Premier League Tactical Preview: Fernandinho v Loftus-Cheek and other key battles

Alex Keble
21 September 2017

Hodgson's tactics are better suited to games in which Palace are firmly considered underdogs.

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Alex Keble returns for his weekly tactical blog, picking out four key battles ahead of the weekend Premier League action...

"Pep Guardiola’s ultra-attacking 4-4-2 diamond formation leaves a huge hole in the defensive midfield zone, and while most opponents are too penned in to take advantage of the gap Palace’s quick distribution to Benteke could expose the hosts."

West Ham v Tottenham

West Ham's narrow 3-4-3 v Alli & Eriksen
Saturday, 12:30, live on Sky Sports Premier League

West Ham United haven't conceded a single league goal since Slaven Bilic reinstated a narrow 3-4-3 formation, largely because his strong, but slow, central defenders are required to cover less space when sat in a three. Tottenham Hotspur almost exclusively probe through the centre of the pitch, and against Bilic's compact blockade (West Ham always look more compressed, focused, and energetic in London derbies) they will struggle to break through using their favoured methods.

To counteract this problem, Mauricio Pochettino will adapt his tactics for the occasion, as he did for the 3-1 defeat of Borussia Dortmund, in which Spurs used a counter-attacking system to expose the Germans' high line.

Spurs must ignore their instincts and play predominantly down the flanks, ensuring that their wing-backs are supported on the touchline by Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, who will find themselves squeezed out of the game unless they drift into wider areas. Doubled up on the wings, Spurs can rotate the ball around the tight throng of Hammers' bodies and launch crosses into the area, as well as isolate Pablo Zabaleta and exploit his defensive frailty. Pochettino is smart enough to find a way through.

Recommended Bet
Back Spurs to win to nil at 15/8

Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Fernandinho v Loftus-Cheek
Saturday, 15:00

Roy Hodgson has hastily reintroduced a no-nonsense brand of direct football at Crystal Palace, and although he failed to inspire victory against Southampton last weekend there have been tentative signs of progress. Chief among them is the burgeoning partnership between Christian Benteke - whose aerial presence is once again becoming the fulcrum of their attacking play - and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The Chelsea loanee looked sharp at Selhurst Park last Saturday, using his powerful frame and intelligent positional play (a rare and valuable combination) to collect many of the second balls that dropped around the Belgian striker. As the most advanced midfielder in a 4-4-1-1 formation, Loftus-Cheek could become the catalyst for Palace's long-ball counter-attacks this season, mimicking the role Wilfried Zaha took up towards the end of last campaign.

Although the odds are heavily stacked against Hodgson's team, Loftus-Cheek's piercing runs in possession could hurt Manchester City at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola's ultra-attacking 4-4-2 diamond formation leaves a huge hole in the defensive midfield zone, and while most opponents are too penned in to take advantage of the gap Palace's quick distribution to Benteke could expose the hosts. Unless Fernandinho covers expertly, Benteke's knock downs might just release Loftus-Cheek into surprisingly large pockets of space.

Recommended Bet
Back BTTS at 11/10

Leicester City v Liverpool

James v Coutinho
Saturday, 17:30, Live on BT Sport 1

Liverpool's final game of last season, a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough, was proof of how important Philippe Coutinho is to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp deployed the Brazilian in a "false eight" role, which allowed him to grab possession in deeper areas and thread through balls from unexpected positions. Boro were cut open before they had the chance to drop into their ultra-deep lines of four.

Leicester City need to be wary of this new role for Coutinho, whose direct opponent will be Matty James on Saturday. The hosts should feel confident their defensive 4-4-2 formation will nullify the pace of Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, but Coutinho will be very difficult to track. Keep an eye on the amount of time the Brazilian is given on the halfway line because, unlike Danny Drinkwater, James is prone to lapses in concentration.

The 26-year-old is averaging 1.8 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game this season, considerably fewer than Drinkwater's 2.9 tackles and 1.8 interceptions in 2016/17. During transitional periods, after Leicester counters break down, Coutinho should find the space he needs to thread through-balls in behind the Foxes' defence.

Recommended Bet
Back Liverpool to win at 10/11

Stoke City v Chelsea

Allen & Fletcher v Fabregas & Kante
Saturday, 15:00

Arsenal's resilient performance against Chelsea last weekend was primarily thanks to their ability to simplify the match into a series of one-v-one battles. Their formation mirrored Chelsea's, which meant the usually wayward Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka could focus on man-marking N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas respectively. Stoke City would be wise to copy this model.

Chelsea's biggest flaw is their over-reliance on the inside forwards to create opportunities, and if the two deeper midfielders have their passing lines cut off then suddenly Pedro and Willian are no longer a threat. Stoke have already been using the same 3-4-3 formation as Arsenal and Chelsea this season; a series of individual battles is the most likely narrative to develop.

Joe Allen and Darren Fletcher are more than capable of halting Fabregas and Kante. The real danger is how deep Mark Hughes instructs them to play; if they try to sit on top of Willian and Eden Hazard, they will lose too much territory, allowing Fabregas to thread passes forward and Victor Moses to receive balls behind the defence. However, should Stoke be brave enough to step onto Chelsea's central midfielders then it could be another frustrating afternoon for Antonio Conte.