Team News

The Gameweek Team News

Tammy Abraham is rated 50:50 for Swansea City’s home clash against Bournemouth. Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are both ruled out for Manchester United. West Ham pair Marko Arnautovic and Andre Ayew are in contention for the visit of Leicester, while Patrick van Aanholt is back in the frame for Palace’s Selhurst Park meeting with Stoke City.

Here’s our summary of the key team news so far, with an array of big press conferences still to come this afternoon.

Jose Mourinho has been the latest Premier League manager to reveal his hand this morning, confirming that both Phil Jones and Eric Bailly miss the Old Trafford encounter with Brighton. Chris Smalling therefore looks assured of his start, with Marcos Rojo perhaps deployed alongside him having impressed on his return to the starting XI on Wednesday. Mourinho also revealed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will again feature from the bench, while Paul Pogba will start but “cannot go more than 65 to 70 minutes” before being withdrawn.

Steve Sidwell remains the only absentee for the visitors.

Marko Arnautovic and Andre Ayew are both available for West Ham United’s home meeting with Leicester City tonight, but Michail Antonio and James Collins remain out of the picture, despite a return to training this week. Manager David Moyes is preserving that pair for a possible return at Everton in midweek.

Meanwhile, Foxes boss Claude Puel has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to the London Stadium, with Robert Huth and Matty James the only absentees.

Patrick van Aanholt has recovered from a hamstring injury, and is available for Crystal Palace’s home encounter against Stoke City. But Lee Chung-yong and Connor Wickham remain out.

Jack Butland and Geoff Cameron are still sidelined for the Potters, while Mark Hughes revealed Xherdan Shaqiri is “okay”, having only been substituted during Monday night’s 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion as a precaution due some tightness he felt before the match.

Rafa Benitez will be without the suspended Isaac Hayden for the visit of Watford to St James’ Park but could risk Mikel Merino as his replacement. The Spaniard is back in training after a back problem, though he could be protected for the trip to West Brom on Tuesday. Left-back Paul Dummett is another who is close to a return and could feature against the Hornets.

For Watford, Kiko Femenia has trained fully this week following the leg problem that forced him over during the 2-0 win over West Ham United, and is available. Troy Deeney serves outs his three-match ban at St James’ Park.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the home clash against West Bromwich Albion. Erik Lamela is close to a first-team return, and could feature among the substitutes.

Baggies interim boss Gary Megson has also escaped any added injuries ahead of the trip to Wembley, with James Morrison and Nacer Chadli his only absentees.

Swansea City head coach Paul Clement has revealed that Tammy Abraham has been unable to train prior to today due to a back injury, and is rated as “50/50” for the home fixture with Bournemouth. Wilfried Bony is set to earn a recall should the Chelsea loanee miss out.

Junior Stanislas and Jermain Defoe will both miss the trip to south Wales, while Simon Francis is suspended.

Southampton have their own suspension to contend with, as Oriol Romeu misses the home meeting against Everton. Mario Lemina is back in training and will face a late assessment with Mauricio Pellegrino hopeful that he can step in.

Meanwhile Toffees duo Tom Davies and Oumar Niasse miss Sunday’s trip to St Mary’s with their own bans. Niasse begins a two-match suspension having been charged with the “Successful Deception of a Match Official” following the penalty award at Palace in Gameweek 12.

Huddersfield Town head coach David Wagner welcomes back Christopher Schindler for the visit of Manchester City to the John Smith’s Stadium, following the defender’s one-match ban. Jonathan Hogg is also available again after missing the 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth due to the birth of his son.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tonight’s 7.00pm deadline, which includes our predicted line-ups. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from the remaining press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly.

1,038 Comments Post a Comment
  1. bel24
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth or is anyone keeping Aguero. Have exactly enough to switch to Kane. 1FT. (lukaku,niasse other strikers). Will be 352

    1. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      i dont get people holding on to him...pep has said he cant play in the same team as jesus. He played 90 mnins mid week...he'll be benched. That's a lot of money on the bench

    2. Treblatito
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Transfer him out. Really doubt he'll start. Kane Venus WBA could do some serious damage, but also consider Morata.

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

    Play:

    A) Fabianksi (BOU)
    B) Elliot (WAT)

    1. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Adams6
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I have exactly the same choice to make, I'm currently on Flappy

  3. Schliegs
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    1ft
    2.9itb
    A) Firmino > Morata
    B) Gross > Pogba
    C) save transfer

    Keeping in mind I have already got Hazard, I don't own any Liverpool and Gross' fixtures' are turning a touch sour

    1. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Still Unsure
        6 years, 5 months ago

        B

    3. nazrijack
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Play One:

      1) Ward
      2) Moreno

      1. Outlier
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        1

    4. Still Unsure
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Who would you captain from:

        A) Kane
        B) Morata
        C) Aguero
        D) Sterling
        E) Eriksen
        F) Salah

        I'm on Kane but mainly due to not having another standout option...

        1. Pep says
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Do you not feel that thousands of people also have this Dilemma. There is no right answer. Go read the hot topic, some interesting points made

          1. Still Unsure
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Wow, what an interesting and awkwardly aggressive response.

              Jog on, sunshine.

              1. Pep says
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                It's the truth

                1. Still Unsure
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    Just a very odd response on a website that caters for comments and opinions on this exact topic.

                    1. Seanigula
                      • 14 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Not so odd when there is a Captain's Poll that answers this question every week....Kane has 10x the votes of those other options, so the general consensus would be A

            • Pep says
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Of that lot it's gotta be Kane

              Morata and Salah is too tough to call, could go either way

              Aguerro and Sterling may not even start

              No way of captain Eriksen when he's playing deeper in midfield like he has the past few weeks

            • Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              F), B) vc.

          2. TheWeekendTeam
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Rmt and suggestions for upcoming fixtures
            Ddg/elliot
            Kiko/kolasinac/Jones/mee/lowton
            Salah/silva/sterling/doucoure/obiang
            Diouf/morata/kane
            2.5 in the bank, thought of grob but seems ti have bad fixture, and i don't like that defense too

            1. Podge
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Suppose Alonso or Otamendi for Jones, up to you if you’re happy with the covering defs

              1. TheWeekendTeam
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Yup thinking about alonso. Or get a better mid.. Thats the problem. Grob seems sensible but the coming up fixtures are not quite easy

          3. OBAMA
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Fabianski / Elliot

            Naughton / Maguire / Yoshida / Davies

            Salah / Sterling / Alli / Silva

            Diouf / Kane / Firm

            (1.3milly in the bank)

            Shall I do sterling -> sane? or Alli -> pogba?

            1. Adams6
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              I'd keep Alli against West Brom in a shambles and then re-evaluate next week. Worth doing Sterling to Sane though I think, for this week and the future. It's what I'm doing which may make me biased towards that though!

              1. OBAMA
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Cheers mate

          4. TheKeeker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Vardy or Wilson?

          5. Snoop
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            From next week would you prefer to have

            A. Kane, morata, zaha
            B. Morata, Hazard, vardy

            1. DJ1000
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              B no brainer for me. But

            2. JONALDINHO
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              A. Kane will haul against Leicester and Watford. Trust me

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

            Hi all! Trying to rescue a bad situation here...

            Elliot, Foster
            Davies, Jones, Cedric (Francis, Long)
            Salah, Silva, Mooy, Chopou-Moting (Carroll)
            Kane, Lukaku, Morata
            1 FT, 0.0 ITB, no WC!

            A) Otamendi + RLC for Jones + Mooy (-4)
            B) Sane + Otamendi + Wilson for Mooy, Jones + Lukaku/Morata (-8)

            Any advice appreciated! Thanks in advance

            1. imax123
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              I did A this week (ritchie instead of Mooy). There's no point taking -8 to get Wilson in

            2. DJ1000
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              A

              1. PascalCygan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Nice one, thanks both

          7. Quan MisTaka
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            DeGea / (Elliot)

            Alonso / Monreal / Daniels / Mee (lascelles)

            Sane / Pogba / DeBruyne / Choupo - Mot (Aarons)

            lukaku / Morata (Niasse)

            0.1mil itb

            Already on -8 for previous trades (got pogba and morata so happy)

            Aarons to Rlc for 0.0itb and -4

            This would bring me -12 for the GW. My thoughts are that Rlc willl score more than Mee, and i'd have a suitable sub if god forbid

            Thoughts? Should I take another hit to get Rlc in instead of Mee?

          8. EeZeeFF
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Guys need your help here! What to do?!

            2 FT > 0M in the bank

            Fabianski / Elliot
            Davies - Azpil - Ward
            Grob - Silva - Motong - Salah
            Kane (C) - Morata - Vardy

            How can I improve this team with the 2 FT?

            1. imax123
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              team seems solid, perhaps change your keepers as I don't see them getting too many clean sheets in the coming weeks

          9. Quan MisTaka
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Moreno(liv) or Dann(cry)?

            1. imax123
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Dann

            2. ameenkw
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Dann

          10. Kaji04
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Any thoughts on ben davies starting?

            1. how now brown cow
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              He most likely will, but no one can be certain.

            2. ameenkw
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              He will 90%

          11. imax123
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Anyone else fancy Burnley keeping a clean sheet against Afc?

            1. R.C
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Nope

            2. ameenkw
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              No

          12. ManeManeManeMane
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            worth swapping either Sterling or Silva for Pogba? Have both and feels like overkill.

            1. R.C
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Sterling imo

              1. JONALDINHO
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Sterling

          13. Lukap
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Please, bench one:

            Salah/Pogba/Sane/Zaha/Richarlison
            Morata/Kane/Wilson

            1. DJ1000
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Zaha

            2. R.C
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Wilson

            3. JONALDINHO
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Wilson

            4. ameenkw
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Wilson

          14. Boris Bodega
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Would selling Kane to get C Wilson for free be completely bonkers?

            1. DJ1000
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Yes

            2. JONALDINHO
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Read that sentence out loud and you'll find your answer

          15. R.C
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Play 1

            Gomez
            Naughton

            1. ameenkw
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Naughton

          16. R.C
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Firmino for Vardy for a one week punt? (-4 also)

            1. JONALDINHO
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Not a chance

          17. ameenkw
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Who to play?
            E)lliot
            P)ope

            1. JONALDINHO
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              E)

          18. JONALDINHO
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Elliot - (Pope)
            Otamendi - Daniels - Moreno - (Ward) - (Mbemba)
            Hazard - Salah - Sane(C) - Richarlison - RLC
            Kane - Jesus - (Lapado) 1.6ITB
            Doing Luiz,Sterling and Carroll to Moreno,Sane and RLC(-4) worth it?

            1. ameenkw
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Yes

          19. Snoop
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Will zaha score more then sterling this week?

          20. Aman.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Fancy putting vardy for jesus?

          21. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Abraham confirmed out then .....

          22. Flynny
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Looking for a striker for 5.6m or below to rotate with rlc in a 343/ 352

            Not much put there....

            Niasse
            Dcl
            Diouf

            Any views? Thanks

          23. Fantasizer
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            is christaensen nailed to start??