Riyad Mahrez returns to the Leicester starting XI after back-to-back outings on the bench. Olivier Giroud’s recall sees Theo Walcott’s run of six starts as Arsenal’s lone frontman come to an end, whilst Antonio Valencia gets the nod ahead of Matteo Darmian for United’s right-back berth.
We look back on the teamsheets from Gameweek 10 to re-cap on the personnel changes, the formations and tactics, plus the key risk areas for each team.
Arsenal
Starting XI: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Flamini 80), Ozil, Sanchez (Gibbs 88), Giroud.
- Arsene Wenger made three alterations to the side that won 3-0 at Watford. Gabriel replaced Per Mertesacker, who was absent through illness, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came in for the injured Aaron Ramsey, while Olivier Giroud started in place of Theo Walcott.
- Gabriel played alongside Laurent Koscielny in central defence, Oxlade-Chamberlain started on the right of the three advanced midfield positions in the 4-2-3-1 formation, while Giroud was the lone striker for the Gunners.
- Mathieu Flamini and Kieran Gibbs entered the fray late on to provide fresh legs as Arsenal held on for a 2-1 victory.
- Mertesacker has already been passed fit for the midweek cup match against Sheffield Wednesday and is likely to return to the starting XI at Swansea. Giroud returned in attack on Saturday, but Walcott’s pace on the break may see him return to the side this weekend with the Frenchman preferred in home matches where opponents drop deep. Otherwise, the Gunners starting XI now looks pretty settled, with Oxlade-Chamberlain set to gain a run of starts in Ramsey’s absence.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Striker
Aston Villa
Starting XI: Guzan; Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Richardson; Bacuna; J. Ayew, Gueye, Grealish (Carles Gil 74), Agbonlahor (Traore 85); Gestede.
- Tim Sherwood made two adjustments for the visit of Swansea to Villa Park, with Leandro Bacuna and Gabriel Agbonlahor coming in for Ashley Westwood and Carles Gil.
- Bacuna played in a slightly unfamiliar role, alongside Idrissa Gueye at the base of midfield in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Agbonlahor started on the left of the three attacking midfield positions, with Jordan Ayew on the opposite flank.
- Both of Sherwood’s substitutions were straight swaps, with Gil replacing Jack Grealish in the number ten role, while Adama Traore came on for Agbonlahor.
- Following the sacking of Sherwood yesterday, we could see a very different Villa side line up at White Hart Lane in Gameweek 11. Whether it’s interim manager Kevin McDonald or a new man in charge, the likes of Jordan Amavi, Ashley Westwood and Scott Sinclair could now all return to contention.
Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: All Positions
Bournemouth
Starting XI: Boruc; Francis, Cook, Distin, Daniels; Ritchie, Surman, Gosling, Pugh (Smith 75); King (O’Kane 61), Murray (Kermorgant 68).
- Eddie Howe made three changes to the side which lost 5-1 at Manchester City, with Artur Boruc, Marc Pugh and Josh King returning to the starting XI in place of Adam Federici, Eunan O’Kane and Adam Smith.
- Having played with a 4-5-1 formation at the Etihad, Howe reverted back to the more familiar 4-4-1-1 system at home to Spurs. Pugh started on the left of the four-man midfield, while King surprisingly played as the central striker, with Glenn Murray in the support striker role.
- With the Cherries being opened up at ease by Tottenham, Howe brought O’Kane on for King in an attempt to tighten things up in midfield. Yann Kermorgant made only his third appearance of the season, coming on for Glenn Murray. The introduction of Adam Smith for Pugh also looked a defensive move by Howe.
- Given the long-term injuries at Bournemouth, Howe has few options in which to change things around. Harry Arter is closing on a first-team return, and could provide fresh impetus in central midfield over the next week or two. Boruc’s poor performance could see Federici handed another chance in goal against Southampton on Sunday.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Central Midfield, Support Striker, Flanks
Chelsea
Starting XI: Begovic; Zouma, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta (Baba Rahman 87); Matic, Ramires (Falcao 82); Willian, Fabregas (Mikel 45), Hazard; Costa.
- Jose Mourinho made thee adjustments to his starting XI, with Gary Cahill, Nemanja Matic and Eden Hazard coming in for Baba Rahman, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pedro.
- Having played at right-back against Dynamo Kiev, Kurt Zouma was again stationed on the right of the four-man backline, with Gary Cahill alongside John Terry in central defence. Matic played with Ramires in the double-pivot in Mourinho’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, while Hazard was stationed on the left of the three attacking midfield positions, with Fabregas in the number ten role and Willian on the right.
- Following Matic’s dismissal on the stroke of half-time, Mourinho sacrificed Fabregas, with John Obi-Mikel brought on to shore things up in midfield. Radamel Falcao was thrown on in the dying stages as the champions chased an equaliser.
- The Chelsea defence still looks pretty shaky, so Rahman could be recalled to the starting XI against Liverpool, with one of Cahill or Terry looking the most likely to make way. Matic will be available against the Reds, but having already been dropped by Mourinho this season, he could be under pressure for a starting spot from the likes of Mikel and Loftus-Cheek. Oscar could come into contention in the attacking midfield positions, while Pedro could also shrug off a minor knock to return to the fray.
Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Attacking Midfield
Crystal Palace
Starting XI: Hennessey; Mariappa (Jedinak 76), Hangeland, Dann, Kelly; Cabaye, McArthur; Sako, Puncheon (Zaha 68), Bolasie; Campbell (Bamford 57).
- Alan Pardew made three alterations to the side which lost 3-1 at home to West Ham, with Adrian Mariappa, Bakary Sako and Frazier Campbell taking the places of Pape Souare, Wilfried Zaha and the suspended Dwight Gayle.
- Mariappa lined up at right-back for the Eagles, with Martin Kelly shifting over to left-back in the absence of the injured Souare. Sako played in the number ten role, with Jason Puncheon switched to the right of the three advanced midfield players in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Campbell played as the central striker.
- Pardew introduced Patrick Bamford before the hour mark, with the ineffective Campbell making way in a straight swap. Zaha replaced Puncheon down the right flank, while Mile Jedinak came on in an attacking move late on in place of Mariappa.
- Souare only missed out with a minor knock, and if fit, should return to the starting XI against Man United. Joel Ward is close to making a comeback, and could return at right-back for the Eagles. Brede Hangeland made a bad error for the only goal of the match, so Damien Delaney would seem likely to earn a recall in central defence. Sako played the full 90 minutes at the King Power Stadium, so it could be that Puncheon comes under pressure from Zaha for a starting spot against United. Gayle is available after serving his one-match ban, and could return to lead the line, with Yannick Bolasie and Patrick Bamford other options for the central striker role. Campbell’s opportunity to stake a claim for regular starts may now have been missed.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Full-Backs, Central Defence, Flanks, Central Striker
Everton
Starting XI: Howard, Coleman (Kone 88), Stones, Jagielka (Funes Mori 52), Galloway, McCarthy, Barry, Lennon (Mirallas 70), Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku.
- Roberto Martinez made just one change to his starting XI, with Gerard Deulofeu coming in for Steven Naismith.
- Deulofeu played on the right of the three attacking midfield positions in the 4-2-3-1 system, with Aaron Lennon operating on the left.
- Ramiro Funes Mori replaced the injured skipper Phil Jagielka early in the second-half. Kevin Mirallas came on for Lennon, while Arouna Kone was thrown on in the dying stages as the Toffees searched for an equaliser at the Emirates.
- Jagielka suffered a worrying looking knee injury, and is now set to face around eight or nine weeks on the sidelines. Funes Mori replaced the England international on Saturday, and looks the obvious deputy. Martinez continues to rotate his wide men, and having come on as the first attacking substitute, Mirallas looks to be pushing for a starting berth. Tom Cleverley was back on the bench against Arsenal, and could feature at some point against Sunderland on Saturday. Gareth Barry was sent off after picking up two yellow cards, but he will only miss Tuesday’s Capital One Cup home tie against Norwich.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Flanks
Leicester
Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Albrighton (Okazaki 63), Drinkwater, Kante, Schlupp; Mahrez (Dyer 79); Vardy.
- Claudio Ranieri only made one alteration to the team which drew 2-2 at Southampton, with Riyad Mahrez recalled in place of Shinji Okazaki.
- Mahrez started in the number ten role in the 4-4-1-1 formation, with Marc Albrighton wide on the right, and Jeffrey Schlupp on the opposite flank. Ranieri moved Mahrez to the right in the second-half though, with Schlupp then operating in the number ten role.
- Okazaki was introduced for Albrighton just after the hour mark, with the Japan international playing wide on the left. Nathan Dyer came on for Mahrez in a straight swap for the final ten minutes.
- After picking up their first clean sheet of the season, the back four should remain unchanged for the next few matches, fitness permitting. ‘The Tinkerman’ has a multitude of options in the wide areas, with Mahrez, Albrighton, Schlupp, Dyer and even Okazaki all battling for positions, so rotation seems set to continue in those areas. Danny Simpson is now emerging as a valid 3.9 target following three consecutive starts, while Schlupp’s versatility has earmarked him as a potential “out of position” option amongst the defensive ranks.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, Attacking Midfield
Liverpool
Starting XI: Mignolet: Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno: Milner, Lucas, Can: Lallana (Firmino 67), Coutinho (Ibe 83): Origi (Benteke 46).
- Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged side from the one which drew 0-0 in his first match in charge at Tottenham.
- The German boss continued with the 4-3-2-1 formation, with Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho operating in central attacking midfield roles behind lone striker Divock Origi.
- Christian Benteke came on at half-time for Origi to make his first league appearance since the 1-1 draw against Norwich in Gameweek 6. Roberto Firmino replaced Lallana in a straight swap as the Brazilian continues to build up his match fitness, with Jordon Ibe introduced for the tired Coutinho late on.
- After scoring as a substitute, Benteke looks set to lead the line at Chelsea, particularly if Daniel Sturridge is again ruled out because of his knee injury. Firmino could also be close to earning a starting spot, with Lallana looking the most vulnerable.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Striker, Attacking Midfield
Man City
Starting XI: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernando, Fernandinho; De Bruyne, Toure (Demichelis 77), Sterling (Navas 55); Bony (Iheanacho 83).
- Manuel Pellegrini opted to make three changes for the trip to Old Trafford, with Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov and Fernando starting in place of Eliaquim Mangala, Pablo Zabaleta and Jesus Navas.
- Kompany started alongside Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the defence, with Kolarov at left-back, and Bacary Sagna switching to right-back. Fernando partnered Fernandinho in the double-pivot in Pellegrini’s usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Yaya Toure pushed further forward in the central attacking midfield role. Kevin de Bruyne started on the right flank.
- Raheem Sterling was surprisingly replaced before the hour mark, with Navas introduced on the right flank and de Bruyne switching to the left. Martin Demichelis was brought on to nullify the threat of Marouane Fellaini as a defensive midfielder, while Kelechi Iheancho brought fresh legs in the closing stages.
- Given City face Norwich at home this weekend, Toure may be pushed back to his usual central midfield role, with Navas perhaps earning a recall and Fernando missing out. Sterling could provide pace behind Wilfried Bony in the number ten role, with de Bruyne starting on the left. Zabaleta could also return to the starting XI, with Sagna the most likely to miss out. It remains to be seen how Pellegrini rotates his full-backs, with Zabaleta perhaps preferred in home matches due to his greater attacking qualities. Gael Clichy is close to threatening Kolarov’s start but it perhaps most likely to return after the international break.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-Backs, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield
Man United
Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia (Darmian 81), Jones, Smalling, Rojo; Schweinsteiger (Fellaini 75), Schneiderlin; Mata (Lingard 67), Herrera, Martial; Rooney.
- Louis van Gaal only made one change from the team that won 3-0 at Everton, with Antonio Valencia replacing Matteo Darmian at right-back.
- United lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Wayne Rooney again playing as the central striker, with Anthony Martial stationed on the left of the three attacking midfield positions.
- Juan Mata was replaced by Jesse Lingard, as he was at Goodison Park in Gameweek 9. Marouane Fellaini was introduced in the hope his aerial threat could help produce a winning goal, while Valencia picked up a foot injury in the closing stages, so Darmian entered the fray as a late substitute.
- It was a surprise that van Gaal dropped Darmian, but the Italian could return to the starting XI at Crystal Palace if Valencia is ruled out because of his foot problem. Phil Jones again started alongside Chris Smalling, with Blind seemingly frozen out or limited to pushing Marcos Rojo for the left-back role. Mata should maintain his starting berth, but is clearly under pressure from Lingard, having been replaced on the hour-mark against City. Van Gaal, for the time being at least, is still favouring Rooney as the central striker ahead of Martial. Memphis Depay continues to miss out on selection.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks
Part two of Lineup Lessons, covering the remaining ten teams, will be published later tomorrow.
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