Alvaro Morata is handed a first start since Gameweek 23 as Chelsea slip to defeat at Old Trafford. Riyad Mahrez returns to the Leicester City teamsheet in a home stalemate with Stoke, while Arsene Wenger unsuccessfully reverts to a wing-back system as Arsenal are outclassed in the Carabao Cup final to Man City.
Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 28, with one eye on what’s to come over the weekend league matches, midweek European encounters and beyond.
Arsenal
Starting XI: Ospina; Chambers (Welbeck 66), Mustafi, Koscielny; Bellerin, Wilshere, Xhaka, Monreal (Kolasinac 26); Ozil, Ramsey (Iwobi 72); Aubameyang. Subs not used: Cech; Mertesacker, Maitland-Niles, Elneny.
- What we saw: Arsene Wenger reverted to a 3-4-2-1 system against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, handing a rare start to Calum Chambers in the three-man backline. Nacho Monreal started at left wing-back, while Aaron Ramsey was stationed alongside Granit Xhaka in central midfield, with Jack Wilshere chosen in one of the two central attacking midfield spots. Wenger was forced into making a first-half change after Monreal was forced off with a back injury, seeing Sead Kolasinac come on in a straight swap. The Gunners ended the match in a 4-2-3-1, with substitutes Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi flanking Mesut Ozil in the attacking midfield trio, while Wilshere dropped back into central midfield.
- What we learned: The Gunners now face City at the Emirates on Thursday night, before travelling to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. The short turnaround makes Monreal a major doubt for the first of those two fixtures, so if Wenger sticks with the 3-4-2-1, Kolasinac appears the likely starter at left wing-back, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles perhaps more of a possibility in a flat back four. A switch to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 would see Chambers drop to the bench, while after being cup-tied yesterday, Henrikh Mkhitaryan appears a likely starter on Thursday night. He and Ozil could flank Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in attack in a 4-3-3, perhaps allowing Ramsey, Wilshere and Granit Xhaka to all start in the middle of the park. But Mohamed Elneny may push for a start as a more defensive option in central midfield. The three-day break in between matches means the likes of Welbeck and Iwobi may be handed a chance to start one of the next two fixtures should Wenger prioritise fresh legs.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, left-back/left wing-back, central midfield, attacking midfield, flanks
Bournemouth
Starting XI: Begovic; Francis, S Cook, Ake, Daniels (A Smith 46); Stanislas, L Cook, Gosling, Fraser (Mousset 63); King; Wilson (Defoe 73). Subs not used: Boruc, Simpson, Surman, Pugh.
- What we saw: Having generally preferred a 3-4-2-1 formation of late, Eddie Howe opted for a 4-4-1-1 system against Newcastle United. That saw Josh King recalled in a support striker role behind lone forward Callum Wilson, while Junior Stanislas and Ryan Fraser started out wide. In defence, Simon Francis was favoured over Adam Smith at right-back. Smith didn’t have to wait long before entering the action, though, as he replaced left-back Charlie Daniels in a straight swap at half-time. In the second half, Howe decided to introduce Lys Mousset for Fraser, with the substitute lining up alongside Wilson in a 4-4-2, with King moved out onto the left wing. Jermain Defoe returned from injury to replace Wilson for the final 17 minutes.
- What we learned: Howe looks to have some selection dilemmas ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leicester City. Smith’s goal from the bench means he could come into the reckoning for a start in either full-back position. But he, Francis and Daniels may all start if the Cherries boss reverts back to a 3-4-2-1 system. Jordon Ibe missed out against the Magpies after feeling discomfort in a knock in the lead up to the match but, if passed fit, he will add to the competition for places in the attacking midfield spots. Defoe is likely to keep building up his fitness levels from the bench for now, but he could soon be a viable option to replace Wilson as the starting striker.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, flanks, attacking midfield
Brighton & Hove Albion
Starting XI: Ryan; Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert (March 78), Stephens, Propper, Izquierdo; Gross (Kayal 90); Murray (Locadia 82). Subs not used: Krul, Bruno, Ulloa, Goldson.
- What we saw: Seagulls boss Chris Hughton rolled out the 4-2-3-1 formation once more against Swansea City, with the one change seeing Anthony Knockaert return on the right side of the attacking midfield trio in place of Solly March. Jurgen Locadia was handed his Premier League debut late on, replacing Glenn Murray as the lone striker.
- What we learned: Brighton’s XI remains settled, and that is not likely to change following the emphatic 4-1 win over Swansea. Knockaert and March are continuing to battle it out for one spot out wide, while unless Hughton decides to play with two strikers, Locadia will probably have to settle for cameo appearances off the bench given Murray’s form.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Right wing
Burnley
Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Long, Mee, Ward; Hendrick, Cork, Westwood; Gudmundsson, Lennon; Barnes. Subs not used: Lindegaard, Taylor, Nkoudou, Marney, Vokes, Wood, Bardsley.
- What we saw: Having used a 4-4-2 formation in recent matches, Sean Dyche switched to a 4-2-3-1 system against Southampton. Ashley Barnes started as the lone striker, with Jeff Hendrick stationed in the No 10 role. Ashley Westwood was handed a recall at the base of midfield, while Stephen Ward returned from injury to replace Charlie Taylor at left-back.
- What we learned: Making his first appearance since Gameweek 17, Ward now appears in the box seat to be favoured as the first-choice left-back. Chris Wood, Phil Bardsley and Dean Marney all returned from injury to be named among the substitutes, with Wood now likely to get some minutes from the bench against Everton next weekend. Sam Vokes could be a viable starter in attack if Dyche decides to switch back to a 4-4-2 against the Toffees, although that perhaps looks unlikely following an improved performance last weekend. Westwood would likely drop to the bench in that scenario, seeing Hendrick move back into central midfield. If James Tarkowski recovers from a groin injury, he should replace Kevin Long in central defence.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, forwards
Chelsea
Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses (Giroud 77), Kante, Drinkwater (Fabregas 75), Alonso; Willian, Hazard (Pedro 73); Morata. Subs not used: Caballero, Zappacosta, Cahill, Palmieri.
- What we saw: Antonio Conte recalled Alvaro Morata against Manchester United, with the Spaniard operating as the lone striker in the usual 3-4-2-1 system. That saw Eden Hazard move into one of the two central attacking midfield spots alongside Willian. Danny Drinkwater started in central midfield in place of Cesc Fabregas, while Marcos Alonso returned to league action at left wing-back having missed the previous two encounters. With his side trailing 2-1, Conte switched to a 4-4-2 late on, pairing substitute Olivier Giroud and Morata up front, with Willian and fellow substitute Pedro stationed out wide, while Cesar Azpilicueta shifted across to right-back.
- What we learned: For Sunday’s trip to Manchester City, Conte is likely to stick to a similar starting XI. Gary Cahill provides an alternative in central defence, but now looks a back-up option to Antonio Rudiger. Fabregas provides an alternative in the middle of the park, while if Tiemoue Bakayoko is fit to return, Conte may consider a more defensive 3-5-1-1 system. Given the form of the attacking options at his disposal, that would likely mean Willian playing just behind Hazard in the central striker role. But in the 3-4-2-1, the front three could stay unchanged, with Giroud and Pedro the alternatives.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield, lone striker
Crystal Palace
Starting XI: Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka, Fosu-Mensah, Tomkins (Delaney 85), van Aanholt; McArthur, Riedewald, Milivojevic; Sorloth, Benteke, Townsend (Lee Chung-Yong 86). Subs not used: Kirby, Rakip, Lokilo, Henry, Souare.
- What we saw: Roy Hodgson decided to go with a 4-3-3 formation for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to Selhurst Park. Alexander Sorloth lined up on the left of the front three, joined by Christian Benteke and Andros Townsend. Yohan Cabaye was ruled out with a thigh problem, so Jairo Riedewald was recalled as part of a three-man midfield. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was handed his Premier League debut at right-back in place of the injured Joel Ward.
- What we learned: With a crippling injury list, Hodgson looks to have very few alternatives available to him for the home clash against Manchester United a week tonight. Jeffrey Schlupp and Martin Kelly are two players who may be closing in on first-team returns, while the Eagles boss can only hope that Mamadou Sakho fully overcomes a nagging calf problem. If either Kelly or Ward are available, they are likely to be handed the right-back role as the on-loan Timothy Fosu-Mensah cannot play against his parent club. James Tomkins was forced off with severe cramp during the latter stages but is likely to be okay to face Jose Mourinho’s side. Cabaye would be a probable starter in central midfield if passed fit, though changes are less likely in attack, with Wilfried Zaha still sidelined.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield
Everton
Starting XI: Pickford; Kenny, Keane, Williams, Martina; Gueye; Walcott, Rooney (Calvert-Lewin 82), Davies, Sigurdsson (Bolasie 82); Niasse (Tosun 56). Subs not used: Robles, Garbutt, Holgate, Schneiderlin.
- What we saw: The Toffees lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation for the trip to Watford, with the only change from the side that beat Crystal Palace 3-1 seeing Ashley Williams replace the injured Eliaquim Mangala in central defence. Everton ended the match in a 4-4-2, with substitutes Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert-Lewin combining up front, while Yannick Bolasie was stationed on the left side of midfield.
- What we learned: Following a disappointing display, Sam Allardyce is likely to make some changes for Saturday’s trip to Burnley. Oumar Niasse was taken off before the hour-mark at Vicarage Road and may come under pressure from both Tosun and Calvert-Lewin. Bolasie provides a different option out wide, as does Morgan Schneiderlin in central midfield. Leighton Baines wasn’t quite ready to return against the Hornets but could be an option to at least be named among the substitutes after another week’s training. Seamus Coleman (muscle problem) appears more of a doubt so Jonjoe Kenny may retain his start at right-back. Mason Holgate is the main alternative in central defence unless Phil Jagielka is available to return.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, lone striker
Huddersfield Town
Starting XI: Lossl; Hadergjonaj (Smith 53), Jorgensen, Schindler, Kongolo; Hogg, Williams; Quaner, Pritchard (Depoitre 77), van La Parra (Ince 89); Mounie. Subs not used: Coleman, Malone, Whitehead, Sabiri.
- What we saw: David Wagner rolled out his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to West Bromwich Albion, although he did make a few changes to the starting XI. Terence Kongolo was preferred to Scott Malone at left-back, while Danny Williams replaced the injured Aaron Mooy at the base of midfield. The Terriers boss decided to hand a start to Collin Quaner on the right side of the attacking midfield trio, seeing Tom Ince drop to the bench. Huddersfield ended the match in a 4-4-2, with substitute Laurent Depoitre joining Steve Mounie in attack.
- What we learned: With a trip to Wembley against Spurs up next for the Terriers, Wagner could decide to opt for a slightly more defensive 4-3-3 system, particularly if Mooy is ready to return following a knee injury. He would be an option to join Jonathan Hogg and Williams in central midfield, with Quaner then likely to be sacrificed. Philip Billing missed out at the weekend due to illness, but would be another alternative in the middle of the park if Mooy isn’t ready to return. Florent Hadergjonaj and Kongolo are emerging as Wagner’s first-choice full-backs, so Tommy Smith, Malone and Chris Lowe – once he’s back from injury – look set to have limited opportunities. Depoitre offers an alternative to Mounie up front, having played just 13 minutes in the last two Gameweeks.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks, Lone Forward
Leicester City
Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson (Iheanacho 62), Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; James, Ndidi, Albrighton, Gray (Diabate 61); Mahrez; Vardy. Subs not used: Adrien Silva, Dragovic, Jakupovic, Iborra, Fuchs.
- What we saw: After experimenting with an unfamiliar three-man defence against Manchester City, Claude Puel reverted back to a 4-2-3-1 system for the home encounter with Stoke City. Wes Morgan returned from injury in central defence, while Danny Simpson and Ben Chilwell got the nod in the full-back positions. Demarai Gray was recalled in the No 10 role, while Marc Albrighton and Riyad Mahrez returned to their usual positions on the right and left flanks respectively. With his side trailing 1-0, Puel decided to move Albrighton to right-back, with substitute Fousseni Diabate taking over on the left wing, while Kelechi Iheanacho played just behind lone striker Jamie Vardy.
- What we learned: With the Leicester attack misfiring somewhat against the Potters, Puel may decide to freshen things up for the visit of Bournemouth to the King Power Stadium on Saturday. Gray’s start is set to come under threat, with Diabate, Iheanacho or Shinji Okazaki, providing he’s fully recovered from a knee injury, all possible replacements in the central support role. In central midfield, Adrien Silva and Vicente Iborra could challenge for a start in place of Matty James, with changes less likely in defence.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, attacking midfield
Liverpool
Starting XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Emre Can, Milner; Salah (Solanke 87), Firmino (Lallana 82), Mane (Moreno 82). Subs not used: Mignolet, Lovren, Gomez, Henderson.
- What we saw: Jurgen Klopp only made one alteration from the side that beat Southampton 2-0 in the Reds’ previous league encounter, with James Milner recalled in central midfield in place of Georginio Wijnaldum, who missed out due to illness. Liverpool lined up in the usual 4-3-3 formation against West Ham United, with substitutes Adam Lallana, Alberto Moreno and Dominic Solanke all handed brief run-outs late on with the match already won.
- What we learned: Up next for Liverpool is a home clash against Newcastle, before the second leg of their UEFA Champions league last-16 tie against Porto. But with a 5-0 lead from the first leg, Klopp is expected to name a strong side against the Magpies this weekend, before resting some players in Europe ahead of the crucial Gameweek 30 trip to Manchester United. It’s in central midfield where the Reds boss has the most options to choose from, with Jordan Henderson, Lallana and Wijnaldum, providing he’s fit to return, all possible starters. Henderson is dealing with a minor problem, though, so he may miss out one again. Trent Alexander-Arnold was again preferred to Joe Gomez at right-back, and given that he is generally selected in the more favourable home match-ups, could again get the nod this weekend. Dejan Lovren is a viable alternative to Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk in central defence, but it’s likely he’ll get to start the Porto clash instead.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central midfield
Part two of Line-up Lessons, assessing the remaining ten teams, will follow tomorrow.
