Following the first part of our analysis of the Gameweek 19 teamsheets and formations, we continue with the final ten teams to find Mauricio Pochettino shifting shape, Alan Curtis resting almost his entire XI and West Ham beginning to empty their overcrowded treatment room.
Liverpool
Starting XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Can, Henderson (Lucas 61); Lallana, Firmino (Toure 93); Coutinho (Ibe 83); Benteke.
- Jurgen Klopp made just a single change to the side that earned the 1-0 victory over Leicester City with Divock Origi dropping out with a hamstring problem, handing Christian Benteke the opportunity to lead the attack.
- Liverpool again set up in the regular 4-2-3-1 formation, with Benteke playing in front of Roberto Firmino, flanked by Philippe Coutinho on the left and Adam Lallana on the right.
- Lucas was introduced from the bench on the hour-mark as Jordan Henderson struggled with a heel injury sustained in the first period. Jordan Ibe returned from illness to claim a bench role and was introduced late on as Klopp preserved Coutinho.
- The Liverpool boss will need to check on Henderson’s availability ahead of the weekend trip to Upton Park with the skipper suffering from an ongoing foot complaint that is thought to be incurable. Any doubt on his availability would see Lucas restored alongside the impressive Emre Can in the engine room, with Joe Allen doubtful due to illness. Benteke’s goal will surely see him cement his start for the weekend, with Origi remaining sidelined and Daniel Sturridge not likely to be rushed back into service, despite claims on his fitness levels. The rest of the Liverpool lineup looks settled, with Klopp seemingly content with his current attacking midfield three, despite a lack of goals in recent matches.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Central Striker
Norwich City
Starting XI: Rudd; Martin, R Bennett, Bassong, Brady; Howson, Tettey, Dorrans (O’Neil 84), Hoolahan (Odjidja-Ofoe 88); Redmond; Mbokani (Jerome 88).
- Alex Neil made four changes to the side that suffered a Boxing Day reverse at White Hart Lane. Jonny Howson, Graham Dorrans and Wes Hoolahan all came back into the midfield, while Dieumerci Mbokani led the attack, with Cameron Jerome dropping to the bench. Martin Olsson and Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe also surrendered their starting berths and were named amongst the subs. Youssouf Mulumbu was left out of the matchday squad.
- Whilst Neil maintained a 4-4-1-1, he chose to deploy Nathan Redmond on the left in front of full-back Robbie Brady for the first time this season, with Howson patrolling the right flank.
- Neil had the luxury of being able to introduce late changes as Gary O’Neil replaced Dorrans in the double pivot, whilst Odjidja-Ofoe and Jerome came in for like-for-like swaps with Hoolahan and Mbokani.
- Neil may look to rotate his troops again for another vital home meeting with Southampton this weekend. Andre Wisdom’s hamstring looks set to keep him out of the equation, limiting options at the back. Olsson may return at left-back, pushing Brady forward and seeing Redmond and Howson compete for the right-flank role. Hoolahan could be rested as Neil continues to preserve the playmaker. O’Neil may make a return for Dorrans in the double-pivot, while Mbokani could continue to lead the attack with Neil singing his praises in the press. Rudd seems to have cemented his start in goal, leaving John Ruddy frozen out.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Flanks, Left-back, Central Striker.
Southampton
Starting XI: Stekelenburg; Martina (Maya Yoshida 70), Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Romeu, Wanyama; Tadić (Juanmi 75), Davis, Mané (Ramírez 75); Long.
- Ronald Koeman made two changes from the stunning Boxing Day victory over Arsenal, with Jordy Clasie and James Ward-Prowse dropping to the bench. Oriol Romeu replaced Clasie alongside Victor Wanyama in the double pivot, while Dusan Tadić returned for Ward-Prowse. Both Cedric Soares and Graziano Pelle were ruled out through injury, ensuring that Cuco Martina and Shane Long retained starting berths.
- Southampton again set up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, with Koeman deciding against the three-man defence he employed in the previous away trip at Palace.
- The Saints boss replaced Martina with 20 minutes remaining, introducing Yoshida as he continued the trend of refreshing the right-back area. Juanmi and Gaston Ramirez saw action late on as Tadic and Sadio Mane were preserved, shortly before Southampton fell behind to Andy Carroll’s late winner.
- With both Pelle and Soares remaining sidelined for the weekend trip to Norwich, it appears that Koeman’s options to rest and rotate will be limited once again. This is exacerbated by Romeu’s absence through suspension after he picked up his fifth booking at Upton Park. Clasie looks odds on to return to the engine room, while Ward-Prowse will also push Tadic for a start. Yoshida will be in the reckoning to replace Martina as the right-back area continues to prove problematic for the Saints boss.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, Central Midfield, Flanks, Central Striker.
Stoke City
Starting XI: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Cameron (Walters 78), Whelan; Afellay, Shaqiri, Arnautovic; Bojan (Joselu 63)
- Mark Hughes was able to name an unchanged side to the one that saw off Manchester United on Boxing Day, deploying Geoff Cameron and Glenn Whelan in the double pivot after the pair shook off knocks sustained against Louis van Gaal’s side. Marko Arnautovic started, despite Hughes later admitting that he almost rested the Austrian due to ongoing tightness in his hamstring.
- The Potters set up in their now familiar 4-2-3-1 setup, with Bojan again deployed as the central attacker, buzzing around an formidable attacking midfield three of Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Ibrahim Afellay.
- Hughes preserved Bojan just after the hour mark, introducing Joselu from the bench. It was the first time in four matches that Bojan had been withdrawn, clearly with the weekend encounter with West Brom in mind. Jon Walters later replaced a tiring Cameron as Stoke chased the game having fallen behind to Gerard Deulofeu’s strike.
- Hughes’ lineup has a very settled look to it, with Bojan now established in the striker’s berth and working effectively with Stoke’s wealth of attacking talent in midfield. Cameron’s availability could be a concern after a series of knocks but he looks to have cemented his start alongside the trusted Whelan in the double-pivot. The back four seems unlikely to be touched, despite conceding three goals to Everton. Arnautovic’s availability is a slight concern with Hughes raising the issue of his tightness in the hamstring area.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield
Sunderland
Starting XI: Mannone; Jones, Coates (Yedlin 62), Brown, Van Aanholt; Cattermole, M’Vila; Johnson (Lens 63), Rodwell (Watmore 30) Borini; Defoe.
- Sam Allardyce made four changes to the side that suffered a 4-1 defeat to Man City on Boxing Day. Jermain Defoe, Lee Cattermole, Jack Rodwell and Wes Brown all earned starts as Steven Fletcher and Danny Graham dropped to the bench and Jordi Gomez missed out of the matchday squad. John O’Shea was ruled out with a calf problem, handing Brown his first start of the season alongside Sebastian Coates.
- Big Sam set up his side in a 4-3-3 formation, with Defoe the central striker, flanked by Fabio Borini on the left with Adam Johnson pushing up in support on the opposite flank. In truth, Defoe was often isolated with Borini and Johnson retreating infield to form a midfield five, as Billy Jones and Patrick van Aanholt provided width from full-back.
- Allardyce was forced into an early change when Jack Rodwell pulled up through injury – this introduced Duncan Watmore who was deployed on the right of an attacking midfield three, with Johnson moving to a central position as Sunderland shifted to a 4-2-3-1. Jeremain Lens was introduced for Johnson on the hour-mark, while DeAndre Yedlin was brought on to replace Coates who had suffered a knock. This saw Jones move to a central role alongside Brown.
- Allardyce must count the casualties ahead of the vital home encounter with Aston Villa. The defence looks to be ravaged with both O’Shea and now Coates injury doubts. That will likely see Yedlin get the nod at right-back with Jones and Brown forming a makeshift central pairing. Fletcher could be re-introduced up front with Defoe making way with Allardyce continuing with the 4-2-3-1 setup. Mannone clearly appears to have wrestled the keeper’s jersey from Costel Pantilimon having impressed against Liverpool, despite tasting defeat.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Flanks, Central Striker.
Swansea City
Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Amat (Bartley 77), Williams, Taylor; Cork, Shelvey (Ki Sung-Yueng 56), Grimes, Barrow, Emnes (Sigurdsson 56), Gomis.
- Caretaker boss Alan Curtis made no less than eight changes to his lineup from the side that earned a priceless 1-0 home win over West Brom on Boxing Day. Two were enforced, with Federico Fernández and Wayne Routledge both missing out with injuries. Leon Britton and Angel Rangel were rested from the squad, while Andre Ayew, Ki Sung-yeung, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jefferson Montero all dropped to the bench. Jordi Amat, Matt Grimes and Marvin Emnes were handed their first starts of the season. Kyle Naughton earned a start at right-back, while Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Cork, Modou Barrow and Bafétimbi Gomis were all recalled.
- Curtis set his side up in a 4-3-3 with Emnes and Barrow flanking Gomis as the focal point in attack. Grimes was stationed on the left of the midfield three, with Shelvey tucked in from the right alongside Cork.
- Curtis was forced to swap out Amat late on as he picked up a knock, while both Ki Sung-Yueng and Sigurdsson were introduced on the hour-mark as the Swans looked to mix things up in midfield areas.
- We can expect wholesale changes for the trip to Old Trafford at the weekend, with Ayew, Sigurdsson and Ki all likely to earn recalls to midfield areas. Gomis could retain his starting berth, although Ayew may get the nod in the central striker role, with Curtis likely to shift formation to a 4-2-3-1. Rangel and Britton will also be expected to return to right-back and central midfield respectively. Routledge should be fit and in contention, while Fernandez is a doubt which could see either Amat (if fit) or Kyle Bartley line up alongside skipper Ashley Williams.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Central Striker.
Tottenham Hotspur
Starting XI: Lloris; Alderwiereld, Vertonghen, Dier; Trippier, Carroll (Son 68), Dembele (Eriksen 45), Alli (Chadli 81) , Lamela, Rose; Kane
- Mauricio Pochettino made three changes to the side that earned the points against Norwich on Boxing Day. Both full-backs were switched with Danny Rose coming in for Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier earning his first Premier League start for the club in place of Kyle Walker. Tom Carroll earned a recall in midfield as Christian Eriksen was rested to the bench.
- The Spurs boss adopted a new shape to help counter Watford’s in-form strike partnership of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney. That saw Eric Dier retreat into a three-man defence as Pochettino setup in a 3-4-2-1. Rose and Trippier operated as wing-backs either side of Carroll and Mousa Dembele, with Erik Lamela and Dele Alli sitting in support behind Kane.
- Pochettino was forced to make a change at half-time as Dembele departed with an ankle injury, which saw Alli drop back into central midfield with Eriksen introduced further forward. Son later replaced Carroll and moved up front as Spurs shifted to a 4-1-3-2, deploying Dier in a holding midfield role.
- Dembele has since been ruled out of the trip to Goodison Park. The starts for Trippier and Carroll at Watford could be seen as symptomatic of the shift in formation and both Kyle Walker and Eriksen would seem likely to earn recalls to the starting XI at Everton. Carroll could retain his start in Dembele’s absence, although Ryan Mason is also an option having returned to the bench at Vicarage Road.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield
Watford
Starting XI: Gomes; Anya, Britos (Prodl 60) Cathcart, Aké; Capoue, Watson; Abdi (Behrami 45), Deeney, Jurado (Nyom 67); Ighalo.
- Quique Sanchez Flores made two changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Chelsea on Boxing Day – both at full-back. Nathan Aké returning at left-back after missing the clash with his parent club, while Ikechi Anya replaced Allan Nyom on the opposite side.
- The Hornets retained the 4-2-3-1 formation that has been their mainstay all season, although this often shifted to a regular 4-4-2, with Deeney and Ighalo seeking to occupy Tottenham’s three-man defence.
- Valon Behrami was introduced for Almen Abdi at half-time – he lined up on the right flank, although swapped with Deeney later in the match following Ake’s red card as Nyom was introduced for Jose Jurado just after the hour-mark.
- Flores will again be without Ake for the home meeting with Man City on Sunday, with Jose Holebas likely to step in a left-back. Nyom would seem set to return at right-back with Ikechi Anya either dropping to the bench or taking up a midfield role with Abdi the most likely to make way. Further changes look unlikely, with Flores sticking with trusted personnel and a fluid setup based on the 4-2-3-1. The central defensive role alongside Craig Cathcart remains the only obvious contentious position, with Sebastian Prödl now back from injury to re-contest the spot with Miguel Britos.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence.
West Brom
Starting XI: Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson (Gardner 17), Evans; Sessegnon, Fletcher, Yacob, Brunt; Morrison (Berahino 70); Anichebe (Lambert 87).
- Tony Pulis made two changes to his lineup following the defeat at Swansea on Boxing Day, with Victor Anichebe earning his first league start of the campaign as Rickie Lambert dropped to the bench. Stephane Sessegnon also earned a recall to the teamsheet as Craig Gardner dropped to the bench.
- The Baggies started the match in a 3-4-2-1, with Sessegnon and James Morrison pushed up in support of Anichebe up top. Jonny Evans slotted in on the left side of a three-man defence as Craig Dawson pushed forward into a midfield four on the right. They then switched to a 4-3-3, as Jonas Olson was forced off on 17 minutes. This saw Evans drop in alongside Gareth McAuley and Chris Brunt revert to left-back as Gardner took up a left midfield role. Pulis shifted again to a 4-1-4-1 with Yacob screening the back four, as the Baggies looked to protect their lead.
- Saido Berahino was almost reluctantly introduced on 70 minutes as Pulis chased three points. He later brought on Lambert from the bench as Anichebe was forced off with a hamstring problem.
- The Baggies boss will be loath to change a winning formula but could be without both Olsson and Anichebe for the visit of in-form Stoke City. Lambert would likely return to lead the attack, while Pulis has the option of handing a start to James Chester should he elect to go with three up front. It seems more likely that we’ll see Brunt at left-back in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 setup.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-back, Central Defence, Central Striker
West Ham
Starting XI: Adrian, Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Jenkinson; Kouyate, Song (Lanzini 46); Noble, Antonio, Zarate (Carroll 46), Valencia (Obiang 87)
- Slaven Bilic made two changes to the side held to a draw at Villa Park on Boxing Day, with Carl Jenkinson stepping in at left-back for the injured Aaron Cresswell, while Pedro Obiang dropped out for Alex Song in midfield. Both Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini returned to the bench following injury.
- The Hammers setup in a 4-2-3-1 with Enner Valencia again leading the attack, supported by Michail Antonio on the right of an attacking midfield three that also comprised of Mark Noble and Mauro Zarate.
- Bilic rolled the dice on the fitness of both Carroll and Lanzini at half-time as the Hammers trailed. Noble dropped back into the double pivot alongside Cheikhou Kouyate, allowing Lanzini to take up a central role in the attacking midfield positions, pushing up behind Carroll, with Valencia shifting to the left-flank.
- Bilic’s options for the visit of Liverpool this weekend are not only boosted by the availability of both Lanzini and Carroll, the Hammers boss has also confirmed that Dimitri Payet is in contention to play some part. Bilic may not elect to throw the Frenchman straight into the fray, with Lanzini and Carroll more likely to earn immediate starts. Antonio should retain his starting berth for now, then, with Valencia and Song the most likely to drop to the bench. Both Winston Reid and Victor Moses are close to a return and will likely be considerations for Gameweek 21’s trip to Bournemouth, casting more uncertainty on Bilic’s starting XI.
Current Status: Very unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield, Central Striker.

