I actually think that starting with a more defensive formation is the way to go against the Jest. Merrick plays attractive, possession-based football but nothing gets up his teams' nose more than playing well and going down a goal.
How many times did this happen to us while he was coaching us?? And how many times did we concede a second as we started pushing further up the pitch to look for an equalizer?
We know that 4-4-2 with the addition of Burns and Ljujic (who will probably start) works, but it's also a nice ace to keep up your sleeve for later in the game.
EDIT: forgot to add nose