Changes for Crystal Palace prompt disaster, while tinkering by Arsenal brings a much-needed victory.
Here’s the first instalment of our Gameweek 34 teamsheet summary, outlining the trends and tactics on show and offering early insight into the likely line-ups to come.
Arsenal
Starting XI: Cech; Holding, Koscielny, Monreal; Oxlade-Chamberlain (Bellerin 84), Ramsey, Xhaka (Coquelin 76), Gibbs; Ozil, Welbeck (Giroud 84), Sanchez.
- Arsene Wenger made two changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur for the home clash against Manchester United, with Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck replacing Gabriel and Olivier Giroud.
- Holding started on the right of the three-man defence, while Welbeck operated as the lone striker in the 3-4-2-1 formation. Granit Xhaka recovered from a knock in time to retain his starting spot in central midfield.
- Xhaka lasted 76 minutes, before an ankle problem saw him make way for Francis Coquelin in a straight swap. Hector Bellerin and Giroud then entered the fray in place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Welbeck.
- The Gunners now travel to Southampton on Wednesday night, before a trip to Stoke City on Saturday. The side that started yesterday currently looks to be Wenger’s first-choice XI, perhaps besides Shkodran Mustafi, who may replace Holding once he recovers from a thigh problem. Given the improved performance against United, Wenger may resist the temptation to rotate, so Gabriel, Bellerin and Giroud, along with Theo Walcott, appear unlikely to earn recalls. Coquelin provides the alternative to Xhaka in the middle of the park if the Swiss international is unavailable.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield
Bournemouth
Starting XI: Boruc; Smith, Francis, S Cook, Daniels; Stanislas (Gradel 71), Arter, L Cook, Pugh (Ibe 78); King, Mousset (Fraser 57).
- Cherries boss Eddie Howe made two alterations for the home clash against Stoke City, with Lys Mousset replacing the injured Benik Afobe, while Junior Stanislas was handed a recall at the expense of Ryan Fraser.
- Stanislas returned on the right of the attacking midfield trio in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Mousset was stationed in the No 10 role and Joshua King moved into the lone striker role vacated by the injured Afobe.
- Howe’s first change saw Fraser introduced in place of Mousset, with Max Gradel and Jordon Ibe brought on for Stanislas and Marc Pugh shortly after. Ibe (right) and Fraser (left) played out wide and Gradel was stationed in the No 10 role.
- Stanislas was forced off with cramp as a result of recent injuries, so, with that in mind, Fraser may well be handed a recall for Saturday’s home clash against Burnley. Ibe and Gradel provide further options in the wide positions. Dan Gosling has missed the last two matches with a calf complaint but, if he is passed fit, offers an alternative to Lewis Cook in central midfield.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks
Burnley
Starting XI: Heaton; Lowton, Long, Tarkowski, Ward; Boyd (Brady 83), Westwood, Hendrick, Arfield (Gudmundsson 83); Vokes, Barnes (Gray 79).
- Sean Dyche was forced into making one change from the side that beat Crystal Palace 2-0 for the visit of West Bromwich Albion to Turf Moor, with Kevin Long making his first appearance of the season in place of the injured Michael Keane.
- Long partnered James Tarkowski in central defence as Ben Mee missed out once again due to an ankle injury. Despite scoring as a substitute against the Eagles, Andre Gray had to settle for a place on the bench, with Sam Vokes and Ashley Barnes favoured in attack.
- Gray was the first player summoned from the bench, replacing Barnes in a straight swap for the final 11 minutes. Robbie Brady and Johann Berg Gudmundsson then took over from George Boyd and Scott Arfield out wide for the remaining seven minutes. Gudmundsson played on the right while Brady was stationed on the opposite flank.
- Keane missed out against the Baggies due to a knock but he could be available to return for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth. The England international may replace Long in the starting XI then, with Tarkwoski’s place in the side also in doubt should Mee recover from his ankle injury. Brady and Gudmundsson could push for starts out wide, while Gray remains a viable starter in attack for the Clarets.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Flanks, Forwards
Crystal Palace
Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Kelly, Schlupp; Townsend (Lee Chung-yong 57), McArthur, Milivojevic (Flamini 67), Puncheon, Van Aanholt (Delaney 77); Zaha, Benteke.
- Eagles boss Sam Allardyce made once change from the side that lost 2-0 to Burnley for the trip to Manchester City, with Jeffrey Schlupp starting in place of Damien Delaney.
- Schlupp started in the unfamiliar position on the left of a three-man defence alongside Martin Kelly and Joel Ward. Patrick van Aanholt and Andros Townsend operated as wing-backs. Wilfried Zaha started alongside Christian Benteke in attack in the 3-5-2 formation. But after falling a goal behind early on, Big Sam decided to change back to a 4-3-3, with Townsend playing on the right of the front three and Zaha drifting across to the left. Ward returned to right-back, with Schlupp partnering Kelly in central defence.
- Townsend’s difficult afternoon was brought to an end just before the hour mark when he made way for Lee Chung-yong in a straight swap. Mathieu Flamini then took over from Luka Milivojevic in the middle of the park, while the final change saw Delaney replace van Aanholt. Delaney joined Kelly in central defence with Schlupp moving across to his more natural position at left-back.
- The switch to a three-man defence did not pay off, so Allardyce should start with a four-man backline for Sunday’s crucial home meeting with Hull City. If James Tomkins (ankle) remains out, it’s likely Delaney will partner Kelly at the heart of the defence, with either van Aanholt or Schlupp starting at left-back. Big Sam will be desperate for Yohan Cabaye (knock) to be fit. The Frenchman is likely to replace James McArthur in central midfield if he’s available. Townsend and Zaha should flank central striker Benteke in attack.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Defence, Central Midfield
Everton
Starting XI: Stekelenburg; Holgate (Kenny 78), Williams, Jagielka, Baines; Barry (Valencia 65), Gueye, Davies, Calvert-Lewin (Barkley 46), Mirallas; Lukaku.
- Toffees boss Ronald Koeman made two changes for the trip to Swansea City, with Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas starting in place of Ross Barkley and Enner Valencia.
- Barry returned at the base of midfield alongside Idrissa Gueye in the 4-2-3-1 formation as Mirallas initially started on the right of the attacking midfield trio. Tom Davies took up the No 10 role, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the left.
- Following a disappointing first-half display, Koeman decided to bring on Barkley for Calvert-Lewin. Barkley operated on the right of the advanced midfield positions, seeing Mirallas move over to the left. The Everton boss then made an attacking second change as Valencia came on in place of Barry. The Ecuadorian played just behind lone striker Romelu Lukaku, while Davies dropped back slightly alongside Gueye in the middle of the park. Jonjoe Kenny was handed his first appearance of the season late on, replacing Mason Holgate in a straight swap for the final 12 minutes.
- Morgan Schneiderlin wasn’t able to recover from a thigh injury in time to face the Swans, but the midfielder could be an option for Friday night’s home fixture with Watford. He may potentially replace Barry in the starting XI, while Barkley could be handed a recall at the expense of either Calvert-Lewin or Mirallas. Valencia provides another viable option in the wide positions, while the more attacked-minded Kenny could rival Holgate at right-back, although the latter is expected to retain a starting role. Given that Everton are unlikely to claim sixth spot, there’s a possibility that Holgate could move to central defence with Jagielka making way.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Central Defence, Flanks
Hull City
Starting XI: Jakupovic; Elmohamady (Evandro 86), Maguire, Ranocchia, Robertson; Markovic (Huddlestone 65), Clucas, N’Diaye (Mbokani 77), Grosicki; Niasse, Hernandez.
- Tigers head coach Marco Silva made one adjustment for the visit of Sunderland to the KCOM Stadium as Abel Hernandez started at the expense of Evandro.
- That change saw Silva switch from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-4-2, with the Uruguayan starting alongside Oumar Niasse in attack.
- Shortly after the hour mark, the Hull boss introduced Tom Huddlestone for Lazar Markovic who had sustained a knock. Huddlestone joined Alfred N’Diaye and Sam Clucas in central midfield, with Kamil Grosicki moving into the front three alongside Hernandez and Niasse. Then after falling a goal behind, Silva turned to Dieumerci Mbokani, who replaced N’Diaye. That effectively saw the hosts switch to a 4-2-4, leaving just Huddlestone and Clucas in midfield. The final roll of the dice involved Evandro being brought on for right-back Ahmed Elmohamady as the Tigers ended the match in more of a 3-3-4 system. Evandro played just in front of holding midfielders Huddlestone and Clucas as Hull looked to find a late equaliser.
- Silva’s main decision for Sunday’s crunch trip to Crystal Palace looks to be whether to start with a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2. Evandro will probably start in the No 10 role in the 4-2-3-1, but he may lose out to Hernandez if the Hull head coach wants to start with two forwards. Huddlestone provides a possible alternative to N’Diaye and Clucas in central midfield, as does Michael Dawson in central defence.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield, Forwards
Leicester City
Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Benalouane, Fuchs, Albrighton, Ndidi, Drinkwater (King 66), Mahrez (Gray 77), Okazaki (Slimani 62); Vardy.
- Craig Shakespeare named the same side that beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 for the visit of Watford to the King Power Stadium.
- The Foxes boss opted for a more attacking 4-2-3-1 system against the Hornets, with Riyad Mahrez (right), Shinji Okazaki (No 10) and Marc Albrighton (left) starting in the attacking midfield positions behind lone striker Jamie Vardy.
- The first substitution saw Islam Slimani brought on for Okazaki in a straight swap. Minutes later, Andy King replaced Danny Drinkwater in central midfield, while the final change involved Demarai Gray being introduced in place of Mahrez. Gray was stationed on the left wing, with Albrighton shifting across to the right flank.
- Wes Morgan is expected to return to contention for the matches against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 37 following a hamstring injury, so Yohan Benalouane’s run in the side could come to an end. With safety now assured, Shakespeare might look to hand more minutes to Gray, with either Mahrez or Albrighton suffering a loss of pitch time.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Flanks
Liverpool
Starting XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Emre Can, Lucas Leiva (Lallana 68); Wijnaldum (Grujic 86), Firmino, Coutinho; Origi (Sturridge 68).
- Reds boss Jurgen Klopp named the same side that beat Watford 1-0 for the home encounter against Southampton, with Philippe Coutinho fit to start after being forced off with a dead leg against the Hornets.
- Klopp rolled out the 4-3-3 formation once again. Coutinho (left) and Roberto Firmino (right) flanked central striker Divock Origi, while Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum operated just in front of holding midfielder Lucas Leiva.
- With the match goalless, Klopp decided to introduce Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge in place of Lucas and Origi shortly after the hour mark. Lallana played on the left of the three-man midfield, with Can dropping into the defensive midfield role, while Sturridge took over as the central striker. Marko Grujic was handed a couple of minutes late on in place of Wijnaldum in a straight swap.
- After getting another 28 minutes under his belt, Lallana should be ready to start when Liverpool travel to West Ham United on Sunday. Lucas may drop to the bench, with Can starting as the holding midfielder. Following another disappointing display from Origi, the Belgian may come under pressure from Sturridge for the central striker role.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Central Striker
Manchester City
Starting XI: Cabellero; Clichy, Otamendi, Kompany, Fernandinho; De Bruyne, Toure, Silva (Zabaleta 67); Sane (Navas 84), Jesus (Iheanacho 84), Sterling.
- Pep Guardiola made four changes for the home encounter against Crystal Palace, with Yaya Toure, David Silva, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling starting at the expense of Aleksandar Kolarov, Jesus Navas, Aleix Garcia and the injured Sergio Aguero.
- The City boss reverted to a back four, with Fernandinho moving to right-back, leaving Gael Clichy at left-back. Toure was stationed in the defensive midfield role and Silva and Kevin De Bruyne operated slightly further forward in central midfield in the 4-1-4-1 system. Sane and Sterling played out wide, leaving Gabriel Jesus as the lone striker.
- Silva, who was a major doubt pre-match due to a hamstring problem, lasted 67 minutes before being replaced by Pablo Zabaleta. The Argentinian was stationed in his usual position at right-back, allowing Fernandinho to join Toure at the base of midfield in more of a 4-2-3-1. With six minutes remaining, Navas and Kelechi Iheanacho came on for Sane and Jesus, seeing Navas operate on the right side of midfield and Iheanacho as the lone striker.
- After a much-improved performance, Guardiola may be tempted to stick with the majority of the side for Saturday’s home fixture against Leicester City. He could face a selection dilemma if Aguero can recover from his groin injury, which may make him consider a change in formation to incorporate the striker alongside Jesus. Fernandinho could also be an option to move back into midfield, with Zabaleta and Navas alternatives at right-back.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Midfield, Forwards
Manchester United
Starting XI: De Gea; Tuanzebe, Jones, Smalling, Darmian; Herrera (Rashford 63), Carrick; Mkhitaryan (Lingard 60), Mata (McTominay 85), Rooney; Martial.
- United boss Jose Mourinho made six alterations from the side that drew 1-1 in the last league match against Swansea City for the trip to Arsenal, with Axel Tuanzebe, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata replacing Ashley Young, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford.
- Mourinho opted for a new back four at the Emirates as Tuanzebe was handed his Premier League debut at right-back. Jones and Smalling returned from injuries to combine in central defence, leaving Darmian at left-back. Mata and Mkhitaryan operated on the right and left of the attacking midfield trio respectively, with Anthony Martial stationed as the lone striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
- After seeing his side concede twice in quick succession, Mourinho decided to firstly introduce Lingard in place of Mkhitaryan in a straight swap, before bringing on Rashford for Ander Herrera. Rashford played alongside Martial in attack, leaving Michael Carrick as the only defensive-minded midfielder as United looked to get back into the match. The final substitution saw youngster Scott McTominay handed his Premier League debut, coming on for Mata for the final five minutes.
- United face Celta Vigo in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final on Thursday night before travelling to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, so we are again expecting Mourinho to rotate his side at White Hart Lane. Rashford and Mkhitaryan are the attackers most likely to be handed a rest, with Rooney and Martial likely starters against Spurs. Carrick is another who looks set to be involved on Sunday, while in defence Tuanzebe, Jones and Smalling may all start as the trio are less likely to get the nod in Thursday’s tie. Antonio Valencia was once again rested on Sunday with the right-back possibly set to be left out in north London. United then face a trip to Southampton next Wednesday, where we may see Mourinho recall many of his first-choice players.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-Backs, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks
Part Two of Line-Up Lessons, covering the remaining teams, will be published tomorrow.
