Premier League Tactical Preview: Four key battles for week three

Alex Keble
19 August 2015

Raheem Sterling has rejuvenated Man City and could lead them to victory against Everton

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Alex Keble looks at four key tactical battles ahead of the weekend action in the Premier League, including how Villa can defeat Crystal Palace, and why Jonjo Shelvey might tear Sunderland apart...

"The elasticity of Raheem Sterling has spread through the Man City starting eleven with alarming speed; so rigid and predictable in 2014/15, creativity is flourishing in the bubbles of space that float in the smoke trail of the England winger."

M'Vila v Shelvey
Sunderland v Swansea
Saturday, 15:00

These are dark times for Sunderland, and a clash between two teams with wildly polarised outlooks - Sunderland a swirling chaos, Swansea organised and serene - looks like an ominous one for the Black Cats. The battle in central midfield between Garry Monk's surreptitious playmaker and Dick Advocaat's new destroyer is one of several head-to-heads that could settle this match.

Steadily rising to prominence after years of ambling underachievement, Jonjo Shlevey has begun this season in superb form, ghosting into pockets of space and splitting defences with his passing (4.5 key passes per match, 2nd most in division). One key factor behind this statistical surge is Swansea's greater strength on the wings, with Jefferson Montero and Andre Ayew stretching opposition midfields. Since Gylfi Sigurdsson also preoccupies defensive midfielders, the unassuming Shelvey can roam into deeper gaps and find time to thread the ball through.

Sunderland's cataclysmic defending is dazzling to watch. Against Norwich their players skipped and twirled in bizarre zig-zag formation as an exasperated Yann M'Vila scuttled back and forth to cover the holes left all around him. He made an impressive six tackles on his debut, and ran 10.5km.

His collaboration with Lee Cattermole will be vital on Saturday to close down Shelvey and cut off the passing lines. But if he is left overworked once again, then expect Shelvey to split the defence with terrifying ease as his team-mates, with their 88% pass accuracy and 56% possession, pull this fragile team into contorted and desperate positions.

Recommended bet: Back Swansea to win at 21/20

McCarthy v Silva/Sterling
Everton v Man City
Sunday, 16:00 - Live on Sky Sports 1

The elasticity of Raheem Sterling has spread through the Man City starting eleven with alarming speed; so rigid and predictable in 2014/15, creativity is flourishing in the bubbles of space that float in the smoke trail of the England winger. James McCarthy must perform with anti-Fabregas intelligence and stoic focus if he is to successfully track the flitting and darting on Man City's rejuvenated left hand side.

Caught out of position and turned easily on numerous occasions, Cesc Fabregas left gaping holes in midfield for City to exploit. The lesson for McCarthy is to stay deep, hold a close line with Gareth Barry, and resist the desire to press tight to Sterling.

His task is made considerably harder by the absence of Tony Hibbert, whose injury means that Seamus Coleman cannot be fielded in right midfield. To ensure David Silva does not peel free during Sterling's distractions McCarthy will have to shift delicately along the line and cover a defensively inadequate Arouna Kone.

McCarthy averaged 2.4 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per match last season. He will have to hit similar numbers on Sunday to prevent his team-mates being dragged and slung out of position by the left-sided trio that attack with whirlwind force.

Recommended bet: Back over 1.5 goals in the first half at 29/20

Bolasie v Amavi
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Saturday, 15:00

Having made quietly auspicious starts to the campaign both Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will view this encounter as a test of their respective prospects of a top ten finish. Palace were unzipped by Arsenal last week thanks to a weakness on their right flank, and Aston Villa - with the quick and direct pairing of Jordan Amavi and Scott Sinclair on the left - will look to exploit this space in a similar way.

Yannick Bolasie frequently reneged on his defensive duties, leaving right-back Joel Ward overworked and stretching Palace's central midfield three across the pitch. Arsenal, recognising this flaw, instructed Mesut Ozil to drift into the left channel and help Alexis Sanchez and Nacho Monreal overload this area; this led directly to the opening goal as Ozil crossed, unchallenged, for Olivier Giroud to finish.

41% of Aston Villa's attacks have come down the left this season (3rd highest in division), largely because Jordan Amavi (4.5 dribbles per match, 2nd highest in division) and Scott Sinclair (1.5 dribbles per match) have offered a direct, piercing outlet whilst the rest of the team struggle to create space.

Palace's narrow and congested off-the-ball formation leaves plenty of work for the three central midfielders if Bolasie continues to roam high up the pitch; Yohan Cabaye, from the right of this trio, must continue his outstanding start to the season (4 tackles, 5.5 interceptions per match) to help nullify the threat.

Villa have struggled creatively thus far (6 shots per match, fewest in the division), but Amavi and Sinclair should find plenty of space to weave a route to goal on Saturday.

Recommended bet: Back both teams to score at 1/1

Koscielny v Benteke
Arsenal v Liverpool
Monday, 20:00 - Live on Sky Sports 1

In a contest that will be defined by furious pressing and quick tempo interchanges on a congested pitch, attacking variation will be key for Liverpool at a venue where Arsenal usually swarm and dominate. In Christian Benteke - utilised frequently as a target man against Bournemouth on Monday night - Brendan Rodgers possesses a player that could unsettle a slow back four and help bypass the strong Coquelin/Cazorla partnership.

The midfield scrap between Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, James Milner and Jordan Henderson will be fascinating, but the tenacity of each player is likely to make slow build-up play difficult. Against Bournemouth, Liverpool resorted to long balls to Benteke during periods of play in which intricate football became a struggle; a similar tactic could be very effective on Sunday, helping to bring Philippe Coutinho into the game with greater urgency.

Surprisingly, Arsenal have won more aerial duels (25.5 per match) than any other team in the opening two games. However, this is largely due to the physicality of their opponents and a win ratio of 60% does not suggest dominance; after all, West Ham scored a header against them on the opening day.

Koscielny (7 headers won per match) must be strong against Benteke or risk his back line becoming exposed, as Rodgers instructs a more varied Liverpool to pump the ball into areas that negate Arsenal's pressing game.

Recommended bet: Back the draw at 14/5

Alex Keble
@alexkeble

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