Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 9 – Part Two

Pep Guardiola shuffles his pack to scupper Gameweek tallies. Jose Mourinho does likewise and then has to contend with an injury to a key defender, while Mauricio Pochettino is equally busy as his reshaped Spurs make short work of Liverpool.

Further down the table, however, there is much to ponder for the likes of Mark Hughes and Paul Clement.

Here’s the second part of Line-up Lessons – the first can be found here – assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 9, with one eye on what’s to come over the Carabao Cup matches and on to the weekend.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Delph; De Bruyne (Gundogan 80), Fernandinho (Toure 78), D Silva; B Silva, Aguero (Gabriel Jesus 76), Sane. Subs not used: Bravo, Danilo, Mangala, Sterling.

• What we saw: Having kept rotation to a minimum so far this season, Pep Guardiola sprung some signficant surprises against Burnley. Both Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus dropped to the bench, with Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero coming into the side in the same 4-1-2-3 formation.
• What we learned: Guardiola’s selection against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the EFL Cup tonight could provide some clues as to his thinking for the starting XI against West Bromwich Albion in Gameweek 10. With all of his forward players now fully fit, second-guessing the Man City boss is set to become a lot tougher, but both Sterling and Jesus should have a decent chance of returning against the Baggies, particularly if they don’t feature prominently tonight. However, only time will tell if the City boss is intent on rotating Aguero and Jesus in the central striker role. Vincent Kompany is still out with a calf injury, so the back four looks set to remain unchanged, with Danilo offering cover across the backline.

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

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones (Lindelof 23), Young; Herrera, Matic; Lingard, Mata (Mkhitaryan 46), Martial (Rashford 46); Lukaku. Subs not used: Romero, Blind, Darmian, McTominay.

• What we saw: Jose Mourinho again stuck with his favoured 4-2-3-1 system for the trip to Huddersfield Town, although he decided to hand a first league start of the season to Jesse Lingard, who was deployed in the No 10 role. Ashley Young returned to left-back, having been used on the right wing in the goalless draw with Liverpool. After picking up a thigh injury during the first half, Phil Jones made way for Victor Lindelof.
• What we learned: While Man United endured a miserable afternoon at the John Smith’s Stadium, injuries mean that Mourinho may have few alternatives to freshen up his side for Saturday’s home meeting with Spurs. Marouane Fellaini is not expected to be fit following a knee injury, so Ander Herrera should continue in central midfield. Rashford could start at the expense of Martial, with Mkhitaryan expected to replace Lingard although Mourinho’s line-up in the EFL Cup clash with Swansea will offer clues. Jones has reportedly travelled with the squad, indicating that he will be in line to figure against Spurs. But Mourinho will also be desperate for Eric Bailly to recover from a knock to partner him in defence, which would see Chris Smalling make way.

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

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Elliot; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Manquillo; Hayden (Merino 56), Shelvey; Ritchie, Perez (Diame 66), Atsu; Joselu (Mitrovic 78). Subs not used: Darlow, Clark, Murphy, Gamez.

• What we saw: Rafa Benitez named the same side that drew 2-2 at Southampton for the home meeting with Crystal Palace as the Magpies lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. All three substitutions were straight swaps, with Aleksandar Mitrovic handed his first minutes since Gameweek 3.
• What we learned: After scoring the winning goal, Mikel Merino should challenge Isaac Hayden for a start in central midfield when Newcastle travel to Burney in Gameweek 10. Mitrovic provides a possible alternative to Joselu in attack but is unlikely to be handed a start at Turf Moor. Similarly, Ciaran Clark is expected to remain on the bench as Florian Lejuene continues in central defence.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Cedric Soares, Yoshida, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Lemina, Romeu (Redmond 69); Long (Austin 81), Davis, Tadic (Boufal 81); Gabbiadini. Subs not used: Hoedt, McCarthy, McQueen, Ward-Prowse.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pellegrino chose to restore Steven Davis to the starting XI for the visit of West Brom to St Mary’s in what was more of a 4-1-2-1-2 formation. Davis and Mario Lemina operated on the sides of a midfield diamond, leaving Dusan Tadic just behind the front two of Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini. That changed to a 4-2-3-1 after Nathan Redmond was brought on for Oriol Romeu, leaving Davis and Lemina at the base of midfield, while the substitute operated on the left wing. But Pellegrino allowed just full-back Cedric to run the right flank after Charlie Austin joined Gabbiadini in attack, while fellow substitute Sofiane Boufal took up the No 10 role.
• What we learned: Boufal’s stunning solo effort was a reward for some eye-catching performances from the bench in recent weeks and should make the Moroccan international a strong contender to start at Brighton on Sunday. If Pellegrino wants to keep the more defensive Davis in the starting line-up, one of Tadic or Long appear most likely to make way. Redmond provides another attacking option should the Saints boss be happy to sacrifice the Northern Ireland international and go with a more attacking approach.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, attacking midfield

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Johnson (Crouch 58), Cameron, Shawcross, Zouma, Pieters; Fletcher, Allen, Choupo-Moting, Jese (Berahino 80); Diouf. Subs not used: Grant, Wimmer, Afellay, Adam, Ramadan Sobhi.

• What we saw: After using a 4-4-1-1 system in the 7-2 defeat to Manchester City, Mark Hughes switched back to his favoured 3-4-2-1 for the home encounter with Bournemouth. Ryan Shawcross returned from a back injury to start in central defence, while Glen Johnson was stationed at right wing-back, allowing Mame Biram Diouf to operate as the lone striker. Joe Allen recovered from concussion to return in central midfield. But with his side trailing 2-0, Hughes switched to a 4-4-2, bringing on Peter Crouch to partner Diouf in attack, while Geoff Cameron moved to right-back. The Potters effectively finished the match in a 4-2-4 system once Saido Berahino replaced Jese Rodriguez for the final 10 minutes.
• What we learned: Following another defeat, there remains uncertainty over Stoke’s line-up. The 3-4-2-1 still appears the most probable formation, though if Xherdan Shaqiri is be available for Saturday’s trip to Watford, Diouf could move back to the right flank. Crouch and Berahino provide options if Hughes does want to start with two forwards in a 4-4-2. A switch to a four-man backline, or the return to fitness of Bruno Martins Indi, would likely see Johnson drop to the bench, with Cameron able to operate on the right side of defence.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back/right wing-back, central defenders, flanks, attacking midfield, forwards

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson; Sanches (Routledge 78), Britton (Ki Sung-yeung 46), Carroll; Narsingh (Dyer 56), Abraham, Ayew. Subs not used: Nordfeldt; van der Hoorn, Clucas, Rangel.

• What we saw: Paul Clement kept faith in the 4-3-3 formation that yielded a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town for the visit of Leicester City to the Liberty Stadium. He was forced into one change, with the fit-again Renato Sanches replacing the suspended Leroy Fer. With his side trailing 2-1, Clement switched to a 4-2-3-1 system late on, with Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer stationed out wide, leaving Jordan Ayew just behind lone striker Tammy Abraham.
• What we learned: The combination of the defeat, along with the fact that the Swans travel to Arsenal on Saturday, leaves much uncertainty as to how the Welsh outfit will line up this weekend. Squad players are set to be given a chance to impress in tonight’s EFL Cup tie against Manchester United and, should they shine, are likely to come under serious consideration for the trip to the Emirates. In a 4-3-3, Dyer is pushing for a start in place of Luciano Narsingh, while Ki Sung-yeung and Fer are options to play in central midfield. Roque Mesa and Sam Clucas may also come into contention with Sanches ruled out of the midweek tie and an early doubt for Gameweek 10. Mike van der Hoorn could earn a recall if Clement opts to revert to a three-man backline.

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

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier Alli, Winks, Aurier, Eriksen (Dier 81); Son Heung-min (Sissoko 69), Kane (Llorente 89). Subs not used: Vorm, Rose, Nkoudou, Davies.

• What we saw: After starting with a 4-2-3-1 formation against Bournemouth – before switching to a 3-4-2-1 – Mauricio Pochettino opted for a 3-1-4-2 against Liverpool. Son Heung-min was used alongside Harry Kane up front, while Harry Winks was stationed as the defensive midfielder – Eric Dier was only fit to be named among the substitutes having been struck down with illness. Serge Aurier was utilised at left wing-back, with Ben Davies only named on the bench after recovering from illness. Christian Eriksen moved into a central support role when Moussa Sissoko was brought on for Son, while Pochettino really packed the midfield when Dier entered the fray in place of the Dane.
• What we learned: The Spurs performance will have left Pochettino with plenty of food for thought ahead of Saturday’s trip to Old Trafford. Dier is likely to come back into the side to provide some solidity in midfield, so one of Harry Winks or Son may have to be dropped, despite both impressing against the Reds. If Son makes way, Spurs could line up in a 3-4-2-1, with Dier and Winks combining in the middle of the park. That change could mean that Dele Alli returns to a more advanced role. Davies is another who should come into contention for a start at left wing-back, most likely at the expense of Aurier, with Danny Rose perhaps more likely to earn minutes off the bench. Harry Kane was withdrawn due to fatigue but will be in contention at Old Trafford and is set to be rested for tomorrow’s EFL Cup match with West Ham.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Wing-backs, central midfield, attacking midfield/forwards

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes; Kabasele, Mariappa (Gray 90), Britos; Femenia, Doucoure, Cleverley, Holebas; Pereyra (Carrillo 65), Deeney (Watson 80), Richarlison. Subs not used: Karnezis, Janmaat, Wague, Capoue.

• What we saw: After starting with a 3-4-3 system against Arsenal, before switching back to the usual 4-2-3-1 formation, Marco Silva decided to keep with a three-man defence for the trip to Chelsea. Following his heroics as a substitute against the Gunners, Troy Deeney was preferred to Andre Gray as the lone striker. With the match level at 2-2, Silva decided to bring on Ben Watson in central midfield, seeing the Hornets play without a striker until Gray was thrown on after Watford had fallen 3-2 behind.
• What we learned: Silva has been happy to play with a back three against both Arsenal and Chelsea, but the Gameweek 10 home meeting with Stoke is likely to see the Watford boss revert to his favoured 4-2-3-1. Mariappa may drop to the bench, then, with Andre Carrillo in line to earn a recall on the right wing. If Roberto Pereyra isn’t available, Etienne Capoue should also return in central midfield, allowing Tom Cleverley to take up the No 10 position. Gray provides a viable alternative to Deeney up front.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, flanks, attacking midfield, lone striker

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, Hegazi, Evans (Nyom 32), Gibbs; Barry (McAuley 53), Krychowiak, Livermore; Rodriguez, Rondon, Chadli (Phillips 77). Subs not used: Brunt, McClean, Myhill, Yacob.

• What we saw: Tony Pulis chose to use a 4-3-3 formation for the trip to Southampton, with the only change seeing Ben Foster recover from a knee injury to replace Boaz Myhill in goal. His first two substitutions were enforced, with Allan Nyom coming on in place of Jonny Evans, who suffered a groin injury. Nyom played at right-back, with Craig Dawson moving into central defence. Gareth Barry then picked up a hamstring problem, with Pulis deciding to bring on Gareth McAuley as the Baggies switched to a 3-4-3 system.
• What we learned: Both Evans and Barry, along with Craig Dawson (knee), will need to be assessed ahead of the home meeting with Manchester City. Nyom and McAuley are the back-up options in defence and unless James Morrison recovers from a calf injury, Claudio Yacob is the only other senior option in central midfield. Chris Brunt and James McClean offer alternatives out wide, although Nacer Chadli is expected to keep his place in the side.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defenders, central midfield

West Ham United

Starting XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Fonte, Reid, Masuaku; Kouyate (Ayew 46), Obiang; Antonio, Lanzini, Arnautovic (Fernandes 74); Hernandez. Subs not used: Adrian, Cresswell, Noble, Byram, Ogbonna.

• What we saw: The absence of the suspended Andy Carroll saw Slaven Bilic opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation against Brighton & Hove Albion. Manuel Lanzini moved into the No 10 role, while Pedro Obiang earned a recall in central midfield. In defence, Arthur Masuaku came in for Aaron Cresswell at left-back. With his side trailing 2-0, Bilic decided to bring on Andre Ayew in the No 10 position, with Lanzini dropping slightly deeper in front of Obiang in the middle of the park. Edimilson Fernandes was then brought on for Marko Arnautovic, with the substitute playing in central midfield, allowing Lanzini to move to the left wing.
• What we learned: The 3-0 defeat, combined with the fact Carroll will be available again following his one-match ban, make changes very likely for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace. With Chicharito struggling for form, he could make way for Carroll if Bilic doesn’t want to start with two strikers. Ayew provides another attacking option, while Mark Noble is an alternative in central midfield. At the back, Creswell and Angelo Ogbonna may come into contention for recalls. James Collins could also be an option in central defence if he recovers from an ankle injury.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, left-back, central midfield, forwards