The return of Sadio Mane proves the catalyst for Mohamed Salah’s biggest return of the season in a new central role as Liverpool sweep aside West Ham.
Elsewhere, Alexis Sanchez is moved up front as Alexandre Lacazette drops to the bench for Arsenal’s trip to Man City, while Eden Hazard switches back to a No 10 role as N’Golo Kante returns in Chelsea’s win over Man United.
Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 11, with one eye on what’s to come following the international break.
Arsenal
Starting XI: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Xhaka (Wilshere 78), Coquelin (Lacazette 56), Ramsey, Ozil, Iwobi (Giroud 78), Sanchez. Subs not used: Debuchy, Walcott, Elneny, Macey.
- What we saw: Gunners boss Arsene Wenger kept faith in his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation for the trip to Manchester City, although he did make a couple of key personnel changes. With Per Mertesacker (illness) and Rob Holding (thigh) both unavailable, Francis Coquelin was deployed in the three-man backline, while in attack Alexis Sanchez was stationed as the lone striker, with Alexandre Lacazette dropping to the bench. Alex Iwobi was recalled in the advanced midfield positions due to Sanchez’s change of role. After introducing Lacazette from the bench, Wenger switched to more of a 4-2-3-1, with Sanchez shifting to the left flank. Olivier Giroud was eventually brought on as the central striker, with Lacazette moving to the right.
- What we learned: Mertesacker should be available to return against Tottenham Hotspur after the international break, while Shkodran Mustafi (thigh) may also be close to a return. So Francis Coquelin is likely to drop to the bench, unless either he or Mohamed Elneny are used in a defensive midfield role. Lacazette is surely likely to be recalled in attack, with Sanchez favourite to take Iwobi’s place in the attacking midfield spots.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield, lone striker
Bournemouth
Starting XI: Begovic; Francis, Ake, Cook, Daniels; Ibe (Defoe 76), Arter, Surman, Pugh; King, Wilson (A Smith 75). Subs not used: Boruc, Gosling, L. Cook, Fraser, Mousset.
- What we saw: After using a three-man defence against Chelsea, Eddie Howe switched to a 4-4-2 formation for the trip to Newcastle United. Josh King was fit to start in attack, and was partnered by Callum Wilson, who made his first league start of the season. Harry Arter was recalled in central midfield, while Adam Smith dropped to the bench, seeing Simon Francis given the nod at right-back. Smith did then enter the fray on the right side of midfield, while Jermain Defoe came on in attack.
- What we learned: After finding the winning formula, and with a home match against Huddersfield Town up next, Howe isn’t expected to make many changes for Gameweek 12. Junior Stanislas and Benik Afobe (groin) could push for starts in place of Marc Pugh and Wilson if they’re available, but Francis, Steve Cook and Arter are likely to retain their berths at the expense of Adam Smith and Lewis Cook.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left wing, forwards
Brighton & Hove Albion
Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert, Stephens, Propper, Izquierdo (March 66); Gross (Brown 85); Murray (Hemed 78). Subs not used: Goldson, Schelotto, Krul, Suttner.
- What we saw: Chris Hughton unsurprisingly named an unchanged starting XI for the trip to Swansea City, although Pascal Gross did play more alongside Glenn Murray in attack in a 4-4-2 formation. That did become at 4-4-1-1 late on, when Izzy Brown replaced Gross for the final five minutes.
- What we learned: With the Seagulls playing so well, Hughton may again name an unchanged side for the home fixture against Stoke City after the international break. As it stands, Gaeten Bong and Jose Izquierdo look to have seen off the challenges of Markus Suttner and Solly March down the left flank.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: None
Burnley
Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson, Defour, Cork, Brady; Hendrick (Barnes 65); Wood (Vokes 65). Subs not used: Arfield, Lindegaard, Long, Westwood, Barnes, Bardsley.
- What we saw: Sean Dyche recalled the fit-again Chris Wood for the trip to Southampton, with Ashley Barnes dropping to the bench. The Clarets lined up in more of a 4-5-1 formation at St Mary’s, with Jeff Hendrick playing deeper alongside Steven Defour and Jack Cork in central midfield. The Burnley boss did switch to a more positive 4-4-1-1 following the introductions of Barnes and Sam Vokes, though.
- What we learned: On a tremendous run of form, Dyche may name an unchanged starting XI for the visit of Swansea City to Turf Moor after the international break. Hendrick seems likely to return to a central support role against the struggling Welsh outfit, seeing the Clarets start the match in a 4-4-1-1 system. However, after scoring the winner last weekend, Vokes could push for a start, either in place of, or alongside Wood in a 4-4-2.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Forwards
Chelsea
Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta (Rudiger 66), Bakayoko, Kante, Fabregas (Drinkwater 79), Alonso; Hazard (Willian 86); Morata. Subs not used: Caballero, Ampadu, Pedro, Batshuayi.
- What we saw: Antonio Conte made a subtle tactical tweak for the visit of Manchester United to Stamford Bridge, opting for a 3-1-4-1-1 system. The fit-again N’Golo Kante returned in the defensive midfield role, with Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko playing slightly further forward in the middle of the park. Eden Hazard supported Alvaro Morata in attack, while Davide Zappacosta was preferred at right wing-back. Andreas Christensen was a surprise starter in the back three, with David Luiz left out of the matchday squad. Antonio Rudiger was brought on for Zappacosta just after the hour mark, with the substitute stationed on the right of the three-man backline, seeing Cesar Azpilicueta shift across to right wing-back. The Blues switched to a 5-4-1 late on, with Willian playing on the right side of midfield, while Bakayoko operated down the opposite flank.
- What we learned: The change of system brought reward, so Conte will surely consider the same formation against West Bromwich Albion after the international break. That would make personnel changes less likely, with the option to perhaps use Azpilicueta at right wing-back, with Rudiger moving into the back three. Victor Moses will also be an option at right wing-back if he is available following a hamstring injury. Alternatively, in a 3-4-2-1, Pedro or Willian are options to start, with one of Fabregas or Bakayoko making way. Luiz could struggle to find a way back into the XI after being dropped completely amid reports of a falling out with Conte.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right wing-back, central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield
Crystal Palace
Starting XI: Speroni; Fosu-Mensah, Dann, Sakho, Ward (Sako 76); Loftus-Cheek, Cabaye, Milivojevic, Schlupp; Townsend, Zaha. Subs not used: Tomkins, Hennessey, McArthur, Souare, Puncheon, Riedewald.
- What we saw: Eagles boss Roy Hodgson again rolled out a 4-4-2 formation for the trip to Wembley Stadium. Mamadou Sakho returned from injury to replace James Tomkins in central defence, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah came in for the injured Patrick van Aanholt. The Manchester United loanee operated at right-back, with Joel Ward switching to left-back. In search of a late equaliser, Hodgson switched to a more attacking 4-3-3, with substitute Bakary Sako playing as a central striker, flanked by Wilfried Zaha (right) and Andros Townsend (left). Jeffrey Schlupp slotted in at left-back for the final 14 minutes.
- What we learned: The Palace side has had a pretty settled look to it of late mainly due to a lack of options. That could also limit changes for the Gameweek 12 home meeting with Everton, unless Christian Benteke is considered fit enough for a return. That would surely see Zaha move to a flank role with Jeffrey Schlupp likely to make way or shift to left-back. Hodgson could also revert to a 4-3-3 if that’s the case, moving Townsend to a flank role and shifting Ruben Loftus-Cheek central.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs
Everton
Starting XI: Pickford; Kenny, Jagielka, Keane, Baines; Baningime (Lookman 55), Gueye, Davies; Sigurdsson (Lennon 85), Niasse, Rooney (Calvert-Lewin 70). Subs not used: Robles, Williams, Besic, Lennon, Holgate.
- What we saw: After being overrun in midfield against Leicester City, caretaker manager David Unsworth decided to go with a 4-3-3 formation against Watford. Beni Baningime was brought in alongside Tom Davies and Idrissa Gueye in the middle of the park. Gylfi Sigurdsson (right) and Oumar Niasse (central striker) came into the side in attack, with Wayne Rooney moving to the left of the front three. Michael Keane returned from injury to replace Ashley Williams in central defence. After falling a goal behind, Unsworth switched to a more attacking 4-2-3-1, bringing on Ademola Lookman for Baningime. The Toffees ended the match with substitutes Aaron Lennon (right), Lookman (No 10) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin forming the attacking midfield trio.
- What we learned: Youngsters Lookman and Calvert-Lewin both made a significant impression from the bench and could both come into contention for starts against Crystal Palace after the international break. At least one of Sigurdsson or Rooney could make way, then, with the former perhaps more likely to step down. Much will depend on who is in charge, although the back four may well stay unchanged. Baningime could miss out if a 4-2-3-1 is favoured, while both Kevin Mirallas and Morgan Schneiderlin may be an option to start if a new manager is in place. The pair were omitted from Sunday’s squad following a reported fall-out with Unsworth.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks, attacking midfield, forwards
Huddersfield Town
Starting XI: Lossl; Hadergjonaj, Zanka, Schindler, Malone (Lowe 79,); Hogg, Mooy; Kachunga (Cranie 62), Ince, van La Parra (Williams 62); Depoitre. Subs not used: Green, Smith, Quaner, Mounie.
- What we saw: David Wagner reverted back to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation for the home clash against West Bromwich Albion, seeing Aaron Mooy slot into the double-pivot alongside Jonathan Hogg. The Terriers head coach swapped both full-backs, with Florent Hadergjonjaj and Scott Malone replacing Tommy Smith and Chris Lowe. Following the sending off of Christopher Schindler, Wagner switched to more of a 4-3-1-1 system, with Martin Cranie brought on to partner Mathias “Zanka†Jorgensen in central defence, while Danny Williams was stationed in front of the back four, leaving Hogg and Mooy slightly further forward in central midfield. Malone was forced off with a knock late on, seeing Lowe finish the match at left-back.
- What we learned: Wagner will be without the suspended Schindler for the trip to Bournemouth, so unless Michael Hefele recovers from an Achilles injury, Cranie looks set to deputise in central defence. Hadergjonjaj could keep his place at right-back, and if fit, Malone may again be favoured over Lowe on the opposite flank. Laurent Depoitre could retain his start in attack, but Steve Mounie will have two weeks to build up his fitness levels, and will be a viable alternative in lone striker role.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central defenders, lone striker
Leicester City
Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs; Mahrez, Iborra (King 66), Ndidi, Gray (Albrighton 80); Okazaki (Iheanacho 58); Vardy. Subs not used: Hamer, Dragovic, King, Albrighton, Amartey, Slimani, Iheanacho.
- What we saw: Claude Puel was forced into making one adjustment for the trip to Stoke City, with Shinji Okazaki recalled in place of the injured Ben Chilwell. The Japan international returned to the support striker role, seeing Riyad Mahrez move back onto the right wing, and Demarai Gray switching to the left flank. In what proved to be a key turning point, Vicente Iborra had to be replaced shortly after the hour mark after picking up a knock, with Andy King taking over in central midfield.
- What we learned: With a home clash against Manchester City up next, Puel could be tempted to start with Chilwell on the left side of midfield, as he did in the 2-0 win over Everton, providing the youngster recovers from the knock to his knee he suffered during training. That would allow Mahrez to move centrally once again, with Gray stationed on the right wing, seeing Okazaki drop to the bench. King provides the back-up option for Iborra in the middle of the park if the Spaniard fails to shake off his injury.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks, support striker
Liverpool
Starting XI: Mignolet; Gomez, Matip, Klavan, Moreno; Oxlade-Chamberlain (Lovren 87), Wijnaldum, Emre Can, Mane (Milner 76); Salah, Firmino (Solanke 87). Subs not used: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Grujic, Sturridge.
- What we saw: For the trip to West Ham United, Jurgen Klopp decided to switch to a 4-2-2-2 formation. Mohamed Salah played alongside Roberto Firmino in attack, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (right) and surprise starter Sadio Mane (left) offering support. The Reds switched to a 5-3-2 system late on following the introduction of Dejan Lovren at the back.
- What we learned: Klopp surprised everyone with the change in formation, and having earned a convincing victory, it’s something we could perhaps see utilised again. But with Philippe Coutinho (groin) likely to be fit for the Gameweek 12 home meeting with Southampton, the Liverpool boss may switch back to a 4-3-3. With Mane now back in the fold, that could bring the Brazilian into a three-man midfield. Alternatively, Coutinho could simply replace Oxlade-Chamberlain in Saturday’s system. Jordan Henderson should also return after missing out last weekend due to a thigh problem, meaning that one of Georginio Wijnaldum or Emre Can may drop to the bench. Lovren will push Ragnar Klavan for a start alongside Joel Matip, while, as always, Klopp has the option to rotate at full-back but seems reluctant to give league run-outs to Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, central defence, flanks
Part two of Line-up Lessons, assessing the remaining ten teams, will follow tomorrow.
