Team News
12 August 2016 3369 comments
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Jan Vertonghen recovers from injury in time for Spurs’ trip to Goodison. Laurent Koscielny is still unavailable for Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool. Ashley Williams misses out for the Toffees, who have worries at both ends of the pitch, whilst Southampton have defensive concerns as Watford roll up to St Mary’s.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche is optimistic that left-back Stephen Ward will shrug off a hamstring problem in time for the home clash against Swansea. Jon Flanagan has stepped up his fitness in training, whilst Ashley Barnes (hamstring) is expected to miss out.

Alan Pardew was somewhat reluctant to give away any information for Palace’s clash against West Brom. The Eagles boss conceded he’s still trying to get one or two players “up to full speed”.

Laurent Koscielny is “not ready” to return for Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool, according to Arsene Wenger.

Ashley Williams misses his debut for Everton due to a lack of match fitness, according to Ronald Koeman. Seamus Coleman and Romelu Lukaku are doubtful for the visit of Tottenham, though Phil Jagielka has been passed fit.

Claudio Ranieri has no injury concerns for Leicester’s trip to Hull, though the champions are without Robert Huth due to suspension. The Foxes manager has admitted he doesn’t expect his side to reach last year’s fitness levels “until the fifth or sixth game”.

Aitor Karanka has revealed that Bernardo Espinoza, Daniel Ayala and Grant Leadbitter will all miss Middlesbrough’s home encounter against Stoke.

Southampton pair Jose Fonte and Cedric Soares will have their fitness assessed after a late return to training due to their exertions for Portugal in Euro 2016. Ryan Bertrand misses out with a knee injury.

Glen Johnson is Stoke’s only injury worry for their trip to the Riverside. Marko Arnautovic is expected to feature after stepping up his recovery from a minor hamstring issue, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri is available, having shrugged off a knock.

Jermain Defoe has declared himself available for Sunderland’s trip to Man City. Jan Kirchhoff, Billy Jones and Seb Larsson all remain doubts.

Francesco Guidolin has admitted that Swansea’s record signing Borja Baston is unlikely to be involved in the weekend trip to Burnley.

Jan Vertonghen has recovered from the ankle injury that forced him to miss Euro 2016 and is available for Tottenham’s trip to Goodison. Mousa Dembele serves the third of a six-match suspension.

Brice Dja Djedje has been ruled out of Watford’s trip to St Mary’s, whilst fellow new boy Isaac Success is almost certainly unavailable, too. Midfield duo Valon Behrami and Adlene Guedioura are set to have their fitness assessed.

Gokhan Tore has resumed training ahead of West Ham’s trip to Chelsea on Monday evening. Diafra Sakho is still sidelined with a back problem, whilst Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang and Darren Randolph have all recovered from knocks. Slaven Bilic has admitted Dimitri Payet isn’t fit to play 90 minutes, though the Frenchman is expected to play some part in the Stamford Bridge showdown.

Junior Stanislas has been ruled out of Bournemouth’s clash against United on Sunday. Eddie Howe has admitted he has “one or two niggles” to contend with in the squad.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s opening day deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter Stream for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from Friday’s press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

  1. Triple C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Whay do everyone prefer Gray, instead of Negredo for instance, the latter has fa better opening fixtures....Negredo also scored a few goals in pre-season

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Because Gray has been on fire, having said that i've just chickened out and taken Gray out and put zlatan in

        1. Triple C
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          And how do you see him stay on fire against Liverpool and Chelsea in GW2 and GW3. Negredo is far more eased on fixtures, has also scored in pre-season, he is experienced in PL and I think he has equal if not better goal potential. imo

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              9 years, 4 months ago

              I agree, was just saying people had picked Gray based on the fact that he's been on fire pre season. I myself only intended to have him for the first game. Would go Negredo myself too if I needed a relatively cheap striker

              1. Triple C
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 4 months ago

                Ah, I see, I was thinking about the same tactic. cheers! 🙂

      • Hazardous Liege '76
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        No pre season scout cast?!

        1. tets mcgee (Ha La Land)
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          nope. the boys came on air for over an hour yesterday to say they werent doing 1 and talk a bit of footy at same time.

      • @persecuted_by_mods
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Aina worth the risk you guys reckon?

        • RossoneriHammer
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Please RMT

          Heaton
          Stones Van Diijk Shaw
          Mane Tadic Townend Ayew
          Ibrahimovic Aguero Gray

          Jakupovic Pieters Kone Kante

          Cheers

          1. EDEN THE MAN
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            I like it.
            IMO Heaton----------Foster
            and get rid of Mane unless you want him as a differential.

            1. RossoneriHammer
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Thanks, Klopp has wanted Mane for a long time, he's really "his man" and I think he'll do well....still not sure tho!

          2. PatrickLee
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Great team. One suggestion would be maybe downgrading a defender and upping your bench...Kone is a good bench choice, so maybe Pieters or Kante.

        • EDEN THE MAN
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Hey guys, Please assist me on making my final decision.

          A)Firmino,Lamela,Redmond
          B)Ayew,Tadic,Deulofeu.

          Thanks.

          Also, what 5.5 defender would you suggest other than Shaw and Walker.

          1. PatrickLee
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            5.5 defender - Valencia, van Dijk, Dann are all great picks

            I would go with option B for you. Would really appreciate if you could reply to my query below in exchange 🙂

          2. jimbo90
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            A and Van Dijk

        • PatrickLee
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Can I have some help on this please?

          I was getting good team ratings from people on here, but have had to change my team due to injuries. Am aiming to change it back within a couple of weeks, but what do you think of my team now for GW1?

          Heaton (Foster)

          Souare, Valencia, Friend (Evans, Kingsley)

          Eriksen, Martial, KdB, Tadic, Townsend

          Wickham, Aguero (Wilson)

          Feedback massively appreciated - will be happy to respond to any questions in return.

          1. Conk
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            In previous seasons I have played with a strong front 8 with no bench fodder, but I think you're better off getting a 4.5 in for the likes of Townsend and upgrading elsewhere.
            Any chance you could give me your thoughts on Eriksen vs Alli?

            1. Conk
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Btw, Hazard will be player of the season in my opinion, maybe try and fit him in

            2. PatrickLee
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              All stat predictors have Eriksen and Alli on v similar stats every week, with Alli just edging ahead every time. So if you're going with that then Alli's your man.

              But I think he's had a bad Euros, is affected by Dembele being out the team and generally has only impressed for one season. Eriksen has had the summer, is fresh, takes all their set pieces and is proven. Also has linked up well with Jansen in pre-season, so Eriksen gets the nod for me.

              1. Conk
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 4 months ago

                Cheers, great reply. I currently have Eriksen in and that's settled it for me

                1. PatrickLee
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 4 months ago

                  No worries! I hope it works out as I have him as well. Thanks for your advice as well...I do want Hazard...need to find a way to fit him in.

          2. RossoneriHammer
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            I like it, strong midfield!
            I would try to free up 0.5 to upgrade Wickham though. It would enable you to choose players like Gray, Long, Negrado or Carroll.

            1. PatrickLee
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Thank you very much for the feedback. I was very happy with my team but changed it when I found out Lukaku was injured (am also a little bit concerned about KdB).

              According to stat predictor and season ticket Wickham is in top 5 strikers for GW1, and then he slowly falls away. I'm going to take a risk with him - Palace have two fast wingers and a relatively good first fixture - then after GW1 replace him with Lukaku.

        • superhoofy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          any 4.0million defenders likely to start - other than smith ?

          1. PatrickLee
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Don't think so, but i think if you're after a £4m defender i think far and away best bet is Amat at Swansea.

            He's the best of a not great bunch though, in my opinion

        • SaintsDavid
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          A) Tadic + Albrighton
          B) Redmond +Townsend

          1. superhoofy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            A because b is useless in gw2

        • isorafac
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Please RMT

          Forster (Heaton)
          Valencia, Pieters, Keane (McAuley, Francis)
          Ayew, Mane, Hazard, Redmond (Capoue)
          Aguero, Vardy, Gray

          My only doubts are Mane and Ayew. What do you think?

        • Dark_Mata
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Lamela and Amat
          Or
          Delo and Evans?

          Please help, and then I'm (finally) done!

          1. Dark_Mata
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Or maybe Ramirez and VVD?

            I hate this game!

        • GGGIULY
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          will eriksen start with all the contract talk??

          1. Supertrooper
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Yes I would say so. Not only cause he's one of their best players but also cause Dembele is suspended

        • BoneyD
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Can I get some opinions on my team as the more I look the more I keep tinkering!

          De Gea / (Jakupovic)
          Shaw / Azpilicueta / Stones / (Van Aanholt) / (Paredes)
          Hazard / Allen / Firmino / Zaha / (Fletcher)
          Aguero / Ibrahimovic / Gray

          Thanks in Advance!

          1. JonG1589
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Not sure about Allen, maybe Routledge is a better choice for 5.0 as he's had a strong pre season.
            Tough start to the season for Firmino but hes in form so should be alright.

        • pkkx
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Can I get some opinions on the bench and MF. Still can't decide if playing Tadic or Siggy is better?

          Foster / (Jaku)
          Shaw / Walker / Stones / (Friend) / (Evans)
          Tadic / Hazard / Alli / Phillips / (de Roon)
          Long / Aguero / Kane

        • Setpiecemad
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Man City 2 - 0 Sunderland
          Middlesborough 1 - 0 Stoke
          Hull 0 - 3 Leicester City
          Crystal Palace 1 - 0 West Brom
          Chelsea 1 - 0 West Ham

        • Johnwolf
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          siggy was my player last year

        • Djerbil
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Help Choose a combo :

          A) Tadic + Fegouli + Vardy
          or
          B) Sanchez + Townsend + Carroll

        • Platinum
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Erikson/Alli (for spurs coverage but no liverpool)

          or

          Firminio (for liverpool but no spurs).

          Cheers

        • Woolfgang
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Can someone please confirm - if I join a league after the table updates this evening will I start on 0 points?