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

    Phil Jones... as a Mee & Kiko owner is he just unnecessary risk? (would be my FT for Rangel)

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

      Yes its a risk imo. Look for other options

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

        cheers!

  2. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Benteke.

    1.Stick for Watford game
    2. Twist and sell

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Get rid

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      1 if you think Woy wont punish him for that penalty by benching him

    3. justlikehoney
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Someone owns Benteke 😀

      Looks woefully out of form, yet he's the sort of player who could easily bang in an hat-trick out of the blue. I'd probably stick for one last week and then get rid for a cheaper option and upgraded rest of your team.

  3. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    People selling Morata for a hit?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      yep. This isn't an average GW where you can rely on your bench, necessarily, due to rotation and injuries elsewhere.

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

      Yes.

    3. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yup and this is a great game week for managers to rotate also so the ones they're bringing in may not even play.

    4. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Argh. Regret making my transfers yesterday >:(

    5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I'm just benching him and hoping ben Mee starts!

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

      Not me, i dont see anyone worth bringing in for a hit(have Kane and DCL, cant bring Firmino because of triple Pool already, too little cash for Kun), and i would loose 0.4, and i would want him back for the weekend.

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        My thoughts. Think I´ll just play RLC

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

      No I'm holding him and playing Kane/DCL in a 3-5-2.

    8. Munchen KFC
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Have done Sakho and Morata to Alonso and Firmino.

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

    Niasse or DCL?

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

      DCL

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

        May i know why?

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

          I own Niasse & wish I didn't, not guaranteed minutes since ban & new manager it seems... could change but who knows. DCL looks favourite

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

            Guess i will go for DCL then 🙂 Thanks!

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Wait 1 more week if you can and see how Everton look against Newcastle.

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

        I wish i could.. Guess i will just go for him and see how it goes

  5. Scheister
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Morata, Sane >to> Firmino, Hazard worth -4 today??
    Usually stay away from taking a hit, but leaning towards this one, as bench isn't great at the moment. About to pull the trigger, what do you say?

    Pope
    Alonso Ward Jones Mariappa
    Salah Sane Sterling Richarlison RLC
    (K)ane

    Elliot Niasse Dunk Morata

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

      I would do it
      Hazard may well score big today

    2. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Nah not worth it.Youve got Niasse and Dunk on the bench who will likely get minutes this week.

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

    Moreno and Mee out for Firmino and a def max 6.9?

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

      that'll be some going 🙂

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

      i'm guessing Morata not Moreno... looks good, Ota or Azpi would be the big call

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

        Morata is it

    3. Munchen KFC
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      See above,mind you I did Mustafi and Silva to Sakho and Coutinho last gameweek which didn't work out so good

  7. wolves_simmo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Whats Liverpool's back 4 likely to be?

    Who's more secure....Gomez or Robertson?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Gomez

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

      Rob

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

        For this GW is Rob. In general is Gomez

    3. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Neither.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Incorrect 🙂 Secure isn't binary; one player can be more secure than the other. Or less secure.

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          I'm not going to take you on on cheap Defenders 😉

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

    Morata is currently on -109.
    Does that get reset today or can he still drop tonight?

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      He'll drop tonight. Did you watch Life?

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

        Yeah, not particularly good with scary movies, I had to watch it in instalments.

      2. *sigh*
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        The peeps on that rocket ship were so stoopid i was rooting for the monster.

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      He can drop tonight unless the red flag is removed before 1am. Not sure why it would be though with no new news.

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

      No doesn't get reset

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

      Thanks guys. I'm getting rid then.

  9. Kushal
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Whom to captain?
    A. Kane
    B. Salah
    My cup rival will surely captain kane
    I have hazard Richarlison firmino as differentials

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

      Captain Salah. Son could steal the show for Kane !

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

        And personally I don’t think they will score another 5 goals . Brighton will be wary what spurs got against Stoke and park the bus

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

        Coutinho Mané or Firmino could steal the show from Salah! 😉

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

          Lol also true but look how In form Son is, especially last gw and do you think spurs can score 5 goals again?

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

            Son got a good chance of doing well don't get me wrong!
            Hope Spurs do hit 5 again- now that UCL is out of the way maybe back to some proper form in the league!

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

    After checking my MOrata > Bench options (Tammy/GroB/Daniels) ... My better option might be to take the hit now.

    Best replacement for Morata? (already have Kane / Sterling / Salah / Mahrez)

    Lacazette
    Jesus
    Firmino
    Vardy
    Rashford

    What are peoples thoughts... what moves are you guys making...

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

      firmino or laca

    2. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Bobby F

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

        Cheers guys. That helps as I was leaning towards Firmino. Have had very mixed success with the others.
        I see him starting after the disaster at Everton.

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

          *against

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

    any news that jones will start?

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

      Presser in 45

  12. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    I'm off to bed. Anything worth another hit?

    Hennessey
    Alonso / Mee / Kiko / Kenny
    Hazard / Salah (vc) / Sterling / Richalison
    Kane (C) / Austin

    Speroni / Loftus-Cheek / Francis / Morata

    .1itb on a -4

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Mee and Kiko wont start, Richarlison could be rested, take a hit!

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

      ban removed?

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Yep!

        1. Pep says
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Lol was wondering where you went. What you do?

        2. Pep says
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          @Dingo, are you still feeling comfortable about your team after your Kiko transfer?

          1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            Yep. Thinking my team is solid.
            Kiko is still a great option.

    3. drughi
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Do you think morata will be back for the weekend ? if not then laca or firmino could be good for the next 2

    4. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Morata to Lukaku imo.

      1. Munchen KFC
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Hasn't the money

  13. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    start niasse or murray

    captain salah or coutinho or kane or hazard

  14. FPL_Hazards
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    This is for -4

    Morata > Firmino
    Daniels > Otameni

    Gives me

    Pope - Adrian
    Otamendi - Alonso - Ward - Moreno - Duffy
    Salah - Hazard - Richarlison - RLC - Carroll
    Kane - Firmino - Vardy

    Worth the hit?

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

      yes

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

    Narrowed it down to

    A) Choupo > Richarlison

    B) Sterling Coutinho

    C) Choupo and Morata > Coutinho and Firmino (-4)

    if i keep morata, RLC comes off the bench

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

      C

  16. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    No point in transferring out Morata for a hit, is there?

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Depends on your bench

    2. Kane Train
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      He could be out for more than one match

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Why not? I didn’t sell him for a hit when he had a hammy injury earlier in the season and then Jesus and the City boys went riot.

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

      Yes there is.

  17. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Best option out of these?

    A) Morata & RLC ➡️ DCL & Sterling (-4)

    B) Morata & RLC ➡️ Austin & Sterling (-4)

    C) Morata ➡️ Firmino (Triple Pool attack)

    Leaning towards A as:

    Everton have better fixtures than Soton and DCL has less competition than Austin for his position.

    Sterling a good long term option rather than Firmino (Triple Pool attack).

    Thanks 🙂

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

      I've done C fwiw
      C'mon Liverpool!

  18. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Attempt #2...

    Can a mod kindly hot topic Scout Picks Challenge?
    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/17174253
    Thank you

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Done 🙂

      1. @ocprodigy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        appreciated 🙂

  19. KingoftheRunts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Morata to ibra worth a Punt?

  20. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Ramsey and Moreno have both written expected back 16 december on fpl. Do you think this is a realstic scenario?

  21. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    What would you do?
    Begovic
    Kola-Dann-Gomez*-Davies*
    Salah-Mahrez-Hazard
    Austin-Kane-Benteke
    Elliot-Gross-TC-Rosenior*
    0ft 2.1itb

    A)Rosenior->Christensen/Tarkowski
    B)Save

  22. edinson
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    pope
    trippier-alonso-otamendi-kolasinac
    doucoure-hazard-de bruyne-salah(c)
    dlc-lacazette

    bench
    ddg-shaqiri-mariappa-niasse
    0.3 on the bench

    what should i do?who deserves to be captain?

  23. Morbius
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Cup opponent has:
    Two Chelsea defenders / Three Spurs midfielders / Two United strikers (as well as a Chelsea mid and United defender)

    I've never seen such a weirdly composed team - yet given the fixtures tonight he could do me in!

  24. ragsyboys
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Last week I told ' Son ' will shine and he got me 16 good points. No one made a note of my comment nor considered it. This mid week I say Lovren is going to be a handy option than any other defender over next few weeks.

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

      there's 1000s of poster on here... should we take note of all prophecies or just yours?

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

    A. Wilson > Austin
    B. Daniels > Christensen
    C. Ramsey > Richarlison
    D. A combo of the above for a hit?
    E. Daniels > Kenny & Ramsey > Cout -4

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

      B

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      E looks good.

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

    Richarlison to Hazard (-4)

    Don't have chelsea cover

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

      Sounds good

    2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      No, keep Richy Rich

  27. TSN
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Start gomez or stephen ward on def? pope in GK

  28. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Morata.>Lukaku for free? (1m in bank) Spoils my Maguire to Otamendi plan.

    Elliot
    Kiko, Maguire, Ward, Gomez
    Hazard, Salah, Rich, RLC
    Kane, Vardy
    Fab, Gross, Duffy, Morata 

  29. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do Morata to DCL (-4) so can have starting XI, probably only having 10 if dont. Then next week I can do TCarrol > Mane or Coutinho for free. Or just play TCarrol if Alonso, Richalison, Gomez or Mee doesnt play.

  30. Deece
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Have exact funds (always a good sign)

    Daniels + Naughton + McBurnie

    ->

    Kenny + Ogbonna + DCL

    -8

    Takes advantage of the fixture turn and means I don’t have a scramble together 11 players with:

    McBurnie* Mee* Kiko* MBema* Daniels (away to United) Naughton (Home to City)

    Probably won’t pay off in one week as mine are explosive but hoping it will over festive period.