-------- Courtois
Ivan, Cahill, Luiz, Azpi
- Oscar, Kante, Matic
Willian, Costa, Hazard

^Expected line-up

T L L L

If it was your decision?

Nah a draw is no good. After dropping points last week we need 3 points this game.

I'd go with the same team I posted above.

It'll be a big ask to beat Liverpool, Coutinho and Mane are always thorns in our side, With JT I'd be confident. Well probably see a complete reshuffle of the back 4 with Luiz & Alonso being introduced which I doubt will help is defensively.

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Yeah it will be difficult but we need to beat our top 4 rivals at home.

With Liverpool most likely to press from the front having Luiz at the back may work really well as we need someone who can play the ball out from the back when under pressure.

Luiz in defence preferably

I think it'll be

Courtois
Ivan - Cahill - Luiz - Azpi
Kante - Matic
Willian - Oscar - Hazard
Costa

I'd go all attack, their defence is suspect, so would probably outscore them.

----------------------Costa-------------Batshuayi------------------


Hazard------------------------Cesc-------------------------Pedro


---------------------Kante--------------------Oscar-------------------


-----------------Luiz--------------Cahill--------------Brana


------------------------------Courtouis----------------------------

There is no way we should be playing Brana in the middle in a game like this. That isn't to say I don't rate him there or wouldn't like to see him there but I recall his days as a utility man and he was always gash his first few games when shifted, after about 5-7 games he would be solid in either but it really was to the detriment of his game switching him all the time.

Also, three at the back, again in a game like this? This is not the time for changing systems at the back.

I see what you mean, probably Mane will have a field day against that defence. But I am relying on our attack to outscore them.

There;s no reason a back four can't be the basis of an offensively minded team, no less so than a back three, or back depending on how you look at it and that is my point really.

It is about giving the trio of attacking midfielders an emphasis on all out attack and in doing so the full-backs license to fill in midfield.

Whether it is a back four of back 3/5 does actually dictate whether you're dealing with full-backs or wing-backs. Playing the likes of Kante who can be instructed (and actually follow instruction) can effectively drop so deep he makes up an extra centre half when the opponent is in possession, I recall Mikel playing this way about 4 years ago.

Formations are so flexible and fluid these days and for that reason I think it is important to start from a base which is familiar, one which build understanding on the pitch but with a different mindset rather than system.

I'm all for experimenting but this isn't the time.

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We do tend to press teams a lot more which is why Oscar starts over Cesc but I am suprised Cesc doesn't have a pirlo role with Kante and Matic/Oscar built alongside him.

Everyone going for a 4-2-3-1. We don't play that way anymore (thank Christ).

Courtois

Ivanovic (begrudgingly)
Cahill
Luiz
Azpilicueta

Kante

Willian
Oscar
Matic
Hazard

Costa

4-1-4-1