The FPL line-up lessons we learned from Gameweek 3

We take our regular look back at the Premier League line-ups from the weekend just gone, analysing the systems and personnel used by the 20 top-flight clubs in Gameweek 3 and seeing what lessons could be learned for the weekend to come.

Arsenal

Arsenal XI (4-4-2 diamond): Leno; Monreal, D Luiz, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles; Willock (Lacazette 81′), Xhaka, Guendouzi (Mkhitaryan 86′); Ceballos (Torreira 61′); Aubameyang, Pépé.

Starting XI changes made: 2 (both unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 5
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles, Willock, Guendouzi, Aubameyang.

Nicolas Pepe made his first start of the season, while Granit Xhaka returned from injury in central midfield.

Alexandre Lacazette and Reiss Nelson both dropped to the bench.

Those alterations led to the first Arsenal formation change of the season, with Unai Emery switching from a 4-2-3-1 to a more defensive 4-3-1-2/4-4-2 diamond.

Xhaka was at the base of the midfield four, with Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock either side of him and Dani Ceballos at the tip of the diamond.

Pepe, therefore, was deployed up front with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The back four was unchanged from Gameweek 2.

The 4-3-1-2/4-4-2 diamond was a system Emery sporadically used in matches against the ‘big six’ last season, so it could be that we see that system again in the north London derby – although the fact that the Gunners are on home soil could see the Arsenal boss show more ambition and reinstate Lacazette.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa XI (4-1-4-1): Heaton; Taylor, Mings, Engels, Guilbert; Luiz; Jota (El Ghazi 77′), McGinn, Grealish, Trezeguet (El Mohamady 86′); Wesley.

Starting XI changes made: 2 (both unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 3
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Heaton, Taylor, Mings, Engels, McGinn, Grealish, Trezeguet, Wesley.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith made two changes from the side that lost to Bournemouth in Gameweek 2, with Frederic Guilbert replacing Ahmed El Mohamady at right-back and Jota brought into the side further up the flank.

Anwar El Ghazi dropped to the bench, with Trezeguet moving over to the left wing.

The spine of Villa’s side looks relatively settled, with goalkeeper Tom Heaton, centre-backs Tyrone Mings and Bjorn Engels, midfielders John McGinn and Jack Grealish, and striker Wesley having started all three games so far.

Conor Hourihane seems to be the fall-guy from Douglas Luiz‘s arrival, with the former Manchester City man having started the last two league matches at the base of the midfield.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth XI (5-4-1): Ramsdale; Daniels (H Wilson 37′), Aké, S Cook, Mepham, A Smith (Ibe 68′); Fraser, Billing, Lerma, King; C Wilson (Solanke 69′).

Starting XI changes made: 1 (unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 3
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Ramsdale, Aké, S Cook, A Smith, Fraser, Billing, Lerma, King, C Wilson.

As anticipated and indeed as they had done last season, Bournemouth reverted to a five-man backline for the visit of the champions.

Chris Mepham was brought in as the extra centre-half, with Harry Wilson the man to make way.

An injury to Charlie Daniels prompted a reshuffle of personnel but not system: Harry Wilson was brought on and deployed on the right wing, with Joshua King switching flanks and Ryan Fraser dropping back to left wing-back.

It was interesting that substitute Diego Rico was overlooked, despite being an obvious replacement for Daniels off the bench.

The Cherries may well switch back to a 4-4-2 this weekend, however, which could be to Rico’s advantage – although one of Ake or Adam Smith could just as easily shift over to left-back.

Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton XI (3-4-3): Ryan; Burn, Dunk, Duffy; March (Locadia 68′), Stephens (Groß 78′), Pröpper, Montoya; Trossard, Andone, Maupay (Murray 74′).

Starting XI changes made: 2 (both unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 3
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Ryan, Burn, Dunk, Duffy, March, Stephens, Pröpper, Montoya.

Rotation continued in the front three for Brighton, with Graham Potter’s two changes seeing Florin Andone and Neal Maupay start over Glenn Murray and Pascal Gross.

Not one of the Seagulls’ forwards has started all three Premier League games this season.

The eight men behind the attacking trident are all ever-presents, by contrast.

Maupay was stationed on the right of the front three, with Leandro Trossard resuming his left-wing role and Andone leading the line.

A red card for Andone didn’t change a great deal, with Trossard and Maupay playing closer together in a 3-4-2.

Potter rotated all 11 starters in the EFL Cup in midweek.

Burnley

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters, Gudmundsson (Lennon 75), Cork, Westwood, McNeil (Hendrick 86′), Barnes (Rodriguez 78′), Wood.

Starting XI changes made: 0
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 0
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 2/2
Ever-present starters: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters, Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Barnes, Wood.

Sean Dyche’s starting XIs have been among the most predictable over the years, especially when things are going well, and that has indeed transpired this season, too.

Burnley were unchanged for the third game running, with Dyche again resisting the urge to crowbar an extra central midfielder into his side for added protection against tough opposition and instead deciding to line up with his tried-and-tested 4-4-2.

Dyche may be forced into a change against Liverpool this weekend, however, with Johann Berg Gudmundsson having limped off with a calf problem – the Icelandic winger only has an “outside chance” of featuring in Gameweek 4.

Chelsea

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Emerson; Jorginho, Kovacic; Pulisic (Willian 84′), Barkley, Mount (Alonso 90′); Abraham (Giroud 75).

Starting XI changes made: 3 (1 unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 6
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Emerson, Jorginho, Mount

Frank Lampard had originally made two changes to his Chelsea side for the trip to Norwich, with Tammy Abraham and Mateo Kovacic in for Olivier Giroud and the injured N’Golo Kante, but an injury sustained by Pedro in the warm-up meant that Ross Barkley was promoted to the first team.

Barkley’s inclusion in ‘the hole’ saw Mount move over to the left flank, with Pulisic deputising for Pedro on the right of a 4-2-3-1 – the same system Lampard used in Gameweeks 1 and 2 (although a 4-3-3 was rolled out in the Super Cup).

Lampard’s back four was unchanged for the third match in a row with Antonio Rudiger still not fit.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace XI (4-3-3): Guaita; Ward, Cahill, Kelly, van Aanholt; Milivojevic, Kouyate (McCarthy 83′), McArthur; Zaha, Ayew (Benteke 75′), Schlupp (Townsend 80′).

Starting XI changes made: 4 (all unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 5
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Guaita, Ward, Kelly, van Aanholt, Milivojevic, McArthur.

Roy Hodgson abandoned the 4-4-2 of Gameweeks 1 and 2 in favour of a 4-3-3, which became a 4-5-1 out of possession.

Wilfried Zaha – on the right wing – and Jeffrey Schlupp were chosen to flank Jordan Ayew in attack.

Ayew and Schlupp were two of four players brought into the team, with debutant Gary Cahill and Cheikhou Kouyate also starting.

Andros Townsend, Christian Benteke, Max Meyer and Scott Dann all dropped to the bench and subsequently started in the EFL Cup in midweek.

Budget FPL defender Martin Kelly kept his place alongside Cahill at centre-half.

Everton

Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Digne, Mina, Keane, Coleman; Gomes, Schneiderlin; Bernard (Kean 62′), Sigurdsson (Iwobi 61′), Richarlison (Walcott 78′); Calvert-Lewin.

Starting XI changes made: 1 (enforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 2
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Pickford, Digne, Mina, Keane, Coleman, Gomes, Bernard, Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

Marco Silva’s only alteration saw Morgan Schneiderlin return from a ban in place of Jean-Philippe Gbamin, who it later transpired would be out for two months with a thigh injury – although the change may have been made anyway.

Silva has been patient with his other new signings so far and there was again no start for Moise Kean, Alex Iwobi or Djibril Sidibe, although Kean and Iwobi are building match-fitness by the week and both had half-hour run-outs at Villa Park – so Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Everton’s three attacking midfielders behind him will soon be at risk of possible rotation.

The Schneiderlin-Gbamin hokey-cokey is the only change Silva has made this season but Friday’s result may be a test of his loyalty.

Everton’s back four looks relatively settled, with Sidibe not yet tasting a single minute of Premier League football.

Leicester City

Leicester City XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Fuchs; Tielemans (Mendy 89′), Choudhury, Praet (Barnes 64′); Perez (Morgan 77′), Vardy, Maddison.

Starting XI changes made: 1 (enforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 2
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Schmeichel, Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Tielemans, Choudhury, Perez, Vardy, Maddison.

Brendan Rodgers made just one change to the Leicester side that drew 1-1 at Chelsea, with Dennis Praet replacing the injured Wilfred Ndidi.

Both of Rodgers’ changes so far this season have been enforced, with Christian Fuchs having replaced the injured Ben Chilwell at Stamford Bridge.

Fuchs again deputised at left-back at Bramall Lane.

Harvey Barnes‘ introduction for Praet midway through the second half saw the substitute take up a left-wing role, with James Maddison moving infield.

Maddison and Ayoze Perez had again started the game either side of Jamie Vardy in a 4-3-3.

Liverpool

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Adrian; Robertson, van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum (Milner 69′), Fabinho, Henderson; Mané (Oxlade-Chamberlain 77′), Firmino (Lallana 86′), Salah.

Starting XI changes made: 2 (both unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 7
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Firmino, Salah.

Fabinho and Jordan Henderson came into the Liverpool midfield, with James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain making way.

Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum flanked Fabinho in central midfield, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane stationed, as usual, either side of Roberto Firmino in attack.

Joel Matip got the nod over Joe Gomez at centre-half for the second Gameweek in a row, having also lined up alongside Virgil van Dijk in the Super Cup.

The 4-3-3 system looks as settled as ever, with the brief 4-2-3-1 experiment of last season not seen in 2019/20 so far.

Manchester City

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Zinchenko, Laporte, Otamendi, Walker (Cancelo 90′); D Silva, Gündogan (Rodri 58′), De Bruyne; Sterling, Aguero, B Silva (Mahrez 79′).

Starting XI changes made: 1 (unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 5
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Ederson, Zinchenko, Laporte, Walker, De Bruyne, Sterling.

Pep Guardiola made just one change to his starting XI, with David Silva replacing summer signing Rodri.

Ilkay Gundogan shifted to the base of the City midfield in Rodri’s absence – a tactic we may see on occasion this season when Guardiola anticipates coming up against a side that is content to sit deep and defend.

Guardiola’s three substitutions were all effectively like for like, with Sergio Aguero completing his first 90 minutes of the campaign with Gabriel Jesus injured.

Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling are the only ever-present midfielders or forwards after three Gameweeks, although there were fitness issues behind Aguero and Bernardo Silva’s benchings on the opening weekend.

Manchester United

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw (Young 34′); Pogba, McTominay (Mata 85′); James, Lingard (Greenwood 56′), Rashford; Martial.

Starting XI changes made: 0
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 1
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 1/2
Ever-present starters: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Pogba, McTominay, Lingard, Rashford; Martial.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named the same side that drew 1-1 at Wolves in Gameweek 2.

That meant another start for Anthony Martial up front, with Daniel James on the right and Marcus Rashford on the left of a 4-2-3-1.

Jesse Lingard was again preferred in the hole.

Mason Greenwood‘s second-half introduction on the right wing saw James switch over to the left flank, with Rashford moving more centrally alongside Martial.

Martial picked up an injury late in the game, so should he be ruled out this weekend, we may see a repeat of Rashford up top and James on the left.

Greenwood or Andreas Pereira could then get a look-in on the opposite wing.

Ashley Young may have to deputise again if Luke Shaw is ruled out, with the left-back having sustained a hamstring injury.

Newcastle United

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dúbravka; Ritchie, Dummett, Lascelles (Fernandez 82′), Schär, Krafth; Saint-Maximin (Atsu 17′), S Longstaff, Hayden, Almirón; Joelinton (Muto 88′).

Starting XI changes made: 2 (both unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 4
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Dúbravka, Ritchie, Dummett, Lascelles, Schär, Hayden, Almirón, Joelinton.

Steve Bruce made two changes to the team beaten at Norwich, with Allan Saint-Maximin and Sean Longstaff replacing Ki Sung-yueng and Jonjo Shelvey.

The 3-5-2 that Bruce had favoured since his appointment was tweaked to the 5-4-1 that brought Rafael Benitez relative success in 2018/19, with Saint-Maximin (replaced by Christian Atsu early on) and Miguel Almiron on the left and right flanks respectively and Joelinton leading the line himself.

United’s back five look relatively settled for the time being (barring injuries), with Emil Krafth having ousted Javier Manquillo at right wing-back.

Norwich City

Norwich City XI (4-2-3-1): Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Godfrey, Lewis; Leitner (McLean 81′), Trybull (Vrancic 81′); Cantwell, Stiepermann (Srbeny 81′), Buendia; Pukki.

Starting XI changes made: 0
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 1
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 1/2
Ever-present starters: Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Godfrey, Lewis, Trybull, Cantwell, Stiepermann, Buendia, Pukki.

Daniel Farke unsurprisingly kept faith with the same 4-2-3-1 shape and starting XI that helped the Canaries beat Newcastle United in Gameweek 2.

With Onel Hernandez and Timm Klose now out long-term, there is less competition on the left-wing and at centre-half – although Christoph Zimmermann returned to action in the Carabao Cup in midweek and may threaten Grant Hanley‘s place soon.

Moritz Leitner was again preferred to Kenny McLean in the double-pivot having displaced the Scot – who has suffered with a back problem – against the Magpies.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Henderson; Basham (Morrison 78′), Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Freeman, Stevens; Robinson (Sharp 54′), McGoldrick (McBurnie 54′).

Starting XI changes made: 1 (enforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 1
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 1/2
Ever-present starters: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Stevens, Robinson, McGoldrick.

Chris Wilder made just one change to the United team that beat Crystal Palace in Gameweek 2, with Luke Freeman replacing the injured John Fleck in central midfield.

Callum Robinson was fit to start alongside David McGoldrick in the two-man Blades’ attack but both strikers were hooked just after half-time, with substitute Oli McBurnie going on to score.

FPL defender John Lundstram again lined in his usual central midfield role, with Wilder sticking with a 3-5-2.

Southampton

Southampton XI (4-3-3): Gunn; Valery (Djenepo 53′), Vestergaard, Bednarek, Danso; Ward-Prowse, Højbjerg, Romeu; Adams (Boufal 80′), Ings (Armstrong 84′), Redmond.

Starting XI changes made: 2 (1 unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 4
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Gunn, Valery, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Adams, Redmond.

Ralph Hasenhuttl made two changes to the Saints team that lost at home to Liverpool, with Danny Ings and debutant Kevin Danso promoted to the starting XI.

Maya Yoshida dropped to the bench, with the injured Ryan Bertrand missing out altogether.

Hasenhuttl ditched the wing-back system for the first time this season, opting for a 4-3-3 on the south coast.

A centre-half by trade, Danso was used as a makeshift left-back in that four-man defence with Bertrand injured.

James Ward-Prowse, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Oriel Romeu were all starters in midfield, with Che Adams and Nathan Redmond flanking central striker Danny Ings in attack – a tactic Hasenhuttl had experimented with in pre-season.

With Brighton down to ten men early on, Moussa Djenepo was thrown on for Valery in the second half as Hasenhuttl chased a win.

An injury to Redmond in midweek may prompt a rethink against Manchester United, with Hasenhuttl not ruling out a return to a five-man defence.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Rose (Davies 88′), Sánchez, Alderweireld, Walker-Peters (Eriksen 62′); Winks, Sissoko; Son, Lamela (Lo Celso 62′), Moura; Kane.

Starting XI changes made: 2 (1 enforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 3
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Lloris, Rose, Sánchez, Alderweireld, Walker-Peters, Winks, Sissoko, Lamela, Kane.

Son Heung-min returned from suspension and was one of two changes to Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI, with Lucas Moura also promoted from the bench.

Christian Eriksen and the injured Tanguy Ndombele were the men to make way as Pochettino deployed an attacking 4-2-3-1 for the visit of Newcastle.

Harry Kane led the line in front of Erik Lamela, with Son and Lucas on the left and right respectively.

Spurs’ back four was unchanged for the third successive match but a second-half injury to Kyle Walker-Peters saw Moussa Sissoko fill in at right-back, with Giovani Lo Celso brought on in central midfield.

Dele Alli wasn’t quite ready to feature but his imminent return will only add to the competition for places in the more offensive midfield positions, with the Spurs attack – bar Kane – looking like a rotation minefield.

Watford

Watford XI (4-4-2 diamond): Foster; Holebas, Cathcart, Dawson, Femenia; Capoue, Hughes (Sarr 74′), Doucouré, Cleverley (Quina 86′); Deulofeu (Welbeck 74′), Gray.

Starting XI changes made: 2 (both enforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 3
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Foster, Holebas, Cathcart, Dawson, Femenia, Capoue, Hughes, Doucouré, Deulofeu.

Watford manager Javi Gracia made two changes to the side that lost at Everton, both of which were enforced: Tom Cleverley and Andre Gray replacing the injured Troy Deeney and Roberto Pereyra.

With Ismaila Sarr and Danny Welbeck not quite ready for a start, the lack of natural width available to Gracia prompted a formation rethink.

The 4-4-2 was replaced by a diamond shape, with midfield anchor Etienne Capoue and ‘number ten’ Tom Cleverley at the tips.

Will Hughes and Abdoulaye Doucoure were on the right and left of that midfield diamond respectively, with Gerard Deulofeu joining Andre Gray up front.

Pereyra returned in the EFL Cup in midweek and should be ready to start at Newcastle, while Sarr and Welbeck also made the starting line-up for the first time in that 3-0 win over Coventry on Tuesday and could come into contention.

The Hornets’ back four has remained unaltered in the three league matches played so far this season.

West Ham United

West Ham XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Masuaku, Ogbonna, Diop, Fredericks; Noble, Rice; Anderson (Fornals 78′), Lanzini (C Sánchez 88′), Yarmolenko (Antonio 55′); Haller.

Starting XI changes made: 4 (3 unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 9
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 0/2
Ever-present starters: Fabianski, Diop, Fredericks, Rice, Lanzini.

Sebastien Haller, Mark Noble and Felipe Anderson all returned from injury in the 3-1 win over Watford, with Andriy Yarmolenko starting on the right flank.

Robert Snodgrass, Pablo Fornals and Jack Wilshere dropped out, while Javier Hernandez reportedly had a minor knee injury.

Noble was the link between midfield anchor Declan Rice and the Hammers’ front four, which featured Yarmolenko and left-winger Anderson on the flanks.

Manuel Lanzini supported Haller in attack but drifted left from his ‘number ten’ role.

The back four was unchanged from Gameweek 2, with Fabian Balbuena again watching on from the bench.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves XI (3-5-2): Patricio, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doherty (Traore 77′), Neves, Moutinho (Dendoncker 59′), Gibbs-White (Neto 65′), Jonny, Jota, Jimenez.

Starting XI changes made: 1 (unenforced)
Total starting XI changes in 2019/20: 1
Unchanged starting XIs in 2019/20: 1/2
Ever-present starters: Patricio, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny, Jota, Jimenez

The first signs that Europa League involvement may disrupt Fantasy assets from Wolves was felt in Gameweek 3, as Leander Dendoncker – who played the full 90 minutes against Torino on Thursday – was benched for only the second time in the league since Gameweek 21 of last season.

Morgan Gibbs-White took his place in central midfield but Wolves’ starting XI was otherwise familiar-looking, with Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota again leading the line in a 3-5-2.

All eyes will be on the teamsheet against Torino tomorrow, then, for clues as to how Santo may line up his troops against Everton on Sunday.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 3

• Aston Villa 2-0 Everton
• Norwich City 2-3 Chelsea
• Brighton 0-2 Southampton
• Manchester United 1-2 Crystal Palace
• Sheffield United 1-2 Leicester City
• Watford 1-3 West Ham United
• Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
• Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester City
• Spurs 0-1 Newcastle
• Wolves 1-1 Burnley