FPL Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 2 – Part Two

Part two of our Line-Up Lessons assesses the teamsheets and formations of the remaining ten Premier League clubs’ Gameweek 2 matches. Part one of this feature can be found here.

Pep Guardiola switched to a 3-5-2 as Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez all missed out, while Alexis Sanchez was missing from the Manchester United team that lost 3-2 at Brighton.

Tottenham also trialled a three-man backline for their win over Fulham, but Mark Hughes ditched the wing-back system as Southampton reverted to a 4-4-2.

In the evening kick-off on Monday, Crystal Palace and Liverpool remained unchanged – although Roy Hodgson will be forced into an alteration next time out after the dismissal of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; van Aanholt, Sakho, Tomkins, Wan-Bissaka; Schlupp (Meyer 83’), McArthur, Milivojevic, Townsend (Ward 79’); Zaha, Benteke (Sørloth 70’).

• What we saw: Roy Hodgson opted for the same line-up and 4-4-2 system that won Palace all three points at Craven Cottage last weekend, with budget FPL defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka clocking up another start at right-back – an appearance that was cut short by the youngster’s red card with a quarter of an hour remaining. Hodgson sent on Wan-Bissaka’s deputy Joel Ward for Andros Townsend thereafter, with Palace switching to a 4-4-1 and Wilfried Zaha moving from his centre-forward position to out on the flank. Max Meyer tasted his first Premier League action as a late substitute for Jeffrey Schlupp.
• What we learned: Hodgson may persevere with the 4-4-2 set-up that pushed Liverpool all the way, though will, of course, have to make a change at right-back – Ward will almost certainly deputise for the suspended Wan-Bissaka at Vicarage Road. Meyer may not quite be ready for a start just yet, though when match-fit his inclusion could lead to a formation change. Most of the German’s career has been spent as an attacking midfielder, so Hodgson could roll out a 4-4-1-1 formation with Meyer in behind Christian Benteke, and Zaha replacing Jeffrey Schlupp on the left. Meyer’s last season at Schalke, however,  saw him mostly feature as a deep-lying playmaker. If he was to emulate that role at Palace, then James McArthur could move out to the flank – as he did on occasion last season – again in place of Schlupp.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Right-back

Liverpool

Starting XI: Alisson; Robertson, Gomez, van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold; Milner (Henderson 66’), Wijnaldum, Keita (Lallana 87’); Mané, Firmino (Sturridge 90’), Salah.

• What we saw: Just as their hosts were unchanged at Selhurst Park on Monday evening, so too were Liverpool. Joe Gomez kept his place alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defence, with the fit-again Joel Matip watching on from the bench. James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum were given another start alongside Naby Keita in midfield, while the front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane once again dovetailed in attack. With the game won against West Ham last weekend, Jurgen Klopp experimented with different combinations in the Liverpool attack; the German was not afforded that luxury in south London, however, with all of his changes effectively like-for-like as the Reds sought to see out the match in the closing stages. Jordan Henderson was forced to make do with a cameo off the bench, while a fully fit Fabinho was omitted from the match-day squad altogether.
• What we learned: There was little new learnt at Palace on Monday night regarding Liverpool’s now familiar 4-3-3 set-up, with the immovable front three still just that in these Champions League-free Gameweeks. That could all, of course, change from mid-September onwards. Gomez’s role is perhaps under slight threat given that Matip is back from injury, but the young centre-back has helped the Reds to back-to-back clean sheets and the position would appear to be his to lose. Milner and Wijnaldum’s sterling performances seem to have seen off Fabinho for now, although Henderson continues to build up his match fitness and would appear to be their main competition in the engine room at this present moment.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Centre-back, centre-midfield

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Stones, Kompany, Laporte; Mendy, D Silva (Mahrez 64′), Fernandinho, Gundogan (Foden 82′), B Silva; Aguero (Sane 76′), Gabriel Jesus

• What we saw: Pep Guardiola surprised with both shape and personnel for the visit of Huddersfield Town, switching to a 3-5-2 in a bid to combat the Terries’ tactics that saw them come away from the Etihad with a 0-0 draw in May. Vincent Kompany came into the team as part of a three-man backline, with Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva playing as wing-backs. David Silva lined up in the centre of midfield alongside Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan, while there was a start up front for Gabriel Jesus alongside Sergio Aguero. Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez made way from the side that beat Arsenal the previous weekend.
• What we learned: The 3-5-2 system is, of course, one that Guardiola is fond of and had talked about utilising in pre-season, particularly with Mendy now fit and at his disposal – the City manager even namechecked Mendy in his post-match press conference when discussing the tactic. The surprise that Guardiola opted to use the formation was partly based around Aguero’s supposed non-involvement, with strong talk – and it turned out to be just that – in the build-up to the match that the Argentinean striker was to be dropped for Jesus. Walker and Sterling’s omissions were, in hindsight, perhaps not a great shock, given that the pair were thrust into the City team for the opening-day win over Arsenal despite their exertions in Russia and Guardiola is perhaps subsequently managing their minutes for this appealing half-dozen run of league fixtures. Guardiola compensated in Walker’s absence by switching to a back four when out of possession, with John Stones coming over to fill in at right-back. An away match at Wolves now presents Guardiola with the option of persisting with a 3-5-2 or switching to the 4-2-3-1 shape that was so successful at the Emirates in Gameweek 1. Given that Nuno Espirito Santo almost exclusively rolls out a 3-4-3 formation, Guardiola might be tempted to double-up on the wings to exploit the space in behind Wolves’ wing-backs. Second-guessing the City head coach, however, is easier said than done.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central midfield, attacking midfield, forward

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Young, Lindelof, Bailly, Shaw; Fred, Pereira (Lingard 45′), Pogba; Mata (Rashford 45′), Lukaku, Martial (Fellaini 60′)

• What we saw: Jose Mourinho made three changes to the side that beat Leicester City, one of which was enforced due to an injury to Alexis Sanchez. Matteo Darmian and Marcus Rashford also made way, with Romelu Lukaku, Ashley Young and, perhaps surprisingly, Anthony Martial stepping up to the starting XI. A poor first-half display in which United conceded three goals led to a change in system at the break, with Mourinho ditching 4-3-3 in favour of a 4-2-3-1. Andreas Pereira and Juan Mata were withdrawn, leaving Paul Pogba and Fred in the double-pivot. Substitutes Rashford and Jesse Lingard lined up in the right and centre of the attacking midfield three, with Martial continuing down the left until his withdrawal on the hour mark.  Lingard then moved out to the flank from that point to accommodate Marouane Fellaini’s arrival in the hole.
• What we learned: An unconvincing victory over Leicester coupled with Sunday’s first-half horror show may prompt Mourinho to rejig his side for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur next weekend. Pereira’s start would be at risk if the United boss decides to switch to a 4-2-3-1, while Mata could drop out for Rashford on the right flank. Should Sanchez be fit for the Spurs match, then the Chilean will surely claim the left-wing role in whichever system Mourinho rolls out. United started with a 3-5-2 formation for the visit of Spurs last season and it is not improbable that Mourinho will switch to a three-man backline again to combat the Lilywhites, with Chris Smalling a candidate to step into the defence alongside the shaky-looking Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, centre-backs, central midfield, wingers

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Dubravka; Dummett, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo (Hayden 45’); Kenedy, Diame, Shelvey, Ritchie (Murphy 70’); Perez (Muto 64’), Joselu.

• What we saw: Javier Manquillo in for the injured DeAndre Yedlin was the only change to Newcastle’s line-up from the side that lost 2-1 to Spurs on the opening weekend. Manquillo himself was substituted at the break after picking up a knock, while his replacement, Isaac Hayden, was dismissed with a quarter of the match remaining. Newcastle switched from a 4-4-1-1 to a three-man central defence from this point, Paul Dummett tucking in alongside Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark with Kenedy and substitute Jacob Murphy operating as wing-backs.
• What we learned: Rafael Benitez will have to make at least one change for the visit of Chelsea, with loanee Kenedy ineligible to face his parent club. Further news is awaited on Manquillo and indeed Yedlin’s injuries, while Hayden will now be suspended for three matches after his red card. Benitez rarely changed his system last season and the 4-4-1-1 formation looks set to be his go-to tactic again in 2018/19. A lack of personnel at right-back, of course, may change that. Murphy may be forced to fill in there if Manquillo and Yedlin fail to make the weekend’s match, while centre-backs Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez would be equally inexperienced in the position if they were also forced to deputise there.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, striker

Southampton

Starting XI: McCarthy; Cedric, Hoedt, Stephens, Bertrand; Romeu (Gabbiadini 72’), Lemina, Ward-Prowse (Armstrong 84′), Redmond; Austin (Long 58’), Ings.

• What we saw: Mark Hughes ditched the three-man backline and switched to a 4-4-2, as he had done in the second half of the 0-0 draw with Burnley in Gameweek 1. Jannik Vestergaard’s illness meant that Jack Stephens and Wesley Hoedt lined up at centre-back, with Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand deployed as orthodox full-backs. James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond were handed starts out wide, with Danny Ings making his full debut in attack alongside Charlie Austin. The disappointing Austin was replaced by Shane Long just before the hour-mark, with the Irishman later moving to the wing – and Ward-Prowse shifting infield – when Manolo Gabbiadini was introduced for Oriel Romeu.
• What we learned: Hughes may be tempted to give 4-4-2 another shot, given his Saints side had a collective 15 shots on goal in an unfortunate defeat to Everton. Ings looked lively again, in sharp contrast to the sluggish Austin, who was hooked on 58 minutes. Gabbiadini or Long, then, surely stand a decent chance of replacing the former QPR striker for the visit of Leicester. Mohamed Elyounoussi, who missed the Everton game with a hamstring injury, would seem a good fit for the 4-4-2 system on the flank, having briefly shone on the left wing when appearing as a substitute against Burnley. Vestergaard’s recovery from illness will be a huge fillip for Hughes, with Stephens’ start possibly at threat given that Hoedt offers balance being a left-footed centre-back.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defence, wingers, strikers

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez (Dembele 63’), Vertonghen; Davies, Dier (Lamela 73’), Eriksen, Dele, Trippier; Kane (Winks 89’), Moura.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pochettino ditched the 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 in favour of a three-man defence, with Toby Alderweireld joining Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez at centre-back. Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier flanked the central midfield trio, with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen in perhaps deeper roles than we are used to seeing them in. Lucas Moura was Harry Kane’s main support in attack. With Fulham holding their hosts to a 1-1 draw midway through the second half, Sanchez was sacrificed for Mousa Dembele, as Spurs reverted back to a 4-2-3-1. Eric Lamela made a positive impact upon his introduction for Eric Dier late on, providing the assist for Kane’s goal.
• What we learned: The three-man backline could be a short-lived experiment and Pochettino might seek to give Eric Dier more cover when Spurs visit Old Trafford this coming weekend. Dembele would be an obvious candidate in the double-pivot alongside Dier, though Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko are alternatives. Eriksen and Alli’s slightly more withdrawn roles this season may cause their FPL owners some alarm, but the pair are still prominent enough in attacking positions – Mohamed Salah is the only Premier League midfielder to have registered more penalty box touches than Alli this season. Lamela’s impressive cameo performance on Saturday may put Lucas Moura’s start in doubt at Old Trafford, though Son Heung-min is of course one less challenger in the attacking midfield positions following his departure for the Asian Games.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central midfield, attacking midfield

Watford

Starting XI: Foster; Janmaat, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas; Hughes (Femenia 82′), Doucoure, Capoue, Pereyra; Gray (Sema 67′), Deeney (Success 88′)

• What we saw: A now-expected 4-4-2 from Javi Gracia, with Roberto Pereyra and Will Hughes once again playing as “inverted wingers” either side of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue in the centre. Tom Cleverley, Nathaniel Chalobah and Gerard Deulofeu missed the win over Burnley through injury, with Gracia selecting the same 11 players that saw off Brighton last weekend. Pereyra moved to the number ten role upon Gray’s withdrawal, with substitute Ken Sema deployed on the flank.
• What we learned: Another impressive win for the Hornets and another reason for Gracia not to tinker with his side for the forthcoming visit of Crystal Palace, who will likely go toe-to-toe with Watford with their own 4-4-2 system. Further news is awaited on Chalobah, Cleverley and Deulofeu, but the midfield trio face a tough road back into the first team given how well their team-mates are currently playing. Goals for the impressive Troy Deeney and Andre Gray in attack will surely cement their places ahead of Gameweek 3, meanwhile.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield

West Ham United

Starting XI: Fabianski; Masuaku, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Zabaleta; Anderson, Noble (Pérez 77’), Wilshere, Snodgrass (C Sánchez 77’); Arnautovic, Hernandez (Yarmolenko 67’).

• What we saw: Manuel Pellegrini’s 4-3-3 became a 4-4-2 for the Hammers’ first home match of the season, with Declan Rice sacrificed in the middle to allow Javier Hernandez a start in attack alongside Marko Arnautovic. Felipe Anderson and Robert Snodgrass were stationed on the wings, while Pablo Zabaleta was the only change in defence – the veteran right-back replacing the missing Ryan Fredericks. Carlos Sanchez and Lucas Perez were introduced as late substitutes for their first appearances in a West Ham shirt, while Andriy Yarmolenko once again had to make do with a cameo off the bench.
• What we learned: A daunting trip to the Emirates now awaits, so Pellegrini will surely be tempted to field Carlos Sanchez from the start and perhaps revert back to the three-man central midfield that he started the season with. That being said, the extra body in the engine room did little to stem Liverpool’s flow in Gameweek 1, and Pellegrini might even consider attack as the best form of defence given how porous Arsenal were at Chelsea on Saturday evening. Yarmolenko is surely long overdue a start given that Michael Antonio and now Snodgrass have flattered to deceive on the flanks, while Fredericks and Aaron Creswell will be hoping for recalls in the full-back positions. Hernandez’s inclusion didn’t do much to dent Arnautovic’s goal threat, though that owed much to Pellegrini fielding the pair as a bona fide strike duo. The worry from an FPL owners’ perspective is that Hernandez could remain the spearhead of the Hammers’ attack even with a formation change to 4-2-3-1/4-3-3, with Arnautovic deployed either in the number ten role or out on the flank to accommodate the Mexican forward. Given that Pellegrini doesn’t appear to have settled on his best XI or formation, more uncertainty awaits.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central midfield, right wing

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Starting XI: Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Doherty (Gibbs-White 69′); Jota (Bonatini 45′), Jimenez, Costa (Traore 45′)

• What we saw: An unchanged starting XI in a familiar 3-4-3 system for Wolves, with £4.0m-rated FPL defender Ryan Bennett once again getting the nod at centre-back. A 2-0 half-time deficit led to the two men either side of Raul Jimenez – Jota and Helder Costa – being hauled off, with Adama Traore and Leo Bonatini sent on in their stead. Matt Doherty was withdrawn for central midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White after Jamie Vardy’s red card, with Traore moving to wing-back as Wolves pushed for a way back into the match.
• What we learned: Wolves were more than a match for Leicester on Saturday, having almost twice as many goal attempts as their hosts. With Manchester City up next, however, Nuno Espirito Santo may be looking at ways of shoring up his side whilst remaining true to his principles. If Santo sticks with his tried-and-tested 3-4-3, as expected, then Ruben Vinagre could come into contention at left wing-back, with Jonny moving over to the right. Doherty is a slight doubt with injury, but his performance in the defeat to the Foxes may have seen him replaced anyway. Deadline day capture Leander Dendoncker is still building up match fitness after his World Cup campaign with Belgium but is an option to solidify the Wolves spine in both midfield and central defence. Jota’s half-time substitution would be a concern for his FPL owners but the performance of his replacement, Bonatini, didn’t suggest he is a viable alternative. Costa’s position is perhaps most at threat, with Traore impressing in his stead. The £18m capture from Middlesbrough was also deployed at right wing-back at the King Power Stadium, though that he would likely be up against Benjamin Mendy in that position would perhaps be enough for Santo to overlook that option. Jimenez looks a sure starter in attack after an excellent display against the Foxes.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Centre-half, right-wing