FPL Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 1 – Part Two

Raheem Sterling made a surprise start as Leroy Sane was overlooked for Manchester City’s trip to Arsenal, while Paul Pogba capped his instant return to Jose Mourinho’s starting XI with a goal in the Friday night meeting with Leicester City.

There were few shocks at Anfield, meanwhile, as Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane all lined up in attack, though summer signing Fabinho was forced to watch on as a substitute.

The World Cup-affected pre-season had little impact on Spurs’ opening-day line-up, with Harry Kane and Dele Alli among the starters for the Lilywhites in their 2-1 win over Newcastle United.

Part two of our Line-Up Lessons assesses the teamsheets and formations of the remaining ten Premier League clubs’ opening matches. Part one of this feature can be found here.

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Chilwell, Maguire, Morgan, Amartey (Ghezzal 62′); Silva (Iborra 80′), Ndidi; Gray, Maddison (Vardy 62′), Pereira; Iheanacho.

• What we saw: Harry Maguire was a surprise starter at centre-back given his late return from international duty, with Jonny Evans only fit enough for a place on the Leicester bench. As he had done in pre-season, Ricardo Pereira lined up “out of position” on the right side of midfield, with Daniel Amartey – a midfielder in FPL – stationed at right-back. The introduction of Rachid Ghezzal just after the hour-mark saw Pereira drop back into defence, however. Vicente Iborra was the odd man out as Adrien Silva and Wilfred Ndidi lined up in central midfield, while James Maddison was passed to fit to play in the hole behind Kelechi Iheanacho. Jamie Vardy replaced Maddison in the second half, with Iheanacho supporting the returning England striker in attack from that point on. Marc Albrighton remained an unused substitute as Demarai Gray played the full 90 minutes. New centre-backs Caglar Soyuncu and Filip Benkovic were not involved in the travelling party.
• What we learned: Despite leaving Old Trafford without a point, Claude Puel would have been heartened by his side’s performance in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United. Vardy will, perhaps, replace Iheanacho for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend, while Evans could step in for Wes Morgan at the heart of the defence. Pereira’s stint at right wing may be short-lived if Ghezzal is afforded a run in the side, although it should be said that Pereira’s assist for Vardy’s consolation came when the Portuguese international was moved back into defence. Maddison impressed in the hole behind Iheanacho, forcing David de Gea into a fine save and featuring prominently at set-piece situations, and looks very likely to hang on to his starting spot.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Centre-back, central midfield, wingers, forward

Liverpool

Starting XI: Alisson: Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson; Milner, Wijnaldum, Keita: Salah (Sturridge 88′), Firmino (Henderson 69′), Mane (Shaqiri 81′)

• What we saw: There were no huge shocks in Jurgen Klopp’s first line-up of the season, although Fabinho, who had struggled with illness during the week, was only among the substitutes for the visit of West Ham United. James Milner joined Georginio Wijnaldum and Naby Keita in central midfield, with the usual formidable trio ahead of them in attack. The Reds’ defence was pretty much at full strength, with Joe Gomez passed fit to play alongside Virgil van Dijk. Klopp revealed that Dejan Lovren was “unfit”, while Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan were absent through injury. Roberto Firmino’s second-half substitution saw Mohamed Salah move to the centre, Mane switch to the right and Keita push up from the central midfield to the left flank. Xherdan Shaqiri replaced Mane on the right in the final ten minutes, with Sturridge sent on for Salah in the centre-forward role as the match entered its closing stages. Alisson was given his Liverpool league debut in goal.
• What we learned: Not a great deal new. Klopp’s 4-3-3 system and personnel were similar to the side that finished last season, with Alisson and Keita the only debutants in the starting XI. Any slight worries about Alberto Moreno starting ahead of Andrew Robertson – the Spaniard having lined up in the “first team” for the final pre-season friendly against Torino – were swiftly dismissed, with Moreno indeed missing from the match-day squad altogether. Salah, Mane and Firmino picked up where they left off in 2017/18, with each delivering attacking returns, but the substitutions of all three in second half provided a window into how the Reds could line up without one or more of their exalted trio. Klopp may decide to remain unchanged for the trip to Crystal Palace this weekend, with Milner and Wijnaldum performing well in the centre of the park. Jordan Henderson continued to build up match fitness after his post-World Cup break and he, as well as Fabinho, could push for a start at Selhurst Park should Klopp decide to rotate.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Centre-back, central midfield

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy; Fernandinho, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva; Mahrez (De Bruyne 60′), Sterling (Sane 86)’, Aguero (Jesus 79′)

• What we saw: Although ostensibly a 4-3-3/4-1-4-1 formation, the fluid nature of Pep Guardiola’s City side meant the title holders resembled anything from 3-4-3 to 2-3-5 in attack. Fernandinho was the deepest of the three central midfielders alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva, with Kevin De Bruyne only featuring in a half-hour cameo off the bench. Raheem Sterling made a surprise start on the left, with Leroy Sane overlooked, while Riyad Mahrez made his City league debut on the opposite flank. Sergio Aguero led the line as expected, with Gabriel Jesus replacing the Argentinean striker for the final ten minutes. Benjamin Mendy started at left-back, although he and Kyle Walker were often more advanced than the midfielder in front of them.
• What we learned: The visit of Huddersfield Town would perhaps give Guardiola the opportunity to rotate his troops, though with City not in midweek Champions League action till after Gameweek 5, there is not the necessity to do so just yet. De Bruyne will surely challenge Gundogan for a place in midfield, while Sane, Jesus and David Silva – missing from the match-day squad yesterday – will all retain hopes of a start. Nicolas Otamendi, who made 33 starts for City last season, and Vincent Kompany are alternative options at centre-half. Guardiola talked up the prospect of using 3-5-2 again this season, now that Mendy is back to fitness, and we could potentially see that formation trialled against Huddersfield. The Terriers rolled out a 3-5-1-1 formation against Guardiola’s 4-3-3 in this fixture in May and held City to a 0-0 draw – though, of course, the Sky Blues had already wrapped up the league title by that point.

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

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Shaw, Lindelof, Bailly, Darmian; Fred (McTominay 75′), Pogba (Fellaini 84′), A Pereira; Sanchez, Rashford (Lukaku 65′), Mata.

• What we saw: An unsurprising 4-3-3. Given the dearth of alternatives in central midfield due to Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera’s injuries, Paul Pogba was thrown straight into the side alongside Fred and Andreas Pereira. Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez flanked Marcus Rashford in attack, with Romelu Lukaku handed 25 minutes for his first taste of action since returning from the World Cup. Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian, peripheral figures last season, were fielded at full-back. Chris Smalling watched from the bench as Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly were given the nod at centre-half.
• What we learned: Lukaku is a strong candidate to make his first league start in the trip to Brighton this weekend, with Rashford – admittedly working his way back to match-fitness himself – ineffectual in the centre-forward position. Rashford could, however, move out to the right flank in place of Mata. The selection of Lindelof over Smalling alongside Bailly could be a significant one, given that the Swede had only played 79 minutes of pre-season football before this match. Mourinho was fulsome in his praise of Shaw after the game, but both he and Darmian are surely at risk in the medium term. While Shaw impressed, Darmian struggled and could be replaced by Ashley Young – a natural right-footer – for the coming fixture on the south coast, with Antonio Valencia still working his way back from injury. Andreas Pereira was solid in central midfield and could retain his starting spot this weekend, though Marouane Fellaini registered his first minutes for United after his World Cup exertions and could come into Mourinho’s thinking for the trip to Brighton.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central midfield, right wing, striker

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Dubravka; Dummett, Clark, Lascelles, Yedlin; Kenedy, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie (Atsu 67’); Perez (Muto 80’), Joselu (Rondon 57’)

• What we saw: A very similar 4-4-1-1 set-up to how United ended last season, with all 11 starting players having played under Rafael Benitez in 2017/18. Ayoze Perez once again played just off the central striker – Joselu getting the nod for the visit of Spurs – with the four-man midfield at full strength. Ciaran Clark was selected alongside Jamaal Lascelles at centre-back, with Florian Lejeune out long-term. Salomon Rondon and Yoshinori Muto made their Magpies debuts off the bench.
• What we learned: Little has changed for the Magpies since last season, as Mike Ashley’s detractors will freely tell you. The United line-up would appear to be one of the more settled in the league, though there could possibly be a change at right-back for the trip to Cardiff – DeAndre Yedlin limped from the field after Benitez had used all three substitutions and will likely be replaced by Javier Manquillo if ruled out. Fabian Schar, an unused substitute in this match, and Federico Fernandez are options to replace Clark at centre-half, with Newcastle evidently missing a ball-playing centre-back in the absence of Lejeune. Though Rondon and Muto are waiting in the wings, Joselu’s goal against Spurs could see him given the chance to lead the line again for the Saturday lunch-time match in south Wales.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, centre half, striker

Southampton

Starting XI: McCarthy; Hoedt, Vestergaard, Stephens; Soares (Elyounoussi 56′), Romeu, Lemina, Bertrand; Armstrong (Ings 56′), Redmond; Austin (Gabbiadini 72′)

• What we saw: Mark Hughes began the match with the three-man backline that he had rolled out for much of his short tenure with the Saints, including throughout pre-season. Jack Stephens was preferred to Jan Bednarek at right centre-back, with Cedric Soares recovering from illness to displace Matt Targett at right wing-back. Oriel Romeu and Mario Lemina were the central pairing in midfield, with Stuart Armstrong and Nathan Redmond supporting Charlie Austin in attack. An injury to Armstrong early in the second half sparked a tactical reshuffle to 4-4-2, with Stephens moving across to right-back as Cedric was also hooked. Redmond and substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi provided service on the flanks for debutant Ings and Austin, the latter of whom was replaced by Manolo Gabbiadini for the last 20 minutes.
• What we learned: Having previously been unwavering in his deployment of a three-man backline, Hughes faces a dilemma ahead of the trip to Everton. The Saints were second-best to Burnley in the 3-4-2-1 system and looked far more dangerous after a switch to 4-4-2. Ings impressed after being sent on in place of Armstrong and could get his first Saints start this weekend, with Austin’s starting spot in jeopardy after a fairly indifferent performance. Gabbiadini could also come into contention, if Hughes decides to field two recognised strikers. Elyounoussi’s promising display off the bench would also see him pushing for a start, either on the flank in a 4-4-2 or as a supporting striker in the usual 3-4-2-1.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Attacking midfield, striker

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI:  Lloris; Davies, Vertonghen, Sanchez, Aurier; Sissoko, Dier (Amos 88’), Eriksen; Moura (Dembele 67’), Alli (Son 80’); Kane.

• What we saw: A line-up not quite as affected by the late return of Spurs’ World Cup players as we perhaps feared. Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Jan Vertonghen and Hugo Lloris all came straight back into the Lilywhites’ starting XI, as Mauricio Pochettino used Christian Eriksen as part of a three-man central midfield in a 4-3-3. Lucas Moura and Alli supported Kane in attack, with Son Heung-min only among the substitutes. Having featured for much of pre-season at centre-back, Ben Davies was allowed to return to his customary left-back slot. Victor Wanyama, Harry Winks and Erik Lamela all missed the game through injury.
• What we learned: Not to read too much into a lack of pre-season minutes in the future. While Pochettino had hinted in his pre-match press conference last week that some of his returning players would be ready to feature at St James’ Park, it was a surprise to see so many of them in the starting XI. The Spurs team would now appear rather settled for the visit of Fulham, with Son’s departure for the Asian Games meaning Moura’s starts are likely to be unchallenged on the flank – unless Lamela returns to fitness. Though Eriksen was ostensibly part of a midfield three, the Dane was often advanced enough for the shape to resemble a familiar 4-2-3-1 that Pochettino favoured last season. Mousa Dembele appeared as a substitute in the second half and could threaten Moussa Sissoko’s start ahead of Saturday’s match against the Cottagers. Kieran Trippier has a week of training ahead of him to prove his match-fitness, with Serge Aurier’s place at right-back under threat – as we know from experience last season, Pochettino is prone to rotation in the full-back slots.

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

Watford

Starting XI: Foster; Janmaat, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas; Hughes (Sema 81′), Doucoure, Capoue, Pereyra (Femenia 81′); Gray (Success 74)’, Deeney

• What we saw: An expected 4-4-2 from Javi Gracia, with Roberto Pereyra and Will Hughes playing as “inverted wingers” either side of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue in the centre. Troy Deeney and Andre Gray played in tandem in attack. Amid much competition, Daryl Janmaat and Jose Holebas were given the nod at full-back, and provided the natural width as Watford pressed forward. Tom Cleverley, Nathaniel Chalobah and Gerard Deulofeu missed the game through injury.
• What we learned: After a comfortable win over Brighton, Gracia may opt to leave his Hornets side untouched for the trip to Burnley. Chalobah and Deulofeu are building up their match fitness after recovering from injury, but face a tough ask to displace the impressive Capoue and Hughes in their respective positions. Given that Watford are away from home in their next fixture, Gracia could lose one of Deeney or Gray in attack and add a third, more advanced central midfielder in their stead, though that could hinge on whether Deulofeu or Chalobah are ready to feature. Kiko Femenia and Ken Sema are further options on the flank, if Gracia decided to move Hughes behind Gray/Deeney in attack.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, forwards

West Ham United

Starting XI:  Fabianski: Fredericks, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Masuaku; Rice (Snodgrass 46′), Noble, Wilshere; Antonio, Anderson (Hernandez 62′), Arnautovic (Yarmolenko 67′)

• What we saw: Manuel Pellegrini handed full debuts to five of his summer signings, as West Ham began the match at Anfield in the familiar 4-3-3 shape we had seen in pre-season. Marko Arnautovic started at centre-forward, with Felipe Anderson and – a little surprisingly – Michail Antonio either side of him. Andriy Yarmalenko, who had been struggling with a hip injury, had to make do with an appearance off the bench. Arthur Masuaku was selected at left-back with Aaron Cresswell nowhere to be seen – no clarification was given after the match, however, regarding the defender’s absence. Declan Rice lined up “out of position” as part of a midfield three alongside Mark Noble and Jack Wilshere, but was replaced at the break by Robert Snodgrass as Pellegrini changed system. In the second half, the Hammers’ shape resembled a 4-2-3-1, with Noble and Wilshere in the double pivot and Snodgrass playing behind Arnautovic.
• What we learned: After a perhaps expected defeat at Anfield, the home match against Bournemouth this coming weekend should provide us with a better assessment of how the Hammers will fare this season. Though Pellegrini switched formation at half-time, he will surely be tempted to give the 4-3-3 another try for the visit of the Cherries, but perhaps with different personnel. Deadline day signing Carlos Sanchez is an obvious replacement for Rice in central midfield, while Yarmolenko looked sharp in his short cameo and could usurp Antonio on the right of the Hammers’ three-man attack. News is awaited on Arnautovic, who gingerly walked from the field when substituted on Sunday afternoon, but if fit the Austrian could lead the line again having scored five goals as a striker in pre-season. Should a 4-2-3-1 be deployed, then Javier Hernandez could spearhead the attack with Arnautovic playing just behind the Mexican striker in the hole. An update is also awaited on Cresswell’s fitness, with Masuaku’s start at risk if the England international is ready to feature.

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

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Starting XI: Rui Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Moutinho (Gibbs-White 85′), Neves, Jonny (Vinagre 76′); Jota, Jimenez, Costa (Bonatini 71′)

• What we saw: True to his word, Nuno Espirito Santo persisted with the 3-4-3 formation that got Wolves promoted last season. The only real selection dilemma saw Ryan Bennett get the nod over Romain Saiss in the three-man central defence. Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves lined up in the double-pivot, with Jonny and Matt Doherty deployed as wing-backs. Diogo Jota was stationed wide left of the three-man attack, with Raul Jimenez leading the line and scoring on his competitive debut.
• What we learned: Despite playing for the best part of an hour with a man advantage, Wolves’ shape remained largely the same throughout. A concern for Santo – and any FPL manager who owns a Wolves defender – would be how open the hosts were on the counter-attack even against ten men. Nevertheless, Santo is devoted to his wing-back system and reiterated after the match that he wouldn’t compromise Wolves’ playing style even in the top flight. We can expect a 3-4-3 again away at Leicester, then, with the starting XI likely to closely resemble the side that began the match at Molineux on Saturday evening. New signing Adama Traore and Ivan Cavaleiro missed the Gameweek 1 match through injury, but could threaten Helder Costa’s start on the flank if passed fit this time round. Deadline day capture Leander Dendoncker needs to build up match fitness after his World Cup campaign with Belgium, but is an option in both midfield and central defence – perhaps in place of Bennett – for the trip to Leicester.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Centre-half, right-wing

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