Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 2 – Part One

Mo Salah is named among the Liverpool substitutes as Jurgen Klopp rotates with one eye on the Champions’ League. Alvaro Morata earns his first start for Chelsea but Jermain Defoe warms the Bournemouth bench again in a 2-0 home loss to Watford.

Here’s what we’ve learned from ten teamsheets so far, with the remainder arriving tomorrow.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Mustafi, Monreal, Kolasinac (Giroud 66); Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka (Iwobi 78), Oxlade-Chamberlain; Ozil, Welbeck; Lacazette (Walcott 78). Subs not used: Ospina, Mertesacker, Coquelin, Elneny.

• What we saw: Arsene Wenger kept faith in the 3-4-2-1 formation, with two changes seeing Shkodran Mustafi and Aaron Ramsey replacing Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny. He did surprisingly use Hector Bellerin at left wing-back, though, leaving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the opposite flank. Arsenal ended the match in an attacking 4-1-2-3 formation as they searched for a late equaliser, with substitutes Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud joining Danny Welbeck in a front three, leaving Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi just behind in the attacking midfield spots.
• What we learned: After a disappointing performance, changes appear likely for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool. Laurent Koscielny is available following suspension and should start in central defence, perhaps seeing Sead Kolasinac move to left wing-back if Wenger sticks with the 3-4-2-1. One of Bellerin or Oxlade-Chamberlain may be dropped, then, unless Wenger keeps the Bosnian in his back-three. Further forward, Alexis Sanchez could be ready to return and is likely to replace Welbeck in the starting XI if passed fit.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, wing-backs, attacking midfield

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; A Smith, S Cook, Ake, Daniels; Ibe (Pugh 60), Surman, Arter, Fraser (Mousset 78); King; Afobe (Defoe 60). Subs not used: Boruc, Gosling, B Smith, Mings.

• What we saw: Cherries boss Eddie Howe made two alterations for the home meeting against Watford, with Adam Smith replacing the injured Simon Francis, while Jordon Ibe was preferred out wide to Marc Pugh in the same 4-2-3-1 formation used in the 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion. Jermain Defoe had to again settle for an appearance off the bench.
• What we learned: While Defoe is lacking match sharpness, he surely has to come into contention for Saturday’s home clash against Manchester City, given that the Cherries have failed to register so far. Ibe and Pugh continue to rotate out wide. Francis (hamstring) is ruled out until after the international break, with Smith now set to retain his starting berth.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, lone striker

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno, Dunk, Duffy, Suttner; Murphy, Stephens, Propper, March; Gross (Knockaert 62); Murray (Hemed 66). Subs not used: Maenpaa; Bong, Huenemeier, Rosenior, Skalak.

• What we saw: Chris Hughton made two changes for the trip to the King Power Stadium, with Jamie Murphy coming in for the injured Izzy Brown on the left wing, while Glenn Murray was favoured over Tomer Hemed as the lone striker in the 4-4-1-1 formation. Anthony Knockaert was again used off the bench as he continues to build up his match fitness. He operated on the right flank, with Pascal Gross making way and Solly March moving into a central role.
• What we learned: After getting a further 28 minutes under his belt, and given that the Seagulls have yet to score in the Premier League, Knockaert looks to have a good chance of starting at Watford on Saturday. Murphy’s spot looks most at risk, while new signing Jose Izquierdo could push for a start on the left flank. Neither Murray or Hemed have convinced yet in attack, and that is an area where Hughton is still looking for reinforcements. Murray was forced off with an ankle knock on Saturday, and will need to be assessed ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, central support role, lone striker

Burnley

Starting XI: Heaton; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Cork, Defour; Gudmundsson (Barnes 78), Hendrick, Brady (Walters 78); Vokes. Subs not used: Taylor, Westwood, Long, Pope, Arfield.

• What we saw: It came as little surprise to see Sean Dyche name the same starting XI that beat Chelsea 3-2 for the visit of West Bromwich Albion to Turf Moor. They did line up in a slightly different formation, though, with Jack Cork and Steven Defour in the double-pivot in a 4-2-3-1 formation, seeing Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady form the attacking midfield trio. Dyche went with a 4-3-3 late on to try and rescue a point against 10-man West Brom, with Ashley Barnes and Jonathan Walters joining Sam Vokes in attack.
• What we learned: Despite the defeat, Dyche may stick with the same 11 players for Sunday’s trip to Wembley, although the Clarets are more likely to revert back to the more defensive 4-5-1 used on the opening weekend. Walters could push for a start, perhaps in place of Gudmundsson, while Vokes now has competition for his place in the side with Leeds United striker Chris Wood arriving at Turf Moor from Leeds United.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right wing

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Moses, Kante, Luiz, Alonso, Willian (Pedro 78), Bakayoko, Morata (Batshuayi 78). Subs not used: Caballero, Kenedy, Musonda, Tomori, Scott.

• What we saw: Antonio Conte switched to a 3-1-4-1-1 formation against Tottenham Hotspur, with Willian deployed just behind lone striker Alvaro Morata. Tiemoue Bakayoko was handed his first Premier League start in central midfield in place of the suspended Cesc Fabregas, with David Luiz used in a defensive midfield role, seeing Andreas Christensen replace the suspended Gary Cahill in central defence. Victor Moses returned from suspension to start at right wing-back.
• What we learned: The new system worked a treat for Conte, but with Fabregas available for Saturday’s home meeting with Everton following his one-match ban, the Italian may revert back to the 3-4-2-1. Luiz could slot back into central defence at the expense of Christensen, with Bakayoko or Fabregas partnering N’Golo Kante in central midfield. Pedro played 12 minutes as a substitute and will push for a start against the Toffees, perhaps joining Willian in the attacking midfield spots. Fabregas could also be an option in a more advanced role, though. Eden Hazard has resumed full training, and may be able to feature this weekend, with a cameo appearance off the bench perhaps most likely.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Fosu-Mensah, Dann, Tomkins, van Aanholt (Schlupp 84); Milivojevic (Kaikai 77), Loftus-Cheek, Puncheon (McArthur 73); Benteke, Townsend. Subs not used: Speroni, Cabaye, Lokilo, Kelly.

• What we saw: Frank de Boer made two changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Huddersfield Town for the trip to Liverpool, with James Tomkins and Andros Townsend replacing the injured duo Jairo Riedewald and Wilfried Zaha. That saw the Palace boss opt for a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Townsend and Jason Puncheon operating in the advanced midfield positions behind lone striker Christian Benteke. Tomkins joined Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Scott Dann in the three-man defence.
• What we learned: Despite the horror show on the opening weekend, De Boer retained a three-man backline, and oversaw an improved Palace performance. He’s expected to keep faith in either a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 for the home clash against Swansea City on Saturday, with changes likely to be at a minimum, particularly if Zaha (knee) is ruled out as expected. Riedewald could come back in for Tomkins, while Jeffrey Schlupp, along with the fit-again midfield pair James McArthur and Yohan Cabaye, offers back-up.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe; Mooy, Billing; Kachunga (Palmer 72), Ince (Hefele 90), van La Parra (Quaner 69); Mounie. Subs not used: Coleman, Malone, Lolley, Williams.

• What we saw: David Wagner made one adjustment for the visit of Newcastle United to the John Smith’s Stadium, with Rajiv van La Parra starting in place of Kasey Palmer. Van La Parra played on the left of the attacking midfield trio in the same 4-2-3-1 formation, seeing Tom Ince operate in the No 10 role. The Huddersfield boss introduced Michael Hefele late on to switch to a five-man defence as the hosts looked to hold on to their 1-0 lead.
• What we learned: With Wagner’s 4-2-3-1 yielding back-to-back wins, he looks certain to stick with the same formation for Saturday’s home encounter against Southampton. The only position that looks up for grabs is the third attacking midfield spot, with Van La Parra and Palmer sharing pitch time so far.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Attacking midfield

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs; Mahrez, James, Ndidi, Albrighton; Okazaki (Slimani 76); Vardy (Gray 90). Subs not used: Hamer; Chilwell, Amartey, King, Ulloa.

• What we saw: Craig Shakespeare named the same side that lost 4-3 to Arsenal for the home encounter against Brighton, and kept faith in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Kelechi Iheanacho missed out due to a toe injury.
• What we learned: In terms of formation, Shakespeare looks pretty settled on the 4-2-3-1 right now. Wes Morgan (back) will need to be checked ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester United, with Robert Huth (ankle) and Danny Drinkwater (thigh) perhaps returning to contention. Drinkwater could replace Matty James in central midfield if passed fit. The form of Shinji Okazaki means he should retain his start even if Iheanacho is available, with Jamie Vardy declared fit for the Foxes Carabao Cup tie following an ankle knock on Saturday.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, lone striker

Liverpool

Starting XI: Mignolet; Gomez, Matip, Klavan, Robertson; Wijnaldum (Solanke 71), Henderson, Milner; Mane, Sturridge (Salah 61), Firmino (Lovren 90). Subs not used: Karius, Can, Origi, Flanagan.

• What we saw: Reds boss Jurgen Klopp made five alterations from the team that drew 3-3 against Watford for the visit of Crystal Palace to Anfield, with Joe Gomez, Ragnar Klavan, Andrew Robertson, James Milner and Daniel Sturridge replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno, Emre Can and Mohamed Salah. Klopp kept faith in the 4-3-3, though, with Sadio Mane (right) and Roberto Firmino (left) flanking central striker Sturridge. But with the match goalless, he switched to a 4-2-3-1, with Salah on the right, Mane on the left, and Firmino operating just behind lone striker Dominic Solanke.
• What we learned: Should the Reds qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage, Klopp won’t be afraid of rotating his squad. His trust in the likes of Gomez, Klavan and Robertson will have increased after Saturday’s performance, while Sturridge will be a factor in attack if he can stay fit. The change of system when needing to find a goal highlighted the vast array of attacking options Klopp has at his disposal, although the 4-3-3 remains his favoured formation. His selection for Wednesday night’s Champions League play-off against Hoffenheim should provide some clues regarding his thought process for Sunday’s home meeting with Arsenal, which is expected to be closer to the side that lined up against Watford. Nathaniel Clyne (back) is expected to miss out again, while Philippe Coutinho’s future at the club remains uncertain.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central midfield

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Blind, Pogba, Matic, Mata (Fellaini 75), Mkhitaryan (Herrera 85), Rashford (Martial 75), Lukaku. Subs not used: Romero, Lindelof, Smalling, Lingard.

• What we saw: Following the comprehensive 4-0 victory over West Ham United, Jose Mourinho was happy to name the same starting XI for the trip to Swansea City, sticking with the 4-2-3-1 formation. He again switched to a 4-3-3 during the final stages of the match, with Marouane Fellaini joining Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba in central midfield, while Anthony Martial scored for the second successive match from the bench.
• What we learned: After another 4-0 win, Mourinho may be very tempted to again select an unchanged side for Saturday’s home fixture with Leicester City. He’s likely to retain the 4-2-3-1, with the only possible change in that system perhaps seeing the in-form Martial push for a start in place of Marcus Rashford on the left wing. In a 4-3-3, either Fellaini or Ander Herrera could start in place of Juan Mata.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Left wing

Part Two of Line-up Lessons, covering the remaining ten teams, will be published tomorrow.