Team News

The Midweek Team News

Dusan Tadic is back for Southampton after returning to full training. Gylfi Sigurdsson is back in the frame for Swansea, Kevin Mirallas “has a chance” of making Everton’s home clash with stoke, Gabby Agbonlahor is available for Villa after the FA overturn his three-match suspension, whilst Chris Smalling could recover in time for United’s home encounter with Newcastle.

Tomas Rosicky, Yaya Sanogo and David Ospina are available for Arsenal’s home encounter with QPR. Laurent Koscielny “maybe has a chance” for Sunday’s trip to Upton Park, whilst Arsene Wenger has confirmed Aaron Ramsey may be on course to return against Southampton on New Year’s Day.

QPR’s left-back Yun Suk-Young is set to be sidelined “for a while” with the ankle injury that forced him off in last week’s home win over West Brom.

Gabby Agbonlahor is available for Villa’s trip to Swansea after the FA rescinded the three-match ban dished out for his dismissal against United last weekend. Paul Lambert also welcomes back Alan Hutton and Tom Cleverly, after both served one-match suspensions at home to the Red Devils, and is hopeful that Joe Cole will recover from a hamstring injury.

Sean Dyche has refused to rule out a return for Sam Vokes, after the forward continued his recovery from long-term injury with another 90-minute run-out for the reserves earlier in the week. Michael Duff is set to miss out once again for the Clarets.

Curtis Davies remains a doubt for Hull’s trip to Wearside due to a calf complaint. Fellow defender Alex Bruce is available after being forced off last weekend, though manager Steve Bruce has revealed Paul McShane is unlikely to feature unless he issues an apology on the back of recent off-field antics. The Tigers boss has recalled Thomas Ince and Maynor Figueroa from loan spells to deal with a lack of first-team options.

Manuel Pellegrini ruled out Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko until “the second part of January” during yesterday’s press briefing. The City boss also revealed the Vincent Kompany and Stevan Jovetic will “maybe” be back for Sunday’s match with Burnley – the latter has returned to training as he steps up his recovery from injury.

Chris Smalling has a chance of returning for United’s clash with Newcastle. Louis van Gaal revealed the rest of his injured players, including Luke Shaw, Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera, won’t recover in time for Friday.

Southampton roll up to Palace without suspended skipper Jose Fonte, though both Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama are available after serving one-match bans last time out. Dusan Tadic has returned to full training after missing the 3-0 win over Everton due to injury.

Anthony Reveillere is ruled out for up to four weeks with a muscle injury for Sunderland, though Billy Jones and Emmanuele Giaccherini are back in contention.

Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful that midfielder Ryan Mason can recover from the knock that forced him off before the break during last weekend’s win over Burnley.

Graham Dorrans (calf) and Boaz Myhill (illness) are expected to recover for the Baggies home clash against City, though Victor Anichebe again remains doubtful due to an ongoing groin complaint.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jefferson Montero and Leon Britton are all back in full training and available for Swansea after missing last week’s win at Hull with minor injuries.

Kevin Mirallas and James McCarthy both “have a chance” of making Everton’s home clash with Stoke, Roberto Martinez has confirmed. Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert are set to miss to miss the Toffees’ next two matches over Friday and Sunday, though Darron Gibson may yet be in contention.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of Friday morning’s deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter Stream as breaking news unfolds.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,749 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Somalion
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Barkley and Osman off to AFCON? 😉

    1. stephenl15
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Barkley was eligible for Nigeria

      1. stephenl15
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Before he declared for England ofc 🙂

      2. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Osman eligible for Somalia as well. That's the joke 😉

        1. stephenl15
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Hahaha my bad. . Somalia??!

          1. Somalion
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Yep, Osman's paternal grandfather is Somali, very similar situation to Barkley's. I think Osman's father is Turkish Cypriot as well. 🙂

  2. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    According to @guardian_sport projected lineups, my team is royally screwed. So in other words, I expect a massive GW.

  3. Baggers
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Sanchez owners, if the points dry up over the next few weeks will you look for alternative Arsenal cover come the JAN WC in maybe Giroud for example or would you keep? I've never thought about getting rid but his points have dropped since Giroud has returned and he's a lot cheaper

    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      IF that happens and it coincides with Walcott's return i think we could see a mass transfer movement.

      1. Baggers
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah it's a big IF and I hope not as I own him, but just something I wanted further opinions on

        1. SW6
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          I reckon we might see a double double-up become popular in January:

          Hazard - Fabregas - Sanchez - Walcott

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Hazard. Walcott. Silva. Sterling. Downing. Will be the template

          2. Black Knights
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Giroud.

    2. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Where's Wally?

    3. Adams6
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Theo

    4. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I never owned Sanchez, so when Dzeko got injured I finally brought in an Arsenal attacker and made it Giroud. Most central to the attacks, which is a big deal with those players behind him, for a lot less money.

      1. Baggers
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Proved to be a good move so far too eh

        1. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah going nicely, and gives me a decent captain option this week (I hope he's not rested).

    5. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      He's becoming a bit of a boring pick as well. What is his ownership ?...about 90%..can't be far off.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        40.8

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Not in the top 100k or so...it must be massive.

  4. stephenl15
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    My first ever hot topic 🙂 http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/9251089

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Hi Saul

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Better call Saul.

    3. stephenl15
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Need a lawyer?

    4. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Congrats! I get excited when mine go green, but this is yet to happen to me!

    5. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      How come it's not green? Or is that just my browser?

    6. chocolove
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Not green anymore?
      Actually i think it's a hot story 😉

    7. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Your story is very inspiring you so go around the schools and tell the kids life can get better without costa.

      1. Fitzy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        🙄

  5. Kuqi Monster
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Am I GTG?

    Fabianski
    Baines / Chambers / Oshea
    Hazard(c) / Sanchez / Siggy / Downing
    Rooney(vc) / Costa / Austin

    Bench: Bego / Boyd / Hutton / Bartley

    Still have 1FT, but plan to save and do this next gameweek:

    Rooney -> Tekkers
    Siggy -> Mid of my choice

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      chambers likely to be rotated. read the team news.

      1. Kuqi Monster
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        seen it, although many still think he will start. I'm hoping if he's on the bench he stays there.

        1. Jax
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          They're not the manager. Wenger is.

      2. Citizen kano
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        will start qpr maybe rotated after

    2. Wayne di Persie
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Save..

    3. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good to go. Good bench order imo

  6. Adams6
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    So if you're sitting on Mata, the sensible thing to do is buy Silva or Yaya right?

    He's going to be warming the bench now ADM is back right?

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Or ADM? Thought of that?

    2. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Mata is likely to start this GW. Doubtful ADM will be thrown back in with a start, after he only got a few mins against Villa, else RVP most likely to get a rest.

    3. Baggers
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I'd get rid, ADM may be an option if you want a Utd midfielder but over the next 3 Yaya/Silva would be better option IMO

      1. Wayne di Persie
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Silva .. straightaway if you have a FT

    4. Adams6
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks Guys. I think your comments show that both Mata AND ADM are doubtful.
      Give me that third Man Citeh player to go with my three Chelsea!

      1. Top 210 Club
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        GL m8

  7. Raddy
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku off to Asian cup?

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Lol

    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      no.

  8. Venom Snake
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Merry Christmas yall. All the best

  9. Bobby_Baggio
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Hi All

    Anyone think this is a good shout for -4

    Costa + Downinig > Giroud or Tekkers + Silva

    1. Cristi@no R7
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Costa + Downinig > Giroud + Silva

    2. Santi sensei
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good on paper

  10. Somalion
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Rooney off to the chippie?

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      get us a snack box

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        No, all for Wayne!

    2. Raddy
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yep, he'll be getting his Christmas battered turkey.

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Deep fried Brussels sprouts, lovely stuff!

  11. Sir David White
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Balotelli will be OOP this week.

      He is playing on a football pitch.

      1. mipola
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        😆

      2. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        lol

      3. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Great stuff

      4. Wayne di Persie
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Not necessarily .. He could still be left on the bench

    • chocolove
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Guzan
      Baines Azpi Clichy
      Yaya Hazard(VC) Fabregas Eriksen
      Bony(C) Austin Kane

      Elliot Downing Chambers Wisdom

      Good to go guys?

    • Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Who is the "best" £3.9/4.0 defender atm?

      A) Wasilewski (better fixtures)
      B) Steven Taylor (bad fixtures)
      C) Ashley Richards (how long he will be nailed on?)
      D) Other.

      1. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        A) Leicester are yet to convince me they can keep a clean sheet.
        B) Would be my choice, seems to be Pardew's first choice CB alongside Coloccini but only downside is very prone to yellow and red cards.
        C) Seems to be rotating with Rangel, but once the fixture congestion eases he may stake a claim for the first choice right back slot.
        D) I would consider:
        Yun (not selected in Asia cup squad)
        Bruce (Hull got nice fixtures including a home double, seems to be nailed on with Dawson and Davies injured, plus McShane frozen out)

    • sweglet
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      panti

      chambers clichy azpi

      downing hazard sanchez (c) eriksen

      rooney bony costa

      RMT lads and keep sanchez captain?

    • Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Chambers likely to be rested says Wenger...

      1. Cristi@no R7
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        feck...!!!!!!

      2. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Austin (C) then

        1. Jax
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          west ham game 2 days later also. he won't start both.

      3. AlCapwnUK
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Makes sense, he's going to be a tremendously useful sub once Kosc is back to full fitness

      4. tokara
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        the last time Wenger said that for Sanchez, he rested him the next game, not the immediate one though

        1. Jax
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          they have west ham away 2 days later. tougher game.

          1. tokara
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            which then explains why Wenger said Kosci maybe back on Sunday?

            1. Jax
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              "The Gunners boss has hinted that, despite Koscielny's likely absence, Chambers will be rested with the fit-again Nacho Monreal likely to come in alongside Per Mertesacker, with Debuchy returning to right-back."

              1. tokara
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 months ago

                ouch

                cheers pal

                1. Jax
                  • 14 Years
                  9 years, 5 months ago

                  🙂

      5. Raddy
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Maybe next week GW when kosc back. Not this.

    • AlCapwnUK
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Can't imagine there are too many arguments about the top 4, but from then on it's a bit more contentious
      http://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2014/dec/21/the-top-100-footballers-2014-interactive
      I'd definitely have Thibaut and De Gea higher. I like that Matic broke the top 50, he's been a major part of Chelsea's success

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        In some ways I think Keepers need to have a separate list. I know one could make the argument for dividing among positions but the goalkeeper role is really a very unique one.

        1. AlCapwnUK
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          agreed, it is hard to say whether Neuer is better than Robben for example. Whereas it seems more reasonable to say that CR7 is playing better than Robben

          1. Somalion
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Exactly. It is an entirely different job (and occasionally we see that keepers are quite poor with the ball at their feet, though Neuer is good).

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Define "top". I'd rather have most influential footballers of 2014.

    • DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Boydinho, Huttinho and Yuninho off to Copa America

      1. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Noooooo that's my bench!

        1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          You better get moving and use the WC

    • Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      God I'm bored of FPL at the moment.

      1. Baggers
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Since Aguero injury I've kinda enjoyed it more although I do miss having him in my team
        Also Jan WC and ACON will shake things up

        1. zotter
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Agreed

          At the moment it is relatively exciting with perhaps only hazard a must have. Even he you could possibly live without

      2. Fitzy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Yet here you are. 😉

        1. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          With nothing to say 😉

      3. Wayne di Persie
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        still you are here 🙂

      4. SW6
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Yep we need a DGW or some bandwagons to mix things up a bit. It all seems a bit simple at the moment

      5. Sess!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I've been stagnant fir about 10 weeks now. Keep making bad transfer decisions too. Never craved a wildcard so much. Only a few weeks to go until I play mine!

        1. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          I'm fed up of bad striker transfers, feels like it's been a never ending theme in my season. Aguero>Dzeko>Bony being the latest.

          1. Sess!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            I know how you feel. Something urged me to bring sakho in for Dzeko last week, now I'm looking to get rid again.

    • La Roja
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yuninho off to Copa America?

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Copa 90

      2. Venom Snake
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Off to the treatment room

      3. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        😡

    • Sithlord007
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Howdy,

      Who's the best defender to get in for 5.5 or less.

      Cheers

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Who do you have already ?

        1. Sithlord007
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Debuchy, Drummet, Bruce, Fonte, Taylor

    • kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Guzan
      Baines, Clyne, Naylor
      Siggy, Cesc, Hazard, Yaya
      Costa (C), Austin, Bony

      Elliot, Hutton, Boyd, Wisdom

      1ft
      0.6 itb

      save ft? gtg?

    • Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      KSI off to Copa90

    • Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Do we think jovetic will start against Burnley or is it a fools game to be planning bringing him in?

      1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Keep to the nailed on ones

      2. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah I think he could in the game after this one. Will definitely consider, but probably once the WC is activated and he's had a game or two.

      3. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        game's on in 4 days. wait.

        1. Sess!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          I'm bringing a striker in......giroud, benteke other potential options. I just fancy another city attacker. Could always just get silva, but feels like I'd be chasing last weeks points.

    • The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Siggy to Silva.. good idea?

      1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Silva going to Afcon

        1. Jax
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          hi-larious

      2. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        most have already done it

      3. Baggers
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        If you don't have Yaya then yes although he's expected to be back I think vs Villa

    • Raddy
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Do we think Sterling is going to keep the striker role over Christmas?

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I think so

      2. zotter
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Not really a striker role cos the fluidity but yes he will play over Xmas.

      3. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Unless he gets called up by Uzbekistan for the Asia Cup

      4. Sess!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I'd be amazed if he doesn't get rested one game given the minutes he's played, but Liverpool looked decent against arsenal so Rodgers should keep him in that role when he can. Balotelli is poison to this tactics.

      5. Raddy
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Hmm cheers guys.

    • Richd
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Hey guys, when is Sterling off to AFCON ?

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Yesterday

    • Paanmonkey
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      my team G2G ?

      Guzan
      Jag-Zab-Clyne
      Sanchez-Fab-Eriksen-Siggy
      Austin-Costa-Bony

      Krul-Boyd-Chambers-Wisdom

      1. AlCapwnUK
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I like it

        1. Paanmonkey
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          thanks mate !

    • AlCapwnUK
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      SOU v pal - got to be the most likely cleanie this week right? Schneiderlin is back too.
      Apart from maybe the bore draw of Sun 0 - Hul 0

      1. VougieDipond
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Sun Hul has 0-0 all over it so it will be 4-3

        1. AlCapwnUK
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          haha, Jelavic hattie inbound

    • It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Ready to go!!

      Forster

      Azpilicueta Naylor Clyne

      Hazard Silva Sanchez Downing Yaya

      Kane Bony

      Subs-Yun-Clark-Austin 2.2 in bank

      1. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        2nd keeper Guzan

    • TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Who is most likely to score a goal this GW according to bookie odds?

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Balotelli

      2. VougieDipond
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Boyd

      3. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Lee Cattermole

      4. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Tony Hibbert second most likely.