Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 36 – Part Two

Leroy Sane returns to the Manchester City teamsheet with a goal in Sunday’s win at West Ham. Mark Hughes reverts to a 3-4-2-1 and recalls Dusan Tadic, who scores twice in the vital home victory over Bournemouth.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford earns pitch time as a replacement for Romelu Lukaku as the latter limps off injured in Manchester United’s late victory over Arsenal.

Having checked out the first ten teams yesterday, we turn to part two of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 36, with an eye on what’s to come from the midweek European ties and Double Gameweek 37.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Ederson; Walker (Danilo 61), Laporte, Otamendi, Delph; Fernandinho, Gundogan (Toure 71), De Bruyne; Sane, Sterling, Jesus (Nmecha 79). Subs not used: Bravo, Bernardo, Mendy, Foden.

• What we saw: After being rested for the 5-0 win over Swansea City, Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane were all handed recalls for the trip to West Ham United. Walker returned at right-back, while Otamendi partnered Aymeric Laporte in central defence. Sane played on the left of the front three in the usual 4-3-3 system, while Fernandinho returned following his two-match ban to replace David Silva in central midfield. Walker’s return only lasted 61 minutes, though, after he picked up a muscle problem, with Danilo taking over at right-back.
• What we learned: City now face two home fixtures in Double Gameweek 37, hosting Huddersfield Town on Sunday, before entertaining Brighton and Hove Albion a week tomorrow. As Pep Guardiola’s men will lift the Premier League trophy against the Terriers, the City boss could name his strongest side for that match. So David Silva could oust Ilkay Gundogan in central midfield, while if fit, Vincent Kompany will be expected to start. But Walker could be a concern, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that he could now miss the remaining fixtures. If that proves to be the case, Danilo would be poised to offer three starts at right-back. Rotation is perhaps more likely against Brighton, with Benjamin Mendy an option at left-back, while in midfield, Gundogan and Bernardo Silva may earn starts. The likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Yaya Toure, Phil Foden and Lukas Nmecha could also come into contention should Guardiola look to make numerous changes.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central defenders, central midfield, flanks

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea, Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Young, Herrera (Fellaini 64), Matic, Pogba, Lingard (Martial 64), Lukaku (Rashford 50), Sanchez. Subs not used: Rojo, Mata, McTominay, Joel Pereira.

• What we saw: Jose Mourinho retained a 4-3-3 formation for the home clash against Arsenal, with the only change seeing Victor Lindelof replace Phil Jones in central defence. A foot injury for Romelu Lukaku saw the Belgian replaced by Marcus Rashford in a straight swap, while Anthony Martial came on for Jesse Lingard. Martial operated on the left of the front three, with Alexis Sanchez switching to the right wing.
• What we learned: Given the short turnaround before Friday’s trip to Brighton, question marks surround the availability of Lukaku. If the Belgian is ruled out, Rashford is the likeliest to occupy the central striker role, though Sanchez offers another option. United’s second match in Double Gameweek 37 has them travel to West Ham. Jones could come back into contention over those matches, though there is the suggestion that his fitness may again be a concern. Marouane Fellaini and Scott McTominay provide alternatives in central midfield, although their opportunities could be limited should Mourinho switch to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 against weaker opposition. That would boost the chances of Martial, Rashford and Juan Mata getting pitch time.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, left-back, central midfield, flanks, attacking midfield, central striker

Newcastle United

Starting XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett (Murphy 58); Ritchie, Diame, Shelvey, Kenedy, Perez (Joselu 79); Gayle (Slimani 65). Subs not used: Darlow, Clark, Hayden, Manquillo.

• What we saw: Rafa Benitez made just one change for the home clash against West Bromwich Albion, with Dwight Gayle recalled in the lone striker role in place of Islam Slimani in the usual 4-4-1-1 system. With his side trailing 1-0, Benitez introduced Jacob Murphy for Paul Dummett, forcing a reshuffle. Kenedy moved to left-back, and Matt Ritchie to the left wing to allow Murphy to operate on the right side of midfield.
• What we learned: After being charged by the FA for violent conduct, Slimani could now be handed a three-match ban. So for the away trips to Watford and Tottenham Hotspur in Double Gameweek 37, it’s Joselu who could provide the cover for Gayle up front. Murphy may get some minutes out wide, while Isaac Hayden is the main back-up option in central midfield with Mikel Merino an injury concern. At the back, Ciaran Clark and Javier Manquillo will hope to see some pitch time having been out of favour during Newcastle’s resurgence before the last two defeats.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, lone striker

Southampton

Starting XI: McCarthy; Bednarek, Yoshida, Hoedt; Cedric Soares, Romeu, Lemina, Bertrand; Tadic (Ward-Prowse 87), Redmond (Long 58); Austin (Hojbjerg 72). Subs not used: Forster, Stephens, Long, Gabbiadini, Sims.

• What we saw: After using a 3-5-2 formation in the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in their FA Cup semi-final, Mark Hughes switched to a 3-4-2-1 system for the home meeting with Bournemouth. Dusan Tadic and Nathan Redmond were handed recalls in the attacking midfield positions behind lone striker Charlie Austin. The Saints boss kept faith in Jan Bednarek in the three-man backline, despite Jack Stephens returning to contention following his three-match ban. Holding a slender 2-1 lead, Southampton ended the match with just substitute Shane Long in attack, with Hughes bolstering the midfield by bringing on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and James Ward-Prowse.
• What we learned: Following Saturday’s victory, Hughes is expected to stick with a similar starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Everton. Bednarek looks poised to retain his start in central defence ahead of Stephens, but Long will challenge Austin for the lone striker role. Other changes appear unlikely at Goodison Park, although Saints then travel to Swansea City a week tonight in their second match of Double Gameweek 37. If Hughes looks to freshen things up, Hojbjerg and Ward-Prowse may be options in midfield, while whichever forward starts on the bench on Saturday could be the favoured option against the Swans.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield, lone striker

Stoke City

Starting XI: Butland; Zouma, Shawcross, Martins Indi (Sobhi 52), Pieters; Shaqiri, Allen, Ndiaye, Bauer; Crouch (Fletcher 65), Diouf. Subs not used: Haugaard, Ireland, Adam, Cameron, Campbell.

• What we saw: Paul Lambert retained an attacking 4-4-2 formation for the trip to Liverpool, with Peter Crouch and Mame Biram Diouf starting up front once again. Kurt Zouma returned at right-back in place of the injured Glen Johnson. A groin injury to Bruno Martins Indi forced Lambert into a reshuffle early in the second half. Moritz Bauer moved to right-back, and Zouma to centre-back, with substitute Ramadan Sobhi playing on the left wing. The Potters ended the match in a 4-3-3, with Darren Fletcher brought on as a holding midfielder, affording Badou Ndiaye and Joe Allen the freedom to push forward. Xherdan Shaqiri and Sobhi flanked central striker Diouf.
• What we learned: With Saturday’s home meeting with Crystal Palace a must-win for Stoke, Lambert will surely have to name an attacking line-up. So Sobhi could start on the left wing in the same 4-4-2, seeing Bauer move to right-back. Martins Indi is expected to be ruled out, so Zouma is likely to start in central defence. In the event that Eric Choupo-Moting is passed fit, he could make a return either out wide or in one of the two forward positions.

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

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Roberts (Carroll 63), van der Hoorn, Mawson, Naughton, Olsson (Routledge 81); A Ayew, Ki Sung-yueng, King (Dyer 58), Clucas; J Ayew. Subs not used: Nordfeldt, Britton, Rangel, Sanches.

• What we saw: Swans head coach Carlos Carvalhal opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation against Chelsea, with Connor Roberts handed a first league start at right wing-back. In the absence of the injured Federico Fernandez, Kyle Naughton moved inside as the right-sided centre-back. Ki Sung-yueng got the nod over Tom Carroll in central midfield, while Sam Clucas returned on the left of the two attacking midfield spots. After bringing on Nathan Dyer and Carroll, the Swans lined up in a 4-3-3, with Dyer (right) and Andre Ayew (left) flanking central striker Jordan Ayew, while Clucas dropped back into central midfield. As a final roll of the dice with his side trailing 1-0, Carvalhal brought on Wayne Routledge for Martin Olsson. Routledge played on the left wing, while Andre Ayew moved up front alongside brother Jordan in a 4-4-2. Clucas and Naughton were the full-backs during the latter stages.
• What we learned: Swansea now face crucial matches away to Bournemouth and at home to Southampton in Double Gameweek 37. Carvalhal is likely to stick with a similar formation at the Vitality Stadium. The Swans are hopeful that both Fernandez (knee) and Luciano Narsingh (ankle) could be available to return. Fernandez would likely come back in at centre-half, with Naughton then set to replace Roberts at right wing-back. Narsingh provides an alternative down the right flank but may struggle to push for a start unless Carvalhal considers using a 4-3-3 system. A change to a four-man defence is more of a possibility against Saints depending on the result this weekend. Dyer provides another viable option out wide, while with another week of training behind him, Renato Sanches may be ready to feature from the bench. Tammy Abraham will be available again after being ineligible to face his parent club, but is another who could only come into contention for a start should Carvalhal opt for a more bold approach against Southampton.

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

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele (Wanyama 63); Eriksen, Alli (Lamela 82), Son (Sissoko 74); Kane. Subs not used: Vorm; Alderweireld, Aurier, Lucas Moura.

• What we saw: Mauricio Pochettino handed a recall to Hugo Lloris for the home match-up with Watford, in the only change from the 2-1 defeat to Man United in their FA Cup semi-final.
• What we learned: Spurs will check on Mousa Dembele ahead of Saturday’s trip to West Brom after the Belgian was forced off with an ankle sprain last night. Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko will provide the cover in central midfield in his absence. After the trip to The Hawthorns, Spurs entertain Newcastle at Wembley a week tomorrow. So over the two matches, Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier may get a start each at right-back, while if he is fully fit, Danny Rose will threaten Ben Davies’ place at left-back. Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura could see some minutes in the attacking midfield positions, with Son Heung-min’s starting role the most at risk. Toby Alderweireld provides cover in central defence, but with just one appearance since Gameweek 11, he will struggle to earn a start at the expense of Davinson Sanchez.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central midfield, flanks

Watford

Starting XI: Karnezis; Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Holebas; Capoue, Doucoure; Femenia (Deulofeu 64), Hughes (Carrillo 83), Richarlison; Gray (Deeney 64). Subs not used: Gomes; Britos, Janmaat, Sinclair.

• What we saw: With Roberto Pereyra ruled out with a groin injury, Javi Gracia handed a recall to Richarlison. Kiko Femenia and Andre Gray also came back into the starting XI for the Hornets. Richarlison returned on the left of the attacking midfield trio, with Femenia on the right, while Gray started as the lone striker with Deeney perhaps not fully fit following the ankle problem he picked up against Crystal Palace. Watford ended with Andre Carrillo on the right wing, and fellow substitute Gerard Deulofeu in the No 10 role.
• What we learned: After impressing on his return to first-team action, Deulofeu is likely to push for a start against Newcastle on Saturday. He could replace Femenia on the right, while he is also an option on the opposite flank in place of Richarlison if Pereyra remains sidelined. Deeney should come into strong contention to return in the lone striker role.

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

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs; Phillips, Livermore, Brunt, McClean (Evans 90); Rodriguez (Krychowiak 77); Rondon (Robson-Kanu 90). Subs not used: Myhill, Burke, Sturridge, Yacob.

• What we saw: Unsurprisingly, Darren Moore again decided to name an unchanged starting XI for the trip to Newcastle, seeing the Baggies line up in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Jay Rodriguez operating in a support striker role. That became a 4-5-1 when Grzegorz Krychowiak was brought on for Rodriguez to help shore up the midfield with West Brom holding on to a 1-0 lead. Jonny Evans was introduced late on, seeing the Baggies end the match in a defensive 5-4-1 system.
• What we learned: On the back of another victory, Moore looks set to stick with the same starting XI for Saturday’s home encounter against Spurs providing there are no fresh injury concerns. Evans will probably have to settle for a place among the substitutes once more, then, along with Daniel Sturridge.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: None

West Ham United

Starting XI: Adrian; Ogbonna, Rice, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Noble, Kouyate, Evra (Masuaku 66); Fernandes (Joao Mario 65), Arnautovic, Lanzini (Chicharito 66). Subs not used: Trott, Cullen, Hugill, Carroll.

• What we saw: David Moyes recalled Manuel Lanzini in a central support role in a 3-5-1-1 formation against Man City, seeing Joao Mario drop to the bench. The other change saw Patrice Evra preferred to Arthur Masuaku at left wing-back. The Hammers ended the match in more of a 3-4-2-1, with Marko Arnautovic and Joao Mario in the attacking midfield spots behind lone striker Chicharito.
• What we learned: While Moyes opted for a slightly more defensive set-up in midfield against the champions, he is likely to switch back to the more attacking 3-4-2-1 system for the trip to Leicester City. So Joao Mario could replace Edimilson Fernandes, while Masuaku may return at left wing-back at the expense of Evra. Joe Hart is available again after being ineligible to face his parent club and seems likely to return in goal in place of Adrian. If James Collins is available again following a hamstring injury, he would be an option to replace Declan Rice in the three-man defence. The Hammers host Man United in their second match of Double Gameweek 37, where a return to a more solid 3-5-1-1 could be on the cards depending on the result against Leicester, with Fernandes coming back into the side. Chicharito is likely to be limited to minutes from the bench given the form of Arnautovic in the lone striker role and the return to fitness of Lanzini. Meanwhile, Andy Carroll looks likely to be out of favour following a reported fall-out with David Moyes.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, central defenders, left wing-back, central midfield, attacking midfield