Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 32 – Part One

Alvaro Morata fires Chelsea’s opener at home to Spurs in just his second start in eight league matches. Elsewhere, Chris Wood marks his first start since Gameweek 19 by netting Burnley’s winner at West Brom, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan becomes the latest Arsenal player to be afforded a bench role ahead of Europa League duties.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from the Gameweek 32 matches, with one eye on what’s to come from the midweek European matches and beyond.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Chambers, Monreal; Wilshere (Mkhitaryan 76), Elneny (Xhaka 76) Ramsey; Ozil, Welbeck (Lacazette 61); Aubameyang. Subs not used: Koscielny, Iwobi, Kolasinac, Macey.

• What we saw: Gunners boss Arsene Wenger again rested players against Stoke City ahead of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg against CSKA Moscow. Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey were both fit to start in central midfield in a 4-3-3 system, but Laurent Koscielny was left on the bench, with Calum Chambers starting in central defence. Petr Cech was ruled out due to a groin injury, so David Ospina started in goal. Granit Xhaka and Henrikh Mkhitaryan only came on as late substitutes, while Alexandre Lacazette returned from injury to play the last half hour. He was stationed as the lone striker, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shifted out onto the left wing.
• What we learned: With the home clash against Southampton coming just three days after the first leg against CSKA, and with the second leg following just four days later in Russia, Wenger could again preserve key players against Saints. Chambers may retain his start ahead of Koscielny, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac are viable starters in the full-back positions. Having only played 14 minutes against the Potters, Xhaka appears a more likely starter in Gameweek 33, with Ramsey perhaps most at risk of dropping to the bench. Mkhitaryan also looks a more likely starter next weekend following his brief cameo appearance, while Alex Iwobi could also come into contention. Wilshere and Danny Welbeck, who picked up a back problem against the Potters, may be possible rotation risks. But Aubameyang is ineligible to play in Europe and should retain his start in attack. Lacazette may well now start on Thursday night, making a substitute appearance likely once again on Sunday. If fit, Cech should replace Ospina in goal.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, defence, central midfield, flanks, attacking midfield

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Fraser, S Cook, Ake, Daniels; Stanislas (Pugh 45), L Cook, Gosling, Ibe (Defoe 67); King; Wilson (Surman 81). Subs not used: Boruc; Arter, Simpson, B Smith.

• What we saw: With Adam Smith (knee) and Simon Francis (hamstring) both ruled out for the trip to Watford, Eddie Howe handed a start to Ryan Fraser at right-back. The Cherries boss kept faith in a 4-4-1-1 formation, although he was forced into making a change on the stroke of half-time. Junior Stanislas had to be replaced after suffering a knee injury, seeing substitute Marc Pugh take over on the left wing. Trailing 2-1, Howe switched to an attacking 4-3-3, with substitute Jermain Defoe joining Josh King and Callum Wilson up front. But he soon reverted back to a 4-4-1-1, with Andrew Surman brought on for Wilson.
• What we learned: Stanislas looks very likely to miss Saturday’s home meeting with Crystal Palace, while Lys Mousset (illness) is still a worry ahead of Saturday. So if Francis remains sidelined, and Fraser is subsequently required to continue at right-back, Pugh appears a likely starter on the left side of midfield. Alternatively, an attacking move would be to use King on the left wing, allowing Defoe to join Wilson up front in a 4-4-2. Defoe made a strong claim for a starting berth by scoring a late equaliser at Vicarage Road and is putting real pressure on Wilson for the lone striker role.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, left wing, lone striker

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Locadia (March 75), Kayal (Baldock 84), Propper, Izquierdo; Gross; Murray. Subs not used: Krul, Bruno, Hemed, Goldson, Suttner.

• What we saw: Chris Hughton was again without the injured Dale Stephens for the home encounter against Leicester City, so Beram Kayal retained his place in central midfield in the usual 4-4-1-1 formation. Jurgen Locadia came in for the suspended Anthony Knockaert on the right side of midfield. After falling 1-0 behind, Hughton introduced Sam Baldock, seeing the Seagulls switch to a 4-4-2. Baldock joined Glenn Murray up front, while Pascal Gross dropped back into central midfield.
• What we learned: Despite the 2-0 defeat, the Brighton side is expected to remain pretty settled. Up next is a home meeting with Huddersfield Town. Solly March provides a possible alternative to Locadia on the right wing with Knockaert still suspended, while Stephens should come back into the side in place of Kayal if fit. On-loan forward Leonardo Ulloa will be available for Gameweek 33 after being ineligible to face his parent club, but he’s unlikely to push for a start ahead of Murray.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, right wing

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Lennon, Westwood, Cork, Nkoudou (Hendrick 69); Wood (Vokes 77), Barnes. Subs not used: Lindegaard, Taylor, Marney, Bardsley, Long.

• What we saw: With Johann Berg Gudmundsson absent due to a calf injury picked up in training on Friday, Sean Dyche handed a start to Georges-Kevin Nkoudou on the left side of midfield against West Bromwich Albion. Chris Wood was recalled alongside Ashley Barnes up front in a 4-4-2, with Jeff Hendrick dropping to the bench. The Republic of Ireland international entered the fray during the second half, playing on the right side of midfield, seeing Aaron Lennon move across to the left.
• What we learned: Providing Gudmundsson is fit to return at Watford on Saturday, he should replace Nkoudou out wide for the Clarets. Hendrick may again be left on the bench unless he’s considered to replace Ashley Westwood in central midfield. After both getting on the scoresheet, Barnes and Wood are set to continue in attack.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks

Chelsea

Starting XI: Caballero; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses (Giroud 81), Fabregas, Kante, Alonso (Emerson 83); Willian, Morata (Hudson-Odoi 88), Hazard. Subs not used: Eduardo, Cahill, Drinkwater, Bakayoko.

• What we saw: Thibaut Courtois failed to recover from a hamstring injury in time for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge, so Willy Caballero started in goal. Cesc Fabregas was preferred to Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater in central midfield, while Alvaro Morata was handed the lone striker role. The Blues ended the match in a 4-2-3-1, with substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi stationed on the left of the attacking midfield trio, while fellow substitute Olivier Giroud operated as the lone striker. Cesar Azpilicueta moved to right-back after Victor Moses was withdrawn.
• What we learned: Despite the disappointing 3-1 defeat, Antonio Conte lacks the options to make changes for Sunday’s home fixture against West Ham United. With a week to prove his fitness, Courtois may be ready to return in goal in place of Caballero, though, while after getting on the scoresheet, Morata could retain his place up front. Bakayoko and Drinkwater are possible starters in central midfield in place of Fabregas, while Gary Cahill provides cover at the back. Davide Zappacosta missed out on Sunday with a tendon problem but could return to challenge Victor Moses’ start. Meanwhile, Pedro could also return having missed the Spurs defeat with a training ground injury.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, central midfield

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka (Fosu-Mensah 88), Kelly, Sakho, van Aanholt; McArthur, Milivojevic, Cabaye (Loftus-Cheek 73); Townsend, Benteke, Zaha. Subs not used: Cavalieri, Lee Chung-Yong, Souare, Delaney, Riedewald.

• What we saw: Roy Hodgson chose to go with a 4-3-3 formation for the home clash against Liverpool, with Wilfried Zaha fit to start on the left of the front three. Yohan Cabaye returned in central midfield, while Martin Kelly came in for the injured James Tomkins in central defence.
• What we learned: Following another encouraging performance without reward, Hodgson is expected to name a similar starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth. The Eagles boss may consider starting with a slightly more attacking 4-4-2, though, with Zaha joining Christian Benteke up front, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is perhaps an option to start on the left wing. Alexander Sorloth missed out again on the weekend due to a hamstring problem, and he remains a doubt ahead of Gameweek 33. Tomkins should return in place of Kelly if he’s passed fit, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah continues to offer an alternative to Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defence, flanks, forwards

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Jagielka, Baines; Walcott, Schneiderlin, Rooney (Davies 57), Bolasie; Tosun (Niasse 79), Calvert-Lewin (Baningime 75). Subs not used: Robles, Martina, Funes Mori, Vlasic.

• What we saw: Sam Allardyce decided to use a 4-4-2 formation for the home fixture against Manchester City, deploying Dominic Calvert-Lewin alongside Cenk Tosun up front. With Idrissa Gueye ruled out due to a muscle problem, Morgan Schneiderlin partnered Wayne Rooney in central midfield. The Toffees ended the match in a 4-3-3, with Beni Baningime brought on to reinforce the midfield.
• What we learned: Everton face a Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park next. Gueye was close to being fit against Man City, so he will be expected to be available. A more defensive 4-3-3 may be an option from the start, then, with Gueye joining Schneiderlin and one of Rooney or Tom Davies in the middle of the park. Calvert-Lewin could be the player to make way. The rest of the line-up looks settled, although Ramiro Funes Mori was named among the substitutes against City, and may yet challenge for a start in central defence.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Smith (Mounie 83), Schindler, Jorgensen, Kongolo; Hogg, Mooy; Kachunga (Quaner 56), Pritchard, van La Parra (Malone 86); Depoitre. Subs not used: Billing, Coleman, Ince, Hadergjonaj.

• What we saw: David Wagner rang the changes following the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace for the trip to Newcastle United. Laurent Depoitre was recalled in place of Steve Mounie as the lone striker in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation, while Elias Kachunga and Rajiv van La Parra returned out wide. Aaron Mooy was fit to start at the base of midfield, the fit-again Terence Kongolo returned at left-back, while Tommy Smith was recalled at right-back. Kachunga had to be replaced just before the hour mark after picking up an ankle injury, however, with Collin Quaner his replacement. After falling behind, Wagner brought on Mounie to play alongside Depoitre in attack.
• What we learned: Kachunga is expected to miss Saturday’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, so either Quaner or Tom Ince look set to start on the right wing. Mounie could push for a recall in attack, while Wagner may also consider starting both he and Depoitre up front in a 4-4-2. In defence, Florent Hadergjonaj is an option to return at right-back in place of Smith. Philip Billing could be a viable starter in central midfield if the Terriers’ boss switches to a 4-3-3.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central midfield, right wing, lone striker

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Mahrez (Fuchs 85), Iborra, Ndidi, Albrighton (Gray 79); Okazaki (Diabate 56), Vardy. Subs not used: Jakupovic, Iheanacho, Silva, Dragovic.

• What we saw: Claude Puel handed a recall to Shinji Okazaki for the trip to Brighton, with the Japanese international starting in the support striker role in the usual 4-4-1-1 system. But with the match goalless, he was the first player to be replaced, making way for Fousseni Diabate in a straight swap just before the hour mark. Christian Fuchs entered the fray late on, playing at left-back, with Ben Chilwell pushed forward onto the left wing. That meant that substitute Demarai Gray was stationed on the right side of midfield.
• What we learned: After picking up all three points at the Amex Stadium, Puel is set to name a similar starting XI for Saturday’s home clash against Newcastle United. But he will be without the suspended Wilfred Ndidi, who was sent off for a second yellow card during the latter stages of Saturday’s match. Adrien Silva is the Nigerian’s likely replacement unless Matty James is available to return following an Achilles problem. Diabate, Gray and Kelechi Iheanacho are all possible alternatives to Okazaki in the support striker role.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, support striker

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum (Lallana 65, Lovren 70); Salah, Firmino, Mane (Oxlade-Chamberlain 64). Subs not used: Mignolet, Clyne, Moreno, Ings.

• What we saw: Jurgen Klopp named a strong side for the trip to Crystal Palace, despite Liverpool’s demanding schedule over the next few weeks. With Emre Can ruled out with a back injury, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum lined up in central midfield in the usual 4-3-3 system. The thigh injury suffered by Adam Lallana saw Klopp switch to a 3-5-2 formation, with Dejan Lovren brought on to bolster the defence. Mohamed Salah joined Roberto Firmino up front, while substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was part of a three-man midfield.
• What we learned: The Reds now host Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final before Saturday’s Merseyside derby. The second leg then follows three days later. With Lallana’s injury set to rule him out for the rest of the season, Klopp perhaps lacks the options to rotate in attacking areas. However, the minutes of Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane could be managed at Goodison Park. Oxlade-Chamberlain may be handed a start against Everton, with Can perhaps set to be saved for the European matches providing he can recover from a back problem. Lovren provides a viable alternative in central defence, while Nathaniel Clyne was back on the bench at the weekend, and could soon be a factor at right-back.

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

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