Liverpool gain one key midfielder while potentially losing another and Southampton keep rotation to a minimum as they prepare for back-to-back double Gameweeks. Spurs also play down the changes, but rest for one key asset leads to Fantasy pain for many.
Having published Part One yesterday, we now roll out the second instalment of our Gameweek 35 teamsheet summary, outlining the trends and tactics on show and offering early insights into the likely line-ups to come for Friday night and beyond.
Liverpool
Starting XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Emre Can, Lucas Leiva, Wijnaldum; Firmino, Origi (Sturridge 85), Coutinho (Lallana 12) (Klavan 87).
- Jurgen Klopp named the same side that went down to a surprise 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace for the trip to Watford, although Adam Lallana was fit enough to be named among the substitutes.
- Klopp kept faith in the 4-3-3 formation, with Lucas Leiva, Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum combining in central midfield, leaving Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho either side of central striker Divock Origi in attack.
- The Liverpool manager was forced into making an early change after Coutinho suffered a dead leg. The Brazilian was replaced by Lallana, who took up the position on the right of the front three, with Firmino on the left. Daniel Sturridge then replaced Origi as the lone striker for the final five minutes, while Ragnar Klavan came on in place of Lallana. That saw the Reds finish the match in a 5-4-1 formation as Klavan joined Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip in central defence.
- Coutinho is an early doubt for Sunday’s home encounter against Southampton so if the Brazilian is unavailable, Lallana looks set to take his place in the front three. The other option could be to include Sturridge in the starting XI, with Lallana moving into central midfield. But given Sturridge’s lack of match fitness, that’s probably an unlikely scenario. If Coutinho is fit, Lallana will probably start in place of Lucas, seeing Emre Can move into the defensive midfield role.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks
Middlesbrough
Starting XI: Guzan; Fabio, Chambers, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, De Roon; Stuani (Traore 73), Forshaw, Downing; Negredo (Gestede 81).
- Steve Agnew was forced into making one adjustment from the side that beat Sunderland 1-0 for the visit of Manchester City to the Riverside, with Fabio coming in for the injured Daniel Ayala.
- Fabio started at right-back for Boro and Calum Chambers shifted across to partner Ben Gibson in central defence. Cristhian Stuani (right) and Stewart Downing (left) once again flanked central striker Alvaro Negredo in the 4-3-3 formation.
- With 17 minutes remaining, Agnew decided to bring on Adama Traore in place of Stuani on the right of the front three. The only other change saw Rudy Gestede take over from Negredo as the central striker for the final nine minutes.
- After taking four points from their last two matches, Agnew isn’t expected to make many changes for the trip to leaders Chelsea on Monday night. Victor Valdes remains a doubt due to a rib injury, but could earn a recall in goal in place of Brad Guzan if fit. Grant Leadbitter may be an possible alternative in central midfield should he recover from a hamstring problem, although he could find it tough to get back into the starting XI. Traore and Gestede provide different options in attack but, again, both players seem set for bench roles once again.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Central Midfield, Right Wing
Southampton
Starting XI: Forster; Cedric, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand; Davis, Romeu; Boufal (Sims 58 mins), Tadic, Redmond (Rodriguez 87); Gabbiadini (Long 59).
- Saints boss Claude Puel made only one change from the side that lost 4-2 to Chelsea for the visit of Hull City to St Mary’s, with Nathan Redmond recalled in place of James Ward-Prowse.
- Redmond returned on the left of the attacking midfield trio for Southampton in the 4-2-3-1 formation, teaming up with Dusan Tadic (No 10) and Sofiane Boufal (right) behind lone striker Manolo Gabbiadini.
- A flat first-half display and the continued absence of goals prompted Puel to make a double substitution just before the hour mark, with Josh Sims and Shane Long replacing Boufal and Gabbiadini in straight swaps. Jay Rodriguez then took over from Redmond on the left wing for the final three minutes.
- The Saints will play their next three matches over just six days, so it’s likely we’ll see Puel rotate his squad. His options in defence appear limited, with Martin Caceres and perhaps Cuco Martina possible alternatives to the usual back four. Jordy Clasie and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could get some minutes in central midfield, while Ward-Prowse may return on the right wing. Rodriguez and Sims provide further options out wide, and Long could get some minutes at the expense of first-choice striker Gabbiadini. Charlie Austin may still be short of match fitness to feature over the next week or so.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks
Stoke City
Starting XI: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Muniesa; Allen (Crouch 70), Whelan (Adam 80), Cameron; Shaqiri, Berahino, Arnautovic.
- Potters boss Mark Hughes made two changes for the home encounter against West Ham United, with Marc Muniesa and Glenn Whelan starting at the expense of Erik Pieters and Peter Crouch.
- Muniesa started at left-back for the home side, while Whelan partnered Geoff Cameron at the base of midfield in the 4-2-3-1 formation used by Hughes. Joe Allen was pushed forward into the No 10 role behind Saido Berahino, who operated as the lone striker.
- Hughes decided to introduce Crouch in place of Allen with the match still goalless, the Potters switching to a 4-4-2 as Crouch joined Berahino up front. The only other change involved Charlie Adam taking over from Whelan in central midfield for the final 10 minutes.
- After failing to score for a second successive match, it’s in attack where Hughes may look to make changes for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth. Crouch is the obvious option, either in place or alongside Berahino, while Mame Biram Diouf and Ramadan Sobhi provide further attacking alternatives. Adam is the main back-up option in central midfield, but after keeping a clean sheet against the Hammers, Muniesa may keep hold of the starting role at left-back ahead of Pieters.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield, Forwards
Sunderland
Starting XI: Pickford; Love, Kone, O’Shea, Manquillo; Borini, Ndong, Pienaar (Honeyman 55), Khazri; Defoe, Anichebe.
- David Moyes made four changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Middlesbrough for the home clash against Bournemouth. Donald Love, Lamine Kone, Steven Pienaar and Fabio Borini replaced the injured quartet of Billy Jones, Jason Denayer, Lee Cattermole and Darron Gibson.
- Love and Kone slotted in at right-back and centre-back respectively, while Pienaar partnered Didier Ndong in central midfield in the 4-4-2 formation. Borini (right) and Wahbi Khazri (left) operated out wide, with Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe combining in attack.
- Moyes only decided to make one change with youngster George Honeyman taking over from Pienaar in the middle of the park 10 minutes into the second half.
- As Sunderland’s relegation is now confirmed, Moyes could consider handing pitch time to some of his younger players, particularly if he remains without several senior squad members. Honeyman could come into contention for a start in central midfield for Saturday’s trip to Hull City, with Jack Rodwell and Gibson (groin), along with Cattermole (Achilles) all doubts. Lynden Gooch is another who may push for a start out wide, although Defoe and Anichebe should keep their places in attack. At the back, Jones (knock) and Denayer (leg) will need to be checked and the back four could stay unchanged if they remain sidelined.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks
Swansea City
Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Kingsley; Ki Sung-Yeung (Fer 61), Britton (Montero 65) (Olsson 72), Carroll; Sigurdsson; Ayew, Llorente.
- Head coach Paul Clement only made one change from the side that beat Stoke City 2-0 for the trip to Manchester United. Ki Sung-yeung started in place of Leroy Fer, who was named among the substitutes after being forced off with a dead leg against the Potters.
- Ki was stationed on the right of the midfield diamond used for the second consecutive match by Clement. Tom Carroll played on the left, leaving Gylfi Sigurdsson in the No 10 role behind the front pairing of Fernando Llorente and Jordan Ayew.
- Clement’s first change saw Fer take over from Ki in midfield just after the hour mark. In an attacking second substitution, Clement introduced Jefferson Montero in place of Leon Britton as the Welsh side switched to a 4-2-3-1. Montero operated down the left flank, with Ayew drifting over to the right, leaving Fer and Carroll at the base of midfield. But the Ecuadorian winger had to be stretchered off after suffering a hamstring injury and Martin Olsson was brought on in his place.
- After impressing in his 30 minutes on the pitch, Fer appears likely to replace Ki in midfield when the Swans host Everton on Saturday. Jack Cork was fit to be named among the substitutes at Old Trafford, but appears unlikely to earn a recall given the influence of Britton over the last two matches. Olsson is also back to fitness, so the Swede is set to push for a starting spot at left-back in place of Stephen Kingsley.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield
Tottenham Hotspur
Starting XI: Lloris; Trippier (Walker 88), Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Wanyama; Son Heung-min (Dembele 79), Eriksen, Alli (Sissoko 90); Kane.
- Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino made two changes from the side that beat Crystal Palace 1-0 for the home clash against Arsenal, with Kieran Trippier and Son Heung-min replacing Kyle Walker and Mousa Dembele. The latter was fit enough to be named among the substitutes despite being forced off with an ankle problem at Selhurst Park.
- Pochettino switched to a 4-2-3-1 as Trippier returned at right-back. Son played more on the right of the three advanced midfield players, with Christian Eriksen stationed in the No 10 role, and Dele Alli on the left, although the trio rotated throughout the match.
- Pochettino brought on Dembele for Son for the final 11 minutes, the Belgian joining Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama in central midfield as Spurs switched to a 4-3-2-1. Walker and Moussa Sissoko entered the fray late on, with Trippier and Alli making way.
- If Pochettino sticks with a 4-2-3-1 for Friday night’s trip to West Ham United, Dembele could challenge for a starting spot in central midfield in place of either Dier or Wanyama. But in a 3-4-2-1, Son might drop to the bench, with Dembele and Wanyama combining in central midfield and Dier shifting into the back three. The Spurs boss continues to rotate Trippier and Walker, so it could be the latter’s turn to start at either right-back or right wing-back at the London Stadium. The shortened turnaround lessens the chances of Danny Rose returning from a knee injury to replace Ben Davies on the left side of the Tottenham defence.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back/Right Wing-Back, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Left Wing
Watford
Starting XI: Gomes; Mariappa, Prodl, Britos (Kabasele 19); Amrabat (Okaka 85), Capoue (Success 73), Doucoure, Cleverley, Janmaat; Niang, Deeney
- Hornets head coach Walter Mazzarri was forced into making one change for the home clash against Liverpool, with Adrian Mariappa starting in place of the injured Jose Holebas.
- That change saw Mazzarri switch to a 3-5-2 formation. Mariappa joined Sebastian Prodl and Miguel Britos in central defence and Nordin Amrabat and Daryl Janmaat operated at right wing-back and left wing-back respectively, leaving Abdoulaye Doucoure, Tom Cleverley and Etienne Capoue in central midfield. Troy Deeney and M’Baye Niang combined in attack for the Hornets.
- Mazzarri was forced into making an early change, Britos having to be replaced by Christian Kabasele after suffering a knock. Then with his side trailing 1-0, the Watford head coach decided to bring on Isaac Success for Capoue, with the Nigerian operating on the left of a front three. As a final roll of the dice, Mazzarri turned to Stefano Okaka in place of Amrabat as his side finished the match in a 4-2-4. Mariappa moved across to right-back, while Okaka joined Deneey, Niang and Success in attack.
- If Britos is ruled out for Saturday’s trip to Leicester City and Younes Kaboul (hamstring), Craig Cathcart (knee) and Holebas (foot) remain sidelined, then Kabasele appears likely to start if Mazzarri sticks with a three-man defence. Valon Behrami provides a viable alternative in midfield, as do Success and Okaka in attack, although all three have failed to force their way into the starting XI over the past few weeks.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield
West Bromwich Albion
Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Nyom (McClean 60); Livermore, Yacob (Fletcher 69), Brunt, Morrison (Leko 79), Chadli; Rondon.
- Baggies head coach Tony Pulis made three changes for the home fixture against Leicester City, with James Morrison and Salomon Rondon replacing the injured pair of Matt Phillips and Hal Robson-Kanu, while Allan Nyom came in for Darren Fletcher.
- Nyom returned at left-back for West Brom, seeing Chris Brunt move forward to the right wing in the 4-1-4-1 formation. Nacer Chadli operated on the left and Rondon as the lone striker. Morrison and Jake Livermore played just in front of defensive midfielder Claudio Yacob.
- On the hour mark, and with his side trailing 1-0, Pulis decided to bring on James McClean for Nyom. McClean played on the left wing, Chadli moved over to the right and Brunt shifted to left-back. Shortly afterwards, Fletcher came on for Yacob in central midfield, while Pulis’ final substitution saw Jonathan Leko come on for Morrison. Leko played wide on the right, with Chadli moving into a no 10 role in a 4-2-3-1 formation as the home side looked to find a late equaliser.
- Phillips and Robson-Kanu remain doubts for Saturday’s trip to Burnley with the hamstring injuries the duo picked up in training last week. McClean and Leko offer the alternative options out wide, while Brunt could be deployed at left-back in place of Nyom to allow one of either McClean or Leko to start. Fletcher may push for a recall in central midfield, with Yacob’s starting berth probably the most at risk.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield, Flanks
West Ham United
Starting XI: Adrian; Fonte, Reid, Collins; Fernandes, Kouyate, Nordtveit, Lanzini, Masuaku (Cresswell 46); Ayew (Noble 69), Calleri (Snodgrass 80).
- Hammers boss Slaven Bilic named the same side that drew 0-0 against Everton for the trip to Stoke City.
- Bilic kept faith in the 3-4-1-2 formation, leaving Manuel Lanzini stationed in the No 10 role behind the front pairing of Andre Ayew and Jonathan Calleri. Back from suspension, Mark Noble and Sam Byram were only named among the substitutes.
- Bilic was forced into making a change at half-time, with Aaron Cresswell taking over from Arthur Masuaku, who had picked up a knock, at left wing-back. Noble then entered the fray in place of Ayew as West Ham switched to a 3-5-1-1 formation. He joinied Havard Nordtveit and Cheikhou Kouyate in central midfield. The fit-again Robert Snodgrass replaced Calleri late on, with the Scot playing wide on the right, leaving the Hammers with no recognised striker as Bilic appeared happy to take a point away from the bet365 Stadium.
- Bilic may again keep faith in the majority of the same starting XI for Friday’s home meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, although he does have plenty of alternatives to choose from. Noble could push for a start in central midfield, perhaps in place of Nordtveit, while Snodgrass and Sofiane Feghouli provide options out wide if the Hammers boss considers a change in formation. Byram is a possible alternative to Edimilson Fernandes at right wing-back, while Andy Carroll will push for a start in attack if he can shake off a nagging groin problem. Cresswell will be on standby to replace Masuaku at left wing-back should the Frenchman fail to recover from his knock.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Wing-Backs, Central Midfield, Flanks, Forwards
