Team News

The Gameweek 17 Team News

Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata will miss tonight’s trip to Huddersfield Town, while Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out of their match at West Ham United.

Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho faces a lengthy spell out following a calf injury, while a late decision will be made on Ben Mee ahead of Burnley’s home clash against 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.

Matt Lowton looks unlikely to be fit for Burnley’s home encounter against Stoke City, with Phil Bardsley in line for another start. Meanwhile, a late call will be made on fellow defender Ben Mee.

The Potters, however, will again be without injured pair Bruno Martins Indi and Glen Johnson, with Jese Rodriguez still unavailable due to personal reasons.

Crystal Palace have been dealt a blow with the news that Mamadou Sakho faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines due to a calf injury, with Scott Dann is line to cement a starting berth. Joel Ward remains out but Yohan Cabaye has recovered from a bang to the knee and is fit to face Watford.

Marvin Zeegelaar will miss the trip to Selhurst Park after his appeal following the red card in the 1-0 defeat to Burnley was rejected, with Jose Holebas set for a first-team return. Elsewhere in defence, Kiko Femenia and Miguel Britos are remain doubts.

Huddersfield Town welcome back Rajiv van La Parra from suspension for the home clash against Chelsea, but on-loan midfielder Kasey Palmer is ineligible to face his parent club.

As for the Blues, they’ll be without Alvaro Morata, who is fatigued and nursing a back injury. Antonio Conte rolled out a striker-less formation the last time the Spaniard failed to start, with Eden Hazard backed by Pedro and Willian.

Danny Drinkwater returns to the squad following illness, while Victor Moses and Antonio Rudiger are among those pushing for recalls.

After being introduced from the bench in the 3-2 defeat to Leicester City following a thigh injury, Christian Atsu looks poised for a return to the teamsheet when Newcastle United host Everton. Jamaal Lascelles was an unused substitute at the weekend and may also return to the starting XI.

Aaron Lennon will be pushing for a recall for the Toffees at St James’ Park after coming on as a half-time substitute in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

Cedric Soares returned to training on Monday ahead of the home encounter against Leicester City, with a late decision to be made as to whether he’ll come straight back into the starting XI following a hamstring injury.

Shinji Okazaki is available for the Foxes after suffering a cut to the face against Newcastle last weekend.

Swansea City head coach Paul Clement revealed that Wayne Routledge is a doubt for the home meeting with Manchester City due to some muscle tightness, but Federico Fernandez is expected to return in central defence.

Following the Manchester derby, and with a home fixture with Tottenham Hotspur to come on Saturday, Pep Guardiola could rotate for the trip to the Liberty Stadium. Eliaquim Mangala is set to replace Vincent Kompany, who was forced off with a muscle injury on Sunday, while after being an unused substitute at the weekend, Sergio Aguero is expected to be handed a recall. Danilo, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are others who may come into contention for starts.

After only appearing as substitutes in the Merseyside derby, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are expected to return to the starting XI for the home encounter against West Bromwich Albion. Daniel Sturridge (hamstring) remains a doubt.

For the Baggies, Matt Phillips remains a doubt ans Gareth Barry is still out.

Jose Mourinho will again be without the suspended Paul Pogba for the home clash against Bournemouth, while Marcos Rojo is a doubt after being forced off with a head injury in the Manchester derby. Phil Jones could be in line for a recall.

Adam Smith is available again for the Cherries after serving a one-match ban, while Harry Arter could push for a recall.

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Man City, Mauricio Pochettino may hand starts to Serge Aurier and Danny Rose in the full-back positions for the home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. Moussa Sissoko is another who could return to the side, but Davinson Sanchez serves the second of his three-match ban.

The Seagulls have no fresh injury concerns, though Anthony Knockaert may be handed a recall after being left out for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Huddersfield due to tactical reasons.

Following the 1-0 win over Chelsea, David Moyes could consider naming an unchanged starting XI for the visit of Arsenal to the London Stadium, though both Andy Carroll and Chicharito will push for starts having been named on the bench for the victory over Chelsea.

The Gunners will be without Aaron Ramsey, who picked up a hamstring injury during the 1-1 draw with Southampton. Shkodran Mustafi also remains out.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section, together with predicted line-ups ahead of this tonight’s 6.45pm deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news as the day unfolds.

2,037 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jpb333
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    is a liverpool triple up of cout, salah and firm too much ?

    1. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

      1. jpb333
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        thanks!

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

      Maybe a tad.

      1. jpb333
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        the morata injury is a big headache

    3. Home Late From Age
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Not for this GW

      1. Jaws
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        This

    4. SkeletONv01
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. A double up on Salah and Cout is great tho.

      1. aborg
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        What about captain choices if not Kane? Salah or Coutinho?

  2. Scout Pics
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    I see Callum Wilson is heading for his second fall this week. Amusing seeing these bandwagons crash and burn so disastrously.

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      🙁

  3. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Can see the Swansea City game to be tight.

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Fab 10 pointer please.

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Oh yesss

  4. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Austin up to 6.2 and probably won't start ...

    1. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Double fall in value next GW incoming

    2. Viper
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      He will. Benched vs. Chelsea at the weekend

    3. St. Joseph
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Why? Any news austin will get rested?

  5. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    G2G or take a hit to ditch Morata die to rotation risk elsewhere in team ?

    Speroni
    Alonso, Kolasinac, Tarkowski
    Salah, Sterling, Richarlison, Hazard, RLC
    Kane, DCL

    (Adrian, Mee, Mbemba, Morata)

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Go on. Take one for the team!

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Haha, I may just do that 🙂

  6. Ghost86
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do Niasse to DCL for free?

    If Niasse does not start I will only have 10 players playing

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      if no issues elsewhere seems logical... i'm gambling on Niasse minutes as need to sort defence

  7. Venom Snake
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Best from a crap bunch?

    A. Ogbonna
    B. Kenny
    C. Kabasele

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Kenny seems popular on here so probably not him.

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Ogbonna if he can lock down a starting spot

    3. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Kenny

      1. Scout Pics
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        (Rising tonight too, if you want the value)

  8. Fantasy123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed - repost

    Is lukaku definitley going to start tomorrow?

    Seem to remember him having a lot of joy against bournemouth last season... very tempted by morata -> lukaku(c)

    1. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Replied overleaf

  9. SkeletONv01
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    So, Morata, expected back for the weekend? Totally not worth selling for 1 game for a hit and lose 0.4 on him imo, even if i end up with no sub for him yes?

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't sell if I was losing that much

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

      Yup I got him at 10. No way selling??

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Points over pounds.

      1. SkeletONv01
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        But then i would need to take a hit to bring him back, and i dont see who i would want to downgrade from my team, and the player i will bring for him now can blank 🙂

      2. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        unless you know you want him back in a week or 2 & have decent bench

    4. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      He should be, many are keeping

  10. Bad Butcher
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Hey masters, help me!

    De Gea
    Koła Christensen Mee
    Haz Salah Zaha Gross
    Kane Morata* Abraham

    Bench: Daniels Naughton Caroll

    2FT 0,2 ITB

    What should i do?
    a) Abraham Caroll -> DCL RLC
    b) Morata Daniels -> Firmino Otamendi
    c) Zaha Caroll Abraham -> Richa RLC DCL
    d) something else
    e) save

    1. Home Late From Age
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      B looks good

    2. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      B because It's is great value, even if I absolutely hate him and refuse to buy him

      1. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        * Ota got autocorrected

  11. Del Monte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Morata to Lacazette for a hit too much of a risk?

    Looking at Vardy and Firmino as well but their stats put me off.

    1. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Stats are backward looking. I hold Vardy and have done since the season started. Think he's one to just keep and let him tick away on. He picks up decent points

    2. Drosiah
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I’m in the exact same boat, I’m thinking Firmino, seems to be on a bit of a run, I’ve got Morata in at 10.6 but I expect him to drop tomorrow.

      Just don’t know if -4 is worth it

  12. Viper
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Wilson - > DCL worth a - 4?

    Wilson price drops are killing me

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Contemplating a move to Austin myself

      1. Viper
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        I think I'm doing Morata - > Austin to fund RLC - > Coutinho with my two fts

    2. Home Late From Age
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      No

  13. jia you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed, thoughts on Free Hit team chaps?

    Speroni
    Otamedi / Trippier / Ward
    Hazard / Salah / Coutinho / Son / Lingard
    Kane / Firmino
    (3.9/4.5/3.9/3.9)

    1. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I dont like it. Dont do free hit in midweek imo, everything is a mess in midweek games.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah not going to bother, just a draft, it looks as if Hazard, Coutinho & Firmino will def play though and I don't have any of em! I think Son might also score well and I'm stuck with Alli & Sane who probably won't!

    2. Jubilanus / BSC Small Boys …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I like it. Should do very well.

    3. AndyCook
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Trippier won’t play. Lingard also won’t start.

    4. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      1) Daniels > Gomez (I'd much prefer Kiko but I feel certain we won't ses him til the weekend)
      2) Morata > Firmino (but i already have Coutinho & Salah
      3) Morata > DCL and play DCL & Niasse, moving Niasse on next week orsummats (just typing this feels bad)
      4) Play Niasse and Simpson, bench Morata & take no hits

      Any ideas ? I'm 'happy' to lose Moata given his medium form and 4YC

      1. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Oh aye - I've already taken my FT , so this is for a hit

        1. jpb333
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Ha, i have very similar issues. I have Morata, Niasse, Simpson, Coutinho and Salah and have contemplated 2,3 and 4 but none of them feel right.. Tempted to do Morata to Lukaku

        2. Lazaretti
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Morata to Aguero / Lacazette? Ship Daniels next but not this GW.

      2. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        4

      3. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        thx chaps

    5. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Any news on the length of injury for Mustafi, Kiko, and Ramsey?

      Sorry for asking these question,, but really need to know. Thanks.

      Looking to bring them into the team

      1. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Sounds like Mustafi and Kiko are back at te weekend, Rasmey less certain

    6. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Pope
      Ward Maquiere Kenny Smalling
      Hazz Richarlison Salah Coutinho
      Kane Niasse

      Eliot/Surman/Morata/Mbemba
      1FT 1,3 in the bank

      Any sugg ?

    7. Vlad Tepes
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I only have 10 players at best that will start, my team right now is:

      Fabianski, Elliot
      Otamendi, Kolasinac, Christensen, Tarkowski (3.9)
      Shaqiri, Salah, Hazard, RAMSEY, Richarlison
      Kane, MORATA (4.5)

      0 FT, 0.1 ITB

      Do you think it is worth taking a -8 for

      Ramsey + 4.5 Forward --> Lanzini + Crouch

      1. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Don't do that, bro

        Unless you're prepared to ship Morata (I am, FWIW) then I'd just suck it up and play with 10

        1. Vlad Tepes
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Ye but I may end up with 8 beacuse of Richarlison and Christensen. I will not ship Morata got to much value in him. Lanzini is for the long run and funny differential, I think WH got something so I can use him in the DGW and Crouch is to build a bench during this hectic period. I will not do the same mistake this year to keep a player for every GW and will not come back, I think Ramsey will be out until 2018 with his kind of history, so it doesent really matter if I ship him then.

        2. Vlad Tepes
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          I could do just Ramsey --> Lanzini also for a -4

      2. CloudSky
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Shaqiri + DCL?

        1. CloudSky
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Deffo not worth the -8 though.

          1. Vlad Tepes
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Got Shaqiri already, if I go DCL I have to find a MID for 6.4

    8. NightForGlory
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Guys what you think, swap Moreno forJones/Smalling (if yes pick one) or swap Abraham for Calver-Lewin

      1. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Neiter Jones nor Smalling is nailed, IMHO (at least til january when the congestion is over)

        1. Lazaretti
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          This. United defence is bit mystery atm so I would stay away apart DeGea Valencia and maybe Young

    9. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      In the market for an 8.7m midfielder. Mahrez and Siggy look intriguing, but ultimately I think it's between:

      A) Silva
      B) Sterling

      1. Lazaretti
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        B

      2. Runaway
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        B

    10. Sadio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Do we think Richarlison will get rested soon or maybe just subbed early?

      1. CloudSky
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Sounded that way, yeah.

      2. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        On past experience, pretty much everyone gets rested / rotated over the xmas period - tis part of the package, yet very hard to second guess.

      3. Home Late From Age
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        More like early subbed

    11. Fergus1107
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Any help appreciated for the coming few weeks...

      Elliot DDG
      Otamendi Jones Ward Mee Chilwell
      Hazard Sterling Salah Richarlison Surman
      Kane Austin Rooney

      FT: 0, ITB: 0.7

      cheers

    12. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      What's everyone doing with 1FT and Morata? Getting rid? For Firmino?

    13. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Best Morata replacement from my bench??? No FT....

      A - Tammy A (man C)
      B - Daniels (man U)
      C - GroB (spurs)

      Thoughts ???

      1. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        All look shockers. Guess gross might get 2 Pts

        1. Salah'd n Sauce
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          That was my thought too.... names in a hat material. Not the best selection this week.

    14. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Mustafi ➡

      A) Christensen
      B) Smalling
      C) PJones
      D) sb else..?

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Mustafi back at the weekend. So why bother?

    15. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Morata to Firmino for a hit worth it ??

      1. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Depends whether you think firm scores 6 points or better 😉

        1. Stat Sloth
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Not if the other option is only ten players fielded. Then he has to score 4 or better. Or if you look long term, more around 3.

      2. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        I think that's my move, yup

      3. Stat Sloth
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Easy, yes.

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

        Yes I think so.

    16. Stat Sloth
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Who do you think will provide the most FPL points until January arrives? And if you have time to spare - why?

      Joseph Dave Gomez (LIV)

      or

      Christopher Lloyd Smalling (MUN)

    17. johnbarnes
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Ramsey>Hazard
      Morata>7.0 fwd (not Calvert-Lewin)
      For a -4

      Yay or Nay?

      1. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Long term yay because Hazard is a class above and is on pens

      2. Stat Sloth
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Yes. Austin in.

      3. Runaway
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        If you play 3-5-2 and one of your FWD is Kane, do it with Austin, he rotates very well with DCL as a 2nd FWD

    18. Numb
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      People fretting over having to buy Morata back...why??

      I was mulling over selling him even *before* this news (looked tired and off form), the only thing putting me off was the fixture tonight and the possibility of that blowing up in my face.

      Now, we know he's out for that game and you'd be bringing back a slightly less tired, out of form player for two much tougher fixtures and still a yellow card away from suspension.

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        I was also considering because I feel triple chelsea ain't fruitful enough.. however the options are really limited

      2. Sims
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        yes but you were looking at find a way to get hazard who is a better pick. most of his owners on here already have hazard

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Fair comment

      3. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        This is where I was as well.
        Morata was ideal but when I got in Hazard then Morata became disposable.
        It solves my issue of how to upgrade 3rd striker (Niasse)

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Yup

    19. Le Blues
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      RMWCT

      Pickford (Speroni)

      Jones Christenson Otamendi (Mee) ( Masuaku)

      Hazard Salah Richarlison Sterling (RLC)
      Kane Firmino (DCL)

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Masuaku risky. Speroni the same.

        Other than that, quite good.

        I give it a 7.21/9

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

      Im tempted to do Foster to Gomes for a hit, do we think its worth it?

      1. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Nah. Foster will get quite a few saves. Homes could leave his CS in a split second. At least we know Foster will lose his

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

          I like your point of view.

      2. Nails on chalkboard
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Should i trust the team news section, thus benching Wood today, playing RLC instead?

        Or would you rather bench Shaqiri?