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. UnitedFan
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Your thoughts on Salah's gametime tomorrow?

    A) Benched (unlikely since he was taken off early in the derby)

    B) Plays 60-70

    C) Plays 90

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

      B if they’re cruising, C if not.

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

      If Liverpool are 1-0 up at 60 mins Klopp will take him off.

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

    Loving the fact that Morata to Firmino frees enough funds for GroB to Pogba next week 🙂

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

      #2birds1stone

    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I love that too (Young instead of Gross for me) but I don't love that Firmino isn't a guaranteed starter.

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

      Ooh. Forgot about the extra dosh. Just hope he doesn't get rotated again. Wishful thinking though.

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

        should start the next 3 looking at the way the fixtures are scheduled

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

        He was sub against Chelsea AND Everton and played 72 mins in C.L. SURELY he gets a lot of minutes for the next few. Make it happen, Jurgen...!!!

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Morata being injured is a godsend. I upgraded Moreno to otamendi with the spare cash.

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

      Would you get rid of gross in the same week they play watford at home ?

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

        Clearly 😉

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

      Until Firmino starts blanking and Morata gets big Hauls. 🙂

  3. premierglaser
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Ha, just read the team news. Need some help. Wilson --> Calvert Lewin, what else?

    1 FT, 1.7 ITB

    Pope - Elliot

    Azpi - Alonso - Daniels - Mee - Long

    Salah - Ramsey - Richarlison - Choupo - RLC

    Kane - Morata - Wilson

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

    Would be devestated if Richarlison gets anything after planning to get him in all week but morata injury creating some issues

    do u think i can get away with delaying richarlison move for another GW?

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

      No....

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

      depends on the rest of your team!

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

        well it's either him or coutinho. morata injur has allowed me to get coutinho instead of richy for choupo after downgrading the chelsea forward

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

      Of course

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

      Mo

    5. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Fixtures for Watford are great it's a weird time to ditch

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

        i dont have him. was planning to get this gw but want get next GW now. looking at coutinho this week

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

          Wait a week then yes

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

      he is so due a return ... disappointing last time out but the red card made that difficult to evaluate

      I would love a brace from him against CPL

  5. Lisboa 1967
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Courtois // Elliot*

    Mee* christensen Mbemba*// Mustafi* Naughton

    Salah Alli Silva Doucore Tcarroll*

    Kane DCL // Morata*
    Problems.. 0ft

  6. MrClaude
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Adam Lallana is training "completely normal" but Joel Matip remains on the sidelines. "We have a few knocks [from Sunday] that we have to wait on. It's possible that one or two may not play." #LFC

    I think Salah wont play

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      You can't trust klopp.

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Solanke & Gomez/Robertson

  7. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Courtois
    Bellerin | Gomez | Ota | Mee*
    Salah | Sterling | Silva | Zaha
    Kane | DCL
    Elliot | Morata* | Daniels | King

    0 FT & 0.6 ITB

    A. Morata >. Firmino (-4) and bench Mee*
    B. Good to go

    Please suggest..

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

      B

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

      N

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        ?

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

          B 😉

          1. Siva Mohan
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            cheers both

  8. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    I’m just gonna keep Morata until there’s more news... will re-assess at the weekend... RLC coming off the bench for him.

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Mee here

      hold or sell?

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Hold... have you a ft?

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          no

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

      Give him until the weekend imo

      Fixtures are thick and fast and injuries are inevitable.

      City will be a minefield this week so just let it be

  9. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Start DCL or Groß?

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

    Any news on baines

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

      Out for this week.

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

        Thanks

  11. bigwig
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Has Klopp put a timeframe on Moreno yet?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      No, he says it could be short or it could be 6 weeks. He doesn't know yet.

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

        Ta

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

      No, sounds like a while though

    3. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      club doctor took him out of FPL team for a HIT

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

    Morata out would mean Hazard up top...

    ... (K)ane -> Ha(z)ard locked in?

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

      I was thinking the same but he maybe start Batman?

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

        Haha...
        I'm heading over to Bet365 to look at the odds. Brb.

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

          The odds on what?!

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

            To score. See below

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

        1,44 on Kane and 2,40 on Hazard...

        But Hazard gets 5 points and 1 for cleanie... Though one...

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

      Not wholly sure about Chelsea this week, Kane for me still

    3. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Bats will start..

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

    Ryan
    Ward Kenny Azpi
    Hazard Sterling Salah Richarlison
    Kane Morata DCL

    Elliot RLC Naughton Rangel

    1FT, £1.7m ITB. should I do:

    A) Ryan > DDG
    B) Morata > Lukaku
    C) Something else?

    Cheers 🙂

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

      a

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

    Do you think Elliot have the chance to start this GW? If so would you play him before Fabianski?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Flappy could have stormer this week.

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

        Stick with fab. Save points.

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

      Yes, he either starts or doesn't play

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

      Flappy = Fab?

  15. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Foster
    Ward Kiko Otamendi
    Salah Sterling Richarlison Grob RLC
    Aguero Kane

    Elliot Naughton Morata Mbemba

    No FT left.

    1. Save
    2. Mbemba to Kenny
    3. Morata to Firmino/DCL

  16. bigwig
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Zeegelaar, Moreno, Morata, Ramsey. Got fires to put out!

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

      WC

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

        i wish

  17. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else have Quaner & Mbemba as 1st & 2nd sub?

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

      Mbemba as 2nd here...

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

    Twas kinda surprising that Morsts ownership reached 37% in the first instance. Has been off the boil for weeks

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

      Morata **

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I know ,I had him but don't know why. Poor player.

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

        Are you serious?

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

      I think he has been wanting a rest, but how do you rest a player on 4YC ... he should have picked up a tactical card at the weekend

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

      3 goals in 6 isn't bad

    5. Brap.
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      He looks like a right misery guts doesn't he

      & a man thinking "Real bench wasn't THAT bad now I think about it…."

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

        Loves a tumble

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

      Second highest scoring striker, think the ownership is high because of bad options in strikers this season.

  19. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Better Duo? thx

    1 ota + chopo
    2 mariappa + sterline

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

    Right, defence is in tatters and a -4 is required - best move here?

    a) Moreno, Daniels & Wilson -> Gomez, Kiko & Austin (-4)
    b) Moreno, Daniels & Morata -> Gomez, Valencia & Firmino (-4)
    [bench Wilson and switch him to Murray/Austin next week]

    Courtois
    Lowton, Daniels, Moreno
    Haz, Salah, Sterling, Richarlison, RLC
    Kane, Wilson

    Elliot Francis, Dunk, Morata
    Bank 0.3m, 2FT

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

      Is Gomez going to start? Seems a risk to me. The Scout team news suggest he'll be rested.

      I thought Kiko is a doubt? Kabasele is same price and poses a higher goal threat.

      I'd only take a hit if you don't have 11 starters or if you really need to juggle funds.

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I have a similar problem. Davies, Daniels, Mee, Kiko and Rangel in defense.

      Thinking Daniels+Morata to Lukaku+Kenny(-4). But worried Lukaku might get a rest.

  21. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    I am keeping Morata for now and hoping that Kane, Salah, Sane/Sterling, Richar and Azpi can do the job. It looks like 30+pts in this week is great score.

    Anything new about Mee?

  22. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Mourinho and Pep pressers over?

  23. LosBlancos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Odds of Mbemba starting?

  24. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Morata to Firmino being a good move is an FPL illusion. You may get more funds but Morata is only out for a match and is capable of bigger hauls then Firmino.

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

      Let them, more of a differential for us next GW

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

      Not convinced on the latter part really

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

      Agree - just posted a similar thing below.

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

      Don't know what you're basing this on though I see Firmino offers better value for Morata on the FPL stats.
      Fake news I fear. 🙂

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

        Points per match

        Morata - 5.7
        Firmino - 4.5

        Source: FPL Stats

  25. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    who scores more lukaku or firmino?

  26. beric
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Use my free hit to do morata and rlc to dcl and coutinho?

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

      no..

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

        Would you just play rlc? Seems a good time to switch to 352

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      No.

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

      Doesn't work that way mate, you get to make as many changes as you want and then the team reverts back to the original next week

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

    any news on jones?

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

      He's fit and available. The scout has him to start tomorrow so we'll have to wait and see. I have him and expecting a start

  28. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Best GK replacement for Elliot to pair with Speroni:
    A - Gomes
    B - DDG
    C - Pope
    D - Pickford

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

      B, C, A, D in that order

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

      B or D for funds

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

    Morata owner. He's certainly a little off the boil, but (assuming he's not out for more than a game and doesn't get suspended) he's a nailed on and has good fixtures.

    I'm by no means attached and would certainly consider transferring him out, but can't see any better replacements for the same price or lower.

    Firmino? Streaky and can be rotated.
    Jesus? Not nailed on.
    Vardy? Mixed fixtures and seems to have stopped scoring.
    Lacazette? Decent fixtures, but rarely plays a full game and never gets bonus.

    Assuming he's back for the next fixture, I think I will hold Morata and give him another game or two while I assess my options...

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

      Vardy is aight

  30. TMF86
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Courtois
    Otamendi/Jones/Cahill/Monreal/Mee

    I want to play 3 at the back. Who to bench?

    Im thinking Mee and Monreal.

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

      Mee and Jones may not play