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. Legomane
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Thougts on the Lu-ane-ata jiggle:

    Morata > Lukaku (-4)
    GW17: Kane(BHA) Lukaku (BOU) - Morata (XXX)
    GW18: Kane (mci) Lukaku (wba) - Morata (SOU)
    GW19: Kane (bur) Lukaku (lei) - Morata (eve)

    Kane > Morata
    GW20: Lukaku (BUR) Morata (BHA) - Kane (SOU)
    GW21: Lukaku (SOU) Morata (STK) - Kane (XXX)

    Lukaku > Kane
    GW22: Kane (swa/WHU) Morata (ars) - Lukaku (eve)

    1. EMERGING STAR
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Liked it.

  2. Paulie Walnuts
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    I miss Popeye.

    1. Paulie Walnuts
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Oh sorry wrong thread

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

      Just look down.

  3. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    My teams fixtures this week

    STK
    BHA WBA swa
    cry WBA swa hud
    new BHA WBA

    What could possibly go wrong? 😎

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

      template

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

      all chelsea players had west ham last week. they all blanked

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

    3 solid armband candidates in my squad this week. Which would you hand it to?

    Kane
    Salah
    Hazard

    1. Paulie Walnuts
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Kane

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

      Harry

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

    Any advice on what to do here please?

    A.....morata to firmino -4 (lpool triple)

    B...hold

    Fab (elliot)
    Ota ward kiko (wimmer daniels)
    Hazard salah coutinho richarlison rlc
    Kane dcl (morata)

    Thanks

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

      A, at least for the next 2, then review.

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

    In general, I think I'm a decent FPL manager who jumps on the next big thing a little early in some cases, but always has a plan on what to do. But this GW, I'm pouring over the players in-form and they have poor upcoming fixtures, and those with good fixtures are out of form or out of budget.

    The GW is going so badly that I've even started talking in third person.

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

    I'm going to stick my neck out. I think Kane will be benched or have his minutes severely curtailed tomorrow.

    He will be kept fresh for the huge Man City game. Poch will feel Llorente will offer enough to beat a struggling, championship side.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Wind your neck in

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

      But don't quote me on that 😉

      1. walkman666
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Guess you ain’t really sticking your neck out. Most regulars are at risk of reduced playing time this gw. Really the bottom line.

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

      If you were Poch, would you do that blatant a move to show you're fearful of the City fixture? If Kane was to get injured v Brighton, there's even a ready made excuse right there.

      I think Kane starts, but comes off around the 70-80 min mark.

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

        Why outbid Chelsea for Llorente if you're not going to use him for the easy fixture when you play 3 games in 7 days?

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

          Because the consequence of not getting 3 points v Brighton is much worse than something happening to Kane if he does start him. Just ask Klopp.

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

      Not so sure. Spurs desperatly need points and I think Poch won't risk another dissapointing result.

    5. Freddo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Why is the Man City game huge? Spurs can gain only 3 points by winning that, nothing more as City are so far ahead.

      3 points against Brighton is just as important.

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

      what do u mean by severely? if that mens he'll be taken off around 60-70 thats hardy sticking your neck out

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

        That's the big question. No way Kane plays another two lots of 90 minutes in 4 days.

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

          How about Hazard? Will be 5 games in 14 days. What does your gut/neck say/do?

    7. Midlands Saint73
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      But the same could be said of Salah this GW. I think he (Kane) will start and have done enough damage to come off inside an hour.

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

      Virg, I noticed you also fancy a Pool mid over Kane for the captaincy this week. Who would you captain out of Cout or Salah? Salah's obviously on relentless form but Cout's on good form and is more rested.

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

    Not a typical gameweek, looks like I'll have to play two of this lot. Bench one:

    RLC
    Mariappa
    Niasse

    1. MrKlin of Norway
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Niasse, don't see him getting another start today...

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

    Feels like it's going to be a low scoring gameweek. Captain pick very crucial

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

      I think there's going to be lots of goals but by players people don't own!

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

        Yeah I meant fpl points

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

      Everyone is going to C Kane so you could argue the rest of the team is more vital as that's what will separate people.

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

    Bottomed

    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.

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

      Have exact funds for the above I should add

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I would

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

    whom salah coutinho hazard kane for captain ?

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

      Kane

  12. kfreeman93
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do -8 for Morata to Lacazette/ Firmino ?

    Team is:
    Pope
    Monreal - Kenny - Jones - Otamendi
    Richarlison - D.Silva - Salah - RLC
    Vardy - Kane
    subs - Mee* - Gross - Morata*

    Concerned about neither Jones or Mee playing as well.

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

      Team is fine. Don’t need another hit

  13. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Start ?

    A RLC (WAT)
    B Niasse (new)

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

      A

  14. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Play one:

    a) Kenny (new)
    b) RLC (WAT)

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

      A

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

      B

  15. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    DDG
    Tarkowski Christensen Otamendi
    Hazard Richarlison Salah Sterling
    Kane DCL Morata
    (Perreira RLC Kenny Kiko)

    a) Bench Morata and play RLC/Kenny
    b) Transfer out Morata > Firmino for free (or other striker 10.5 or less)

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

      A) Kenny

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

      B vardy

  16. Crofty92
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Morata/Ramsey > Firmino/Son 2FT

    leaving my team as:

    Forster
    Otamendi - Monreal - Mee
    Salah - Silva - Son - Loftus
    Firmino - Vardy - Kane

    yay or nay? Intially though about just leaving my team as mid- week changes always seem risky due to rotation etc

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

    Liverpool presser imminent.

    If Moreno is only out for this game should I keep him and ditch Daniels instead?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Everyone misses a game or two this time of year...

    2. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      yes

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

    Already used my free, what to do with Morata:

    A) Keep and play RLC
    B) Jesus -4
    C) Lukaku -4
    D) Lacazette -4

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

      Of your picks, quite like C or D IF you have a weak bench

      Otherwise A

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

      A

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

    Best Ramsey replacement for max 7.2 ?

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

      Probably Zaha, Lanzini or Richarlison.

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

        Ye agree, I already have Shaqiri so its Zaha vs Lanzini. I am leaning more into Lanzini because:

        1. He is a big differential
        2. West ham looks better now
        3. Good fixtures
        4. DGW soon

    2. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I went for Shaqiri.

    3. osullg26
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Or Shaqiri

  20. boogle
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do Fab or Elliot > anyone for a hit ? If so who?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure about a hit, but I'd like DDG.

      That's said, consider the DGW...

      1. boogle
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        yeh thinking DDG or Courtois but not sure if it's worth a hit! Probably not?

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

      Elliot > Ddg for a hit yes will pay off

      1. boogle
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        might as well do Fab to DDG and pocket the cash as will be playing DDG every week? 🙂

  21. james 101
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Start 2

    A. Naisse.
    B. Mariappa
    C. Kiko.
    D. Mee.

    Currently I'm set up like this:

    Pope.
    Otamendi. Kiko. Mee.
    Hazard. Salah. Sterling. KDB. Coutinho.
    Kane. Murray.

    Elliot. Naisse. Mariappa. Duffy.

    THANKS - and good luck!!

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Irritated naisse isn't getting much game time...

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

    Any Rooney fans in the house?

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

      Yep, but he's asleep on the couch after eating too much turkey back in Xmas 2013.

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

        😆

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

        😀

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I liked the bit when he was getting chased by the dragon

  23. deluca
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Courtois
    Daniels Mee Jones
    Salah Sane Sterling Grob
    Kane Morata Vardy

    Elliot RLC Long Naughton

    Worth trading Morata, Sane and Grob to DCL, Coutinho and Hazard for -4?

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

    Down to only 9 players with 4 injuries and 2 players not nailed... Great week to start a cup 😀

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

      Forget the cup. you could have 15 nailed on players and still go out to a random ghost ship team. 🙂

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

        I would just like to know how it's like to be in the cup for more than 2 GWs 😛

  25. Melania
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else keeping Morata? Will want him back in 2 weeks anyway and I'd already accepted he would be rested at some point over Christmas.

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

      4 yellows, not exactly firing, i'll take my chances elsewhere

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

      If this is only this game I think it would be resonable to save a FT as their will be more injuries and rotation. I'm keeping, but mainly because I have to transfer out other injured players 😛

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

    mahrez niasse to coutinho rooney
    or
    kola rlc to coutinho klavan

  27. fantasywizard
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    What do you guys think about Morata ----> Rashford?

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

      Stop drinking

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

        Harsh, seems a reasonable move.... 🙂

        1. james 101
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Drinking you mean?

          Tis the season to get merry...

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

      I'm considering Rashford, but not sure how he repays a -4.

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

        I'd rather get Pogba when he's back I think which is giving the Firmino move more appeal.
        But still being considered.

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I considered it, but I'd probably want Morata back, and Pogba seems the better long-term Man U choice after this GW.

  28. toystory2wasok
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    just awful:

    Forster (Adrian)
    Mee*, Alonso, Monreal, Daniels (Mbemba)
    Salah, Sterling, Gross, Choupo (Ramsey*)
    Jesus, DCL (Morata*)

    0FT, 3.8ITB

    With a bit of luck 11 will get minutes, but I want to lose Ramsey and maybe Morata (bought at 10.2, though) and Jesus.

    A) Ramsey > Hazard (-4)
    B) Ramsey > Cout (have Salah) (-4)
    however both price me out of Kane...
    C) Ramsey, Morata > Mahrez, Kane (-8)
    D) Ramsey, Jesus > Richarlison, Kane (-8, or -4 and do the Kane part next week)

    I could look into downgrading Alonso but the chelsea fixtures are so good.

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

      D. Kane is a legend

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

    Choose 1 to start

    A. Gomez (WBA)
    B. Ward (STK)

    Have pope on GK.

    Thanks

  30. MrMajeika
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Should i use my free hit? Already done mt 2FT and i still have moreno mee trippier sterling and morata which means at least 2 maybe 5 potential non starters. Have hegazi and rlc on the bench. Could use free hit and bring in aguero?