Since the Premier Leagues inception 25 years ago, English football has undergone some wholesale changes. With hi-tech new stadia and talent recruited from around the globe, the face of football has changed but how have teams, and specifically their formations, altered over the years?Modern systems require full-backs to provide defensive stability and attacking threat in tandem, a role in stark contrast to defence-orientated requirements of the past. At the other end of the pitch, the days of formidable strike partnerships appear to have disappeared, replaced by the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the lone centre-forward position or Adam Lallana in the fashionable false nine role. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just £6.99. No contract. As part of Sky Sports News HQs evolution of football week, Danny Higginbotham takes a closer look at the latest trends...Defence: 4-4-2DANNY SAYS: This is still the best system, in my opinion. As long as it switches to 4-5-1 when out of possession its a formation that can outdo anyone, Leicester City showed that last season. The 4-4-2 formation was key to Leicesters Premier League title win The role of the full-backs is different in this system, at present we see full-backs play like wingers with both attacking at the same time. But historically when one full-back would attack the other would tuck in and make three at the back - if one full-back went, the other would not go.Defence: 4-2-3-1DANNY SAYS: This is a more traditional modern-day formation. One of the teams who utilise this system well are Tottenham. What they do very well is attack with both full-backs, who are expected to play both left-back and left midfield at the same time. The pace and athleticism of Walker and Rose has been key to Spurs direct style Spurs transfer from defence to attack so quickly and the full-backs are key to that as they break into open space with pace. One second theyre defending, the next the balls in the back of the net.The way that is done nowadays is down to the defensive side of things, teams want to maintain their defensive solidity when theyre attacking.This is achieved when the two centre-backs split and a midfielder drops back into the defensive line. Teams still have the strength that comes from having three at the back, meaning theyre less likely to be counter-attacked. Eric Diers defensive ability gives Spurs full-backs free reign to attack This has completely changed the role of the full-back, theyve got to be more athletic and fitter, because theyre responsible for the length of the pitch in attack and defence.Attack: 4-4-2DANNY SAYS: You used to see the big man and little man up front - Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips for example - and you didnt really see centre-forwards isolated. As such the big man would occupy the defenders, allowing the little man to feed off knock-downs.Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry were another formidable Premier League partnership. They worked differently though, Henry would stretch the game and Bergkamp would drop deep. Henry and Bergkamp formed a formidable partnership during their time at Arsenal Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke were telepathic with some of the goals they scored. They had a real understanding, they would always interchange positions.Then there was Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, another partnership that ensured neither striker was isolated because they had a partner.With this formation, wide players, and the full-backs to some extent, would try and create a two-on-one against opposition wide players who loved going forward but werent the greatest defensively.We dont see a lot of goals being scored from crosses now but when there were two centre-forwards, and potentially a midfielder and winger from the opposite side, we did. With Premier League squads being so similar, a slight tactical change could be the difference between winning and losing games. Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham This was arguably down to the fact there were more out-and-out wingers plying their trade in the Premier League, but the fact centre-forwards were rarely isolated played a massive part.Attack: 4-2-3-1DANNY SAYS: Nowadays with 4-3-2-1 we often see the centre-forward isolated and reliant on the three players behind him for support and to provide him with the opportunity to score goals. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a good example of the modern-day lone centre-forward as he carries out both attacking tasks.In the traditional formations, the smaller forward would work the channels but Ibrahimovic is often found stretching defences.At other times he allows the three supporting midfielders to attack the space in front of him, allowing him to operate in behind, as seen with his goal against Bournemouth. Watch Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruthlessly exploit the space vacated by his fellow attackers to score his first Premier League goal at Bournemouth The role of the striker has changed along with formations. The notion of a centre-forward is to create a gap between the midfielders and the defence.If you have a single centre-forward who wants to drop deep, the three midfielders behind him can push on into the space he has vacated. While if the forward holds a high line, that opens up space in the middle of the park for those behind him to play into.False nineDANNY SAYS: People talk about the false nine as though it was invented recently. Johan Cruyff actually brought it in at Barcelona in the late 80s and it was very successful.Liverpool are one of the teams who use the formation really well at the moment, with no recognised centre-forward in the line-up. Danny Higginbotham examines the evolution of formations and the changing role of strikers within football Jurgen Klopp plays with two holders in midfield in Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum and the four players in front readily interchange positions.They have utilised the formation so well that they vacate the number nine area completely and, in recent weeks, Adam Lallana in particular has had free rein to roam into the position. Its all about the players off the ball creating space for runners from deep to run in to.Ultimately, there are a lot of different tactical approaches and, with Premier League squads being so similar, a slight tactical change by managers could be the difference between winning and losing games.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Premier League video Fixtures Table Live on Sky Vans Shoes Cheap Australia . 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Three pitches later, he was hugging Mike Napoli at home plate after his teammates winning home run. Napoli and Ortiz hit consecutive homers with one out in the 10th inning and the Boston Red Sox rallied past Minnesota 2-1 Wednesday, sending the Twins to their fifth straight loss.Will Spurs beat Chelsea on Monday night to keep the title race alive? Paul Merson gives his prediction... Read on to see who Merse is tipping to come out on top... Mersons last predictions Result Merses prediction Man City 4-0 Stoke 2-0 Aston Villa 2-4 Southampton 0-2 Bournemouth 1-4 Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool 2-2 Newcastle 2-1 Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal 1-1 Leicester 4-0 Swansea 1-1 Tottenham 1-1 West Brom 3-0 Everton 1-2 Man Utd (FA Cup) 1-2 Crystal Palace 2-1 Watford (FA Cup) 1-0 Chelsea v Tottenham (Monday Night Football, 8pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD) Im going to go for a Chelsea win and for there to be goals. I watched Chelsea at Bournemouth last week and they will let in goals for absolute fun, and Tottenham have to have a go and Chelsea are good going forward. Tottenham arent going to go there and lie down, dont worry about that. Even if Leicester have won they still arent going to go to Stamford Bridge and get embarrassed. It will be an entertaining football match.PAUL PREDICTS: 3-2 (28/1 with Sky Bet) Will Tottenham still be in the title race on Monday? Everton v BournemouthI know theres nothing to play for but this is a big game for Roberto Martinez. I dont think he can afford to lose this at home. You like to think the players are going to produce for him, and if they dont I think that will be it. Hes got to win this game, and show a little bit.The thing with Bournemouth is that theyve got where they needed to get so they are going to take their foot off the gas, because theyve had to work hard every single week for a result. What theyve achieved is phenomenal, so I can understand whats happened with them, but this is still a dangerous game for Everton.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)Newcastle v Crystal PalaceIve got to go for Newcastle, theyve got too much to play for. Palace have just had a hard game at Wembley and are in the final of the FA Cup, whereas Newcastle are fighting for their lives. If Newcastle can just start well I think theyll win the game. Im going to for a massive three points for Newcastle.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)Stoke v SunderlandAbout four weeks ago this was a hard game for Sunderland. Now I look at it and think Sam Allardyces side have a real chance. Stoke have let in four goals three games on the trot, and have to be careful theyre not complacent. But they do have some players who can hurt youu, whoever theyre playing.dddddddddddd This is the hardest game to call because Sunderland are playing for their lives, but surely Stoke are going to get better. I think it will be a bad result for Sunderland.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)Watford v Aston VillaWatford are gone. They put all their eggs in one basket and lost in the FA Cup semi-final. People will think Im going mad because Villa are absolutely shocking, but I dont think there are a million miles between these two teams, just one has two good strikers and the other team doesnt.But how many games have Watford won in the last 10? The semi-final result was a kick in the teeth for them, but I think Villa still have to score first. If Watford score first theyll run away with it.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (11/2 with Sky Bet)West Brom v West HamWest Brom are a hard team to beat, you hear all these West Brom fans say: Oh, its boring Tony Pulis football, but look where they are in the league. How many teams go to Tottenham and get a result?They are also in the middle of the table. If Pulis was the manager of any of the three teams in the relegation scrap theyd be where West Brom are, which tells you everything. West Brom fans need to be careful what they wish for.Having said that, I think West Ham will win this game because they have to, and itll be quite an entertaining game.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (15/2 with Sky Bet)Swansea v LiverpoolLiverpool dont need this game. Swansea were atrocious against Leicester last week and really Liverpool should win 5-0. Jurgen Klopp has a big game against Villarreal to prepare for and its bigger than this.Swansea will have a go and Liverpool, whoever they put out, will have a go as well. Theyre not going to go there and bore everyone to death, theyll go out and enjoy themselves. Swansea have got Gylfi Sigurdsson, who can put the ball on a sixpence, and Liverpool arent exactly going to be working on their set-pieces so Ill also go Ashley Williams first goalscorer as well.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)Arsenal v NorwichNorwich will know what they have to do, if Newcastle and Sunderland have got results then they need to get something out of this game.At the same time, Arsenal are fighting now. Theyve gone from trying to win the league to fighting for the top four. I expect Arsenal to win this game, Im one of those people who think theyll keep winning and most of the time they let you down. But they need to win, because if Manchester United and West Ham win they could soon be out of the top four. PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)Manchester United v LeicesterIf youre a Manchester United fan you dont want Leicester winning the Premier League on Sunday, that would be the last thing you need. If youre the manager of Manchester United and that happens youre in severe trouble.Louis van Gaal is under pressure as it is. I know theyre in the FA Cup final, but if this team get beat at home and Leicester win the league in front of 75,000 of their fans? They arent going to be happy with that. No disrespect but if little Leicester go to big Manchester United and win the league - its embarrassing Im afraid. The story of winning it is unreal, but to put the icing on the cake and go and win it at one of the biggest football clubs in the world? Honestly, Ive already thrown the book Im reading into the sea because of Leicester.But I dont think it will happen, though, and Manchester United will win this game. I was very impressed with them in the first half of the FA Cup semi-final, and with Wayne Rooney playing a bit deeper theyre a better team.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (8/1 with Sky Bet)Southampton v Manchester CityIts a dodgy game for Manchester City this. They are fighting to get into the Champions League and have a big game next week against Real Madrid. Southampton are a good team and this game could open the top-four race right back up. I like Southampton, Manchester City will have to rest players and take a chance, and theyre not playing Stoke. Southampton have to score first but if they do they could go on and win the game.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet) Win a t-lab Peloton t-shirt We have five of these awesome t-shirts to give away in our free prize draw - enter now! Also See: Premier League questions What can happen this weekend? Super 6 Up to £30 free matched bet ' ' '