Team News

The Weekend Team News

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a doubt for Arsenal’s home encounter with Everton due to illness, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan will make his first start for the Gunners.

David Silva is an injury concern for Manchester City’s trip to Burnley, while Andreas Christensen could miss Chelsea’s trip to Watford.

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

Stephen Ward, Chris Wood (both knee) and James Tarkowski (groin) remain doubtful for Burnley’s home clash with Manchester City. Playmaker Steven Defour, meanwhile, faces two months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

As for the leaders, they will check on David Silva, who was forced off with an abdominal injury in the 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. John Stones will be assessed after missing out in midweek due to illness and could replace new boy Aymeric Laporte at Turf Moor.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has revealed that Adam Smith will sit out the home meeting with Stoke City due to a thigh injury, so Ryan Fraser looks set to start at right wing-back once again.

Paul Lambert will assess new signing Badou Ndiaye in training today before deciding whether to include the midfielder in the starting XI for Stoke’s trip to the Vitality Stadium. Jack Butland is expected to recover from a dead leg to start in goal for the Potters, with Lee Grant the back-up option.

Jurgen Locadia is still not ready to make his Brighton & Hove Albion debut for the home encounter against West Ham United. Jiri Skalak is a doubt and Steve Sidwell remains sidelined.

Michail Antonio will be named in the Hammers squad for the trip to the Amex Stadium, after he was left out against Crystal Palace for being late for a pre-match meeting. Winston Reid could return from a groin injury, while deadline day signing Jordan Hugill may make his Premier League debut up front.

According to reports, Riyad Mahrez is yet to return to training after failing to secure a move to Manchester City on deadline day. Demarai Gray may keep his place in the side for the home fixture against Swansea City, then, but skipper Wes Morgan misses out again.

Swansea’s club-record signing Andre Ayew has been sidelined with a hamstring injury of late, and will be assessed today ahead of the trip to the King Power Stadium. On-loan midfielder Andy King is ineligible to face his parent club.

Marouane Fellaini looks certain to miss Manchester United’s home meeting with Huddersfield Town after picking up suspected knee ligament damage in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Alexis Sanchez is set for his Old Trafford debut after a January switch from Arsenal.

As for the Terriers, they will check on Scott Malone and Danny Williams for the trip to Old Trafford, after the pair missed the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Alan Pardew was once again coy on West Brom’s injury situation ahead of the home encounter against Southampton, although Jonny Evans is thought to be a major doubt due to a muscle injury. Kieran Gibbs and Hal Robson-Kanu (both hamstring) Grzegorz Krychowiak (thigh) and Jake Livermore (knock) all remain doubtful, but Daniel Sturridge could be handed his full debut after appearing off the bench against Man City in midweek.

Mauricio Pellegrino revealed Manolo Gabbiadini is a doubt for the trip to The Hawthorns after suffering a hip complaint during the 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, but the Saints boss suggested that Guido Carrillo could make his first start for the club.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan will make his first start for the club against Everton. But the Gunners boss will assess club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Jack Wilshere, who have both been struggling with illness.

The Toffees have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to the Emirates, although Sam Allardyce will check on Seamus Coleman after the defender returned from a 10-month lay-off in midweek. Jonjoe Kenny is the alternative at right-back. New loan signing Eliaquim Mangala offers another option in defence.

Crystal Palace’s Bakary Sako was forced off with an ankle injury in the 1-1 draw with West Ham United, and will almost certainly miss the home clash against Newcastle United. Yohan Cabaye is likely to earn a recall against his former club, while deadline day signing Alexander Sorloth could make his Premier League debut alongside Christian Benteke up top.

But the Magpies are not expected to have new signing Islam Slimani available for the trip to Selhurst Park, with the forward nursing a thigh injury. Fellow new boy Martin Dubravka is expected to challenge Karl Darlow for the starting role in goal, with Rob Elliot (knock) still doubtful. Dwight Gayle may be handed a recall against his former side.

Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could all push for teamsheet returns for Liverpool’s home encounter against Tottenham Hotspur after only being named among the substitutes in Tuesday night’s 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town. Ragnar Klavan and Adam Lallana both remain doubtful due to muscle injuries.

Serge Aurier (calf) remains a doubt for Spurs, while this match could come too soon for Toby Alderweireld, despite his return to first-team training. Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely to make many changes for the trip to Anfield following the 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Watford head coach Javi Gracia will check on Heurelho Gomes, Molla Wague and Tom Cleverley ahead of Chelsea’s visit to Vicarage Road. Cleverley was forced off with a knock in the goalless draw with Stoke City, with Roberto Pereyra an alternative in central midfield. New signing Didier Ndong serves the last of a three-match ban earned while still at Sunderland.

After being forced off with a hamstring in the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, Andreas Christensen could be ruled out for Chelsea. But David Luiz and Willian were able to train yesterday and could be close to returns, while new signings Emerson Palmieri and, in particular, Olivier Giroud may be in contention to make their debuts, with Alvaro Morata still troubled by a back complaint. We will know more following Antonio Conte’s press conference at luncthime.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from Friday’s press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.

745 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Wise Owl
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Hello all, I've done it, I've activated my WC. Can someone please RMWCT?

    Fabianski / Adrian
    Duffy - Jones - Daniels / Duffy - Mee
    Walcott - Sterling (vc) - Salah - Martial / Milivojevic
    Wilson - Kane (c) - Firmino

    0.4 ITB

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wahey top of page.

    2. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      That C choice could be hurting a bit, nice team

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Kane could have had loads but missed his chances, I'm worried too. Martial might be a better punt.

    3. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      i am on a wc as well ..any reasons why martial over pogba?

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        No reason other than Martial is up front with Sanchez. It's very close.

        1. lilmessipran
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          chances of martial getting rotated makes me go for pogba.. I am currently on this

          Butland Foster
          Jones Monreal Gomez Fernandez Francis
          Pogba Sterling Salah Wally Cook
          Kun Kane Wilson

          0.1 itb

          1. The Wise Owl
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            You raise a good point.

    4. Dyslexia Untied FC
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Pogba > Martial for sure

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

      Duffy twice? Bournemouth, west brom, swansea and leicester all have a good string of fixtures, so one of their cheap defenders might be sensible.

      Any way of getting alonso? He appears in every single wildcard team every time he scores a goal, then goes off the radar after one game without a cleansheet

      Can't complain about that front 8 other than lack of aguero. Can't have 'em all.

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Was meant to be Otamendi at the start, haha. Alonso is too expensive.

    6. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Pickering / Adrian
      Bauer - Jones - Ake / Duffy - Mee
      Walcott - Sterling (vc) - Salah - Martial / Milivojevic
      Wilson - Kane (c) - Firmino

      GW31 blank
      Pickering
      Bauer
      Walcott Salah
      Firmino

  2. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I can see 5 plus goals for United, it will be a statement and a reaction in order to notify the "others" that a tsunami wave has started its journey. He won't take him off even after his 4th...Watch out and enjoy in the same time.

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Are you the one who is drinking from the bottle this morning?

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      United scoring 5+ goals?

      Lol.

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Have united every scored 5 or more under Mourinho?

  3. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Why are people dropping Kane so readily. What do you realistically think the score will be? Check the goals market on a bookies

    1. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I took him out for Aguero last GW and I'm genuinely thinking about reversing the swap this week.

    2. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      because aguero has score more goals lately and is going up in price, while kane is dropping

      1. Dyslexia Untied FC
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Herd mentality

        1. FDMS All Starz
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          I'd rather take a inform Kun vs easy opponents than a inform Kane vs harder opponents

  4. Pranav Santhosh
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Repost
    adrian
    christensen otamendi mbemba
    sterling salah son shaqiri
    kane aguero wilson
    pope mee masuaku rlc
    1FT 0.9ITB
    what would you do?

    1. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Masuaku to Chilwell
      rlc to Allen or Ibe
      one this week, one next week.

      1. Pranav Santhosh
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Masuaku to chilwell seems like a popular move

  5. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Walcott is going to rise again tonight, right?

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      i doubt that. Maybe tomorrow.

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Thank god. Really hope this is true.

    2. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I will buy him... He's a perfect player to get in with regard to the doubles/blanks planning... Everton have great fixtures and they have a 31 fixture as well, which makes Wally a great player if you don't FH in GW31... Or even if you do, he's still a great choice me thinks...

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I think Walcott will flourish at Everton.

        1. The Wise Owl
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          If he can stay fit that is.

          1. My Name Is Prince
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            With my luck (it's been a nightmare season) he just gets injured for GW31....

            1. My Name Is Prince
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Cause I'm planning not FH in GW31 but in GW35 instead...

            2. The Wise Owl
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Always the risk!

      2. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Yep, straight in my team tomorrow after the deadline. So explosive.

    3. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Let’s hope not lol

  6. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Any Suggestions

    Pickford Speroni
    Alonso Otamendi Mee duffy Ogbonna
    Son Shaqiri Salah Sterling Lingard
    Kane firmino depoitre

    1FT 1.6 ITB
    Jones for Ogbonna ? or Save FT and play Duffy?
    thx

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save, not going for depoitre to Wilson beacuse of benching headaches?
      Who's your captain?

      1. Tabbara
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        salah

    2. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I would still get a better 3rd forward even if you bench some weeks.

  7. Gríma Wormtongue
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pick one to drop (long term)

    A) Vertonghen

    B) Maguire

    C) Otamendi

    1. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      C

  8. yakirh
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Play Adrian or Fabianski?
    A - Adrian
    B - Fabianski

  9. Sjaak
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What's all the fuzz about dropping Mahrez? See no reason why he wouldnt't start..

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

      lol

    2. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Haha...

    3. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      You should captain mahrez

  10. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Lanzini depoitre -4 to
    A) kdb wilson
    B) sanchez niasse/quaner
    C) aguero dyer/elneny

  11. LeicesterA
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    No love for Kane(c) at the weekend? Nailed on for me.

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I will prob cap Kane, from here with love!

  12. Kellz86
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Good afternoon all!

    Looking to upgrade Kenny - ideas on a long term option for a defender up to 5.8mil?

    Premium wise:
    (a) P.Jones - current thinking
    (b) Laporte - but potential rotation risk
    (c) Monreal/Mustafi - Arsenal fixtures tough in the next 3 (EVE, @Spurs, MCI)
    (d) Davies/Trippier - also rotation.

    OR should I just go with a cheap defender from BUR/NEW/STK and bank the rest which will go to help bring back Kane.

    Thanks guys!

    1. MTPockets
        6 years, 3 months ago

        a

      • Licious Lizard (delete acc)
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Jones or cheapie

        • Kellz86
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks guys

      • My Name Is Prince
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Is Defoe defoe out in GW31?

        1. The Wise Owl
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          I think Bournemouth don't have a BGW.

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            they might have a game, but Southampton have to knock out WBA for that to happen

            1. My Name Is Prince
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              We will knock WBA out, don't worry 😎

          2. My Name Is Prince
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            That's why I asked, I will buy Wilson because he's likely to play in GW31, but only if Defoe is likely to still be out at that time... Still a long way to go to the middle of March...

        2. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          defoenitely

          1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Defoe is more or less shot anyway I reckon.

      • RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Who to bench from my front 8?

        Thanks all 🙂

        Son • Salah • Ox • Sterling • Choupo
        Kane • Kun • Wilson

        1. JJO
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Ox easily

        2. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          CM

      • Salah'd n Sauce
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Courois
        Otamendi / Macguire / Daniels
        Pogba / Salah / Sterling / Lingard
        Wilson / Kane / Firmino

        Elliot / Mkhitayan / Mee / Mariappa

        G2G? Anything worth a hit in the starting 11? Bit concerned about double United given how rancid they were vs spurs!!!

        Is Pogba to Walcott worth it? Could he make a statement at his old stomping ground?

      • Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Trippier (5.2) from GW28 could be gold. Seems to have nailed down the RB spot.

        1. The Wise Owl
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Really? Close competition with Aurier.

          1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Aurier is clearly first choice when fit.

        2. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Don’t think he’s nailed, sadly! Aurier is terrible too

        3. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Aurier was/is injured

          1. My Name Is Prince
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Just this midweek game, he's close to being back...

        4. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          "Seems to have nailed down the RB spot"

          Check out his history mate, not even close to being nailed...

      • Hazardous1983
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        any suggestions for the below team is in a right mess one fr 0.1m in bank

        foster (adrian)
        tomkins jones alonso (mbemba, kenny)
        salah sterling shaqiri hazard lingard
        firminho aguero (crouch)

        team definitely needs a facelift.

      • Ronnies
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Best pick ?

        a) mahrez > walcott
        b) mahrez > pogba
        c) mahrez + crouch > walcott + wilson..... -4

        Tnks guys.

        1. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          A

        2. Lh909
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          C

      • My Name Is Prince
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Mahrez/DCL --> Wally/Wilson -4? Already thinking of GW31...

        1. Lh909
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Dude, your asking a question that you voted against in the above post. But yeah, do it.

      • UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Any suggestions? Got 1ft and 0m

        Adrian -- pope
        Alonso jones Duffy -- Cedric Gomez
        Salah Sterling Hazard Son Ibe
        Kun Firmino - Quaner

        A: save
        B: son >> pogba/mkhi/martial/Wally

      • Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Who needs to go first:

        A. RLC
        B. Kiko

        1. rnrd
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          A

      • The Mighty Whites
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Jones worth the money over Smalling?

      • Link
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Tough call and help needed. Bench one of

        A. Ramsey (EVE)
        B. B.Silva (bur)
        C. Murray (WHU)

        ??? HELP!

      • Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Hello guys. Would you play Adrian (bha) or Pope (MCI) this week?

      • barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Is it plausible to hold on a WC as long as possible this second half? I have noticed troops who are WCing now. Is it because of Walcott, Sanch and some other incomers?

        1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Stupidity

        2. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          WC after GW31 for the cool kids!

      • Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Is Luka Milivojevic a decent replacement for RLC?

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Anyone better for 4.m?

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            *4.7m

          2. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            I guess ibe costs the same ?

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              4.8m

              1. The Overthinker
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Oh. He is someone whom I am considering

                1. Jafooli
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 3 months ago

                  Anyone else at 4.7m?

          3. Ahtikullervo
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Kenedy?

        2. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          He s great,I m buying him, only it was easier to spell RLC then Milivojevic Luka, that is the problem

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Same 😀

            Is he nailed and on penos?

            1. CRO KLOPP
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Yes,and on free kicks apparently

              1. Jafooli
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Sweet, cheers....

      • ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        What the feck to do? Doing my nut in.

        Hennessey
        Alonso / Otamendi / Jonesinho
        Salah / Sterling / Son / Walcott / Mahrez
        Kane / Wilson

        Speroni / Kenny / Depoitre / Ogbonna

        1ft, £0.5itb

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          We need to sort our GKs very soon. Hopefully get this GW and maybe next, but then fixtures turn real bad.

          1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            I like them for cheap. They still get points.

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              So you keeping? Did Palace not sign another keeper in the end?

        2. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Save FT to sort GKs soon

        3. lilmessipran
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          mahrez to pogba?

        4. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          I'd punt on Martial probably, rest looks good

        5. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Sell Mahrez to Mane?

          1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            This would be ideal. I'm 0.2 short.

            1. My Name Is Prince
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Oops, didn't realize Mane's rather expensive, thought he was closer to Mahrez's price, 8.something...

        6. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          How about Mahrez + Son --> Sanchez(C) Choupo ?

      • DenDanskeDuo
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Sooo... I need to get rid of Mahrez and Arnie... Got 0,2itb atm.. Thinking of joining the Theo bandwagon, which leaves me with 8,5m for another midfielder... Any ideas?
        Current midfielders + forwards:
        Salah, Sterling, Lingard, Arnie*, Mahrez*
        Kane, Firmino, Quaner..

        Thanks and cheers

        1. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Mane? I know it's triple on Pool attack but if you FH in GW35, that's not that bad considering they have GW31 game and great fixtures before that too (bar maybe United in GW30 although we just saw what Spurs did to them)

          1. My Name Is Prince
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Scrap that, Mane is 9.3m...

      • Sahil Yadav
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Any chances of Sterling/Aguero not starting this week?

        1. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          There always is a chance

      • Ace Ventura
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Any idea who to replace Christiansen with?

        De Gea
        Ogbonna | Otamendi | Christensen | Maguire
        Sterling | Salah (VC) | Shaquiri
        Kane | Agüero (C) | Wilson

        Elliot | Stephens | Carroll | Mee