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will again feature from the bench, while Paul Pogba will start but “cannot go more than 65 to 70 minutes” before being withdrawn.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. dicky2014
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    So Jose has basically said Zlatan wont start.

    Kaku (c)

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

      he'll come on late.
      hopefully not for kaku though. kaku scores most of his goals late

  2. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Bailly replacement:

    A) KOLA
    B) BELLERIN

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

      A

    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      a

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

      A

    4. 404_FC
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      a

    5. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A

  3. zikrihakim1202
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys, how does this team look???

    De Gea Hart

    Davies Walker Trippier Ward Mbemba

    Salah Sterling Sane Grob Doucoure

    Lukaku(c) Morata Quaner

    0.1 itb

    thanks for your help

  4. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    How do these planned moves look?

    Krul Elliott
    Kolasinac Jones Duffy Mee Hunemeier
    Sane Salah Sterling Cork Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Vardy

    1 FT 0.8 ITB

    GW 13: Jones > Otamendi
    GW 14: Vardy + Hunemeier > Niasse + Azpi
    GW 15: Lukaku + Carroll > Morata + GroB / Richarlison

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

      Would put more money in mid rather than defence first.

  5. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    G2G guys?

    Elliot
    Daniels, Azpi, Naughton, Mee
    Sane, Eriksen, Pogba, Sterling
    Kane(C), Morata

    Fab, TCarroll, Dunk, Niasse*

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

      yes - nice team.

    2. 404_FC
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      i will captain sane

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

    bottomed... can anyone recommend a rotation checker? FPL Wizard pro appears to be defunct for me and the one at fantasyfootballfirst is crap

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Pen/paper works well, or excel if you're feeling a bit more tech minded.

      1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah make your own! It's worth it if you have the time. Use excel and then you can tinker to your heart's content.

    2. Flycroft
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      You're a member... The ffs season fixture ticker offers this function. You can move teams up and down and can also sort by rotation

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

        Members' fixture ticker is indispensable. What's annoying though it that when you change the ratings it doesn't save. Certainly not permanently

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

      I have one. Windows or Mac? Email?

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

        windows

        phesboy@hotmail.com

        would be very much appreciated dude. pen and paper simply isn't going to cut it, glancing at the ticker doesn't give you the accuracy and I'm not sure I have brain power to work out how to build one myself from scratch atm ;0

    4. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      thanks, i use the season ticker and am also numerate excel literate

      none of this is anywhere near as quick or comprehensive as software such as FPL wizard. so i was hoping someone had written such a thing again this year...

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

    HELP!!
    alli and firmino to kane and RLC
    to captian -kane
    worth the hit???

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

      if you really want to captain Kane, then yes.

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

        got lukaku as well
        but have a pretty good feeling kane will get a daddy points haul
        what do u reckon??

    2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Alli and Firmino could easily do damage this weekend. Gamble!

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

        guess i will save the free transfer!!
        thanks in advance 😀
        captain LUKAKU

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

    a) Firmino vs CHE (keep FT)
    or
    b) Wilson vs swa (use 1FT)

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

      B if you have nothing else more pressing

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

    Tarkowski or Simpson? Own Pope.

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

      i guess none

  10. balint84
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Jones to

    A) Tripper (same value, attacking threat)
    B) Walker (exp but attacking threat, i dont want Ota)
    C) cheap def like Maguire

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

      Why you wouldn't want Ota?

      1. balint84
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        my archenemy got him and we play different players...

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

      B

    3. Matt Sk
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      B

    4. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn't go for Trippier due to rotation.

      If you go cheap that frees up funds so C maybe?

  11. batmaniac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Everybody with the Elliot / Pope combo who you starting?
    See a lot leaning towards pope.

    1. Midlands Saint73
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Yes both will likely concede but Pope should get more save points.

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

      Pope. Think both will probably concede but pope is in form and likely to pick up save points

    3. Ronnie Hotdog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I've got both and I'm going with Pope. I don't expect either to keep a clean sheet but Pope is more likely to pick up points for saves.

    4. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Pope definitely for me.

    5. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Pope

  12. #Swish41
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team would be appreciated:

    DDG (Elliot)
    Daniels Davies Mustafi (Moreno Mee)
    Salah Sane Pogba Richarlison (RLC)
    Kane Morata Wilson

    Davies didn't play midweek so looks set to play this weekend.

    In 2 weeks Davies/Wilson > Azpi/Niasse (for free) for the Chelsea run.

    Thoughts??

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

      Wouldn't take Davies on a WC perosnally

      1. #Swish41
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        I know, such a plum fixture tomorrow tho, and have a plan to swap to Chelski...

  13. Polat Gungor
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Is there any chance for chilwell tonight? (first 11)

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

    A) Sane + Sterling + Otamendi (-4)
    B) Sane + Richarlison + Azpi (-8)
    C) Hazard + Richarlison + Otamendi (-8)

    What do we think does better? Thanks.

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

      B

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      This GW? The first one.

  15. KneejerkJoe
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Play one:
    A) RLC (Stoke H)
    B) Gray (West Ham A)

    Captain one:
    1) Richarlison
    2) Aguero
    3) Jesus
    4) Mane
    5) Morata

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

      B

      Boy, they are not amazing options. If we knew who was going to start then that one of 2/3, think 5 is your best bet otherwise...

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

      A
      5

    3. Sidekick_08
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      A
      1

  16. 404_FC
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    keep switch captain jesus and kane

    anyone captain jesus here?

    i think he will start

    1. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I am too... and occationally switchin to Lukaku too. I think jesus will start. He has started all away games.

      Gaaaaaaah! I can´t pick!

  17. LADY ARWEN'S ARMY
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with this lad

    Elliot
    Ward daniels maguire
    Hazard salah pogba richarlison
    Kane morata wilson

    Fab tcarrol dunk mbemba

    Whose to captain :
    a. Kane
    b.morata
    c. Salah
    D. Hazard
    Thanks for reply

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

      Starting 11 looks good, although is exposed with the lack of Man City coverage, are you deliberately avoiding them? The bench isn’t guaranteeing starts so is exposed if any of your starting 11 are out. As for captain, in my opinion if you’re not willing to back Kane at the cost he is you shouldn’t have him in your squad

      1. LADY ARWEN'S ARMY
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks for reply mate , i already transfer out sterling for pogba , hope it works .. , ill captain kane then

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

    What to do with this lot?

    Pope - Elliot
    Otamendia - D.Luiz - Maguire - Moreno - Francis
    Salah - D.Silva - Zaha - Docoure - RLC
    Kane - Morata - Vardy

    0.1 ITB, 1FT

    Thanks

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

      Save FT (invest in mid)

  19. crichardson
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Sane vs KDB?

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

      Sane

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

      Sane better value but think KDB will score more over the season, less of a rotation risk as well

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

        My thought exactly... can't decide between the two

    3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Sane

  20. Impossibility
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Play Duffy or Mee? Thoughts appreciated!

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

      Mee, Burnley solid at home so although CS chance is slim it's better than Duffy's

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

      Mee......

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

      Mee

  21. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Play one:

    A. Elliot (WAT)
    B. Forster (EVE)

    Play one:

    1. Kiko (new)
    2. Abraham (bou)
    3. Mee (ARS)

  22. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Play 1
    A)Moreno
    B)Mee

    Captain
    1)Vardy
    2)Hazard
    3)Morata
    4)Jesus

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

      B4

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

      B2

    3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      B4

  23. arkom
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Jones - Duffy - Lowton - Moreno - Mariappa

    Do I need to sell Jones, maybe no? If Jones is out only 1-2 gameweek?!

    0 FT.

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

      Don't sell for a hit if you can field an okay team

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

      Sell Jones (not a good option before GW17?)

  24. Sidekick_08
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Current team:

    Fernandez Ward Azpi Daniels Duffy
    Salah Silva Eriksen ECM RLC
    Kane Lukaku DCL

    Transfers for GW 14:

    A. Lukaku -> Morata, Fernandez -> Otamendi

    B. Lukaku -> Morata, Eriksen -> Hazard

    Would really like some suggestions. Not sure which way to go.

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I'd wait for GW13 to finish first...

  25. balint84
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    buying a Palace defender is crazy now? (selling Jones)

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Probably, but I'm playing Dann this week lol

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

      Yep, crazy, Woy won’t keep clean sheets

    3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Good fixtures but not good form.

  26. Mr. Jenkins
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Did not (c) Kane the two previous weeks, captaining him this weekend. Will get points, trust me.

    1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I'm working on the basis that if I keep captaining him he is going to haul one of these days. Hopefully tomorrow!

  27. El_Shaw
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Elliot

    Mee / Dann / Daniels

    Ritchie / Salah / Richarlison / Sterling

    Kane / Lukaku Morata

    Subs: Elliot, Tarroll, Dunk, Suttner

    GTG this week? 0 FT 0.6 ITB Thinking of wildcarding next week.

    1. Mr. Jenkins
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Why would you wildcard this lot?

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

        I feel like I need to get rid of dead wood such as Ritchie, Suttner and Tarroll. Possibly Sterling as well if he gets dropped a lot.

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

        Agreed, no need to wildcard

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      G2g

      Who's your 2nd keeper?

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

        Pope sorry.

        1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Ah, I'm playing Pope over Elliot myself but I can understand Elliot given you basically have to play Mee. Although I still think Pope is the better choice on paper.

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

      GTG. Woudn't wildcard before mid week games, save til after at least

  28. Doctor X
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Lads - quick question. You reckon Francis will go straight back into the Bournemouth XI after his suspension?

    Trying to plan ahead a few transfers.

    1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Should do I guess. Isn't he club captain?

  29. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth me transferring out Jones (for maybe Smalling) or saving so I have 2 FTs for next week??

    Speroni
    Daniels Jones Moreno
    Salah Sterling Fernandinho Richarlison
    Kane Lukaku Aguero

    Pope Mee Carroll Hunemeier

    1 FT, 0 ITB

    Any other changes needed?

    Thanks

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

      Do you what Jones when he's fit? If yes then just play Mee. I also have Aguero I think he's too much of a rotation threat to keep at that price, but I don't know what to do with him, you should get Morata in next week.

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

        I've bought Smalling in now, hopefully he will start the next two games then will look to upgrade for the tougher fixtures or use my bench...

        With regards to Aguero, I think we have to keep him... even if he doesnt start at the weekend he should definitely next week - then decide what to do with him after...

        I think I will bring in Morata after this weekend maybe for Lukaku

  30. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Would you still do Erik > Pogba even with Pogba only getting 60-70 mins?

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

      nope, think Eriksen's worth keeping with the upcoming fixtures

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

        I'd keep Erik. I don't own either FWIW.

    2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I'm not a massive fan of Pogba so personally I would keep Eriksen.