Manuel Pellegrini reverts to a 4-2-3-1 set-up for the Manchester derby. Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi nets on his first league start of the season, Loic Remy leads the line for Chelsea’s clash with West Ham, whilst Jurgen Klopp opts for a two-man frontline for Liverpool’s trip to St Mary’s.
Arsenal
Starting XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal; Coquelin, Elneny; Iwobi (Chambers 86), Ozil (Gibbs 74), Sanchez; Welbeck (Giroud 74).
- Arsene Wenger made three changes from the side that drew 2-2 in Arsenal’s last league match against Tottenham for the trip to Everton, with Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi coming in for Per Mertesacker, Kieran Gibbs and the injured Aaron Ramsey.
- The Gunners lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Iwobi stationed on the left of the three advanced midfield positions, leaving Alexis Sanchez on the opposite flank. Koscielny and Monreal slotted into their normal positions at centre-back and left-back respectively.
- Mesut Ozil picked up a slight ankle injury and had to be substituted with 15 minutes remaining, with Kieran Gibbs taking his place. That change saw Gibbs play on the left flank, with Iwobi moving into the number ten role. At the same time, Olivier Giroud replaced Danny Welbeck in a straight swap. Calum Chambers was then brought on for Iwobi for the final few minutes in a defensive move to help see out the 2-0 victory.
- Ozil’s ankle injury isn’t thought to be serious, and with 12 days until the next league match, the German should be fit to face Watford. David Ospina picked up a slight back problem during the match at Goodison Park, but he also appears likely to be fit for the next match. Petr Cech (calf) could be close to a comeback after the international break though. Given his recent form, Welbeck looks to have a fairly firm grip over the lone striker role, while Iwobi could keep his spot ahead of Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell after impressing over the past week. Gabriel is also increasingly looking the preferred partner for Koscielny in central defence ahead of Mertesacker.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Flanks, Lone Striker
Aston Villa
Starting XI: Guzan; Hutton, Clark, Lescott, Cissokho; Westwood, Gueye; Ayew, Carles Gil (Agbonlahor 74), Veretout (Green 60); Gestede.
- Remi Garde only made one change for the trip to Swansea, with Ciaran Clark coming in for Jores Okore.
- Clark started alongside Joleon Lescott in central defence. Carles Gil (right), Jordan Veretout (number ten) and Jordan Ayew (left) formed the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Rudy Gestede in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
- Youngster Andre Green again made an entrance off the bench, coming on for Veretout in a straight swap on the hour mark. Gabriel Agbonlahor then replaced Gil down the right wing with 15 minutes remaining.
- Carlos Sanchez returned to the bench against the Swans following a hamstring injury, and may push for a start when Villa entertain Chelsea after the international break. Green, Agbonlahor and Scott Sinclair provide different options out wide, while Okore and Micah Richards, should the latter recover from a groin injury, could challenge Clark and Lescott for starting berths in central defence.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks
Bournemouth
Starting XI: Boruc; Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Surman, After (O’Kane 46), Ritchie, Gradel (Pugh 69); King, Afobe (Grabban 46).
- Eddie Howe only made one adjustment for the trip to White Hart Lane, with the fit-again Harry Arter returning in place of Dan Gosling.
- Arter returned alongside Andrew Surman in central midfield in the 4-4-1-1 formation. It was Josh King who again played as the most advanced forward, with Benik Afobe operating in the number ten role.
- After a disappointing first half display which saw the Cherries trail 2-0, Howe made a double substitution at the break, with Eunan O’Kane and Lewis Grabban coming on for Arter and Afobe. O’Kane took over in central midfield, while Grabban operated alongside King in attack, forming more of an orthodox 4-4-2. Howe’s final change saw Marc Pugh come on for Max Gradel in a straight swap with 20 minutes left on the clock.
- The manner in which Tottenham tore through Bournemouth in the first half may make Howe consider a return to the slightly more defensive 4-1-4-1 formation when they face Man City in 12 days time. O’Kane or Gosling could return to the starting XI should that be the case, with one of Afobe or King dropping out of the side. Grabban is also pushing for a start though, with his chances of a recall looking far more likely should Howe stick with the 4-4-1-1 system.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield
Chelsea
Starting XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar (Loftus-Cheek 84), Kenedy (Pedro 46); Remy (Traore 62).
- Guus Hiddink made four alterations from the side which drew 1-1 against Stoke, with the fit-again John Terry returning in place of Baba Rahman. Elsewhere, Cesc Fabregas, Kenedy and Loic Remy replaced Nemanja Matic, Bertrand Traore and the injured Eden Hazard.
- Kenedy started on the left of the attacking midfield trio for the Blues in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Remy operated as the lone striker, while Fabregas was stationed alongside John Obi Mikel in the double-pivot. Terry started next to Gary Cahill in central defence, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic returning to left-back and right-back respectively.
- Hiddink made his first substitution at half-time, with Pedro coming on for Kenedy, who had to be replaced after suffering a head injury. Traore then took to the field in place of Remy in a straight swap shortly after the hour-mark. The final change saw Ruben Loftus-Cheek come on for Oscar for the final few minutes.
- Should Hazard (hip) remain out for Chelsea’s next league match against Aston Villa, Pedro could challenge Kenedy for the starting spot on the left flank. Diego Costa will again be unavailable due to suspension, so Traore may earn a recall in place of Remy as the lone striker.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, Central Striker
Crystal Palace
Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare (Kelly 45); Cabaye, Jedinak, Ledley; Zaha, Bolasie; Adebayor (Sako 45).
- Alan Pardew only made one adjustment from the side that lost 2-1 to Liverpool in Palace’s last league match, with the fit-again Wayne Hennessey replacing Alex McCarthy in goal.
- Pardew opted for a 4-3-3 formation against Leicester, with Wilfried Zaha (right) and Yannick Bolasie (left) flanking central striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
- With the Eagles trailing 1-0 at half-time, Pardew made a double substitution at the break, with Martin Kelly replacing Pape Souare at left-back, while Bakary Sako entered the fray in place of Adebayor. That change saw Bolasie move to the central striker role, with Sako playing on the left, although the front three all interchanged during the course of the second half.
- Souare’s status as the first-choice left-back may be under slight threat, with Kelly seemingly vying for the position. Sako is slowly building his match fitness and could be ready to start against West Ham following the international break, so he could form part of the front three alongside Zaha and Bolasie, with the latter taking the central striker role. One of either Mile Jedinak or Joe Ledley could drop out of the side to accommodate Sako and Adebayor in a 4-2-3-1 formation though. Jason Puncheon will also be in contention after recovering from injury.
Current Status: Fairly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield, Flanks, Central Striker
Everton
Starting XI: Robles; Coleman, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines; McCarthy, Besic (Stones 45); Lennon, Barkley (Deulofeu 74), Cleverley; Lukaku.
- Roberto Martinez made three alterations from the side that lost 3-2 to West Ham in Everton’s last league match, with Leighton Baines coming in for Bryan Oviedo (illness), while Muhamed Besic and Tom Cleverley replaced the suspended Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas.
- Besic was stationed alongside James McCarthy in the double-pivot in Martinez’ standard 4-2-3-1 formation, while Cleverley started on the left of the attacking midfield trio. Baines played in his normal position at left-back.
- After a poor first-half display which saw the Toffees go in 2-0 down at the break, Martinez made a change at half-time, with John Stones coming on in place of Besic as Martinez switched to three at the back. With 15 minutes remaining, Gerard Deulofeu was sent on for Ross Barkley, with the Spaniard operating down the right flank. Aaron Lennon switched over to the left, with Cleverley moving to the number ten role.
- Following such a lacklustre display, Martinez may decide to make a few changes for Everton’s next match, away to Man United on April 3. Oviedo should be over the illness that forced him to miss Saturday’s match, and could challenge Baines for the left-back berth, while Stones could earn a recall, either in central defence or in a defensive midfield role, with Barry still out due to suspension. Mirallas will be available after serving his suspension, so he and Deulofeu may push for a starting position out wide, with Cleverley’s starting spot perhaps looking the most in doubt.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks
Leicester
Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez (Schlupp 86), Kante, Drinkwater, Albrighton; Okazaki (Ulloa 76), Vardy.
- Claudio Ranieri once again named an unchanged starting XI as the league leaders travelled to Selhurst Park.
- The Foxes lined up in their usual 4-4-1-1 formation in south London.
- Leonardo Ulloa was again summoned from the bench, replacing Shinji Okazaki in a straight swap with 15 minutes remaining. Jeffrey Schlupp then came on for Riyad Mahrez for the final few minutes, with Schlupp playing on the left of midfield, meaning Marc Albrighton switched over to the right flank.
- Providing there are no injuries picked up during the international break, Ranieri looks set to name an unchanged side once again when his team face Southampton. Schlupp offers an alternative to Albrighton on the left-wing, but appears very unlikely to force his way into the starting XI.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas:
Liverpool
Starting XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren (Skrtel 46), Sakho, Flanagan, Lallana, Allen (Ojo 87), Emre Can, Coutinho, Sturridge (Benteke 70), Origi.
- Jurgen Klopp made three alterations from the side that beat Crystal Palace 2-1 for the trip to St Mary’s, with Philippe Coutinho coming in for the suspended James Milner, while Daniel Sturridge started in place of the injured Roberto Firmino. The final change saw Joe Allen come in for Jordan Henderson.
- Klopp opted for what appeared to be a 4-2-2-2 formation against Southampton, with Allen stationed alongside Emre Can at the base of midfield. Adam Lallana and Coutinho then operated fairly centrally in the attacking midfield positions, with Sturridge alongside Divock Origi in attack.
- After picking up a yellow card in the first half, Klopp decided to take off Dejan Lovren at half-time, with Martin Skrtel coming on in the Croatian’s place. Sturridge was given 70 minutes before being replaced by Christian Benteke in a straight swap, with the final substitution seeing Sheyi Ojo come on for Allen as the Reds searched for a late equaliser.
- Given the negative effect the half-time substitution made, it would appear likely that Lovren will maintain his starting berth against Tottenham in Liverpool’s next league match, with Skrtel a very unlikely starter. Alberto Moreno (hamstring) may be available to return for that match, with rotation now a concern in the full-back areas with Nathaniel Clyne and Jon Flanagan also viable starters. Henderson was perhaps just rested for yesterday’s match, so he looks set to come back into the side for Allen, while should Firmino recover from a hamstring injury, he should return in place of Origi. Milner will also be available after serving his suspension and could push for a recall.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-Backs, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks
Man City
Starting XI: Hart (Caballero 50); Sagna, Demichelis (Bony 53), Mangala, Clichy; Toure, Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, Sterling (Fernando 26); Aguero.
- Manuel Pellegrini made four changes from the side that draw 0-0 against Norwich for the Manchester derby, with Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis coming in for the injured Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi, while the fit-again Yaya Toure and Raheem Sterling started in place of Fernando and Wilfried Bony.
- Those changes saw City return to the 4-2-3-1 formation having lined up in a 4-4-2 in the last two league matches, with Sterling stationed on the left of the attacking midfield trio. Toure started alongside Fernandinho at the base of midfield, while Mangala and Demichelis formed the centre-back partnership.
- Pellegrini was forced into making an early change after Sterling picked up a groin injury. Fernando took his place, with the substitute moving into centre midfield next to Fernandinho, allowing Toure to push forward into the central attacking midfield position. David Silva moved over to the left flank. Another substitution was forced upon Pellegrini shortly after half-time when Joe Hart picked up a calf problem after being played into trouble by Demichelis. He was replaced by Willy Caballero in goal, while the City boss made his final change just three minutes after, with Bony replacing Demichelis. That left City ending the match with three at the back, with Bony stationed alongside Sergio Aguero in attack.
- Hart and Sterling look set to miss England’s friendlies over the next week or so, and look very doubtful for City next match against Bournemouth on April 2, with the pair possibly facing around a month on the sidelines. Otamendi should be fit to return against the Cherries, so Demichelis should drop out of the starting XI after a very poor display. Should Sterling be ruled out, Pellegrini may go back to the 4-4-2 to incorporate Bony or Kelechi Iheanacho in the side. Kevin de Bruyne, Samir Nasri and Fabian Delph are all closing in on first-team returns, but none of the trio appear likely to be fit enough to start against Bournemouth in 12 days time.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Central Defence, Flanks, Support Striker
Man United
Starting XI: De Gea; Darmian (Fosu-Mensah 84), Smalling, Blind, Rojo (Valencia 62); Carrick, Schneiderlin; Lingard, Mata (Schweinsteiger 70), Martial; Rashford.
- Louis van Gaal only made one adjustment from the side that lost 1-0 to West Brom in United’s last league match for the trip to neighbours Man City, with Morgan Schneiderlin replacing the injured Ander Herrera.
- Schneiderlin started alongside Michael Carrick at the base of midfield in Van Gaal’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. Marcus Rashford continued as the lone striker, with Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata operating fluidly between the number ten role and the position wide on the right of the attacking midfield trio.
- Marcos Rojo was the first player substituted, with the Argentinian having picked up a few niggles during the match. Antonio Valencia took over at right-back for United, with Matteo Darmian shifting over to left-back. The Italian himself was replaced with six minutes left on the clock after suffering with cramp – youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah took over at left-back. Van Gaal’s other change saw Bastian Schweinsteiger come on for Juan Mata with 20 minutes remaining, with the German’s introduction seeing United end the match in a 4-3-3 system to help hold onto their 1-0 lead.
- Both Rojo and Darmian have had their injury problems this season, and although they look the first-choice options at the moment, Valencia and Guillermo Varela do offer viable alternatives, as does Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, when fit. Rotation may continue in the middle of the park, with Schweinsteiger and Herrera viable options to replace either Carrick or Schneiderlin.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Full-Backs, Central Midfield
Part two of Lineup Lessons, covering the remaining ten teams, will be published later this week.
