Team News

The Weekend Team News

Spurs have worries in defence for the trip to Bournemouth. Santi Cazorla is Arsenal’s only concern for the visit of Middlesbrough, while Leighton Baines is ruled out of Everton’s trip to Turf Moor with an ongoing hamstring problem.

Here’s the round up of the press conferences so far.

Toby Alderweireld has failed to recover from a leg injury and joins Harry Kane on the sidelines as Spurs make their way to Bournemouth. Mauricio Pochettino has also revealed that Danny Rose will be assessed after picking up a foot problem against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night.

Leighton Baines misses out again for Everton with an ongoing hamstring problem. Ronald Koeman has conceded it is “difficult to say how long it will take” before the left-back returns to action. Aaron Lennon is available again, though, after shrugging off a knock.

Santi Cazorla remains a doubt for Arsenal’s clash with ‘Boro after being forced off in the midweek Champions League win over Ludogorets Razgrad. Granit Xhaka starts the first of a three-match suspension. Aaron Ramsey is “progressing well” and could be back for next weekend’s trip to Sunderland.

Sunderland defensive duo Lamine Kone and Patrick van Aanholt are both back in training and have been passed fit to face West Ham tomorrow.

Miguel Britos is available for Watford’s trip to Swansea, though fellow defender Craig Cathcart is still sidelined due to a groin issue. Isaac Success (muscle) is doubtful, while the weekend comes too soon for Daryl Janmaat and Stefano Okaka, who have stepped up their recoveries from injury.

Jamie Vardy (groin), Wes Morgan (back) and Andy King (shin) all missed training yesterday as Leicester City prepare for the visit of Crystal Palace. Claudio Ranieri remains optimistic that all three will be passed fit, though remains without Nampalys Mendy due to an ankle problem. Matty James has stepped up his recovery from injury but lacks match fitness.

Scott Dann has returned to training ahead of Palace’s trip to Leicester. Alan Pardew has conceded Dann will start on the bench, though, as the Eagles look for a first clean sheet of the season.

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he has “nothing to moan about” in terms of injury worries for the home encounter against West Brom, with Georginio Wijnaldum back in contention after shrugging off the hip problem that forced him to miss Monday’s stalemate with Man United.

Andre Ayew is back in full training for West Ham, though Slaven Bilic has conceded the Ghana international “probably won’t be in Saturday’s squad” to face Sunderland. Aaron Cresswell serves a one-match suspension as a result of his sending off against Palace last Saturday evening.

Fernando Llorente and Mo Barrow have both recovered from injury in time for Swansea’s Liberty clash with Watford. Jefferson Montero misses out in Bob Bradley’s first home match in charge.

Steven Defour is ruled out of Burnley’s home clash with Everton due to a hamstring problem picked up in last week’s loss at Southampton. Andre Gray serves the last of a four-match ban, whilst Ashley Barnes remains short of match fitness after stepping up his injury recovery with a 45-minute run-out for the reserves in midweek.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s 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.

816 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Deeney (swa)
    B) Austin (mci)
    C) Snodgrass (STK)

    1) Stones (SOU)
    2) Amat (WAT)

    Appreciate your thoughts!

    1. sillyhilly69
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      B, 1

    2. Elijah's Wood
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A1

    3. makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A1

    4. The class of 92
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      C1

      1. Philip Jones's Diary
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        B1

  2. AiyoRiggs
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Looking to get rid of Capoue with 6.3 ITB.

    Currently have Son, Walcott, Sterling, Antonio.

    Who would you replace him with?

    1. Teddy Brewski
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Sanchez?

      1. AiyoRiggs
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I dont have enough for Sanchez. Was looking to replace him within 6.3

        1. Pegboy
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          KDB. Or just spend it upgrading a striker to Costa/Lukaku

        2. Pipermaru
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Oh, so you have 6.3 after selling Capoue? I would punt on Fer, Swansea got some nice fixtures from now on and they play much better than table shows

          1. AiyoRiggs
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Yes sorry should have made that clear

          2. Pegboy
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Ahhhh. In that case Snodgrass.

  3. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Best Capoue replacement up to 4.8. other than Allen?

    1. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A playing 4.4 like Fletcher or De Roon if you just need a backup and want to raise cash.

    2. FPLord
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      As a bench player someone like Fletcher, if you want to play him from time to time I'd stick

    3. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Fletcher, Romeu, Marney. All valid bench midfielders.

      Kante if you want a rotation option.

    4. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      If you have both starting, theres smth wrong.

  4. sillyhilly69
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    GTG guys?

    Pickford
    Valencia / Bellerin / Holebas
    Firmino / Allen / San(c)hez / Sterling / Snoddy
    Aguero / Benteke

    Bench: Foster / Williams / Diamonde / Amat

    1. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I'd do Williams over Holebas.

  5. Teddy Brewski
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Good old Jordi Amat. Benched 7 out of 8 weeks for me. It's your time this gw - step up big lad!

    1. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Here here!

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Haha, I'm deciding whether to play him or Smith

      1. Teddy Brewski
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Same decision for me. He's earned his place!

  6. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Foster (liv) or Pickford (whu)?

    Not expecting a CS from either.

    1. Teddy Brewski
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Probably Pickford

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I have the same keepers and I'm playing Foster. Save points is all we can hope for.

    3. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Wondering that myself but feel like Foster might have more saves in him.

    4. Elijah's Wood
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Foster, in a better team, better GK, probably more saves

    5. Jakarta
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Am I mad to think Sunderland might have a chance of a clean sheet?

      1. Pipermaru
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        50% chance

  7. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Baines to Clyne done. Such a boring transfer.

    1. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I think that's an exciting transfer.

      I am having to hold myself back from Valencia to Clyne for a hit. 😕

  8. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    My bench looks like one that can really sting me and score big this week..

    Snodgrass - Amat - Valencia

    😐

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I am playing Valencia so I hope you have a stinker 😉

    2. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I'd love to have your bench in my starting XI 😀

    3. Teddy Brewski
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Snodgrass might as well be De Roon then if you aren't playing him v STK

    4. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Nice

    5. sillyhilly69
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Snodgrass - set pieces, penalties, only player in Hull that looks like scoring, advanced role...

      Mad to bench imo.

  9. H-Over United
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Your advice for two questions?!?

    - Which two defenders alongside Mustafi - Williams (bur), Amat (WAT), Smith (TOT)?

    - Captain?
    Sanchez, Walcott, Firmino or Aguero (Lukaku & Costa are not an option for me)

    Thanks a lot!

    1. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Williams and Amat.
      Sanchez (C)

    2. Xhaka Kahn't
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I'm thinking Aguero will be hungry after being dropped for the last game.
      Also thinking that Jonny Evans being out could destabilise West Brom, which makes Firmino attractive.
      Sanchez and Walcott are in great form with a great fixture.
      It's a complete lottery!

    3. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Williams+Amat,
      San(C)hez, think Wally will have a quiet afternoon this time

  10. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Beste defender for 5,6max (ecxept f Clyne)?!

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Vert

    2. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Holebas, Pieters, Smith if you don't have any of those I reckon and free up some cash.

    3. Teddy Brewski
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Holebas and invest the 1m elsewhere

  11. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    a) Do I play a Holebas & Britos double up vs Swansea

    OR

    b) AOA chip (benching Britos) with midfield of Fer, Walcott, Sanchez, Capoue, Sterling

    La Roja thanks for your answer on the previous page.

    1. H-Over United
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      For me b).

      SWA at home with a new coach - i think they will score...

    2. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      b. Fer is much, much better option than Britos

  12. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Quick poll:
    Banned to Mustafi, Lovren or Walker?

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Baines*

    2. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Mustafi

    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      None of them are banned. You're safe

    4. Teddy Brewski
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Lovren for the upgrades you can do elsewhere

    5. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Mustafi easily. Never trust pool and Walker has tough games and in a potentially decimated defence

    6. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Mustafi - season keeper and Arsenal defense is generally trustworthy. Liv defense is still suspect, not every team will park the bus for 90 min and if they score early that leaves a lot of time for them to defend a CS.

  13. Elijah's Wood
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    This article claims PVA has been passed fit for the weekend, how certain should i be that he plays? Wondering whether i can save this week's transfer or whether i should get Baines out now. My defence is pretty destroyed this week if PVA doesnt play:

    Bellerin - Amat - PVA (Baines Evans)

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      If you have FT, then leighton out

      1. Elijah's Wood
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        My thinking is that both Sunderland and West Ham's defences are awful, if PVA plays he could score thus allowing me to save my transfer and assess next week with 2 freebies. Otherwise my Baines out transfer will likely end up benching PVA, i suppose i could bench Amat actually

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          So do you have FT or not?

          1. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Ah you do. I'd get rid of Baines

            1. Elijah's Wood
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Thanks La Roja

  14. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    I fear for Sterling sellers. Prior to last 2 gw's he had only 1 blank in 6(against man united)

    Last 2 games he faced 2 teams with fewest goals conceded Spurs(4), eve(6)

    Considering he has 4 goals and 3 assists and SOT wba MID cpl bur in next 5 he's primed for points against easy opponents

    1. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      SOT and wba don't look good based on what you've just said, and I think GW 11 Sanchez (TOT) --> KDB (MID) is on the cards anyway.

  15. BOOM XHAKALACA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Any advice on the best use of 2 FTs (or at least one)?

    The team is:
    Heaton
    Koscielny Francis Cameron
    Walcott Sanchez Lallana Capoue
    Aguero Deeney Benteke

    Foster Son Evans Valencia

    1. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Why is Son on the bench, is he injured or something?

      With 2 FTs and nothing urgent you can address structural weaknesses. That would mean either downgrading Capoue to a 4.4/4.5 or Foster to Pickford. Put some cash in the bank.

      I'd also play Valencia over Francis by the way.

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      play son
      valencia to clyne and save the other ft imo

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Also good.

  16. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    What would you do with this lot?

    Heaton - Pickford
    Baines - PVA - Smith - Holebas - Amat
    Sanchez - Sterling - Firmino - Antonio - De Roon
    Aguero - Lukaku - Deeney

    1FT and 0.4 ITB

    A) Baines --> Clyne
    B) PVA --> Fuchs
    C) Antonio --> Lallana
    D) Baines + Antonio --> Lovren + Walcott -4pts
    E) Other suggestion?

    Thanks

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      a or d imo

  17. The Left Duke #3
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Need help with my last two spots this week. Play 2?

    A) Capoue
    B) Holebas
    C) Amat
    D) Smith
    E) Diomande

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      b and c

  18. James LeBron
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Any changes that need to be made to my team?
    3 FT and 0.1 ITB

    Pickford (Heaton)
    Walker - Koscielny - Williams (Holebas - Amat)
    Sanchez - Firmino - Antonio - Snoddy (Capoue)
    Deeney - Aguero - Lukaku

    Thoughts?

  19. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Very tempted to do Antonio and Ozil to Sanchez and Walcott. (Would be for a -4 hit but would (C) Sanchez).

    The players I have could easily have a good week, but the players I want are the top scoring mids and highly owned by rivals around me.

    Tough call.

  20. drughi
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    pieters and amat on my bench this week, could be a disaster

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      the same for me ... starting holebas
      may change that later

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        starting holebas aswell, cant bring myself to bench him after last week

  21. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    captain
    a. Payet
    or
    b. kun
    leaning towards payet tbh but feel if kun starts will go crazy

    1. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      "if Kun starts..."

      What a season 😛

  22. Sadio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Better transfer:

    A) Valencia to Clyne
    B) Marc Wilson to Pieters

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      a for me

  23. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Walker, Holebas, Coleman, smn else or Valencia
    not only for this week..?

    1. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Holebas has some great fixtures coming up and found a little eye for goals he is a lot cheaper than those others you have mentioned so would free up I little cash too, win win.

  24. neilddd
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Is it worth bringing Allen in this week on a FT just to play Hull. Other alternatives are I save the double and play either Redmond or Holebas.

    Another alternative is I use up my £1.3m ITB and upgrade Redmond to Siggy/Lallana

    There's just too many choices

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Play Redmond as a counter threat vs a goal conceding prone City defense!
      Pls take a look at my question above now 😉

  25. Pericles Shooters
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    RMT
    Grant (Jaku)
    Smith Stones Amat (McAuley Parades)
    Hazard Payet(c) Firmino Walcott (fletcher)
    Aguero Lukaku Deeney

    I'm not worried for having parades. I will transfer him out when I use my wc.
    I have already taken a hit of -4 for Antonio>payet(c)

    0FT 0.7

    1. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Unstable keepers
      No likely CSs from defense (maybe Amat)
      Average mid, the guys going Sanchez(c) could end your season
      Template forwards.

      Probably 4.5/10, only 1 Ars when most are playing 3-4 (with captaincy) is what stands out.

  26. It's his Job.
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Team looking like this, any changes needed?

    Grant

    Mustafi Holebas Smith

    Wally Son Capoue Coutinho Sanchez

    Aguero Costa

    Pickford-Diomande-Shaw-McCauley

    With kane nearing a comeback looking at Son>Stanilas and Diomande>Deeney.

    1. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      3-5-2 only this week this is not my normal formation.

      1. Pipermaru
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Who will be your 4th MID? Capoue or Stanislas?

  27. Joey Barton and Friends
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Is Allen actually a better prospect than Shaqiri? I am going to get one of them...

  28. Blaugrana Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Hi all,

    feeling lost and looking for a little guidance.

    I know I need to fit Theo into the below but keep changing my mind on how to do it:

    Pickford (Jaku)
    Holebas - Williams - Walker (Kelly - Amat)
    Son - Sterling - Coutinho - Sanchez (Capoue)
    Rashford - Aguero - Lukaku

    My initial though is Son and Rashford to Walcott and Austin for a -4
    Other options are Sterling or Coutinho in a straight swap for him, but neither feel quite right.
    I've even considered the madness of Capoue, Rashford and Williams to Walcott, Pieters and a mega cheap striker for a -8 (somebody tell me I'm crazy there)

    Thanks

    1. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I don't think you need Sterling and Aguero so I personally would swap Sterling for Wally fixtures better too and Wally in fine form. Rashford would have to make way for Austin too IMHO

      1. Blaugrana Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Definitely a strong option. Feel nervous of losing him with City's fixtures picking up however. Austin feels like a good move too, especially with City's defence this week and being on penalties

  29. Jakarta
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Captain Walcott (Borough) or Payet (Sunderland)?

    1. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Payet if chasing, otherwise Ars I think.

  30. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    What do you think about this transfer after this gw ?

    Sterling to mane

    Both liverpool and citt have great fixtures but I think a (c) aguero is enough from this form city !