Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 12 – Part One

The return of Philippe Coutinho allows Jurgen Klopp to revert to a 4-3-3 formation for Liverpool’s win over Southampton.

Andreas Christensen earns a second successive start in defence as Chelsea sweep aside West Brom, while Sergio Aguero has now started just one of Man City’s last five away matches after dropping to the bench at Leicester City.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 12, with one eye on what’s to come over the midweek European matches and the weekend.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal; Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Ozil (Iwobi 84), Sanchez; Lacazette (Coquelin 73). Subs not used: Ospina, Mertesacker, Maitland-Niles, Wilshere, Welbeck.

• What we saw: After scoring as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, Alexandre Lacazette was restored in the lone striker role for the north London derby, seeing Alexis Sanchez move into the attacking midfield positions and Alex Iwobi drop to the bench. Shkodran Mustafi returned from injury to start in place of Francis Coquelin in the three-man defence. Holding a 2-0 lead, Arsene Wenger switched from a 3-4-2-1 formation to a more defensive 3-5-1-1 late on, with Coquelin brought on to shore up the midfield, while Alexis Sanchez finished the match as the lone striker.
• What we learned: Following a convincing performance and victory, Wenger will look to name an unchanged starting XI for Sunday’s trip to Burnley. It’s unlikely that Coquelin, Iwobi, Per Mertesacker or Danny Welbeck will come under serious consideration for recalls, with those players expected to get run-outs when the Gunners travel to FC Köln in the UEFA Europa League.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: None

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Francis, S Cook, Ake, Daniels; Ibe (A Smith 42), Surman, Arter (L Cook 88), Pugh; King (Gosling 86); Wilson. Subs not used: Boruc, Afobe, Fraser, Mousset.

• What we saw: Cherries boss Eddie Howe kept faith in the 4-4-2 formation used in the 1-0 win over Newcastle United for the home clash against Huddersfield Town. He was able to name an unchanged starting XI after Josh King passed a late fitness test. But the Bournemouth manager was forced into making a first-half substitution, after Jordon Ibe picked up a knock, seeing Adam Smith take his place, initially on the right side of midfield. But minutes later, Simon Francis was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, seeing Smith drop to right-back.
• What we learned: Producing an emphatic 4-0 victory despite being reduced to 10-men, the only changes likely for Saturday’s trip to Swansea City are likely to be those forced upon the Cherries boss. Smith should replace the suspended Francis at right-back, while if Ibe is ruled out, Ryan Fraser could earn a recall on the right side of midfield. Junior Stanislas would be another viable option out wide, though he looks unlikely to recover from a groin injury to return to contention.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, right wing

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson, Cork, Defour, Brady; Hendrick (Vokes 80); Barnes. Subs not used: Lindegaard, Taylor, Westwood, Wells, Long, Arfield.

• What we saw: With Chris Wood missing out following his trip back from New Zealand from international duty, Ashley Barnes was favoured as the lone striker for the Clarets in a 4-4-1-1 system. Sean Dyche introduced Sam Vokes late on, with the Wales international taking over as the lone forward, seeing Barnes drop into a central support role.
• What we learned: Following another victory for high-flying Burnley, Dyche should name a similar starting XI for Sunday’s visit of Arsenal to Turf Moor. However, Wood will certainly push Barnes for the starting role up front, while Scott Arfield provides a more defensive option out wide in place of Johann Berg Gudmundsson.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, lone striker

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Kante (Willian 77), Fabregas (Drinkwater 68), Alonso; Hazard (Pedro 71); Morata. Subs not used: Caballero, Rudiger, David Luiz, Ampadu.

• What we saw: Antonio Conte named the same XI that beat Manchester United 1-0 for the trip to West Bromwich Albion, retaining the 3-1-4-1-1 formation. The Blues ended the match in a 3-4-2-1 system, with substitutes Pedro and Willian operating in the advanced midfield positions.
• What we learned: With Conte’s side starting to hit some form, changes are likely to be at a minimum for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool. The champions do face a UEFA Champions League trip to FK Qarabag on Wednesday night, but it’s that match where the likes of Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz, Danny Drinkwater, Willian and Pedro are likely to be handed starts, and not at Anfield. Andreas Christensen has now started the last two league fixtures and could well retain his place in central defence. Victor Moses is close to a first-team return following a hamstring injury and is expected to be in contention at Anfield, though Davide Zappacosta could keep the right wing-back role.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Right wing-back

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Speroni; Ward, Dann, Sakho, Schlupp; Loftus-Cheek, Cabaye (Puncheon 80), Milivojevic, McArthur (Benteke 75); Townsend, Zaha. Subs not used: Tomkins, Hennessey, Souare, Fosu-Mensah, Sako.

• What we saw: Roy Hodgson once again kept faith in the 4-4-2 formation for the home encounter against Everton, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek recovering from a back spasm to start on the right side of midfield. James McArthur was recalled on the left, seeing Jeffrey Schlupp move to left-back. Joel Ward returned to right-back, while the fit-again Christian Benteke was named among the substitutes. The striker entered the fray with 15 minutes remaining, while Jason Puncheon took over from Yohan Cabaye in central midfield.
• What we learned: After getting 15 minutes under his belt, Benteke should push for a start when Palace host Stoke City on Saturday. If Hodgson sticks with a 4-4-2, which appears likely, one of Wilfried Zaha or Andros Townsend look set to move onto the left wing. That would probably mean that McArthur drops to the bench. In defence, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and James Tomkins provide possible alternatives but are unlikely to earn recalls. Patrick van Aanholt (hamstring) remains a doubt so Schlupp should retain his start at left-back.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, left wing, forwards

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Kenny, Jagielka, Keane, Baines; Schneiderlin (Calvert-Lewin 46), Gueye; Lennon (Sandro 76), Sigurdsson, Lookman (Davies 46); Niasse. Subs not used: Robles, Williams, Sandro, Rooney, Martina.

• What we saw: Caretaker manager David Unsworth opted for an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation against Palace, with Gylfi Sigurdsson stationed in the No 10 role, flanked by Aaron Lennon and Ademola Lookman. There was no place in the starting XI for Wayne Rooney, but Morgan Schneiderlin was recalled at the base of midfield. With the score level at 2-2 at half-time, Unsworth decided to make a double substitution, introducing Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The Toffees lined up in more of a 4-3-3, with Davies joining Idrissa Gueye and Sigurdsson in central midfield. Calvert-Lewin and Lennon flanked central striker Oumar Niasse, with Sandro Ramirez then replacing Lennon late on.
• What we learned: Apart from the back four, there is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the make-up of the Everton side. Gueye, Sigurdsson and Niasse all appear likely to retain their starts for Sunday’s trip to Southampton, but Calvert-Lewin could push for a recall out wide. That could all change should Niasse face retrospective action for his alleged “dive” which won Everton’s penalty at Selhurst Park. Elsewhere, Davies is already suspended for the trip to St Mary’s, after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, while Schneiderlin (toe) will have to be assessed. Beni Baningime and even Muhamed Besic could be possible options in central midfield should Schneiderlin be ruled out, while Rooney provides another option across a variety of positions.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Hadergjonaj, Jorgensen, Cranie (Sabiri 61), Malone; Williams (Mounie 46), Mooy; Kachunga (Quaner 61), Ince, Van La Parra; Depoitre. Subs not used: Smith, Whitehead, Coleman, Lowe.

• What we saw: David Wagner turned to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to Bournemouth, although he was forced into making two changes. Martin Cranie replaced the suspended Christopher Schindler in central defence, while following the birth of his son on Friday night, Jonathan Hogg was replaced by Danny Williams at the base of midfield. Following the sending off of Bournemouth’s Simon Francis just before half-time, Wagner decided to bring on Steve Mounie for Williams at the break, seeing the Terriers switch to an attacking 4-1-3-2 system. That became a 3-1-4-2 just after the hour mark, with substitutes Collin Quaner and Abdelhamid Sabiri joining Tom Ince and Rajiv van La Parra in the attacking midfield positions.
• What we learned: Wagner will welcome back Schindler for the home clash against Man City following the German’s one-match ban, so he should replace Cranie in central defence. Tommy Smith and Chris Lowe could be options to return in the full-back positions, while Hogg may join Williams and Mooy in central midfield, with Wagner perhaps likely to favour a more defensive 4-3-3 against the league leaders. Elias Kachunga or Van La Parra could make way, while Mounie is a viable option to replace Laurent Depoitre up front.

Current Status: Fairly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, flanks, central striker

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs; Ndidi, Iborra (Okazaki 82); Mahrez (Slimani 82), Gray, Albrighton (Iheanacho 66); Vardy. Subs not used: Chilwell, King, Hamer, Dragovic.

• What we saw: Claude Puel only made one adjustment for the home clash against Manchester City, with Marc Albrighton handed a start in place of Shinji Okazaki. Surprisingly, it was Albrighton who was initially stationed in the central support role in the usual 4-4-1-1 system, although he, Demarai Gray and Riyad Mahrez did swap positions as the match progressed. The Foxes ended the match with Wilfred Ndidi as the only defensive-minded midfield player, with Okazaki, Islam Slimani and Kelechi Iheanacho all sent on as the home side looked to get back into the contest.
• What we learned: With the experiment of using Albrighton in a central position failing to pay off, it’s likely that either Mahrez or Okazaki will return to that role for Friday night’s trip to West Ham United. Ben Chilwell was fit to return to the bench on Saturday and could be an option on the left wing.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, attacking midfield

Liverpool

Starting XI: Mignolet: Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno: Wijnaldum, Henderson, Coutinho (Emre Can 69): Salah (Milner 80), Firmino, Mane (Oxlade-Chamberlain 74). Subs not used: Karius, Gomez, Sturridge, Solanke.

• What we saw: After using a 4-2-2-2 formation in the 4-1 win over West Ham United, the return of Philippe Coutinho prompted Jurgen Klopp to revert back to a 4-3-3 system against Southampton. The Brazilian played as part of the three-man midfield, while Mohamed Salah (right) and Sadio Mane (left) flanked central striker Roberto Firmino in attack. Dejan Lovren replaced the injured Joel Matip in central defence, while Joe Gomez was rested, seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold start at right-back. Holding a 3-0 lead, Klopp shored up the midfield by bringing on Emre Can and James Milner in place of Coutinho and Salah.
• What we learned: With Chelsea visiting Anfield on Sunday, Klopp should name his strongest starting XI against the champions. The Reds do travel to Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, but that may not have a huge bearing on the selection for the weekend. Gomez is likely to return at right-back, while if he’s recovered from a thigh injury, Matip could replace either Lovren or Ragnar Klavan in central defence. The only other possible change may come in central midfield, with Emre Can a viable alternative to Georginio Wijnaldum. Adam Lallana has been included in the squad to face Sevilla but may be more likely to earn minutes off the bench next weekend after an extended period on the sidelines.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defenders, central midfield

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Stones (Mangala 30), Delph; Fernandinho; de Bruyne (Gundogan 88), D Silva, Sterling (B Silva 82), Sane; Jesus. Subs not used: Bravo, Danilo, Aguero, Toure.

• What we saw: Pep Guardiola kept faith in his favoured 4-1-2-3 formation for the trip to Leicester City, although he did make two personnel changes. The fit-again Vincent Kompany made his first appearance since Gameweek 3 in place of the suspended Nicolas Otamendi, while Gabriel Jesus was preferred to Sergio Aguero as the central striker. The Man City boss was forced into making a first-half substitution when a hamstring injury meant John Stones had to be replaced by Eliaquim Mangala.
• What we learned: With Stones now set to be sidelined for between four to six weeks, the return to fitness of Kompany is a huge boost for the league leaders. Otamendi will surely come straight back into the side for Sunday’s trip to Huddersfield Town following his one-match ban, with Mangala the back-up option. Guardiola’s side host Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League tomorrow night and having revealed he plans to rotate his side, his selection in that match may provide some clues as to who he’ll favour in attack against the Terriers. Should Aguero get the nod in midweek – and given that Jesus has started every away match this season – the Brazilian would be in the box seat again. Bernardo Silva could be a factor, so if he doesn’t start against Feyenoord, he may threaten Raheem Sterling’s start. Danilo is the alternative in the full-back positions to Kyle Walker and Fabian Delph.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, flanks, central striker

Part two of Line-up Lessons, assessing the remaining ten teams, will follow tomorrow.