Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 33 – Part Two

Pep Guardiola’s decision to freshen up his Man City side with one eye on the midweek Champions League return clash against Liverpool proves their undoing.

Harry Kane returns to the Tottenham Hotspur teamsheet as Mauricio Pochettino rotates his full-backs for the narrow win at Stoke.

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes trials a wing-back set-up for Southampton’s trip to Arsenal as Charlie Austin is forced to make an impact from the bench.

After assessing the first ten teams yesterday, we turn to part two of Line-up Lessons, checking out the teamsheets and formations from
the Gameweek 33 matches, with one eye on what’s to come from the midweek European matches and beyond.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson, Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Delph, Gundogan (Aguero 76), Fernandinho, David Silva (De Bruyne 72), Bernardo Silva (Jesus 72), Sterling, Sane. Subs not used: Bravo, Walker, Laporte, Toure.

• What we saw: As expected, Pep Guardiola rested some of his key players in the Manchester derby ahead of the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool tonight. Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus all dropped to the bench, with Danilo, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva coming into the side. Fabian Delph returned at left-back, seeing Aymeric Laporte make way, while Sergio Aguero was fit to be named among the substitutes. The City manager started with Bernardo Silva as the lone striker, with Raheem Sterling on the right of the front three in the usual 4-3-3 formation. But after around 20 minutes, the pair switched positions to great effect. Having fallen 3-2 behind, Guardiola ended up with his team set up in a 4-4-2. Substitutes Gabriel Jesus and Aguero played up front, while De Bruyne joined Fernandinho in central midfield.
• What we learned: City play Liverpool in that crucial second leg tonight, then, before heading to Wembley Stadium to take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night. But with the title not yet won, that should boost the chances of Guardiola naming something near to his strongest starting XI against Spurs. Much will depend on how tonight’s match plays out, though. After getting a rest against United, Walker should return at right-back, but Danilo, Laporte and Oleksandr Zinchenko are possible alternatives to Delph on the left. Guardiola continues to have options in central defence, with Laporte and Stones remaining options, though Tuesday’s teamsheet will inform us more on the likely pairing at Wembley, with Nicolas Otamendi still the most secure option. The defence will be without midfield shield Fernandinho on Saturday as he picked up his tenth yellow card of the season in the derby, so the Brazilian will now serve a two-match ban. There looks to be few alternative options in the middle of the park, with Gundogan set to join David Silva and De Bruyne, though Stones could also be considered for the role. Aguero is likely to start tonight and, depending on his fitness levels, will challenge Jesus for a spot on the weekend teamsheet.

Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, flanks, central striker

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Young, Herrera (Lindelof 90), Matic, Pogba, Lingard (McTominay 85), Lukaku, Sanchez (Rashford 82). Subs not used: Rojo, Mata, Martial, Joel Pereira.

• What we saw: United boss Jose Mourinho switched to a more defensive 4-3-3 formation for the trip to the Etihad Stadium, with Ander Herrera recalled as part of the three-man midfield. Juan Mata dropped to the bench, with Jesse Lingard (right) and Alexis Sanchez (left) flanking central striker Romelu Lukaku. The other change saw Eric Bailly return in central defence at the expense of Victor Lindelof. Holding a 3-2 lead, United ended the match in a 5-4-1, with substitutes Scott McTominay (right) and Marcus Rashford (left) out wide, while Lindelof was brought on in central defence.
• What we learned: United have league matches at home to West Bromwich Albion and away to Bournemouth in Double Gameweek 34 before facing Tottenham Hotspur in their FA Cup semi-final. With Spurs given the extra day rest (they play Brighton on Tuesday), Jose Mourinho would seem likely to make a point of that fact by resting some key men for the Cherries match-up on Wednesday. A 4-2-3-1 looks the most likely formation for both matches, with Paul Pogba likely to shift back to a role in the double-pivot with Herrera making way. The likes of Mata, Rashford and Anthony Martial are all viable options in the attacking midfield positions, and they are set to be factors at the Vitality Stadium, threatening the minutes of Lingard and Sanchez. Marcos Rojo returned to the bench last weekend and is an option at left-back and centre-back, while Lindelof and Phil Jones are other alternatives at the heart of the defence. At least one of that trio will be expected to see action against Bournemouth, with one or both of Bailly and Smalling preserved for FA Cup action, while Ashley Young is another who could make way on the south coast.

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

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Shelvey, Diame (Hayden 80); Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy (Atsu 62); Gayle (Joselu 69). Subs not used: Clark, Manquillo, Merino, Darlow.

• What we saw: Rafa Benitez once again named an unchanged starting XI for the trip to Leicester City, with the Magpies lining up in a 4-4-1-1 formation.
• What we learned: Following a third successive victory, Benitez would seem likely to stick with the same starting XI for Sunday’s home clash against Arsenal. Christian Atsu does provide a possible alternative out wide, but is unlikely to be recalled against the Gunners. On-loan forward Islam Slimani will be available after being ineligible to face his parent club but a lack of match sharpness means he is only expected to feature as a substitute.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks

Southampton

Starting XI: McCarthy; Cedric Soares, Stephens, Yoshida (Austin 73), Hoedt, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Romeu, Tadic; Long (Sims 79). Subs not used: Forster, Boufal, Gabbiadini, Redmond, Pied.

• What we saw: After favouring a 4-4-2 in his first couple of matches in charge, Mark Hughes opted for a more defensive 3-4-2-1 system for the trip to Arsenal. Maya Yoshida was recalled as part of the three-man backline, while Oriol Romeu started in central midfield in place of Mario Lemina, who missed out due to illness. James Ward-Prowse and Dusan Tadic started in the central attacking midfield spots behind lone striker Shane Long. But with his side trailing 2-1, Hughes decided to bring on Charlie Austin for Yoshida, reverting back to a 4-4-2 with Ward-Prowse (right) and Tadic (left) out wide. Then after Austin netted immediately, Hughes soon switched to a 4-3-3, with substitute Josh Sims part of the front three, while Ward-Prowse dropped back to play in central midfield.
• What we learned: Up next for Saints is a home meeting with Chelsea, which is followed five days later by a trip to Leicester City as part of Double Gameweek 34. Their FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea then comes three days later. They will be without the suspended Jack Stephens for all of those matches after he was sent off at the Emirates. That, along with their desperate need for points means that a return to a 4-4-2 is likely. Yoshida will likely replace Stephens in the back four, while Lemina will come back into contention for a start in central midfield. Sims, Sofiane Boufal and Nathan Redmond provide a variety of options out wide, while Austin appears a sure starter up front – at least in the home encounter with Chelsea. Long suffered an ankle knock late on against the Gunners, but if he is fit, he looks the favourite to partner Austin in attack.

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

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Johnson (Crouch 79), Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters; Bauer (Zouma 90), Allen, Ndiaye, Sobhi (Campbell 69); Shaqiri; Diouf. Subs not used: Haugaard, Ireland, Cameron, Fletcher.

• What we saw: Paul Lambert kept faith in the side that lost 3-0 to Arsenal for the home fixture against Spurs, with the Potters again lining up in a 4-4-1-1 system. Moritz Bauer continued on the right side of midfield, while Xherdan Shaqiri was deployed in the No 10 role. Lambert decided to again switch to more of a 4-3-1-2 after bringing on substitutes Tyrese Campbell and Peter Crouch. They formed the front two, with Shaqiri operating in a free role behind.
• What we learned: The combination of another encouraging performance and a lack of strong alternative options means the starting XI is set to remain settled for the Gameweek 34 trip to West Ham United. Kurt Zouma came on as a late substitute last weekend after recovering from a knee problem and is an option to start in central defence, most likely in place of Bruno Martins Indi. Should Konstantinos Stafylidis be fit to play after suffering a broken rib, he would be an alternative to Erik Pieters at left-back. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting remains doubtful due to a groin injury, so Lambert has limited options to change things out wide. Diouf is likely to retain his start up front, with both Crouch and Campbell resigned to bench duties once more.

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

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; van der Hoorn (Bartley 46), Fernandez, Mawson; Naughton, King (Dyer 61), Carroll, Olsson; A Ayew (Ki Sung-yueng 85), Abraham. Subs not used: Mulder, Narsingh, Routledge, Roberts.

• What we saw: Carlos Carvalhal opted for a 3-4-2-1 system away to West Brom. He handed a recall to Tammy Abraham, with the Chelsea loanee stationed as the lone striker. Andre Ayew moved to the right attacking midfield berth, while in central midfield, Tom Carroll replaced Ki Sung-yeung. The introduction of Nathan Dyer on the hour mark saw the substitute play on the right, with Ayew shifting over to the left, while Sam Clucas joined Carroll in the middle of the park.
• What we learned: The Swans will welcome back striker Jordan Ayew for Saturday’s home encounter against Everton following the forward’s three-match ban. He is likely to start as the lone striker, with Abraham dropping to the bench. Mike van der Hoorn was forced off with a shoulder injury at The Hawthorns, with Kyle Bartley taking over in the three-man defence. Should the Dutchman be ruled out for the weekend, Bartley looks to be an assured starter in the back three. Carvalhal does have the option of switching to a four-man defence, in either a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation, though this seems unlikely. Ki was a surprise omission from the starting XI last weekend, but he may earn a recall in central midfield at the expense of Carroll. Renato Sanches is returning to South Wales this week following his injury but is likely to lack the match fitness to be available for Gameweek 34.

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

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Rose; Wanyama (Dier 82), Dembele; Eriksen, Alli (Sissoko 89), Son Heung-min (Lamela 67); Kane. Subs not used: Vorm, Dier, Llorente, Moura, Davies.

• What we saw: Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino decided to rotate his side for the trip to Stoke City. Serge Aurier and Danny Rose earned recalls in the full-back positions, while Victor Wanyama came in for Eric Dier at the base of midfield in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. After returning as a substitute against Chelsea, Harry Kane started as the lone striker, with Son Heung-min featuring as part of a fluid attacking midfield trio.
• What we learned: Up next for Spurs is Saturday’s showdown with Man City at Wembley, before travelling to face Brighton & Hove Albion three days later in their second match of Double Gameweek 34 on Tuesday. That comes four days prior to their FA Cup semi-final against Man United. So Pochettino looks set to name his strongest sides against City and United, with rotation likely against the Seagulls. Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies could sit out Tuesday’s meeting, then, with Aurier and Rose starting in the full-back positions. Wanyama may earn another start in central midfield in that match, with Erik Lamela another who could come into the side, most likely at the expense of Son. Moussa Sissoko is another who may be handed minutes given his versatility across the midfield positions. While Toby Alderweireld has been out of favour of late, he may yet be considered for a start in central defence against Chris Hughton’s side.

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

Watford

Starting XI: Karnezis, Janmaat (Okaka 76), Mariappa, Prodl, Holebas; Capoue, Doucoure (Carrillo 85); Femenia, Hughes (Richarlison 85), Pereyra; Deeney. Subs not used: Gomes, Britos, Cathcart, Gray.

• What we saw: Javi Gracia named an unchanged starting XI for the visit of Burnley to Vicarage Road, with the Hornets lining up in the same 4-2-3-1 formation. But after falling 2-1 behind, Gracia opted to introduce Stefano Okaka for Daryl Janmaat, switching to a 4-4-2. Okaka joined Troy Deeney up front, while Kiko Femenia dropped to right-back, with Will Hughes moving out to the right wing. Watford ended in an attacking 4-1-3-2 as they looked to find an equaliser, with substitutes Andre Carrillo (right) and Richarlison (left) flanking No 10 Roberto Pereyra, leaving just Etienne Capoue in central midfield.
• What we learned: Following the defeat, Gracia may look to make changes for Saturday’s trip to Huddersfield Town. Richarlison or Carrillo provide a more attacking alternative to Femenia out wide, with the Spaniard then in a battle with Janmaat for the right-back spot if Gracia opts for a more natural winger. Elsewhere, Craig Cathcart could come into contention for a start in central defence, while Christian Kabasele is also closing in on a return and could be a factor.

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

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs; Phillips, Livermore, Brunt, McClean; Rodriguez (Krychowiak 83), Rondon. Subs not used: Myhill, Yacob, Burke, McAuley, Harper, Leko.

• What we saw: Caretaker manager Darren Moore only made two changes for the home clash against Swansea. Having lined up in a 3-5-2 in Alan Pardew’s final few matches in charge, Moore decided to switch to a 4-4-2. James McClean (left) and Matt Phillips (right) earned recalls out wide, seeing Chris Brunt move into central midfield. Jonny Evans missed out through injury, so Craig Dawson started in central defence, with Allan Nyom stationed at right-back. Moore made just one substitution, with Grzegorz Krychowiak brought on to help bolster the midfield to end the match in a 4-5-1 system.
• What we learned: Following an improved performance, Moore is not expected to make too many changes for Sunday’s trip to Manchester United. He could adopt a slightly more defensive approach at Old Trafford, but it’s unlikely that he’ll drop either Jay Rodriguez or Salomon Rondon. Krychowiak and Claudio Yacob provide more defensive options in the middle of the park, while Evans should return if available. Dawson may move to right-back, with Nyom dropping to the bench unless Moore looks to switch to a five-man backline. Nacer Chadli stepped up his recovery with a run-out for the reserves yesterday and could be back in contention.

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

West Ham United

Starting XI: Hart; Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell (Evra 63); Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Masuaku; Fernandes (Hernandez 70), Arnautovic, Joao Mario (Cullen 84). Subs not used: Hugill, Adrian, Pask, Diangana.

• What we saw: David Moyes made just one enforced change from the side that beat Southampton 3-0 for the trip to Chelsea. With Michail Antonio sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Manuel Lanzini (knee) still not ready to return, Edimilson Fernandes was deployed alongside Joao Mario in the central advanced midfield positions in the usual 3-4-2-1 formation. But with his side a goal behind, Moyes made an attacking change, bringing on Chicharito for Fernandes. The Mexican joined Marko Arnautovic up front in a 3-5-2, seeing Joao Mario drop back into a deeper midfield role.
• What we learned: After gaining a valuable point at Stamford Bridge, Moyes is expected to stick with the majority of the same side for the home fixture against Stoke City in Gameweek 34. But if he’s available by then, Lanzini will surely replace Fernandes in the attacking midfield spots. Alternatively, Chicharito could start as the lone striker, with Arnautovic either playing alongside or dropping back slightly into a central support role. Aaron Cresswell was forced off with a knock on Sunday and will be assessed with Patrice Evra available to cover that left-sided centre-back position. James Collins could provide Moyes with another option providing he recovers from a hamstring injury.

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