Premier League Tactical Preview: Capoue v Albrighton and other key battles

Alex Keble
02 March 2016

Etienne Capoue will be a vital factor in Watford's ability to tame Marc Albrighton

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Alex Keble returns with his regular analysis of four key tactical battles ahead of the midweek action in the Premier League, including why Marc Albrighton is the key to a Leicester victory, and how Spurs can win the North London derby...

"If Watford are to avoid being bamboozled by those reverse passes and neat inside-centre triangles, then Capoue - one of the most underrated midfielders in the country - must dominate in right central midfield."

Watford v Leicester

Capoue v Albrighton
Saturday, 17:30, Live on Sky Sports 1

Watford and Leicester are tactically very similar in many regards, boasting mean defences built upon an excellent narrow 4-4-2 pressing system and two battling, dominant central midfielders. But in an even game at Vicarage Road the key battle will take place on Leicester's left, where the in-form Marc Albrighton could find joy on the outside of Watford's compact system.

Leicester faced a similarly tricky defence on Tuesday night, when Albrighton - attempting 12 crosses in 62 minutes - was the key creative player; time and time again his team-mates slipped excellent passes inside the right-midfielder and central-midfielder to find the English winger, and his superb delivery created numerous chances. He was a joy to watch, and the movement around him (Jamie Vardy darted into the same channel, and Andy King controlled the space on the inside) helped to create fluid passing in this zone that West Brom could not track. Albrighton will be the key man again this weekend.

Watford have only conceded four goals in their last eight games and 11 at Vicarage Road all season (only Arsenal, Spurs, and Man Utd have conceded fewer home goals) thanks to their space-squeezing model led by Etienne Capoue. If they are to avoid being bamboozled by those reverse passes and neat inside-centre triangles, then Capoue - one of the most underrated midfielders in the country - must dominate in right central midfield.

Leicester and Watford are first and second in the charts for interceptions made thanks to their unified pressing systems; in a tight, congested match, the movement on Alrighton's flank could be decisive.

Recommended Bet
Back the draw at 11/5

Swansea v Norwich

Paloschi v Norwich's slow defence
Saturday, 15:00

Norwich are not leaking goals quite as alarmingly as they were a few weeks ago but in a nervy affair at the Liberty Stadium - where an increasingly narrow Swansea will look to play through balls to Alberto Paloschi - their slow and out-of-sync defenders may struggle to cope.

Paloschi is a quick striker that likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender; his goal against Spurs last week was the result of sharp, striker's-instinct reactions, and the resulting confidence boost should see him make a number of intelligent runs this weekend.

He should, in time, flourish under Francesco Guidolin. The new manager frequently switches formation, but in each case the emphasis is on narrow attacking lines with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Ayew playing in central roles alongside one another; against Norwich, we may see a return of the narrow 4-3-1-2 that saw four Swansea attackers occupy ground in the middle.

Expect plenty of opportunities for through balls as Swansea dominate possession in the Norwich half in central zones, with Paloschi making runs in behind. Norwich suffer from a slow defence and thus Sebastian Bassong should be beaten by Paloschi's pace - whilst new signing Timm Klose, understandably struggling to adapt to English football, may also fail to track the Italian's movement.

Recommended Bet
Back Swansea to win at 10/11

Spurs v Arsenal

Alli v Ramsey
Saturday, 12:45, Live on Bt Sport 1

Tottenham play in a very narrow 4-2-3-1 formation that utilises inverted wingers to overload the centre of the pitch, where Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen tend to dominate with short passing in this congested zone. Arsenal's biggest concern currently is flakiness in central midfield because Aaron Ramsey bursts forward too frequently; this should be the key battleground for Sunday's crucial derby.

Ramsey is dribbled past more times (51 this season) than any other player bar Cesc Fabregas, highlighting his inefficiency in the tackle that has occasionally undermined Arsenal in 2016. He loves to dart forward and control the game from high up the pitch but - although excellent in this role - this can leave Francis Coquelin with too much to do. All too often opponents counter through Arsenal's soft centre, and Spurs will look to do the same.

Mauricio Pochettino is a superb reactive manager, tweaking his tactical strategy to exploit the flaws of his opponents. As such, he will ensure that Alli attacks this Ramsey-less zone alongside Eriksen and Erik Lamela. Alli's one-touch passing and positional intelligence in the final third should see Spurs dominate the midfield battle.

Recommended Bet
Back Spurs to win at 29/20

West Brom v Man United

Dawson v Depay
Sunday, 16:00, Live on Sky Sports 1

Much has changed in the last couple of weeks for Louis van Gaal and, whether by accident or design, his youthful team are playing with great creative freedom. This is a good opportunity to show how far they have come but since West Brom will sit deep in an ultra-defensive shell they will need the piercing width of Memphis Depay to make things happen.

Against FC Midtjylland Depay was sensational, terrorising the right-back and thus providing United with a constant attacking outlet. He will be equally important here given that Tony Pulis will restrict space in the middle by dramatically narrowing the pitch; they held 37% possession in the return fixture at Old Trafford and just 28% in their home win over Arsenal last November.

Craig Dawson is an excellent tackler, but his lack of speed could prove decisive here. Depay loves to take players on and since Stephane Sessegnon is likely to be preoccupied by Juan Mata drifting to the left, Dawson will not always come out on top in their one-on-one; keep an eye on this battle.

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