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will again feature from the bench, while Paul Pogba will start but “cannot go more than 65 to 70 minutes” before being withdrawn.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. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Paul Pogba will start against Brighton in the 15:00 GMT kick-off at Old Trafford, although Mourinho has stated the France international cannot yet complete a full game.

    "Paul is still on this process where he cannot reach the fatigue limit, he cannot go more than 65 to 70 minutes because that’s when fatigue normally arrives and with so many matches consecutively we need to protect such an important player for us."

    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      So Lukaku has 65 minutes before Pogba is off and Zlatan is on. Food for thought.

      1. Robben Mee Blind
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        That might be enough to convince me not to captain Lukaku. But then it's back to trusting Kane!

      2. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Enough for me not to bring 'Kaku in.

      3. Mini Mane Mo
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Might not be Zlatan who will come on.

      4. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Mark what are u going to do on Abraham and Naughton. Sell after this gameweek??

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Give Abraham to after WBA

        2. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Naughton to Otamendi this week I reckon. Abraham stays I think, may well just ride out the price drop.

    2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      So Pogba will be missing Utd's most productive period of the match? Interesting...

    3. Pranav Santhosh
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      So that rules out alli to pogba transfer this week and also makes Kane the easy captain choice ahead of lukaku this week

      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I think this is spot on tbh.
        Although i'm going for Sané.

        1. Pranav Santhosh
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          If I had sane I would captain him but I feel like I've missed him and at now 9.0 might just go for silva to double up with sterling instead of sane

    4. spieter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Here comes Pogba playing 90 mins at the weekend then.

  2. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling to Sane worth a -4 or wait til Sunday to do it?

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

      I'm probably doing it (funded by Jones to Dann).

      Pep could well come back and bite me with his selection - but isn't that always the case?

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

    Wondering if there's anyone who is better than T. Carroll at 5.5?Recommendations anyone?

    1. brenks
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Fernandinho

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      rlc

    3. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Loftus cheek

    4. Mooster©️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Surman

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

    D Gray at Leics worth a punt at 5.3

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

      reply fail to above

  5. HD7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Team after this GW and next month or so, 4-4-2 good idea ....or is it better 4-3-3 with Aguero instead of Hazard?

    Elliot
    Walker Mustafi Mee Daniels
    Sterling Richarlison Salah Hazard
    Kane Morata

    Subs: Fabianski, RLC, Niasse Mbemba

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      stay clear off Kun

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

    RP
    Fabianski, Elliot
    Jones*, Daniels, Moreno, Mee, Mariappa
    Salah, Sterling, Zaha, Richarlison, Carroll
    Aguero, Kane, Morata

    Think I will go Aguero > Lukaku as can't even trust captain Kun vs Hudd (!)
    But need to sell Jones to so:

    A) Jones > Mustafi
    B) Fabianski, Jones > Courtois, Dann -4
    C) Fabianski, Jones > Speroni, Otamendi -4
    D) bank FT

    1. HD7
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Did A

    2. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Kun and TC to wilson and sane?

  7. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    What happened to chillwell?

  8. Bobby_Baggio
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Morning chaps, how goes it? Am i G2G this GW? Have 0 FT but happy to take -4 if needed. Probably doesnt help that i only have 0.1m ITB!

    DDG
    Gomez - Daniels - Lowton
    Salah - Richarlison - Choupo - Sterling
    Morata - Kane - Jesus

    Carroll - Duffy - Jones

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      g2g

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

        thanks mate

  9. TheTwelfthMan
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Pope Elliot
    Jones Daniels Cedric Naughton Wimmer
    Sterling Salah Richarlison Choupo Carroll
    Kane Morata Lukaku

    Thoughts on this fellas? Where should I use the FT? Think I can douse a bigger fire than Jones with decent fix for the defenders.

    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I'd change out Jones or Cedric.

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

    First up I don't own Lukaku but are owners concerned that the arrival of Ibra, even if only as a sub, will dent Kaku's deluge of late goals.

    I reckon they are both likely to play but it appears when that happens Kaku gets shifted out wide.

    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      United score a lot late on, if they are winning. It's a worry.

  11. Henning
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    1. Eriksen and Silva out for Pogba and Sane
    2. Eriksen and Zanka out for Pogba and Alonso
    3.Gtg

    de Gea Elliot

    Jones Daniels Mee Zanka Yoshida

    Eriksen Gross Salah Richarlison Silva

    Kane Morata Niasse

    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Silva is due a goad according to xG. I'd keep him.

      Niasse is banned for 2. games. I would go for 2 to get an increased number of good starting players.

  12. Elwood
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    1 week punt = Aguero to Jesus (c)

    Before downgrading to a cheap striker and getting Pogba in midfield.

    Any objections?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Wait for city presser for more news.. imo waste of transfer if you have Kane, Sane or Lukaku to captain

      1. Elwood
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I've got Kane,, Morata and Aguero up front.

        No Sane (got Silva).

        I will wait for the presser, providing there is no news i'm happy to go for it.

  13. boc610
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    so pogba for 70mins or sterling for 25/30?...both can get hauls

    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Pogba

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

    I have wondered about the rush to get Pogba when he's coming back from injury. Still cracking value at 8m even for 60-odd mins.

  15. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Play Pope or Elliot? Playing Ward and Kolasinac.

    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Elliot

  16. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    A) Sane + Richarlison + Azpi
    B) Sane + Sterling + Otamendi

    Thoughts guys?

    1. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      always A

      1. Elwood
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Second that

    2. Fernando Torres
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A? Why's that?

  17. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Play one then 1st sub and 2nd sub. Put in order please

    1. Ward (Ars)
    2. Gomez (che)
    3. Gross (man)

    1. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      312

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

        Thank u

  18. Essrick
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    For those with both Jones and Tammy and 2FT's do we definitely get rid?

    If so, I've got £12m to spend. Vertonghen and Wilson?

    1. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Nah. Ota is cheaper. Would go for Alonso though.

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

        Already have Ota.

        I can get Alonso but which striker do I get for £5.1m? DCL looks like the only decent option.

  19. RangerMouse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Elliot (Foster)
    Otamendi - Cedric - Daniels (Jones, Rangel)
    Hazard - Salah - Sterling - Richarlison (Carroll)
    Kane - Jesus - Abraham

    With 0.1ITB and 0FT, is it worth a hit to do maybe Jesus -> Morata, or swap out Abraham? Can only sell Abraham for 5.7. Any ideas?

  20. supersham
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone know what the criac is with T.Carroll? Time to ship?

    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      No sure. i want to get rid.

    2. M00N
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I think its time to get rid if you've got the luxury

      1. supersham
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        RLC seems like a good replacement

        1. M00N
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Yes.

  21. No Totti No Party
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Do you think Sane will start next 3 games ?

    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Atleast 2.

      1. No Totti No Party
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Is there anyone except Debruyne maybe, that will start all 3 games in 8 days ?

        1. Elwood
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Silva

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

          probably sane

  22. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    when Mourinho says jones will be "sidelined" does he mean he makes the bench ?

    if so, that positive news he's not out for long at all.

    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      If he is out for a week he'll miss 3 gameweeks. Food for thought.

      1. Elwood
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        & then his fixtures are Man City and Liverpool 🙁

        1. HD7
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          therefore sold... Mustafi go go

          1. FC Hakkebøf
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Yup!

      2. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        who says he's out for a week?
        if he's "sidelined" against Brighton that suggests he's on bench. meaning he's capable of starting midweek

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Do you really fancy united keeping a cs vs wat, ars and MCI anyway?

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

            Yes because that is what Jose does in big games.

            0-0 or 0-1 to United in those games would not come as a surprise.

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

              Not talking about Watford (obviously)

          2. potatoace
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            that's not my question.

  23. Shack
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Bench order:
    A: Moreno (CHE)
    B: Mee (ARS)
    C: Carroll (BOU)
    Correct? Thanks!

  24. Gearoid
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Play Maguire and bench Mee and Marriappa, right?

  25. HD7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Is Hazard the most profitable player in next month or so?

    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I don't think so

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Okay... so who is your favourite then?

  26. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Bailly > Otamendi for a FT

    Yay or Nay?

  27. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    (RP - sorry, but Im really tinkering atm)

    Hey lads. I need some clever heads to help me out with this one. My team is a mess! What should I do with this lot ? (options listed below). Can I really justify keeping Aguero in my team, when I cant captain him? Could have Courtois, Niasse and Mane instead of Krul, TC and Aguero... (when Niasse is fit)

    Elliot
    Gomez Naughton Mee
    Salah Sane Sterling RLC
    Kane Aguero* Morata

    Subs: Krul Cameron* Jones* Caroll

    1 ft 0.1 itb.

    A) Jones --> Mustafi
    B) Aguero + Jones --> Lacazette + Mustafi -4 (will bring in Niasse for laca gw15 in order to upgrade TC to Mane/Alli in gw16)
    C) I got the perfect plan for you

    Option B allows me to do Krul --> Courtois on a ft next week before their run of brilliant fixtures (CS incoming). Lacazette also play at home to huddersfield next week and could be in for a brace

    Really hope you got some advice for me...

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

      Just do A

  28. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Is Speroni worth bringing in? Nice and cheap, but it is Palace

  29. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Captain Kane or Lukaku?
    And why?

  30. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    WHAT A MESS!!!