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

    Sheet - Salah, Coutinho and Firmino a bit overkill innit?!
    Gonna sell Morata to fund upgrades elsewhere which is needed, and I'd like Coutinho over Silva - but if I go for Coutinho the only premier striker I'll afford is Firm...

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      you don't have to lock it in forever, go for it

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

        Cheers!

  2. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Play one this gw

    a. dcl new (a)
    b. bony mci (h)

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

      a

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

      a

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

    A. Wilson & Moreno - > Austin & Kiko (2Fts)

    B. Morata & RLC - > Austin & Coutinho (2Fts)

    1. FC nelo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

    I will try again. Thoughts?

    A) Morata --> Lukaku (easy to swap to other strikers if need, even back to Morata)
    B) Morata --> Firmino (Firmino is a bit in "no mans land" when it comes to options if you need to get him out, and I am not sure about Liverpool players with the rotation risk that follows, also leaves me enough room to get in Pogba for T. Carroll after the weekend)
    C) Morata, T. Carroll --> Austin, max 10.2m (-4 hit)
    D) T. Carroll --> RLC
    E) Save

    The team looks like this:

    Elliot (Begovic)
    Otamendi - Christensen - Jones - Mee (Duffy)
    Hazard - Salah (VC) - Richarlison - Gross (Carroll)
    Kane (C) - DCL (Morata)

    ITB: 1.4m
    FT: 1

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

      When you factor in Pogba B looks great

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

    Thoughts please!

    Pope, Elliot
    Azpilicueta, Monreal, Daniels, Kiko, Ward
    Salah, Sane, Richarlison, Shaqiri, Demari Gray
    Kane, Morata, Abraham.

    1 free transfer and 1.8 in the bank, Im willing to do 2 transfers if it helps me enough, but what should i do?
    Morata out? Switch up Sane? get a better keeper? get Hazard?
    Any help appreciated.

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

    Morata > Lukaku -4?
    Have Hazard

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

      Either that or play Naughton/Carroll v City..

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

      Take the hit - I'd really quite like Lukaku for the next month or so.

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

      Lukaku will get lesser minutes if not a rest very soon. and Morata most likely back for the weekend.

  7. KJT123
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    So i've already taken a -4, and I still have Ramsey and Morata, with Dunk and Daniels ready to come in. Shall i take more hits?

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

      Go on, hit it. Hit it where it hurts.

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

      Who you getting instead of Morata and Ramsey?

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      may as well

  8. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Fabianski
    Bellerin Otamendi Alonso
    Salah Ritchie KDB Mane
    Abraham Morata Firmino

    Elliot Carroll Ake Zeegalar

    Gotta be Kane in for Morata now hasn't it so need to make up 2.3m and take a -4 but I'm sure Harry will make those points up!

    Who to move to make up the 2.3m?

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

      KDB -> Sterling. will this work?

      1. Scotty B
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        No think it's gunna have to be Alonso out

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

    Going to take a hit. Do I....

    A. Ramsey > D. Silva

    B. Ramsey > Son

    C. Ramsey > Mahrez

    D. Niasse > Austin

    E. Niasse > DCL

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Did Ramsey to Shaqiri for free here. Quietly confident

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

        Don't be a braggart

    2. FC nelo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      BCADE - that order for me

  10. Yogi_mike
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Final tweak in my team could use some opinions Ramsey to
    A) son - 4
    B) Siggy - 4
    C) mid 8.0 - 4
    D) Start Murray (gross staring too)

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

      A

    2. Expected Toulouse
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Son

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

      A

  11. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Kane as to be number 1 captain pick????

  12. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Foster(liv) to DDG for - 4 worth it? This seems a good week to do it since I've not been able to do it for free for weeks

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

      if you've no 2nd keeper & intend to keep DDG for a run of games then it's a good move.

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

        ^

      2. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Elliott is my second and DDG will stay for the foreseeable.. My patience knows no bounds with a good prospect.. Foster isn't one

      3. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks.. Gonna do it. Other option is wait and get Adrian for Elliott next week. Kinda prefer the DDG route tbh

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

          DDG, season keeper

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

      Go for it

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

      doing the same but free

  13. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    a) Morata to Firmino for -4pts
    b) Play Niasse

    1. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      a

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

    Before I consider bringing in Lukaku for Morata are we sure there won't be any FA repercussions from this tunnel melee after the City game?
    Is there a deadline by which they have to decide?

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

      Wouldn't say there's a deadline. When the investigation is complete there will be a decision made.

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Should be safe.

  15. Berna1985
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    For Free Hit

    Pope (Speroni)
    Smalling/Christensen/Otamendi (Kenny/Long)
    Salah/Hazard/Coutinho/Young (RLC)
    Kane(C)/Firmino/Austin

    How many of these players could be rested? I'm not sure about City's players maybe just Aguero but I prefer Kane&Cout

  16. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    who to play groß or niasse ???

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

      Gross.

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I'm playing Pascal

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

    Is Benteke gonna get drop for his penalty antics at the weekend?

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

      Or just for being generally gash?

  18. Schliegs
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Daniels >

    A) Masuaku
    B) Gomez

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

      Great question

  19. Duka
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you put (c) on if you had to choose between coutinho and hazard?Unbelievably hard for me to decide,both choices have different but equally good merits.

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

      Coutinho. Seems to be a trend of players doing well after being rested emerging

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

        Thanks,thats one more thing to consider for sure.

      2. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        +1

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

      I'd do Hazard. Morata not there so the he'll be the most advanced.

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

        Not if Batman gets a game

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

        I can see bats getting a start.Not too worried about that,but more with the fact that huddersfield is solid when playing home.

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

    Better option?

    A) Calvert Lewin (new, SWA, CHE, wba, bou)

    B) Austin (LEI, mun, HUD, che, tot)

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

      Austin will surely get injured during this month

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

        Bony or Murray on wc Pep?

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

        DCL the safer choice?

        Has less competition and better fixtures short term.

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

      B

  21. Expected Toulouse
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Ramsay to Richarlison?
    or
    Wilson to Austin?

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

      R -> R

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

      Rich may get a rest this week

  22. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Sad that Azpi has noone to assist tonight

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

      So he goes all the way and scores 😀

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Cheeky cross onto an Alonso header wouldn't be too bad

  23. Viper
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Any thoughts greatly appreciated. 2Fts.

    A. Wilson & Moreno - > Austin & Kenny

    B. Morata & RLC/Gross - > Austin & Coutinho

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

      B is delicious

  24. FC nelo
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Sterling (swa) - rotation risk?
    B) Gray (sou)
    C) DCL (new)

    Bench one:
    1) Long (STK)
    2) Mariappa (cpl)
    3) Kenny (new)

    Thanks.

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

    So far come up with about 14 different options for which transfers to make. Hopefully amongst them is at least one great permutation so when I balls it all up I can complain that I was unlucky not to choose it.

  26. Gazpilicueta
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    A) Aguero

    B) Gabriel Fernando de Jesus

    1. luke25
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I've got A but only out of love, don't think either are worthy having, both in poor form right now

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      What about them

    3. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I like jesus and think he's being overlooked on here. Pep clearly doesn't trust aguero

  27. Fantasyamateur
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Wtf should I do with this squad? Morata news killed my plans..

    Foster
    Otamendi - Mee - Daniels
    Salah - Richarlison - Sterling - Carroll
    Agüero - Kane - Morata

    Bench: Elliot, Hegazi, Moreno, Chalobah.

    0.7M ITB and 2FT. Not too keen on hits, but will take one if really necessary..

  28. Teror
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone worried that Brighton are quite alright defensively (horror show against Liverpool aside) and Spurs are playing at Wemberley?

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

      Nah, everyone is too busy worrying about transfers. Captaincy can cock itself up all on its own.

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

        Love that concept about the captaincy! I can identify with that.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      not worried about this at all

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I am, thinking of captaining a Pool mid.

      Kane's due a 2 pointer at home..

  29. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Do I take a hit for anything? Moreno > Firmino one option obviously.

    DDG
    Azpilicueta Christensen Mee (potential injury)
    Salah* Coutinho Sterling* Richarlison* RLC
    Kane DCL

    Speroni Kiko (potential injury) Kenny Morata (injured)

    I think the ones with the * are potential rotation risks as well.

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

      Moreno to Firmino? Clearly you know something we don't

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

    will mustafi and jones play tom.??

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

      Mustafi confirmed out