Premier League Tactical Preview: Alli v Toure and other key battles

Alex Keble
19 January 2017

Guardiola could be set for further misery when Tottenham visit the Etihad on Saturday

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Alex Keble returns with his regular analysis of four key tactical battles ahead of the weekend action in the Premier League, including why Hull could pull off a shock against Chelsea...

"Toure was easily skinned by Tom Davies on the halfway line and then failed to track the 18-year-old's run as he looked for the return pass in the box. If such a young player can walk through the City midfield, just imagine the damage Eriksen and Alli will do."

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur

Eriksen & Alli v City's flimsy midfield
Saturday, 17:30
Live on BT Sport 1

Pep Guardiola looked jaded - bereft, even - after his side's 4-0 loss to Everton, and since Spurs are on a seven-match winning streak this game should be a mismatch. Matters are made worse for the hosts by their developing crisis in midfield; the absence of Fernando, Fernandinho, and Ilkay Gundogan might force City to use the hopeless duo of Pablo Zabaleta and Yaya Toure once again.

Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli are flourishing as dual playmakers in a narrow 3-4-2-1 formation that replicates Conte's use of Eden Hazard and Pedro. Unless Fabian Delph is deemed fit enough (and good enough) to start, City will have little choice but to continue with a central midfield pairing that is disorganised, out of sync, and incapable of tracking complex movements.

Zabaleta's poor positional play was directly at fault for the first two goals, while Toure was shambolic in the build-up to the third. He was easily skinned by Tom Davies on the halfway line and then failed to track the 18-year-old's run as he looked for the return pass in the box. If such a young player can walk through the City midfield, just imagine the damage Eriksen and Alli will do...

Recommended Bet
Back Spurs to win at 27/10

Chelsea v Hull City

Conte's 3-4-2-1 v Snodgrass/Hernandez partnership
Sunday, 16:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Chelsea's system is gradually beginning to look beatable, largely thanks to a succession of opposition managers mirroring Antonio Conte's formation. It is unlikely that Hull can repeat Tottenham Hotspur's brilliant performance at the beginning of the month, but Marco Silva's tactical battleplan against Bournemouth closely resembles Stoke City's when they almost stopped the league leaders.

The most noteworthy aspect of their 3-1 win against the Cherries last weekend was the use of Robert Snodgrass as a second striker alongside Abel Hernandez. In a 3-5-2 formation, Hull's most technically gifted player was able to pick up the loose balls that dropped around Hernandez, who was found with long passes throughout the match. This tactic allowed Hull to hold possession higher up the pitch than usual.

Stoke did something similar at Stamford Bridge with Peter Crouch - and it almost paid off. The former England striker won eight headers and scored the second goal that could, perhaps should, have earned Stoke a point. Gary Cahill struggles against a target man like Crouch or Hernandez, while the absence of full-backs should allow Snodgrass to attack the flanks after winning the second ball. The chances of Hull getting anything are very slim, but worth a small bet after Silva's good start.

Recommended Bet
Back Draw/Hull at 16/5

Stoke City v Manchester United

Adam's long balls v Pogba's pressing
Saturday, 15:00

Crouch's return to the starting line-up has brought directness back to Stoke. Charlie Adam and the back four are looking for long balls at every opportunity, which could see them counterattack to victory against a Manchester United team that rarely press from the front.

Nobody will expect the visitors' front three to counter-press when Stoke, who will happily sit deep and absorb pressure, initially win the ball. As such, extra pressure is on Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera to close down Adam before he can fire a long ball towards Crouch. It is easy to envisage Pogba failing to take part in these defensive duties and Crouch, winning his header, releasing Xherdan Shaqiri.

A similar pattern developed when United played Middlesbrough, who led 1-0 until the 86th minute. Adam Traore terrorised Jose Mourinho's team on the counter (nine dribbles completed) and Alvaro Negredo held the ball up well. If Stoke's long-range passing is accurate there is no reason they cannot take at least a point.

Recommended Bet
Back Crouch to score any time at 14/5

Crystal Palace v Everton

Allardyce's narrow back four v Baines/Coleman
Saturday, 15:00

There is a peculiar tactical frailty that is undermining Sam Allardyce's start as Crystal Palace manager. West Ham United scored twice from the flanks last weekend and attempted 14 crosses from open play, largely because the visitors' back four were far too narrow. This should hand a strong advantage to Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, both of whom can pour forward in Ronald Koeman's 3-5-2 formation.

It was bizarre to witness just how bunched up those Palace defenders were, and a repeat of this will allow Everton's attacking wing-backs to overwhelm them. The situation is made worse on Everton's left (where Baines has been in excellent form recently) by Andros Townsend's unwillingness to track back.

It is highly likely that Baines will find space behind Townsend as James Tomkins hesitates to meet him. A must-win match for Big Sam is unlikely to swing his way unless significant tactical improvements have been made over the last week.