Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 28 – Part Two

Son Heung-min’s run of thirteen league starts comes to an end as Spurs claim a narrow win at Crystal Palace. Chicharito drops to the bench to accommodate the fit-again Manuel Lanzini for West Ham’s trip to Liverpool. Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne is shifted to the flank, and Gabriel Jesus returns to action as Man City clinch the Carabao Cup with a convincing win over Arsenal.

Having looked at the first ten teams yesterday, we now roll out part two 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.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Bravo; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Danilo; De Bruyne, Fernandinho (Bernardo Silva 52), Gundogan; Silva, Aguero (Foden 89), Sane (Gabriel Jesus 77). Subs not used: Ederson; Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko.

• What we saw: Pep Guardiola went with a 4-2-3-1 system against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, with Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Leroy Sane forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Sergio Aguero. Ilkay Gundogan joined Fernandinho at the base of midfield, while Vincent Kompany and Danilo were handed starts at centre-back and left-back respectively. Fernandinho picked up a hamstring injury early in the second half, and made way for Bernardo Silva. Gabriel Jesus made his return from injury, coming on as a late substitute for Sane.
• What we learned: City now head to the Emirates on Thursday night, before hosting Chelsea on Sunday. They then entertain Basel in the second leg of their last-16 tie in the UEFA Champions League, before travelling to Stoke City on Monday March 12. With Fernandinho expected to be sidelined, Guardiola will have to juggle his resources in central midfield. Against Arsenal, Gundogan could take up the sitting role behind De Bruyne and David Silva in a three-man midfield, though the likes of John Stones or Danilo could also fill in in front of the back four. Fabian Delph is still suspended for the next two league encounters, though, so one of Danilo or Oleksandr Zinchenko will be required to start at left-back. Given the short turnaround, it’s perhaps unlikely that Kompany will start on Thursday night, with the Belgian a more probable starter against Chelsea. So Aymeric Laporte may join Nicolas Otamendi in central defence, with Stones potentially another option if he’s not needed to cover in midfield. The City boss could hand Jesus more minutes off the bench in order for the striker to build up his match sharpness, although the Brazilian could have a chance of starting in one of the next two matches if Guardiola feels Sergio Aguero is in need of a rest. Raheem Sterling failed to make the matchday squad on Sunday, but he was pictured training yesterday, and may still have a chance of facing Arsenal on Thursday night though could be limited to a bench role with Chelsea in mind. Bernardo Silva provides Guardiola with another option both in midfield and out wide.

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

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Lindelof, Young; McTominay, Matic; Sanchez (Bailly 80), Pogba, Martial (Lingard 63); Lukaku. Subs not used: Mata, Carrick, Rashford, Shaw, Pereira.

• What we saw: Jose Mourinho used a 4-3-3 formation for the visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford, with Paul Pogba (left) and Scott McTominay (right) stationed just in front of holding midfielder Nemanja Matic. Anthony Martial was preferred on the left of the front three, with Alexis Sanchez on the right, meaning that there was no starting spot for Jesse Lingard. He did eventually replace Martial in a straight swap shortly after the hour mark, while United ended the match with a five-man defence after Eric Bailly was brought on for Sanchez.
• What we learned: Following an encouraging display, Mourinho may keep changes to a minimum for Monday night’s trip to Crystal Palace. The league match with Liverpool follows five days after that, with the Merseysiders’ encounter three days prior to a crucial Champions League clash with Sevilla. In a 4-3-3, Martial, Lingard and Juan Mata look to be battling for one spot alongside Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku in attack. With Ander Herrera doubtful due to a muscle problem, changes are unlikely in midfield unless the United boss considers switching back to a 4-2-3-1 to incorporate an extra attacking midfielder, leaving either McTominay or Pogba at risk of dropping to the bench. Phil Jones missed out through injury at the weekend, but if he is ready to return, the centre-back may replace Victor Lindelof. Bailly is another option, although he could still be slightly short of the required match fitness to start. Given the extra recovery time between matches, Ashley Young may retain his start at left-back ahead of Luke Shaw.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, flanks

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Shelvey, Diame; Ritchie (Manquillo 84), Perez, Kenedy (Atsu 64); Gayle (Hayden 78). Subs not used: Darlow, Clark, Joselu, Merino.

• What we saw: Unsurprisingly, Rafa Benitez decided to name the same side that beat Manchester United 1-0 for the trip to Bournemouth, with the Magpies lining up in a 4-4-1-1 system. With his side leading 2-0, Benitez brought on Isaac Hayden for Dwight Gayle, switching to a more defensive 4-5-1 formation, with Ayoze Perez left as the lone striker. The Newcastle boss also decided to bring on Javier Manquillo on the right side of midfield in place of Matt Ritchie to offer protection in front of DeAndre Yedlin.
• What we learned: Despite the late capitulation that left his side with just a point, it’s unlikely we’ll see Benitez make many changes for Saturday’s trip to Liverpool. Christian Atsu is perhaps the player most likely to push for a recall in place of Kenedy, although his pace on the counter-attack also makes him a possible alternative to Ritchie. Hayden provides a more defensive option in the middle of the park, and is another who could force his way into the reckoning. Islam Slimani has suffered an injury setback, so Joselu remains the primary back-up in attack.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks

Southampton

Starting XI: McCarthy; Cedric Soares, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand; Lemina, Romeu (Boufal 75); Ward-Prowse (Sims 68), Tadic (Gabbiadini 81), Redmond; Carrillo. Subs not used: Forster, Hojbjerg, Pied, Bednarek.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pellegrino made one attacking change from the side that lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the previous league encounter for the trip to Burnley, with Nathan Redmond starting on the left wing, allowing Dusan Tadic to operate in the No 10 role in place of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. In search of a late equaliser, Pellegrino left Mario Lemina on as the only defensive-minded midfielder. Substitutes Josh Sims and Sofiane Boufal joined Redmond in the attacking midfield spots, while Manolo Gabbiadini partnered Guido Carrillo in attack in a 4-1-3-2 system.
• What we learned: After scoring as a substitute, Gabbiadini could push for a start when Saints host Stoke City on Saturday. The Italian in an option to either replace, or start alongside Carrillo up front. Boufal provides a different option out wide, but he and Hojbjerg may have to settle for places on the bench once more. Shane Long is nursing a hamstring injury and remains a doubt for the Potters clash.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, attacking midfield, forwards

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Bauer, Martins Indi (Adam 74), Zouma, Stafylidis; Allen, Cameron, Ndiaye; Shaqiri, Choupo-Moting (Johnson 84), Diouf (Campbell 64). Subs not used: Pieters, Jese, Sobhi, Grant.

• What we saw: Paul Lambert kept faith in the 4-1-4-1 formation for the trip to Leicester City, although he did make a couple of personnel changes. Ryan Shawcross missed out with an ankle injury, so the fit-again Bruno Martins Indi returned in central defence. Konstantinos Stafylidis was preferred to Erik Pieters at left-back, while Geoff Cameron returned as the holding midfielder in place of Darren Fletcher. Shortly after the hour mark, Lambert decided to hand youngster Tyrese Campbell his Premier League debut in place of lone striker Mame Biram Diouf. Charlie Adam was then brought on for Martins Indi, with the Scot taking over the holding midfield role, seeing Cameron drop back into central defence. To help shore up the right flank, Lambert brought on Glen Johnson to play just in front of Moritz Bauer, seeing Xherdan Shaqiri move across to the left side of midfield as the Potters looked to cling on for a point.
• What we learned: With few strong alternatives at his disposal, Lambert is expected to name a similar starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Southampton. Stafylidis could retain his start at left-back ahead of Pieters, while with Shawcross a doubt heading into the weekend, Martins Indi may keep his place in the side. Fletcher was left out of the matchday squad last weekend and looks to have fallen behind Cameron in the pecking order in midfield. Peter Crouch has missed the last two matches due to an ankle injury, with Campbell now appearing the main back-up option to Diouf for the lone striker role.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, left-back, central midfield

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, van der Hoorn (Narsingh 46), Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson; Dyer (A Ayew 36), Ki Sung-yueng, Carroll (Abraham 65), Clucas; J Ayew. Subs not used: Nordfeldt, Routledge, King, Bartley.

• What we saw: Carlos Carvalhal named the same side that beat Burnley 1-0 in the Swans’ previous league encounter for the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, lining up in a 5-4-1 system. But with his side trailing 1-0, he decided to make a tactical change after just 36 minutes, bringing on Andre Ayew for Nathan Dyer. Andre Ayew joined his brother Jordan in attack in what was more of a 5-3-2 formation, with Sam Clucas moving in from the left wing to play as part of a three-man midfield. Carvalhal then changed to a 4-4-2 at half-time, with Luciano Narsingh brought on for Mike van der Hoorn. Narsingh played on the right wing, with Clucas moving back to the left flank. Carvalhal then introduced Tammy Abraham for Tom Carroll, seeing the Welsh side finish the match in more of a 4-2-4, with Jordan Ayew drifting out to the left flank.
• What we learned: The different formations used by Carvalhal suggest we may not see the Swans line up in a 5-4-1 system when they host West Ham United on Saturday. A 5-3-2 could be a valid option, with brothers Jordan and Andre Ayew perhaps combining up front, seeing Dyer drop to the bench. A 4-4-2 is another alternative, which would likely see Van der Hoorn miss out, with either Dyer or Narsingh stationed on the right side of midfield. The Welsh outfit face Sheffield Wednesday in an FA Cup fifth round replay tonight, with Carvalhal expected to rotate where he can. Leon Britton has been named in the 18-man squad and is likely to feature following a spell on the sidelines. That clash should provide another chance for fringe players such as Abraham and Narsingh to stake their claim for starting roles against the Hammers.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, flanks, forwards

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Wanyama, Dembele (Son 80); Lamela (Moura 66), Eriksen, Alli; Kane. Subs not used: Vorm, Trippier, Rose, Foyth, Sissoko.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pochettino rolled out his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to Crystal Palace, although there were a couple of changes to the starting XI. Jan Vertonghen was ruled out with an ankle injury, so Eric Dier dropped back into central defence. That allowed Victor Wanyama to return at the base of midfield, while Erik Lamela was preferred to Son Heung-min in the attacking midfield trio. The Argentine lined up on the right, with Dele Alli on the left and Christian Eriksen in a No 10 role. Serge Aurier was handed the start at right-back ahead of Kieran Trippier. With the match goalless, Pochettino threw caution to the wind by bringing on Son for Mousa Dembele. The South Korean played down the left flank, with fellow substitute Lucas Moura on the right, while Alli dropped back into a slightly deeper central midfield position.
• What we learned: Spurs now face Rochdale in their FA Cup fifth round replay on Wednesday night before entertaining Huddersfield Town on Saturday. The second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Juventus then follows on Wednesday March 8. With Aurier suspended for that match, he should face Huddersfield, with Trippier starting at right-back against Rochdale and Juventus. Danny Rose looks certain to face Rochdale and, if his manager continues to rotate at full-back, it remains to be seen if Ben Davies will be favoured for both the Huddersfield and Juventus clashes. Vertonghen should have a good chance of being fit to face the Terriers, but Spurs do have enough cover should the Belgian need an extra few days for the Juventus meeting. Toby Alderweireld is struggling with a minor hamstring problem and, given his lack of pitch time of late, is unlikely to be considered for Gameweek 29. So Wanyama could keep his place in central midfield, while Son and Lucas Moura are viable alternatives to Lamela out wide. Pochettino’s selection tomorrow night should provide some useful pointers for the more contentious positions heading into the Huddersfield clash.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central defenders, central midfield, flanks

Watford

Starting XI: Karnezis; Janmaat, Prodl, Mariappa, Holebas; Doucoure, Capoue, Pereyra (Okaka 56); Deulofeu (Carrillo 63), Deeney, Richarlison (Femenia 56). Subs not used: Gomes, Britos, Gray, Zeegelaar.

• What we saw: After using a 3-4-2-1 formation in recent matches, Javi Gracia decided to use a 4-2-3-1 against Everton. That saw Marvin Zeegelaar drop to the bench, with Jose Holebas chosen to start at left-back. The change in the system allowed Roberto Pereyra to return in the No 10 role. But with the match goalless, Gracia decided to switch to a 4-4-2. Stefano Okaka joined Troy Deeney up front, while after Gerard Deulofeu was forced off with an ankle injury, fellow substitutes Kiko Femenia (right) and Andre Carrillo (left) were stationed on the flanks.
• What we learned: With Gracia’s changes helping yield a victory, and with a home match-up with West Bromwich Albion coming up on Saturday, the Hornets head coach could consider starting with a 4-4-2 against the Baggies, pairing Okaka and Troy Deeney in attack. A 4-2-3-1 still appears more likely, though, with Carrillo potentially starting in place of Deulofeu if the on-loan midfielder is ruled out. Heurelho Gomes and Miguel Britos returned to the bench last weekend but may have to remain patient to work their way back into the starting XI. Femenia is set to put pressure on Janmaat for the starting spot at right-back, however. Even if any more of Watford’s injured contingent are fit to return this weekend, it’s unlikely they’ll force their way back into the side, with Will Hughes perhaps the most likely to impact on Gracia’s thinking.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, right wing, forwards

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, Hegazi, Evans, Gibbs; Phillips (Burke 81), Barry (Livermore 69), Krychowiak, McClean (Brunt 57); Rodriguez, Rondon. Subs not used: Myhill, Nyom, Yacob, McAuley.

• What we saw: Alan Pardew opted for an attacking 4-4-2 against Huddersfield Town, with Matt Phillips (right) and James McClean (left) stationed out wide. Jay Rodriguez partnered Salomon Rondon up front in the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge.
• What we learned: With the need for a victory at Watford on Saturday now even greater following the 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield, Pardew is likely to stick with the same formation. Jake Livermore did return from injury last weekend and could be an option to start in central midfield. Chris Brunt and, to a lesser extent, Oliver Burke are possible alternatives out wide, but Pardew’s options appear pretty limited given Sturridge (hamstring) is a major doubt. Gareth McAuley is an option to return in central defence should the Baggies revert to a three-man backline.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks

West Ham United

Starting XI: Adrian; Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini (Antonio 58), Evra; Mario (Rice 83), Arnautovic (Hernandez 83) Subs not used: Hart, Reid, Hugill, Byram.

• What we saw: David Moyes decided to use a 3-4-2-1 system away to Liverpool, with the fit-again Manuel Lanzini utilised alongside Joao Mario in the two central attacking midfield spots behind lone striker Marko Arnautovic. That meant Chicharito had to settle for a place among the substitutes. Patrice Evra was handed his Hammers debut at left wing-back, seeing Michail Antonio drop to the bench. Lanzini’s comeback only lasted 58 minutes, however, with the Argentine replaced by Antonio. The substitute played wide on the right, while after falling 4-1 behind, Moyes decided to tighten things up by introducing Declan Rice for Mario, seeing the Hammers switch to more of a 5-3-2, leaving just Antonio and fellow substitute Chicharito in attack, while Rice helped bolster the midfield.
• What we learned: With a trip to Swansea up next, Moyes may consider handing a recall to Chicharito in attack. But that would probably mean one of either Lanzini or Joao Mario dropping to the bench, which appears unlikely providing the former can continue to build up his fitness levels in training this week. Winston Reid was back on the bench at Anfield and could be an option to return in central defence. Aaron Cresswell is a possible option to move across to left wing-back, replacing Evra who suffered a gashed leg on Merseyside. Antonio is also a candidate to replace the veteran on the flank given his impact from the bench in Saturday’s contest.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, left wing-back, attacking midfield, lone striker