Dusan Tadic impresses from a central support role in Southampton’s win at Watford. Swansea City new boy Luciano Narsingh is handed his first start since arriving in the January transfer window, while West Ham’s Andy Carroll returns from injury to lead the line against Chelsea.
After rolling out Part One yesterday, here’s the rundown on the remaining ten teams as we assess the teamsheets and tactics on show.
Chelsea
Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses (Zouma 76), Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro (Matic 65), Costa, Hazard (Willian 75).
- Antonio Conte named the same team that defeated Swansea City 3-1 for the trip to the London Stadium.
- That saw Cesc Fabregas retain his place in central midfield alongside N’Golo Kante in the usual 3-4-3 formation, with Nemanja Matic having to settle for a place on the bench.
- Conte’s first substitution saw Matic enter the fray in place of Pedro shortly after the hour mark. Matic joined Fabregas and Kante in midfield, with Eden Hazard playing off Diego Costa in more of a 3-5-1-1 system. Then Hazard made way for Willian for the final 15 minutes, while Kurt Zouma replaced Victor Moses. Zouma played in the back three, with Cesar Azpilicueta moving to right wing-back.
- Chelsea don’t play again in the league until March 18, with the only real dilemma looking like Fabregas versus Matic for the role alongside Kante. Pedro’s form means he should keep Willian out of the side.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield
Middlesbrough
Starting XI: Valdes, Fabio, Ayala (Bernardo Espinosa 8), Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter (Guedioura 75), De Roon, Clayton, Traore, Gestede, Ramirez (Stuani 46).
- Aitor Karanka made five changes from the team that lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace for the trip to the bet365 Stadium, with George Friend, Grant Leadbitter, Adam Clayton, Adama Traore and Rudy Gestede replacing Bernardo Espinosa, Adam Forshaw, Stewart Downing, Cristhian Stuani and Alvaro Negredo.
- Those changes saw Karanka switch back to his more favoured 4-3-3 formation, having experimented with a 3-5-2 at Selhurst Park. Friend returned from injury at left-back, while Marten de Roon and Leadbitter played just ahead of defensive midfielder Clayton in the middle of the park. Gaston Ramirez (right) and Traore (left) flanked central striker Gestede.
- Karanka was forced into making a change after just eight minutes, though, with Bernardo having to come on in place of Ayala after the Spaniard suffered a muscular injury. Then, with his side 2-0 down at half-time, Karanka brought on Stuani in place of Ramirez. Stuani played on the left flank, with Traore moving over to the right. Karanka’s final substitution saw Adlene Guedioura take over from Leadbitter in central midfield for the final 15 minutes.
- Winless in ten matches, Karanka is likely to continue tinkering as he looks to find a winning formula. Boro miss out in Gameweek 28, with their next match coming at home to Manchester United in Gameweek 29. Calum Chambers (foot) may still not be back by then, so one of either Ayala – providing he’s fit – or Bernardo may partner Ben Gibson in central defence. The ‘Boro boss could consider handing starts to the likes of Forshaw and Guedioura in central midfield, while a change in formation could also be a possibility, with forwards Negredo and Stuani likely to push for recalls.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Forwards
Southampton
Starting XI: Forster; Cedric, Yoshida, Stephens, Bertrand; Davis, Romeu, Ward-Prowse (Boufal 78); Tadic (Clasie 87), Gabbiadini (Long 84), Redmond.
- Saints boss Claude Puel named the same starting XI that lined up in the EFL Cup final against Manchester United for the trip to Vicarage Road.
- Puel lined his side up in a defined 4-2-3-1, with James Ward-Prowse (right), Dusan Tadic (No 10) and Nathan Redmond (left) forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Manolo Gabbiadini.
- Puel’s first substitution saw Sofiane Boufal take over from Ward-Prowse on the right wing for the final 12 minutes. Shane Long then replaced Gabbiadini as the lone striker, with Jordy Clasie handed a few minutes late on in place of Tadic in a defensive move as the Saints looked to hold a 4-2 lead. Clasie joined Oriol Romeu and Steven Davis in central midfield, seeing Southampton finish the match in a 4-3-3.
- After a strong performance in the 4-3 win over Watford, and with his side not playing again until they travel to Spurs in Gameweek 29, Puel may consider naming an unchanged starting XI once again. If he does consider going for a slightly more defensive formation, Clasie or Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could start in place of Ward-Prowse, or the England U21 could himself slot back into central midfield to form in a 4-3-3.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Right Wing
Stoke City
Starting XI: Grant, Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi (Afellay 87), Pieters, Cameron, Whelan, Sobhi, Allen, Arnautovic (Diouf 64), Crouch (Berahino 77).
- Mark Hughes made two changes from the side that lost 4-0 to Spurs for the home clash against Middlesbrough, with Glen Johnson and Geoff Cameron starting in place of Phil Bardsley and Charlie Adam.
- Johnson returned at right-back for the Potters, while Cameron joined Glenn Whelan at the base of midfield in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation favoured by Hughes. Peter Crouch kept his place up front, despite Saido Berahino pushing to make his first start for Stoke.
- Despite scoring twice, Marko Arnautovic was struggling with illness on Saturday and had to be taken off just after the hour mark, with Mame Biram Diouf coming on in his place on the right wing. Berahino took over from Crouch as the lone striker for the final 13 minutes, while Bruno Martins Indi had to be replaced late on after suffering a knee problem. Ibrahim Afellay came on in his place, and played in central midfield, with Cameron dropping back into the back four for the final few minutes.
- In his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Man City, Hughes admitted that Martins Indi, Arnautovic and Johnson, who injured his shoulder on Saturday, are all doubts. Bardsley looks the obvious replacement at right-back should Johnson be ruled out, while Hughes revealed that Xherdan Shaqiri is available to face City, and could potentially replace Arnautovic if the Austrian is unavailable. Diouf and Jon Walters provide other options out wide for the Potters. There appear to be less alternatives in central defence if Martins Indi is ruled out, with either Cameron or Marc Muniesa likely to fill in. Adam may earn a recall in central midfield, then, if Cameron is required in defence, with Afellay and Giannelli Imbula the other options. Crouch may again be able to hold off the challenge of Berahino for the lone striker role.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Right Wing, Lone Striker
Sunderland
Starting XI: Pickford; Jones, Kone, O’Shea, Oviedo; Larsson, Gibson (Rodwell 69); Januzaj (Khazri 82), Ndong, Borini; Defoe.
- David Moyes named an unchanged starting XI for the visit of Manchester City to the Stadium of Light.
- Moyes did tweak the formation slightly, though, opting for a 4-2-3-1 setup. Didier Ndong was pushed into a central attacking midfield role, flanked by Adnan Januzaj (right) and Fabio Borini (left). That left Darron Gibson and Sebastian Larsson in central midfield for the home side.
- After picking up a slight knock, Gibson made way for Jack Rodwell in a straight swap with 21 minutes remaining. Moyes’ only other substitution saw Wahbi Khazri take over from Januzaj on the right wing for the final eight minutes.
- With Sunderland’s next match coming at home to Burnley in Gameweek 29, Moyes is likely to stick with an attacking line-up for what appears to be a must-win scenario. Personnel changes in the front four seem unlikely given the lack of viable alternatives, but Rodwell could come in to replace Gibson in central midfield. Steven Pienaar (calf) and Jan Kirchhoff (knee) will be close to a return in 12 days time, though, perhaps providing further options for Moyes. In defence, Papy Djilobodji may push for a recall at centre-back in place of John O’Shea.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Centre-Back, Central Midfield
Swansea City
Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton (Rangel 89), Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson; Carroll (Amat 90), Fer, Cork; Narsingh (Ayew 73), Llorente, Sigurdsson.
- Paul Clement made one change for the visit of Burnley to the Liberty Stadium, with Luciano Narsingh handed his first Premier League start in place of Wayne Routledge.
- Narsingh started on the right of the front three in the 4-3-3 formation favoured under Clement since his arrival in January.
- The Dutchman was the first player to be replaced, though, making way for Jordan Ayew in a straight swap with 17 minutes remaining. Angel Rangel then came on for Kyle Naughton, after the right-back suffered a hamstring problem. After taking a 3-2 lead in stoppage-time, Clement brought on centre-back Jordi Amat in place of Tom Carroll, seeing the Swans finish the match in a 5-4-1 system.
- Naughton will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s trip to Hull, with Rangel set to deputise if he is ruled out. Narsingh could keep his place on the right wing, although Ayew and Wayne Routledge offer viable alternatives.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Right Wing
Tottenham Hotspur
Starting XI: Lloris, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Walker, Wanyama, Dembele (Winks 78), Davies, Eriksen (Sissoko 87), Alli, Kane (Janssen 90).
- Mauricio Pochettino named the same side that beat Stoke City 4-0 for the home clash against Everton, with pre-match doubts Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Harry Kane all passed fit.
- The Spurs boss stuck with the 3-4-2-1 formation, then, with Dier lining up alongside Alderweireld and Vertonghen in the three-man defence. Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen started in the central attacking midfield positions behind lone striker Kane.
- With 12 minutes remaining, Pochettino introduced Harry Winks for Mousa Dembele in central midfield. Moussa Sissoko and Vincent Janssen replaced Eriksen and Kane in straight swaps late on.
- Providing Spurs don’t pick up any new injuries ahead of their Gameweek 29 home clash against Southampton, Pochettino may well choose to select an unchanged starting XI. Danny Rose (knee) isn’t expected to be back until April, so Ben Davies should keep his place at left wing-back. Son Heung-min is unlikely to earn a recall given the success of the 3-4-2-1 over the past two matches.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: None
Watford
Starting XI: Gomes; Holebas, Kaboul, Prodl, Britos; Capoue (Success 70), Behrami, Cleverley, Niang; Deeney, Okaka (Doucoure 89).
- Hornets head coach Walter Mazzarri made two changes for the home encounter against Southampton, with Sebastian Prodl and Stefano Okaka coming in for the injured Daryl Janmaat and Mauro Zarate.
- Prodl started alongside Miguel Britos in central defence, with Younes Kaboul shifting over to right-back. Okaka played alongside Troy Deeney in attack in what was more of a 4-4-2. M’Baye Niang played on the right side of midfield, with Etienne Capoue stationed on the left flank.
- Mazzarri’s first substitution saw Isaac Success take over from Capoue for the last 20 minutes. Abdoulaye Doucoure replaced Okaka in the dying minutes.
- With Watford not playing again until they travel to take on Palace in Gameweek 29, Mazzarri may be able to call upon Janmaat (groin) for the trip to Selhurst Park. If the Dutchman is fit, Kaboul may start at centre-back, with one of Britos or Prodl perhaps dropping to the bench. If the Italian sticks with the 4-4-2, the front six could stay unchanged. The same players could also fit in a 4-3-3, although Success and Doucoure do provide viable alternatives.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Flanks, Forwards
West Bromwich Albion
Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Nyom (Robson-Kanu 71); Fletcher (Leko 81), Livermore; Brunt, Morrison, Chadli (McClean 63); Rondon.
- Tony Pulis named the same side that beat Bournemouth 2-1 for the visit of Crystal Palace to The Hawthorns.
- The Baggies lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Darren Fletcher dropping into a deeper midfield role alongside Jake Livermore. Chris Brunt (right), James Morrison (No 10) and Nacer Chadli formed the attacking midfield trio.
- Chadli was again hauled off around the hour mark, with James McClean taking over from the Belgian on the left wing. Pulis then decided to introduce Hal Robson-Kanu in place of Allan Nyom, with the final change seeing Jonathan Leko replace Darren Fletcher. Leko played on the right side of midfield in what was more of a 4-4-2, with Robson-Kanu joining Salomon Rondon up front.
- With Matt Phillips (hamstring) thought to have been close to a comeback last weekend, he may have a good chance of being fit to return against Everton on Saturday. In the event he is fit and is chosen to start, Brunt could be moved to left-back, allowing Phillips to slot in on the right wing. If Phillips is unavailable once again, McClean provides the main alternative out wide. Claudio Yacob may also come into contention for a recall following the 2-0 defeat to Palace, with Livermore’s starting place appearing slightly vulnerable.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield, Flanks
West Ham United
Starting XI: Randolph; Kouyate, Reid (Byram 64), Fonte, Cresswell: Obiang, Noble (Fernandes 77); Feghouli (Ayew 64), Lanzini, Snodgrass; Carroll.
- West Ham boss Slaven Bilic was forced into making one change from the side that drew 1-1 against Watford for the home fixture against Chelsea, with the fit-again Andy Carroll replacing the suspended Michail Antonio.
- Carroll came in as the lone striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation, then, with Sofiane Feghouli (right), Manuel Lanzini (No 10) and Robert Snodgrass (left) forming the attacking midfield trio.
- With his side 2-0 behind, Bilic decided to introduce Sam Byram and Andre Ayew in place of Winston Reid and Feghouli. Byram played at right-back, with Cheikhou Kouyate moving to centre-back. Ayew played in the No 10 role, with Lanzini moving out to the right of the attacking midfield trio. Then Mark Noble, who was a doubt pre-match with a niggle, made way for Edimilson Fernandes in a straight swap.
- Reid was forced off with what appeared to be an ankle knock, so should he be ruled out for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, Kouyate or James Collins could start at centre-back. If Kouyate moves inside, Byram would be the favourite to come in at right-back. Bilic faces some tough decisions in attack, with Antonio back from his one-match ban, while Ayew made an impact from the bench for the second match running. The starting spots of Feghouli and/or Snodgrass, in particular, appear vulnerable, with the Hammers boss perhaps moving back to 4-4-2 to accommodate Antonio alongside Carroll up front.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Defence, Attacking Midfield, Flanks
