Team News

The Midweek Team News

Jermain Defoe is doubtful for Sunderland’s trip to Leicester. Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny is sidelined for a home clash with West Ham, who welcome back Michail Antonio. Fernando Llorente remains a concern as Swansea entertain Spurs, while Palace have problems at the back for their trip to St Mary’s.

Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out of Arsenal’s clash with West Ham due to the ongoing Achilles complaint that forced him off against Man City on Sunday. Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain face late tests but could be in contention.

Michail Antonio is back for the Hammers after making a quick recovery from a hamstring injury. Aaron Cresswell will miss the next couple of matches, though Diafra Sakho has stepped up his fitness levels and has a chance of making the bench.

Marc Albrighton has recovered from illness in time for Leicester’s match with Sunderland. The Foxes need to make do without skipper Wes Morgan, though, who remains unavailable due to a back problem.

Jermain Defoe is doubtful for the Black Cats after missing training due to a knee issue picked up against Watford at the weekend.

Manolo Gabbiadini has failed to recover from a groin injury in time for Southampton’s match with Crystal Palace. Sofiane Boufal is uncertain to feature after sustaining a muscle problem during training.

Palace have mounting concerns in defence ahead of their trip to St Mary’s, with Scott Dann, James Tomkins and Patrick van Aanholt all ruled out by Sam Allardyce earlier this morning.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns from a three-match ban in time to face Everton. Jose Mourinho has doubts over the availability of Paul Pogba, and also conceded that he reckons Juan Mata is out “for a long time”.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Aaron Lennon remain unavailable for Everton’s trip to Old Trafford, though Ronald Koeman is hopeful that the former could be fit in time to face Leicester on Sunday.

Fernando Llorente remains “touch and go” for Swansea’s match with Spurs as he struggles to overcome an ankle problem that kept him out of the weekend goalless draw with Middlesbrough.

Harry Winks has been ruled out for Spurs with an ankle complaint, while fellow midfielder Victor Wanyama will undergo an assessment on a back problem.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was somewhat elusive in this morning’s briefing, hinting at “a couple of concerns” that he refused to elaborate on ahead of the trip to Liverpool.

Xherdan Shaqiri remains sidelined for Stoke’s clash against Burnley, while Peter Crouch (knee) is a concern.

Middlesbrough’s Fabio is ruled out for at least the next two matches with the concussion that forced him off at Swansea. Gaston Ramirez is set to be assessed after limping off at the Liberty with an ankle injury.

Matt Phillips remains a big doubt for West Brom’s trip to Watford – the wide man has no more than “an outside chance” of shrugging off a hamstring problem in time for tonight’s clash.

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

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1,744 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Llorente out for a hit or just play King?

    1. Darklord_bg
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      King, easily.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Ok.

    2. Taffer
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      King

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Play king

    4. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I'd just play King... unless you have loads of money in the bank and can afford a top striker

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Have 3.6 itb now. Probably best to play King. The Origi experiment has failed once already this season.

    5. willgriggsonfire
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      King

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

      Play King, who is now DEFO on pens

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Is he? That's great to know.

        1. BobTarquin
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Will he definitely play though? Any idea why he was subbed off against Soton? Howe's comments sounded like rotation may be in order...

  2. Taffer
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    WC team klaxon:

    Valdes / Pickford
    Mustafi / Stones / Vert / Yoshida / Bailly
    Alli / Zaha / Sanchez / Coutinho / De Roon
    Lukaku / Vardy / Origi

    3.3m in the bank to upgrade Vardy > Ibra and Origi later on.

    I could ditch De Roon for Carroll, then upgrade Zaha > Sane, leaving just enough for Vardy > Ibra tonight...

    Thoughts?

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Zaha as you might want to get Gabby in for Origi for the DGW. Other moves look good.

      1. Taffer
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. Still wondering if there is a better player than Zaha. Good having cash in the bank for any issues...

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Nice team.
      Quite similar to mine but got Aguero up front next week vs Hull.

      1. Taffer
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I have enough cash for that transfer if necessary - might just get Sane, fancy him vs Pedro tonight and then I have enough for Ibra later on..

  3. willgriggsonfire
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all!
    How sure is Stephens to start in the coming few GWs?
    If yes, can Soton stop Palace from scoring? Can play him first sub if Valencia is rested.

  4. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Origi or Carroll?

    1. ItsJonesy
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Carroll.

    2. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Both!!!

    3. Darklord_bg
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Origi.

    4. the shadowz
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Origi

    5. Taffer
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Origi

    6. willgriggsonfire
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Origi

  5. the shadowz
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Im fairly new on this site and I need some advice.

    I have my wildcard, all out attack and bench boost chips to play. Any advice on when I should activate these chips and in which order you suggest they should be played?

    Maybe leave bench boost for the DGW37?

    1. Darklord_bg
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      GW36 WC
      GW37 BB
      GW 38 AOA

      1. the shadowz
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I was thinking the same. do you know when the DGW are?

        1. Darklord_bg
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          34 - Palace, Borough, ManU
          35 or 36 - Arsenal, Saints
          37 - big DGW

      2. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        This

    2. Taffer
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I would avoid WCing in GW36 - the reason is that only gives you 3GW of your best team.

      Wouldn't you rather WC with 7/8 games to go and put your best foot forward for all those fixtures? You can still get a great DGW team out in 37 if you plan well.

      1. the shadowz
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Good advice thanks, so wildcard next gameweek and use eachip for each dgw?

        1. Taffer
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I'd use the TC in GW34 on Ibra or GW36 on Sanchez...

          Then BB GW37 to get 14/15 players out for the DGW

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

    Need to bench one, thoughts?

    Eriksen Coutinho Alexis King Siggy
    Vardy Carroll Lukaku

    Thinking Siggy as wrong as that feels.

    1. alexmj
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Lukaku

    2. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I'd bench King

    3. willgriggsonfire
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Siggy
      King
      In this order

  7. H-Over United
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Did stupid things... 🙁
    Did two transfers but necessary was only one. Damn!

    Now i have the "dilemma" to bench one of those:
    - McAuley (wat)
    - Davies (swa)
    - Pedro (MCI)

    1. H-Over United
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Davies was one of the two transfers...

    2. willgriggsonfire
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      McAuley

  8. George Costanza
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Defoe has a ridiculous barnet

  9. tattywelshie
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I realise Llorente is a doubt but he's got a cracking scoring record off the bench, with this in mind who would you play?

    A. Llorente
    B. Lukaku

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      His goals off the bench was under previous managers and he was fit. Doubt he will be on the bench because he is injured

  10. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Eddie Howe mentioned there's a couple of injury concerns, I wonder if one of those is Josh King. He played last week for Norway through a back injury and there's always Jack Wilshere who could take his place

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      **England great Jack Wilshere

  11. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Bought Sanchez for a hit last night
    Captain him, or Firmino?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sanchez a safe option. Firmino a differential caption choice.

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Captain

    2. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Everyone will say Sanchez

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Firm is poor though, and BOU is a great fixture

        From memory, doesn't Firmino play better when not central too??

        1. Lawrø
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I believe so actually but I haven't looked into it 🙂

  12. George Costanza
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Anybody any update on Valencia? It's driving me nuts! 😀

  13. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I've read teh captain hot topic and seen the captain poll and YMA's article however....

    Those of you with Sanchez AND Ibra in your team who are you captaining?

    1. greghammer95
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      IF I had Ibra it would still be Sanchez.

  14. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Any further news on Valencia?

    That newspaper only had 17 players in squad and included 3 goalkeepers so clearly another 2 players not mentioned who will be in squad.

  15. greghammer95
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Defensive selection nightmare this week! Help lads!

    Jaku (MID), De Gea (EVE) - Leaning towards Jaku

    Davies (swa), Alonso (MCI), McAuley (wat), Yoshida (CPL), Robertson (MID).

    Currently on

    Jaku
    Davies, Alonso, Robertson.

    Thanks lads!

    1. H-Over United
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Have similar problems with Davies, McAuley, Robertson and Valencia!

      I think you should play Davies, McA & Robertson + Jaku!

      Would you play in my team Davies or McAuley or both and bench Pedro??

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

      De Gea
      Davies, Robertson, Alonso

  16. Jambot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench of the 12 on the pitch? I wouldn't bench Alli, cout or Kun. I'm leaning towards Lukaku and fully backing De Gea. Was originally Siggy but just looked at his record against the top teams this season

    De Gea
    Alonso (MCI) Vertongan (swa) Bertrand (CPL) Maguire (MID)
    Pedro (MCI) Coutinho Zaha (sou) Alli Siggy (TOT)
    Aguero Lukaku (mun)

    Grant ? Lloriente Holgate

    Would really appreciate others thoughts

  17. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    A) Llorente > Origi -4
    B) Llorente > Carrol -4
    C) Llorente > Benteke -4
    D) Start Capoue (WBA)

  18. Spencer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Who to get in for Llorente? Would be for -4

    A. Ibra
    B. Origi
    C. Vardy

    Have Defoe as a doubt too. 🙁

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Prefer C at the moment.

    3. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        With Vardy you will be bringing in a short term option on a 4pt hit so you're really banking on him doing well against Sunderland... if he doesn't he then has four away fixtures in a row. Ibra has the upcoming doubles so you'll want him anyway and he's on pens... sometimes you just have to pick the best player

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy sir.

    5. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Ibrahimovic

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

      Can you just cover llorente from your bench?

      1. Spencer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Holebas or Capoue good enough?

        1. ViperStripes
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Why not, I've got Morrison, Baines and Stephens all on a par with Capoue even Baines.

          1. Spencer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks man

    7. Profa Benitez
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy is a great choice for this GW, but Ibra is more long term solution.

      1. Spencer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks all for your replies guys.

    8. Squashed
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A

  19. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Start Brunt or Yoshida?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yoshida.

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        thanks

  20. Profa Benitez
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Dele or Alexis?
    Tnx for sharing your thoughts...

  21. boombaba
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    play ranocchia and robertson or bench one for nyom?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Bench one

    2. greghammer95
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Tough one. Did you play them both this week just gone?!?

      I'm similar with Jaku and Robertson, will play Robertson over McAuley as I fancy him to score more points, on top of that I fancy McAuley to get more points than Nyom. On that logic, play both.

      1. boombaba
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Played Robertson with Ran first sub 🙁

  22. nicecat
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I'm really having tough time deciding who to sub and cap.
    Here's my initial team:

    Foster
    Valencia — Davies — Brunt
    Sanchez (v) — Pedro — King — Zaha
    Origi (c) — Lukaku — Aguero

    (Hennessey — Alonso — Robertson — Allen)

    Any suggestions? Thanks!

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Captain Alexis, play Robertson over King.

    2. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I'd play Robertson over Brunt. Good luck with that captain choice it could really pay off!

  23. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Zaha captain vs Arsenal is almost a certainty for me. 🙂

  24. milejedinakhighclub
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I had heard that we would be seeing the remaining fixtures for the year confirmed later this week - does anyone know if this is the case or not?

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Talks about friday 7th

  25. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Grant
    Stephens Valencia Robertson
    Alli Sanchez Coutinho Siggy
    Lukaku Llorente Costa
    (Pickford Baines Pieters Fletcher)

    a) Llorente > Origi (-4)
    b) Costa > Ibra (-4)
    c) Costa > Vardy (-4)
    d) Stick

    1. Fowler23
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A

  26. Fowler23
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Madness to bring Mustafi on wildcard? Arsenals fixutres look tasty but without Kosc, gunners defence looks overpriced

    1. weaver93
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Arse's defence is terrible...

    2. Taffer
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I'm considering it (for Alonso)

      seems dumb but also feels like a contrarian move?

  27. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Bench

    A) Alonso
    B) Maguire
    C) Lanzini
    D) McAuley

    1. Pickford
    2. Foster

    1. LeicesterA
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A1 for me.

    2. H-Over United
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      C) + 1.

  28. LeicesterA
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    What order would you go?

    A - Valencia (EVE)
    B - Brunt (WAT)
    C - Mee (STK)
    D - Stephens (CPL)
    E - Alonso (MCI)

    Thanks so much.

  29. RADOAFC
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Pickford Grant
    Alonso McCauley Olssen Baines Davies
    Siggy Mane* Eriksen King De Rooney
    Kun Carroll Lukaku

    So can't afford direct Mane to Sanchez as 0.6 short , worth downgrading Alonso to Bertrand or similar? Or find the money elsewhere? I have 2ft.

    Cheers

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Kun -> Ibra
      Mane -> Sanchez

      could work.

  30. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Heaton
    Alonso, Baines, Valencia, Brunt
    Sanchez (c), Coutinho, Alli, Siggy
    Costa, Lukaku

    Randolph, Llorente*, de Roon, Friend*
    0 ft, 1.6 itb.

    Exact money to do Llorente + Siggy ➡ Vardy + Zaha (-8)
    Pull the trigger?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't get rid of Siggy to fund Vardy. Origi is a good shout for Llorente.