind lone striker Lukaku. As a final tweak, Enner Valencia replaced Phil Jagielka, leaving only Ashley Williams, Gueye and one of Baines or Seamus Coleman at the back as the home side pushed for an equaliser.
• Barry will be back from suspension for Sunday’s trip to Southampton and could return in place of McCarthy in the middle of the park. Lennon failed to take his chance to impress on Saturday, so one of Deulofeu, Mirallas or Valencia may push for a recall out wide.

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

Hull City

Starting XI: Marshall; Elmohamady, Dawson, Davies, Tymon (Bowen 79); Snodgrass, Henriksen, Livermore, Clucas, Mason (Meyler 85); Mbokani.

• Mike Phelan made three changes for the trip to the Stadium of Light, with Josh Tymon, Robert Snodgrass and Dieumerci Mbokani coming in for Harry Maguire and the injured pair Will Keane and Abel Hernandez.
• Those changes saw Phelan switch from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-4-1-1, with Tymon coming in at left-back for the Tigers. Sam Clucas moved to the left side of midfield, with Snodgrass stationed on the opposite flank. Markus Henriksen was utilised in a central attacking midfield role behind lone striker Mbokani.
• Phelan made an attacking first change, with Jarrod Bowen coming on in place of Tymon, seeing Clucas drop back into defence. But Hull then conceded a third goal, so Phelan’s only other change saw David Meyler provide some fresh legs in place of Ryan Mason for the final few minutes.
• After conceding three on Saturday, Phelan may consider moving back to a three-man defence for Saturday’s home clash against West Bromwich Albion. If he does go down that route, Maguire could earn a recall at the expense of Tymon, with Clucas then moving to left wing-back. Phelan will be boosted by the return from suspension of Adama Diomande, though, with the forward an option to either play alongside Mbokani in attack in a 3-5-2 or on the left wing in a 4-4-1-1 or 3-4-3.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Defence, Flanks

Leicester City

Starting XI: Zieler, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs (Schlupp 68); Mahrez, Amartey, Drinkwater, Albrighton (Musa 78); Okazaki (Gray 68), Vardy.

• Claudio Ranieri made three changes for the trip to Vicarage Road, with Daniel Amartey, Marc Albrighton and Jamie Vardy coming in for Andy King, Ahmed Musa and the injured Islam Slimani.
• Amartey partnered Danny Drinkwater in central midfield for the champions, while Albrighton started on the left wing. Shinji Okazaki operated in the support striker role in the 4-4-1-1 formation behind lone striker Vardy.
• With his side trailing 2-1, Ranieri firstly turned to Jeffrey Schlupp and Demarai Gray off the bench, with Christian Fuchs and Okazaki making way. Schlupp played as a more attack-minded left-back, while Gray was stationed on the right wing, with Riyad Mahrez moving into a more central attacking role. With 12 minutes remaining, Musa was brought on in place of Albrighton in a straight swap.
• Ranieri may consider handing a recall to King for the home encounter against Middlesbrough, with Amartey possibly dropping to the bench. Musa and Gray may challenge Albrighton for a starting spot on the left wing, while Slimani is likely to earn a recall in attack providing he recovers from a groin problem. Okazaki’s starting berth appears under most threat.

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

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius: Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner: Henderson, Emre Can (Sturridge 78), Wijnaldum: Mane (Origi 90), Firmino, Coutinho.

• Jurgen Klopp made two changes for the trip to St Mary’s, with the fit-again Dejan Lovren replacing Lucas Leiva, while Georginio Wijnaldum earned a recall in place of the injured Adam Lallana.
• Lovren partnered Joel Matip in central defence for the Reds, while Wijnaldum joined Jordan Henderson and Emre Can in the three-man midfield.
• With the match goalless, Klopp turned to Daniel Sturridge, with the England international brought on in place of Can. That substitution saw Liverpool switch to a 4-2-3-1, with Roberto Firmino moving to the No 10 role behind Sturridge in the lone striker position. Divock Origi was handed a brief run-out late on in place of Sadio Mane.
• Lallana is likely to miss the visit of Sunderland to Anfield on Saturday due to a groin injury, so Klopp may name an unchanged side. Sturridge would offer a different option in attack, but Klopp is unlikely to tinker with the front three of Mane, Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield

Man City

Starting XI: Bravo; Sagna, Kompany (Zabaleta 37), Otamendi, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho; Sterling, De Bruyne, Nolito (Silva 67); Aguero (Fernando 86).

• Pep Guardiola made six alterations for the trip to south London, with Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling and Nolito coming in for Pablo Zabaleta, John Stones, Gael Clichy, Ilkay Gundogan, Jesus Navas and David Silva.
• Sagna and Aleksandar Kolarov started at right-back and left-back respectively, with Kompany and Otamendi combining in central defence. Fernandinho continued in the holding midfield role in the 4-1-4-1 formation, with Toure and Kevin De Bruyne stationed in front of the Brazilian in central midfield. Sterling (right) and Nolito (left) started out wide, with Sergio Aguero operating as the lone striker.
• Guardiola was forced into making a first-half substitution, with Zabaleta coming on for Kompany after the Belgian suffered a head injury. The Argentine played at right-back, with Sagna moving to centre-back. Silva was then introduced in place of Nolito for the final 23 minutes, with Guardiola’s final change seeing Fernando brought on for Aguero as City looked to hold on for the 2-1 win, with both Fernando and Fernandinho sitting in front of the back four.
• Guardiola once again rotated for the trip to Selhurst Park, with the surprise inclusion of Toure in the starting XI again illustrating the depth of options he has available. The Ivorian’s return now means Gundogan has more competition for a starting spot, while Fernando and Silva are other options for Guardiola in the middle of the park. Navas and Leroy Sane could provide fresh legs out wide at Burnley on Saturday if they fail to feature against Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday night, while Kelechi Iheanacho is the alternative to Aguero in attack. The Spaniard also has a whole host of options in defence now that Sagna is back from injury, while Stones is likely to replace Kompany at Turf Moor. Clichy could also be an option to replace Kolarov at left-back.

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

Man United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Darmian (Blind 63); Carrick; Mata (Schneiderlin 84), Herrera, Pogba, Martial (Rooney 62), Rashford.

• Jose Mourinho made four changes for the visit of Arsenal to Old Trafford, with Marcus Rashford replacing the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while Anthony Martial, Ander Herrera and the fit-again Antonio Valencia came in for Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and the injured Marouane Fellaini.
• Valencia slotted in at right-back for United, with Matteo Darmian operating at left-back. Herrera joined Michael Carrick and Paul Pogba in central midfield, while Martial operated on the left of the front three. Rashford led the line.
• Mourinho’s first substitution saw Rooney brought on in place of Martial. Rooney played as the central striker, with Rashford moving out to the left flank. Having picked up a yellow card, Mourinho also decided to take off Darmian, with Daley Blind replacing the Italian in a straight swap shortly after the hour mark. In a bid to try and hold onto the 1-0 lead, Mourinho introduced Morgan Schneiderlin in place of Mata for the final six minutes.
• After struggling for much of Saturday’s match, Darmian’s place in the starting XI looks slightly at risk, with Blind a viable alternative. Luke Shaw will also come into the equation: he was passed fit by Mourinho on Friday but was not included in the squad for the weekend. Martial and Rashford failed to make much of an impression against Arsenal and their places are far from secure, with Ibrahimovic set to return for the home clash against West Ham United on Sunday. Rashford may return to the left wing, then, while Rooney and Jesse Lingard provide further attacking options for Mourinho.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Left Wing, Lone Striker

Part Two of Lineup Lessons, assessing the remaining ten teams, will be published tomorrow.