Team News

The Gameweek 16 Team News

Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic will be fit for the derby at Old Trafford, though David Silva remains a doubt for visitors Man City. Arsenal has concerns over defender Shkodran Mustafi for their trip to Southampton, while Burnley’s Ben Mee is expected to face Watford at Turf Moor.

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

Burnley will be without key midfielder Robbie Brady for Watford’s visit on Saturday. The schemer faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines after undergoing an operation on a knee injury sustained in the defeat at Leicester City. Meanwhile, Matt Lowton (knee) remains “touch and go” for the home clash against Watford, though manager Sean Dyche has indicated that Ben Mee has a “strong chance” of being available having suffered a gash to his knee.

For the visitors, Miguel Britos remains a doubt due to a leg problem, with head coach Marco Silva to make a decision on the defender today.

Wayne Hennessey, James Tomkins, Scott Dann and Yohan Cabaye have all returned to training ahead of Crystal Palace’s home encounter against Bournemouth and should be available to return. James McArthur (illness) also has a good chance of being in contention but Joel Ward is a doubt due to a groin problem.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe will be without the suspended Adam Smith for the trip to Selhurst Park, so Steve Cook is expected to return to the back four.

David Wagner will again be without the suspended Rajiv van La Parra for the home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion, while Martin Cranie is a slight doubt. The Seagulls have no new injury concerns, though may again rotate at full-back and on the flanks.

Spurs will be without the suspended Davinson Sanchez when they host Stoke City at Wembley Stadium, while Danny Rose is a doubt due to an eye injury sustained in Wednesday’s Champions League tie.

The Potters will turn up without the injured Bruno Martins Indi but Geoff Cameron is available again after returning to full training following a head injury. Jese is ruled out due to personal reasons.

Swansea City defender Federico Fernandez is available for the visit of West Bromwich Albion to the Liberty Stadium, having returned from two weeks’ compassionate leave following the death of his father. But after playing 62 minutes for the U23s yesterday to build up his match fitness, he isn’t expected to replace Mike van der Hoorn.

Gareth Barry will miss the trip to south Wales but Matt Phillips and Chris Brunt look set to return to contention for the Baggies.

Shkodran Mustafi is doubtful for Arsenal’s trip to Southampton due to a small thigh problem, with Per Mertesacker on standby to replace his compatriot.

Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno remains a doubt for Sunday’s Merseyside derby with an ankle injury. Jurgen Klopp will decide on Andrew Robertson or James Milner for the role should the Spaniard miss out. Elsewhere for the Reds, Jordan Henderson will return as skipper having been rested for the 7-0 rout of Spartak Moscow on Wednesday.

Leighton Baines remains a big doubt for the Toffees, having missed the last two matches with a calf injury with Sam Allardyce perhaps set to name an unchanged side following back-to-back wins and clean sheets.

Following the 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in midweek, Jose Mourinho has revealed that Nemanja Matic will start when Manchester United host Manchester City but he will, of course, be without the suspended Paul Pogba. Phil Jones and Marouane Fellaini are thought to have a chance of returning to contention, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic should also be back among the substitutes.

David Silva is a minor doubt for the visitors at Old Trafford due to a knock which saw him sit out Tuesday’s Champions League defeat, while Sergio Aguero is expected to get the nod over Gabriel Jesus for the central striker role.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section, together with predicted line-ups ahead of this tomorrow’s 11.30am deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news as the day unfolds.

1,055 Comments Post a Comment
  1. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    I have 2ft. Pogba and Daniels out for:
    A) Ramsey , Kolasinac
    B) Ramsey, Christensen
    C) Coutinho, 4.5 deff
    D) Mahrez and save ft

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

      daniels is fine this GW,but if you need him as an enabler then b

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Coutinho and Zeegelaar

    3. aspern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Pondering this aswell (but I have Sane instead of Pogba).

      I was sold on C) but this throws team balance off slightly (for me at least), and I fear Coutinho might be rested in 2 out of the next 7. It will hurt the times he is rested, because the defense is pretty bad.

      Leaning more towards A) or B) because Arsenal have pretty smooth spacing between games, and even if Ramsey gets rested in 1 or perhaps 2 of the next 7, the defense will have a better chance of picking up the slack.

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

    Draft league. Bench one:

    A) Zaha (BOU)
    B) Benteke (BOU)
    C) Rondon (swa)

    Rondon, right?

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah, Rondon

    2. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    3. Mick J
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Were all the other forwards taken so that you had to pick Rondon?

  3. Kings of Lyon ★
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Which Liverpool defender do you reckon? Gomez or Robertson?

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Gomez

    2. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I would also like to replace Moreno with another pool defender. However, I'm not sure who. I hope you get some replies.

    3. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Gomez is the best value for money.

  4. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Transfer in Dunk or Zeegelaar to afford Cout??

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

      Dunk

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

      Either one.
      All I want when choosing a ~4.5 def. is that he should be a guaranteed starter.

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        This ^

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

        Zeegelaar isn't

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

          I wasn't aware. I'd pick Dunk then.

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

        Should say Dunk then not either one?

    3. Jersey
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Dunk

  5. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Which one starts? (first to five)

    Daniels
    Kiko
    Tarkowski

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

      Tarko

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

      Tarkowski

    3. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Kiko

  6. My Name Is Prince
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Yes or no please

    Out: Sane
    In: Coutinho

    (Already have Salah)

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Yep. Do it.

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

      I would.

    3. Astronautovic
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    4. Jersey
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      yes.

      i had the opportunity, but decided on Ramsey instead only because i want the 1.7 for future changes.

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

      Was convinced yesterday not to do that. Cout will get tested against westbrom, sane is having swansea after manu

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

    Best transfer guys ?

    a) moreno > kiko

    b) long > kenny

    Tnks.

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

    Vardy + Choupo -> Crouchy + Coutinho for free? Any objections?

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

      Do you have a decent enough squad to bench Crouch most weeks?

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

        Probably. Could go DCL but Crouchy looks more nailed as off now.

  9. Red Rock
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    I have 2 Free Transfers and a couple issues in Moreno and Niasse:

    Fab
    Alonso Daniels Maguire
    Hazard Salah Sterling Richarlison RLC
    Kane Morata

    Elliot Niasse* Moreno* Mbemba

    Worth swapping Niasse to Calvert-Lewin? Or do people think Niasse will play?

    Moreno injury according to Klopp needs to be identified which isnt great, could be out for a while as likely to be long term?

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

    Ooh, so Moreno is out for the Derby. And Mee may miss meeting Marco’s men, too. Defence looking dodgy.

    Am now even more tempted by taking a risk on Kane & Moreno -> Laca & Alonso…

    Kane will punish me, won’t he?

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

      I consider giving away kane but i fear that kane will punish me

  11. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Forced into playing 4 of these due to non-playing Mustafi and Niasse and do not want to take any hits again this week, i have a conflict of interest all round and it's tough, bench one?!! Thanks...

    A - Ward (Wat)
    B - Zeegalaar (Bur)
    C - Choupo-Moting (Spurs)
    D - Daniels (Cry)
    E - RLC (Bou)

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

    Moreno out for:
    1) Christensen (rotation?)
    2) Kiko

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

      1

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

      THANKS.

  13. La Tortuga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    2 free trades! What to do?! What does it all mean? Why are we here?

    Pope / Elliot
    Otamendi / Simpson / Mee / Moreno / Mbemba
    Hazard / Salah / Sterling / Richarlison / RLC
    Kane / Aguero / DLC

    £1.0M ITB

    Do I:
    A) use these to sort out incoming keeper issues with Elliot no good and Heaton back soon/fixture turn?
    B) Bring in Kiko for Simpson, or is Moreno shifted better?
    C) Downgrade Aguero and do what?
    D) Watch The Meaning of Life?
    E) Anything else?

  14. Astronautovic
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Would you give up kane for this midfield?
    Hazard Coutinho salah sterling richarlison

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

      Well I have this without Sterling so I'd rather have Kane tbh

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

        Thanks

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

    1 FT, 2.7m ITB

    Foster (Elliot)
    Otamendi, Davies, Mee (Francis, Long)
    Salah, Silva, Sane, RLC, Choupo-Moting
    Morata, Kane (Niasse)

    Considering free transfer options:
    A) Silva > Coutinho (cheaper, room to improve defence/GK later)
    B) Silva > Hazard (takes me to my limit but it is Hazard...)

    Thanks!

  16. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    A. Wilson to DCL this week AND Alonso and Gross to Kiko and Coutinho next week (no hit)

    OR

    B. Do all the above transfers this week for a -4 hit.

    Thanks.

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

      A

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

      Cout might be rested midweek.

  17. Astronautovic
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Moreno to a 4.6
    What are the options?

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

      Transfers page -> defenders (sort by price)

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Kiko

  18. St. Joseph
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Moreno to :
    A) Joe Gomez
    Or
    B) Kiko Femenia

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

      Kiko

  19. Geordienufc1
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    For those who can't quite stretch to Femenia, can someone explain to me why Kabasele is being entirely overlooked in favour of Zeegelaar?

    I understand that Zeegelaar is more attacking, but is Kabasele not more nailed?

  20. Teddy Steddingham
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Any thoughts on this wildcard team:

    Pickford - Speroni
    Otamendi - Femenia - Mee - Kolasinac - Dunk
    Carroll - Hazard - Ramsey - Salah - Richarlison
    Kane - Calvert-Lewin - Morata

    Considering Otamendi > Christensen because of Chelsea's good fixtures / City's leakiness since Stones has gone and not sure about the Hazard/Morata double up

  21. apwthfc
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Who do I bench?
    Stephen Ward
    Kiko Femenia
    Christensen
    Maguire

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

      Kiko

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

      Ward

  22. aidmata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Best Cedric replacement?

  23. Caravagio
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    G2G?
    Foster
    Alonso, Naughton, Christensen
    Salah, GroB, RLC, Richarlison, Sanchez
    Morata (C), Kane

    (DCL,Gomez,4mDF)

  24. Tone E
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Ward + Daniels > Kolasinac + Femenia
    Or
    Daniels + Gross > Femenia + Ramsey

    Current team is

    DDG
    Azpi - Ward - Daniels - Mee - Mariappa
    Gross - Salah - Hazard - Richarl - TCarroll
    Kane - Morata - Ayew

    I really wanted to bring Coutinho in but my defense needs sorting out first

    1. FPL Mentor
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Defence looks good to me?

      1. Tone E
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Seriously? You'll have to explain

  25. The Alli Way
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Pick 3 to play bearing in mind I have Pope starting in goal and potential clashes (wat v bur and bou v cry)
    - C-Moting (tot)
    - RLC (BOU)
    - Naughton (WBA)
    - Kiko (bur)
    - Mee (WAT)
    - Daniels (cry)

  26. jazzy30
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    start ward against watford or Jones against city at home?

  27. Blens
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Guys any help appreciated

    Speroni Elliot
    Ota Mariappa Alex-Arnold Mee Cranie
    Salah Hazard Sane LC Cork
    Callum-W Kane Morata

    2FT and 1TB

    Should I
    1) Swap Mariappa to Zeeg or Kiko
    2) Swap out Sane for Cout
    3) Other - over to you

    Thanks guys

  28. DavidCuz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    dump dann or moreno for femenia?

  29. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    I hate having to decide on a captain
    It used to be great when you could put it on Aguero and leave it there.
    Salah Hazard or Kane?

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

      Kane for me...though I would go Hazard if I had him.