Team News

The Weekend Team News

Mohamed Salah looks set to be available for Liverpool’s crunch meeting with Manchester City, while Marko Arnautovic should return for West Ham’s trip to Huddersfield Town.

Jamie Vardy is back for Leicester’s Stamford Bridge visit and Aaron Ramsey will return to the Arsenal squad at Bournemouth following a spell on the sidelines.

Here’s our summary of the key team news so far, with a whole host of big-name press conferences still to come later today.

After being rested for the goalless draw against Arsenal in the EFL Cup, Gary Cahill and Tiemoue Bakayoko are expected to be recalled for Chelsea’s home meeting with Leicester City.

As for the Foxes, they will have Jamie Vardy available for the trip to Stamford Bridge, with the forward recovering from a groin injury. But Wes Morgan and Danny Simpson are both ruled out.

Crystal Palace pair Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend were forced off with injuries in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup and are expected to be sidelined for the home fixture against Burnley. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is still a doubt, so Bakary Sako could push for a start having scored in the FA Cup tie at Brighton.

Stephen Ward and Chris Wood will both miss the trip to Selhurst Park. Manager Sean Dyche expects defensive trio James Tarkowski (broken hand), Ben Mee and Kevin Long (both knocks) to be in contention. Scott Arfield (hamstring) is rated as “touch and go”, though, while Georges-Kevin Nkoudou is poised to make his debut after joining on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Chris Lowe and Collin Quaner have been ruled out for Huddersfield Town’s home clash against West Ham United. The latter should be back in contention at Stoke next weekend, however, according to David Wagner.

Marko Arnautovic is back in training and according to David Moyes’ Evening Standard column – back and available to return for the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium, while Michail Antonio remains sidelined with an ongoing groin injury. Moyes has an array of injury worries in defence though this morning’s column also revealed that Aaron Cresswell and James Collins are set to be in contention, with Winston Reid the only real doubt.

Jamaal Lascelles, Florian Lejeune and Chancel Mbemba are all injury concerns for Rafa Benitez ahead of the home clash against Swansea City. Rob Elliot is back in training, although he may be return to the bench with Karl Darlow retained in goal.

Renato Sanches (hamstring) and Tammy Abraham (abdominal injury) appear unlikely to be available for the trip to St James’ Park, while Angel Rangel is ruled out and Kyle Naughton remains suspended. Youngster Connor Roberts could start at right-back.

Kiko Femenia and Will Hughes remain likely to miss out again for Watford’s home fixture with Southampton. Troy Deeney returned from suspension with a goal in the 3-0 win over Bristol City in the FA Cup, and may lead the line for the Hornets.

Cedric Soares and Wesley Hoedt have both returned to training ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road, but Mauricio Pellegrino revealed a decision on their availability will be made on the pair after today’s training session. Jeremy Pied (knock) will also be subject to a late assessment.

Alan Pardew will have to check on Kieran Gibbs (muscle problem), Jonny Evans (foot) and Matt Phillips (hamstring) ahead of the home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Izzy Brown has returned to parent club Chelsea after suffering a serious knee injury but, apart from Steve Sidwell, manager Chris Hughton has a clean bill of health ahead of the trip to The Hawthorns.

Harry Winks is a doubt ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s home encounter with Everton due to an ankle injury, while Danny Rose is likely to remain sidelined with a knee complaint.

Sam Allardyce has confirmed that new signing Cenk Tosun will be in the squad for the trip to Wembley, but Michael Keane misses out with a foot injury.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe revealed that both Josh King and Junior Stanislas have returned to training ahead of the visit of Arsenal to the Vitality Stadium, although a late decision will be made on whether they can feature.

Arsene Wenger stated earlier this morning that Aaron Ramsey is available for the trip to the south coast, while Jack Wilshere has a chance of recovering from an ankle sprain to feature on Sunday. Mesut Ozil is rated as 50/50, but Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal remain out and Sead Kolasinac has a “little chance” of making a return.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been handed a boost after Mohamed Salah returned to full training ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Manchester City. Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge are also edging back into contention, but Jordan Henderson remains sidelined.

Vincent Kompany remains a doubt for the leaders ahead of the trip to Anfield, while Ilkay Gundogan will be on standby to start if David Silva isn’t able to feature due to personal reasons.

Manchester United right-back Antonio Valencia is on course to return for Monday night’s home clash against Stoke City, having missed the last four matches with a hamstring complaint. Ashley Young serves the final game of his three-match ban, so Luke Shaw is expected to continue at left-back. Romelu Lukaku is set to start in attack after returning from a head injury in the 2-0 win over Derby County in the FA Cup.

Stoke Under 18s manager Kevin Russell helmed yesterday’s press conference and revealed Erik Pieters and Bruno Martins Indi both returned to training on Thursday, although the pair still need to prove their fitness ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. Ryan Shawcross is unlikely to recover from a calf injury in time to feature against his former club.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s 2.00pm 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.

613 Comments Post a Comment
  1. vanillasky639
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    4-5-1
    de bruyne - sterling - salah - lingard - arnie
    kane

    or

    4-4-2
    sterling - salah - richarlison - lingard
    aguero - kane

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

      A by a cuntty mile. KdB more nailed, cheaper and has scored more than Aguero. Will finish season higher. No dilemma.

  2. Afghanistanislas
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Who would you lose to get Lingard:
    A) Sane
    B) Son
    C) Arnautovic

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      If you have Sterling, A. Otherwise, B.

      1. DenDanskeDuo
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        agree

    2. Afghanistanislas
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah I have Sterling, and was thinking the same - thanks

  3. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Nightmare with injuries!

    DDG / Elliot
    Otamendi / Kenny / Mee / Dunk / Ogbonna
    Salah* / Lingard / Hazard / Sterling / Arnautovic*
    DCL / Depoitre / Kane

    0FT 3.0 itb

    How does Mee --> Alonso for a -4? Or anything else for a -4?

    Then next week DCL + Hazard + Aguero + RLC for a -4?

    Thanks!

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mee, Salah, and Arnie all likelybto play.

      Chill - no nightmare

    2. Athletic Bilbo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Read the team news, quicker than typing all that

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

    Want to get lingard and Alonso in who would you take out Salah or Erikson

    1. Football Weekender
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Eriksen. No contest.

      1. Tekkerslovakiaftw
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Worth it for a hit or just get lingard in this week

        1. Football Weekender
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Not worth the hit.

  5. Patches O Hoolahan
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    WC Team. Thoughts?

    Courtois (Elliot)

    Ogbonna / Gomez / Stones (Edwards/Mbemba)

    Hazard / Son / Salah / Lingard / Arnautovic

    Kane / Aguero (McBurnie)

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good don't know if Gomez is nailed though with TAA around

      1. Patches O Hoolahan
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        That's my though but would rotate Gomez with Edwards for Stoke

    2. Football Weekender
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Bench is far too weak. That’ll really hurt you when the blank GWs come around.

    3. CloudSky
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard -> Sterling and upgrade the bench.

      1. Patches O Hoolahan
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        True.
        Alternate:

        Adrian (Elliot)

        Van Djik / Alonso / Stones ( Kenny/Ogbonna)
        Sterling / Son / Salah / Lingard / Arnautovic
        Kane / Morata (Mcburnie)

        Better?

    4. Dino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      If you haven't pulled the wc wait until gw28 if you can as there is a major negative turn of fixt for chelsea utd and city plus blanks for these teams too and a positive turn for spurs Liverpool and arsenal as well as more knowledge of who is likely to blank in 31

  6. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Daniels/Kenny -> Alonso (-4)

    Yay or Nay?

    1. Football Weekender
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Absolutely yay.

      1. Bonus magnet
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        yay

  7. Dino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    How come salah still has a flag on him if he is back in training?

    1. MTPockets
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Until officially confirmed gtg.

      • Football Weekender
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        FPL towers might need more to remove it. Will definitely be removed if Klopp confirms he’s available in the presser.

    2. Nando7
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      ok this is my team on a WC guys... gtg ?
      3-5-2
      Adrian
      Stones Alonso Jones
      Salah D.Silva Son Lingard Milijeovic
      Kane Aguero
      Bench: Speroni Kenny 3.9 cb
      gtg??????

      1. pedjaaaa
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        we have similar team, but I'm worried about Milivojevic, thinking about Albrighton, but that means defense needs to be downgraded

        1. NIELK
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          instead of Milivojevic, what about Jordon Ibe for 4.8m? - he has a decent run of fixtures after this weekend.

      2. Boomerang V
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Speroni, Kenny and the 3.9 could give you a headache since they will probably no play. Maybe Kenny will get a recall but he was dropped to the bench last time in PL.

    3. Strchld
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Eriksen and Mee out
      Pogba/Lingard and Jones in for -4, would be longterm.
      Have also Son and Kane, Pope on goal and no ManU defs.
      A) Yes
      B) No

      1. Strchld
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Or Eriksen and Hunemeier out
        Lingard and Jones in would give me
        Alonso, Ota, Mee, Gomez and Jones.

    4. CloudSky
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Who is this Edwards guy from Stoke subbing in?

    5. RUUD!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Help please, I have 1 FT and 0.5 in the bank.

      Pope (Adrian)
      Otamendi Mustafi Christensen Sanchez Jones
      Salah Arnie Son Sterling (Carroll)
      Kane Firmino (DCL)

      I don’t know which defender to bench, I’m thinking of using my FT to downgrade Sanchez to a 4.2 or so playing defender.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah Sanchez downgrade or Son to Lingard

    6. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Bench order for these players?
      (A) RLC (BUR)
      (B) Long (cry)
      (C) DCL (tot)

      1. Football Weekender
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        There’s a chance none of them will start or even play at all but I’d go A, C, B

    7. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Last 7 PL home matches for Son Heung-Min

      Liverpool GW9 - 7pts
      C Palace GW11 - 10pts
      West Brom GW13 - 2pts
      Stoke GW16 - 16pts
      Brighton GW17 - 8pts
      Southampton GW20 - 14pts
      West Ham GW22 - 9pts

      Average home score over the last seven: 9.4pts per game

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Well, I'm captaining. Don't know about you 😛
        Plus Everton have only conceded to midfielders since GW13 wasn't it?

        1. Rains of Castamere
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I am actually tempted. The rationale is there.

          1. Rains of Castamere
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            I just don't understand why people are ditching Son this week!

            1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Lingard wagon. I'm hoping my instincts are right and Lingard stopd crunching out those worldies.

    8. Stevie B
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      What to do with this lot?

      de Gea (Speroni)
      Otamendi, Vertonghen, Ogbonna (Robertson) (Kenny)
      Salah, Sterling, Eriksen, Arnautovic (Loftus-Cheek)
      Kane, Firmino, Calvert-Lewin

      1 free Transfer and 0.2 in the bank.

      Thank you!

      1. Boomerang V
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Maybe save and try to get Alonso next week with 2 moves.

    9. jtnethk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hi all sorry for repost again, hope to get some advice

      Hi all, g2g? Should I start Gross or Ota?

      DDG
      Alonso Christensen Jones
      Gross Alli Salah Arnie Lingard
      Firmino Kane

      Bench: Speroni, Otamendi, Dummett, Quaner

      0.2 ITB 0 FT

      Will drop Alli for Sterling after Everton. Appreciate all comments

      1. tibollom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        ota mate

    10. The Left Duke #3
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Eriksen and Daniels -->> Linagrd and Alonso (-4) done

      G2G?

      Speroni
      Otamendi Mee Alonso
      Salah Sterling Son Arnautovic Lingard (vc)
      Kane (c) Firmino
      (Hennessy Depoitre Gomez Kenny)

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        pretty much same as my team so i would say YES g2g

        1. The Left Duke #3
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Cheers pal, all the best to us this week 🙂

      2. Stevie B
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Are you not worried that Eriksen will hurt you? Everton and Southampton are nice fixtures. Lindgard has after the Stoke game Burnley and Spurs. I consider if I should maybe the same. But I am not a fan of hits.

        1. The Left Duke #3
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I have Kane and Son for Spurs. I really wanted Alonso so needed to free up the cash

    11. Will
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Coutinho to;
      A. Lingard
      B. Arnautovic
      (No other MANU or WHAM)

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        A

    12. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Save right chaps?

      Adrian
      Alonso - Ota - Jones
      Son - Sterling - Salah - Arnie - Lingard
      Firmino - Kane(C)

      Dunk - Kenny - Quaner

      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        That's an ideal team. Well played sir.

        1. Bobby_Baggio
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Why thankyou sir

    13. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks a lot for the feedback on my Version 1 WC team. Made a few changes based on the feedback. How does Version 2 look now:

      Pope/ Adrian
      Alonso/ Jones/ Stones/ Kenny/ Dummett
      Salah/ Richarlison/ Arnie/ Ramsey/ Lingard
      Kane/ Aguero/ Quaner

      Thanks a lot!

      1. pedjaaaa
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I like it. Also wanted to get Stones instead of Ota, but...rotation, still not sure. Maybe someone from City in the middle?

      2. MTPockets
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Sterling seems good value.

      3. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Adrian Speroni
        Alonso Mee Masuaku Robertson Long
        Sterling Son Lingard Arnie RLC
        Kane Aguero Mounie

        0FT 4.7M itb

        Plan is to Mounie to Tosun this week for a hit since i'm bored of Mounie. And Son/cheap defender to Salah/Stones next week.

        If i go Bobby/Morata/Laca i price myself out of Salah.

        1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Just do Son to Salah and call it a day.

        2. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Not this week.

        3. Bobby_Baggio
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          How about Mounie > Quaner + RLC > Salah

        4. Hy liverpool
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I would get salah

      4. Wheato182
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        How's my wildcard team looking? good to go?

        Pope (Elliott)
        Christensen - Mee - Masuaku (Cameron - Stones)
        Mahrez - Salah - Arnie - Lingard (Carroll)
        Aguero - Firmino - Kane

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

          Pope + Elliott means you might need another keeper soon and if you have 0 ITB, that could soon be an issue

        2. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Nope

          Downgrade Firmino to Ayew, for instance, and upgrade Carroll to Sterling/Richarlison/Pogba

        3. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I'd stear clear of Pope
          Downgrade Firmino and do Masuaku to Alonso
          McArthur over Carroll

        4. Football Weekender
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Like this team a lot. I’d maybe rethink Cameron but it looks strong.

      5. FPL ElasticO
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Looking to take -8 hit to set this team ..... G2G guys ???
        Pickford
        Otamendi/ Alonso/ Ogbonna
        Arnie/ Son/ Sterling/ Salah/ Lingard
        Kane/ Firmino

        Bench:: Elliot/ K Long/ Kenny/ McBurnie

      6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Mane a big differential, have a feeling he will be the one to own in the second half of the season. Coutinho chance creation will hurt the side so can see firmino dropping off in terms of output as he relies on those chances created but mane/salah likely to create chances on their own.

        Mane for me though is fresh and ready to go. Will now have a proper run in the team too. Considering son to mane next week

        1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          On my watchlist. Want to see a few games without Coutinho first though.

        2. Football Weekender
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Agree with this. Potentially a great differential. Alli to Mané pencilled in for GW25.

        3. Boomerang V
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I regret having sold Salah for 9.7, that means I will loose .4 to get him back.

          Unless I get Mané for 9.3 and go without Mo from now on. That is why I am very interested that you have a point here.

          Do you think Mane can match Salah in points from now until end of season?

          By matching I mean he can score 15-20 more or less points than Salah.

        4. Athletic Bilbo
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Mane has seven attacking returns this season. Six of which were without Coutinho in the team. I’d say he’s primed

      7. Reckoner.
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Play 2 from 3 of:

        A) Schindler (Home to West Ham)
        B) Masuaku (Away to Huddersfield)
        C) Dunk (Away to West Brom)

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          BC

      8. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Decent WC team?

        Adrian/Foster
        Alonso/Jones/Davies*/Dummett/Bardsley
        Salah/Sterling/Arnautovic/Lingard/Richarlison
        Kane/Kun/Quaner

        * Davies only for next two, and then I wil lget VVD or maybe Stones

        Question for you since you're here: with this WC would you go for Stones+Doucouré instead of Bardsley+Richarlison?

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          What do you say, Lateriser12?

          Always find your point of view interesting

      9. Ronnies
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Play 1 of these ?

        a) mee - away to palace (dyche said mee shd be fine)

        b) ogbonna - away to hudds

        Tnks guys.

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Mee imo, but it's a close call indeed

      10. Patches O Hoolahan
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Final WC team:

        Adrián (Elliot)

        Ogbonna / Gomez / Stones (Kenny, Edwards)

        Hazard / Son / Salah / Lingard / Arnautovic

        Kane / Aguero (Pérez)

      11. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Benching headache.

        Play one:

        A) Groß
        B) Masuaku
        C) Otamendi (playing Salah, Sterling &Firminio already)

        1. SAY MY NAME
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          A

      12. Jelder
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Got one a bench conundrum and can't decide who to play/bench - thoughts?

        Pope
        Azpi Otamendi Jones Alonso
        Sterling Son Lingard Salah
        Kane Firmino

        Got Richarlison on the bench but can't decide whether to replace him with someone or not, and I do who for?

      13. navin
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Christensen or Vertoghen for this week?

        Pope
        Shaw . Jones . Alonso. xxx