Team News

The Gameweek 34 Team News

Zlatan Ibrahimovic appears destined for a spell on the sidelines, while Andy Carroll has been ruled out of West Ham’s home clash with Everton. Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen could return to face former club Swansea City, but Joel Matip, Lucas Leiva and Ragnar Klavan are all injury concerns ahead of Liverpool’s home encounter with Crystal Palace.

The headline team news undoubtedly surrounds Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who suffered a knee injury during last night’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa League.

The striker had been the top attraction in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) transfer market ahead of United’s double Gameweek fixtures at Burnley and Manchester City, with more than 82,000 managers swooping early for the Swede.

But post-match, United boss Jose Mourinho was far from hopeful regarding the injury, or the one suffered by Marcos Rojo, who was also forced off with a knee problem. While there is no confirmation of a Mourinho press conference, we would still expect some further information on both injuries from the United camp later today ahead of Sunday’s Turf Moor trip.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will make a late call on Dan Gosling, who has missed the last three matches due to a calf complaint. Howe revealed the midfielder hasn’t done a lot of training, so Lewis Cook may earn a rare start in place of Jack Wilshere, who will miss the rest of the season following a hairline fracture to his leg suffered in the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Middlesbrough head coach Steve Agnew revealed the knee injury suffered by Fabio in Monday night’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal isn’t as bad as first feared. The defender will be assessed this morning to see if he is available for tomorrow’s trip to Bournemouth.

Rudy Gestede did suffer a kick to his heel against the Gunners, but he trained well on Thursday, and should for available for selection. Victor Valdes (rib) and Grant Leadbitter (hamstring) are both ruled out.

Jack Cork (ankle) and Wayne Routledge (hernia) will both miss Swansea City’s home clash against Stoke City. Head coach Paul Clement is hopeful Cork could return for the Gameweek 35 trip to Old Trafford, however.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is hopeful Joe Allen (hamstring) and Glenn Whelan (illness) will be available for the trip to south Wales. Both players came through training yesterday, and look set to be available. Jonathan Walters has yet to train this week as the Potters continue to manage his knee problem. The Republic of Ireland international was due to train today though, and may be able to feature. Hughes has also hinted at a first-team return for the fit-again Jack Butland between the posts.

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic will be without Andy Carroll for the home encounter against Everton, with the forward sidelined due to a knock. Sam Byram and Mark Noble are also unavailable due to suspension, but there is some good news, with Winston Reid back following a groin problem, although Bilic has yet to decide if he will start against the Toffees. Diafra Sakho was due to return to training yesterday, with the forward’s fitness levels to be assessed to see whether he can feature in the matchday squad.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has no fresh injury concerns for the trip to the London Stadium, although on-loan forward Enner Valencia is ineligible to face his parent club.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revealed Joel Matip, Lucas Leiva (both knocks) and Ragnar Klavan (knee) are all injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s home meeting with Crystal Palace. The trio had all failed to train prior to Thursday, although Matip is hopeful he’ll be able to overcome a minor muscle issue to face the Eagles.

Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce has been boosted by the return to training of James Tomkins and Loic Remy. Tomkins’ return looks particularly well-timed given on-loan defender Mamadou Sakho is ineligible to face his parent club.

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 Stream 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.

1,492 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kuyt Hero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    What did I miss re Mourinho's comments on Bailly? Is he not so nailed now? Blind better option?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I think Blind..
      Bailly might just miss 1 of the next 3

      1. Kuyt Hero
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Yea, was all set on doing Baines to Bailly -4, might do Blind now

  2. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Rashford or Negredo in for Carroll for a -4?

    1. Kuyt Hero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Negredo

    2. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Negredo

    3. Lanzini girls just want to …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      You lot are crazy. Rashford is gonna exploit 2 shaky defenses in this dgw

  3. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Have Alonso* Valencia* in starting 11
    Also triple Spurs attack of which im not really confident about!!( For this week)

    Bench is: Ibra Amay Brunt!!
    So if a player fails to start i dont have someone to come on
    Is it worth doing Brunt> Gibson(-4)??

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      And then bench Valencia?

  4. Rasping Drive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Hs the font changed in the last few mins?

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Ignore me

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Who said that?

        😉

  5. ABCDEFC
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Used my FT so any of these worth a -4 hit?
    A) Grant to De Gea
    B) Nyom to Valencia/Bailly
    C) Origi to Rashford

  6. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Which of these?

    A. Bailly, Zaha, Origi

    B. Chambers, Siggy, Negredo/Rashford

    Thanks.

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B

  7. Contegious
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Grant
    Alonso Valencia Davies
    Alli Zaha Haz Erik Sane
    Luk Ibra

    Heaton Stephens Barnes Simpson
    1FT 1.1 Itb

    Ibra > ?
    1.) Rashford
    2.) Benteke or
    Ibra > Kane and Davies > PVA for a -4
    Any other suggestions welcome too

  8. naanda
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    I'm an idiot and got Rojo in for a hit (-4) this week. Do I take another to switch him out?

    1. JackJack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Wasteful. Only really worth it for bailly. Who else you have?

      1. naanda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Alonso Davies yoshida Ake

    2. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      no

  9. The EJJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Want to get rid of Baines but would have to be for a hit? Worth it to get in Gibson?

  10. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    From GW36 onwards:

    A. Hazard, Aguero, Walcott
    B. Costa, Sane, Sanchez

  11. RubberDucky
      6 years, 11 months ago

      The FA Cup ties leave another risk in picking any player in a semi final as your Captain.

      Is this making people look at other options apart from these and poor DGW options?

    • allaboutthemagic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      negredo or rashford for captain?

      1. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        HOT TOPICS

    • MHG
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I have a midfield of
      Sanchez
      Siggy
      Son
      King
      Alli

      I could take a -4 hit and swap one for Negredo this week but I still have to bench one (I used my WC in an earlier week)

      Current plan is to bench Son and leave it at that . Any comments?!

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I would be more inclined to Bench Siggy

        1. MHG
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks DTHINGER And not be tempted to bring in Negrendo for say Song?

          1. Dthinger
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            not for a hit. I don't think Negredo will outscore Son by 4 points, even with a double GW

      2. JIC
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I'm similar with;

        King, Son, Alli, Siggy and Firmino
        Up top with Kane, Kaku and Origi (currently on bench).

        Not got AOA but still got WC. Tempted to leave it or go Origi to Negredo and bench one of midfielders but no idea who?

        At the back it's Baines, Alonso, Valencia and DDG - so leave me with only two DGWs, and Valencia won't play both.

        Thoughts?

        1. MHG
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Yes JIC - it's the same problem - I'm assuming a trf will cost you -4 . Does one bring in Negredo at the expense of a quality midfielder.

          1. JIC
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            No, I have 1FT but if bring in Negredo for example, then have to bench one of the Mids. Origi on bench as it stands.

            1. JIC
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 11 months ago

              Tempted to leave the 5 minds and play as is - with Kane and Kanu up top.

              Just leaves me with little DGW coverage and only DDG and Valencia (who won't play both). Leave as is have 2FTs next week though I guess. Then WC, then BB, then TC.

              1. Pep says
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 11 months ago

                Kanu, nice.

    • Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Bring in Zaha or Townsend? (Townsend would be a nice diff!)

    • Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Help! Pick 4 of these Midfielders:

      Sterling, Sigurdsson, J.King, Traore, Dele

      I brought in Traore because he was so cheap, never really planning to play him, but now he has a tempting double....IF he actually plays more than 30 minutes. And King has punished me every time I bench him. Forwards are Rashford, Kane, Lukaku, so I don't really want to play 3-5-2.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        It's between Siggy and Trarore.

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah that's what I was thinking too

    • The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Replace Sanchez with Townsend and leave out Eriksen?

      Midfield of Townsend, Zaha, Alli, King

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Aren't you going to want Sanchez back in two weeks?

    • Oddjobleff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Bailly or Blind worth a -4 to play over Ben Davies?

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Not for me.

      2. Home Late From Age
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        No

      3. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        no

    • Alfies leg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Are any Boro defenders nailed on bar Gibson? I already own him and would like to double up but can't see any of the others as nailed....

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        What about Guzan?

        1. Alfies leg
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Had a look at him but I don't think the Valdes injury is that serious. I guess its likely that if he's not fit for Saturday he won't be fit for Wednesday so its an option.

    • Cantona90
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Starting to think the best course of action this week is to do nothing. Bank the transfer. Do 2FT punts next week. Then wildcard.

      1. Alfies leg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Perhaps. Somehow feels wrong though.....

    • chris.sheron2011
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Prepared to take a -4 and money isn't really an issue . Was looking towards ibra , as I've had Vardy , short term as my third striker . Is it worth the -4 for Bailly & bring Rashford in ? Nobody in the united midfield really seems worth the minus so do I just bring in the defender ?

      I can't see the value in a -4 for palace players , I've already got Zaha , or a boro defender .

      Thoughts ?

    • 1justlookin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Is Hennessey worth a hit for this DGW only?

      I have Pickford for GW 35 before WC.

      1. BBC_TF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        same question

      2. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        who is he replacing?

    • Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Any Zaha captainers? Seems to do better against the big teams?

      Or should I play safe with Negrado?

      1. Home Late From Age
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        My choice is Negredo if this helps..

    • Tmel
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Anyone done a comparison between Zaha & Townsend?

    • Home Late From Age
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      My front 8: Zaha, Son, Alli, King, Sanchez - Kane, Lukaku, Negredo

      Who to bench?

      1. Pocky
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I have the same, but with Sanchez not Zaha....nightmare!!! Currently benching Son.

        1. Pocky
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Sorry....Hazard instead of Zaha.

      2. Johnny Leghorn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Son

      3. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        You dug yourself a hole here. AOA if you have it. Son if not

    • myboycharlie
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Hi All is Origi to Bentekke worth a -4

    • dvdguy
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      GW 37 BB team

      Cech/Pickford
      Davies/Valencia/Alonso/Yoshida/Stephens
      Hazard/Sanchez/Alli/Sane/Albrighton
      Vardy/Kane/Rashord

      Good to go? Or should I keep Kaku in place of Vardy?

      1. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        It's gw34 mate. Rose will be back.. Valencia will still be tired and possibly getting rested.. Double Southampton defence is asking alot.. Leicester have rubbish fixtures and nothing to play for... Vardy same as Albrighton..

        Jesus will be back, King, Benteke, Zaha, Lukaku, Holgate, Liverpool and more all gave a good fixture. Don't be blinded by the sight of a dgw

        1. dvdguy
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Cheers,was thinking Kaku at home against Watford is as plum as it gets.

    • Baked baines
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Red card boro

      Hopefully no Negredo goal and King hatttick