Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 30 – Part One

The return of Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka coincides with Everton’s first clean sheet in ten attempts. Olivier Giroud leads the line as Chelsea claim a narrow home win over Crystal Palace, with the fit-again Wilfried Zaha emerging from the bench to supply an assist at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey is rested for the second successive Gameweek as Arsene Wenger continues to prioritise the Europa League.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 30, with one eye on what’s to come over the midweek European encounters, weekend league and cup matches, and beyond.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi (Chambers 73), Holding, Kolasinac; Elneny, Xhaka; Mkhitaryan (Wilshere 78), Ozil, Iwobi (Welbeck 67); Aubameyang. Subs not used: Ospina, Nelson, Nketiah, Willock.

• What we saw: Arsene Wenger rested Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey against Watford ahead of Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League clash against AC Milan. That meant that Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny earned starts in central defence and central midfield respectively, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles played at right-back in the absence of the injured Hector Bellerin. The front four remained unchanged from the 4-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, with Arsenal lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. With his side leading 3-0, Wenger switched to more of a 4-3-3, as Jack Wilshere came on for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
• What we learned: Shkodran Mustafi was withdrawn after picking up a knock, but with the Gunners not in league action again until April 1, the German defender should be available to face Stoke City. That fixture does come just four days before a possible Europa League quarter-final first leg, however, so Wenger could again leave out some big names. Holding and Calum Chambers provide alternatives in central defence, while Bellerin (knee) may be available to return at right-back. Nacho Monreal (back) is also likely to be fit by the time Gameweek 32 comes around and should replace Kolasinac at left-back. With Ramsey and Wilshere appearing sure starters in the more important European matches, Elneny could continue to get starts in the league. The same may also apply to Alex Iwobi, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s domestic minutes seem secure as he continues to be ineligible to play in European ties.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, flanks

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Francis, S Cook, Ake, Daniels (Ibe 67); A Smith, L Cook, Gosling, Stanislas (Defoe 76), Wilson, Mousset (King 67). Subs not used: Boruc, Surman, Arter, Fraser.

• What we saw: Eddie Howe kept faith in the 4-4-1-1 system for the home meeting with Tottenham Hotspur although he was forced into making one change. Josh King was unable to train for the majority of last week due to a neck problem, so Lys Mousset started in the central support role. After falling 2-1 behind, Howe introduced King (left) and Jordon Ibe (right) out wide, while Adam Smith moved from the right side of midfield to left-back. Junior Stanislas took up a No 10 role, before making way for Jermain Defoe, seeing the Cherries end the match in an attacking 4-4-2.
• What we learned: Providing King can train fully this week, he should return to the starting XI for Saturday’s home fixture with West Bromwich Albion. Mousset is the player most likely to make way, while with Callum Wilson now without a goal in his last five matches, Defoe is a possible alternative in the lone striker role. Ibe and Ryan Fraser provide more attacking options on the right side of midfield in place of Adam Smith, but the latter’s form means he should remain in the starting XI, possibly at right-back should Howe prefer to start with a natural winger against the bottom side. If not, he could even threaten Daniels’ start at left-back.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, right wing, support striker, lone striker

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan: Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong (Suttner 82): Knockaert, Kayal (Locadia 69), Propper, Izquierdo: Murray (Ulloa 77), Gross. Subs not used: Krul, Bruno, Goldson, March.

• What we saw: Chris Hughton was forced into making one change for the trip to Everton, with Beram Kayal replacing the injured Dale Stephens in central midfield. With his side trailing 1-0, Hughton made an attacking first change, bringing on Jurgen Locadia for Kayal. That left just Davy Propper in central midfield, with Locadia joining Glenn Murray and latterly fellow substitute Leonardo Ulloa up front in a 4-1-3-2 system. That became a 4-1-2-2 following Anthony Knockaert’s sending off. Gaetan Bong was forced off with a knock late on, with Markus Suttner taking over at left-back.
• What we learned: With the Seagulls not in league action until Gameweek 32, when they host Leicester City, both Bong and Stephens should be fit to start. With Knockaert suspended, Solly March may return to the starting XI out wide, with Locadia perhaps another option given he is unlikely to replace Murray as the lone striker. Brighton face Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend before the international break.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back, central midfield, right wing

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Hendrick, Westwood (Wood 60), Cork; Lennon, Barnes (Vokes 88), Berg Gudmundsson. Subs not used: Lindegaard, Nkoudou, Marney, Bardsley, Long.

• What we saw: Sean Dyche named an unchanged starting XI for the trip to West Ham United, although the Clarets lined up in a slightly more defensive 4-4-1-1 system. Chris Wood had to settle for a place on the bench despite scoring the winner against Everton but, with the match goalless on the hour-mark, he was brought on for Ashley Westwood. The New Zealand international joined Ashley Barnes up front in a 4-4-2, while Jeff Hendrick dropped back into central midfield.
• What we learned: After producing two goals and an assist as a substitute, Wood is expected to come back into the side when Burnley travel to West Brom in Gameweek 32. Westwood is the player most likely to drop to the bench, with Hendrick moving into central midfield in a 4-4-2. The next couple of weeks will allow Tom Heaton more time to continue building up his match sharpness, with the Clarets skipper likely to come under strong consideration to replace Nick Pope in goal, despite his recent form.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, central midfield, forwards

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta, Kante, Fabregas (Bakayoko 88), Alonso; Willian, Giroud (Morata 72), Hazard (Pedro 88). Subs not used: Caballero, Ampadu, Emerson, Moses.

• What we saw: Perhaps with Wednesday night’s UEFA Champions League trip to Barcelona in mind, Antonio Conte decided to make four changes for the home clash against Crystal Palace. Gary Cahill came in for Antonio Rudiger in the back three, with the German defender nursing a muscle problem, while Davide Zappacosta replaced Victor Moses at right wing-back. N’Golo Kante returned from illness to start in central midfield, while Olivier Giroud came in as the lone striker in the 3-4-2-1 formation, seeing Eden Hazard drop back into an attacking midfield role.
• What we learned: The champions don’t play again in the league until April 1 now, when they host Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial clash in terms of finishing in the top four. Even if the Blues progress past Barcelona, with the quarter-final first legs being played in the week after the Spurs match, Conte will surely name his strongest possible starting XI. So Rudiger and Moses are both expected to return. Tiemoue Bakayoko provides a different option to Cesc Fabregas in central midfield, while Alvaro Morata will challenge Giroud for the lone striker role.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, right wing-back, central midfield, lone striker

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka, Kelly, Tomkins, van Aanholt; Townsend (Lee Chung-yong 81), McArthur, Milivojevic, Schlupp (Riedewald 75); Sorloth, Benteke (Zaha 46). Subs not used: Cavalieri, Sakho, Souare, Fosu-Mensah.

• What we saw: Roy Hodgson named an unchanged starting XI for the trip to Chelsea, but Wilfried Zaha was fit to return among the substitutes. Hodgson decided to make a tactical change at half-time, bringing on Zaha in place of striker Christian Benteke in a straight swap.
• What we learned: The Eagles travel to Huddersfield Town on Saturday in a crucial clash down at the bottom of the table. After impressing on his return, Zaha looks certain to come back into the side. He could replace either Benteke or Alexander Sorloth up front in a 4-4-2, or start out wide in a 4-3-3, perhaps putting Jeffrey Schlupp’s start at risk. Jairo Riedewald is another option in central midfield, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah may challenge for a recall in defence in place of either Martin Kelly or Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Mamadou Sakho was also back on the bench at the weekend and could also be a possible replacement for Kelly in central defence.

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

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford: Coleman, Jagielka, Keane, Baines: Davies (Klaassen 84), Rooney: Walcott (Calvert-Lewin 73), Sigurdsson, Bolasie (Holgate 78): Tosun. Subs not used: Robles, Martina, Niasse, Baningime.

• What we saw: Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka both returned in defence for Everton’s home encounter against Brighton. With Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin missing out due to illness, Sam Allardyce started with Tom Davies and Wayne Rooney at the base of midfield in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Yannick Bolasie was handed a recall on the left of the attacking midfield trio in place of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Allardyce decided to switch to a three-man defence late on after taking a 2-0 lead, bringing on Mason Holgate for Bolasie.
• What we learned: Theo Walcott will be assessed this week ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke City after suffering from cramp in his calf. The early indications are that he may be fit to face the Potters, though. Gylfi Sigurdsson played on against Brighton despite taking a bang to the knee, and reports suggest he could be set to miss the rest of the season. The midfielder will undergo scans having suffered suspected ligament damage. Providing they’re available to return, Gueye and Schneiderlin are viable starters at the base of midfield. Gueye is the player most likely to earn a recall, with Davies and Rooney options to take over from Sigurdsson in the No 10 role. Calvert-Lewin provides another option in the attacking midfield berths.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks, attacking midfield

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Hadergjonaj, Jorgensen, Schindler, Malone; Mooy (Williams 69), Hogg: van La Parra (Depoitre 78), Ince, Pritchard (Quaner 65); Mounie. Subs not used: Coleman, Smith, Sabiri, Lowe.

• What we saw: David Wagner handed a recall to the fit-again Aaron Mooy for the home encounter against Swansea City. The Australian returned in the double-pivot in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Elsewhere, Tom Ince was recalled on the right of the attacking midfield trio in place of Collin Quaner, while Scott Malone replaced the injured Terence Kongolo at left-back. Quaner entered the action shortly after the hour-mark, playing on the right wing, seeing Ince take over the No 10 role from Alex Pritchard. As a final roll of the dice, Wagner brought on Laurent Depoitre for Rajiv van La Parra as the Terriers ended the match in a 4-4-2. Depoitre joined Steve Mounie up front as Ince drifted across to the left wing.
• What we learned: Despite failing to score against ten-man Swansea, Wagner is likely to stick with the majority of the same starting XI for Saturday’s home clash against Crystal Palace. Malone may retain his start at left-back ahead of Chris Lowe, while Quaner provides an alternative to Ince and Pritchard in the attacking midfield spots. Depoitre remains behind Mounie in the pecking order up front, and could again be limited to a cameo appearance from the bench. Elias Kachunga is back in full training following a knee injury, and may have an outside chance of returning to the bench.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back, right wing, attacking midfield

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Iborra, Ndidi; Mahrez (Diabate 88), Okazaki (Iheanacho 60), Gray (Albrighton 67); Vardy. Subs not used: Jakupovic, Dragovic, James, Fuchs.

• What we saw: Claude Puel opted for an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to West Brom. The fit-again Shinji Okazaki returned in the No 10 role, while Demarai Gray was preferred to Marc Albrighton on the left of the attacking midfield trio. Vicente Iborra was handed a rare start at the base of midfield, while Danny Simpson replaced the injured Daniel Amartey at right-back. The other change saw Ben Chilwell return at left-back in place of Christian Fuchs.
• What we learned: The Foxes face Chelsea in the FA Cup this weekend, with their next league match coming in Gameweek 32, when they travel to Brighton. Given the performance at The Hawthorns, Puel is likely to stick with the majority of the same starting XI. Albrighton could return on the left wing in place of Gray, while Matty James is a viable alternative to Iborra in the middle of the park.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, left wing

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold (Wijnaldum 80), van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson (Solanke 84); Can, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Lallana 62); Mane, Firmino, Salah. Subs not used: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Henderson.

• What we saw: With Jordan Henderson not fully recovered from the dead leg he picked up against FC Porto in the Champions League, Jurgen Klopp decided to hand a start to James Milner as part of the usual three-man midfield. Trailing 2-1 late on, Klopp threw caution to the wind, bringing on Georginio Wijnaldum and Dominic Solanke. Wijnaldum was used as an attacked-minded right-back, while Milner moved to left-back. Solanke joined Roberto Firmino up front, flanked by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
• What we learned: Next up for the Reds is Saturday’s home fixture against Watford before the international break. While Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a difficult afternoon at Old Trafford, his attacking threat could again see him favoured over Joe Gomez at right-back. Joel Matip may earn a recall in place of Dejan Lovren in central defence, while Henderson and Adam Lallana are options to start in central midfield, with the starts of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Milner appearing at risk.

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

Part two of Line-up Lessons, assessing the remaining ten teams, will follow tomorrow.