Team News

The Weekend Team News

Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both sidelined until after the international break. Newcastle’s Jack Colback is out for six weeks with a knee injury, Winston Reid could return for the Hammers, whilst Bojan is back for Stoke after recovering from a toe problem.

Arsenal have been dealt a major blow with the news that Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have been ruled out until after next month’s international break. The pair picked up calf and hamstring injuries during the midweek cup loss at Sheffield Wednesday, with Arsene Wenger admitting he could play Joel Campbell or Alex Iwobi on the right flank due an increasing lack of options. Wenger has also revealed that he expects Oxlade-Chamberlain to return to action quicker than Walcott.

Seamus Coleman is a major doubt for Everton’s home clash with Sunderland after picking up a stomach bug over the last few days. Leighton Baines and Mo Besic will return to first-team training today but the weekend is likely to come too soon for the pair.

Mark Hughes has revealed that defender Marc Muniesa will be sidelined for three to four weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the midweek cup victory against Chelsea. The weekend will also come too soon for fellow centre-back Geoff Cameron, who came off early with a thigh issue in last weekend’s loss to Watford – Hughes has suggested that the American requires another four to five days to recover. Mame Biram Diouf and Jon Walters are both expected to be available despite soreness and a dead leg respectively following the Chelsea tie. Elsewhere, Bojan is set to return for the Potters having been rested due to a toe problem in midweek, while Glen Johnson is also expected to be in contention – he missed the Chelsea clash with a knock but is back in training.

Newcastle have suffered an injury blow with the news that midfielder Jack Colback is ruled out for up to six weeks with the knee injury that forced him off during last week’s derby loss at Sunderland.

Slaven Bilic suggests that the Hammers almost have a clean bill of health for the weekend. Key defender Winston Reid is back in training, though the Hammers boss has conceded he will have to “wait and see” if the New Zealand international is fully fit. Alex Song remains unavailable.

Swansea have a fully fit squad for the weekend visit of Arsenal, with Garry Monk confirming that winger Wayne Routledge is back in contention having trained all week.

Leandro Ulloa will be assessed ahead of the weekend, after missing recent matches with a thigh problem. Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri has suggested that the forward “is ready” for the Hawthorns trip.

A non-committal Tony Pulis has revealed West Brom “have one or two knocks” ahead of the visit of Leicester.

Sunderland will give Fabio Borini, Ola Toivonen, Younes Kaboul and John O’Shea as much time as possible before making a late decision on their fitness.

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.

Demí Roses are red, Violets are blue. Paul Pogba sends, Alexis through Follow them on Twitter

1,468 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    I've already made a transfer this week, so anything moves would be -4 but any recommendations on starting lineup changes?

    de Gea (Myhill)
    Kolarov - Kompany - Monreal (dawson - jagielka)
    Mata - Wijnaldum - Mahrez - Payet - KDB(c)
    Martial - Vardy (Ighalo)

    Thanks!

    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Looks fine to me.

    2. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      By the way, how do I add a picture to my username?

      1. Costa's Counsellor
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Gravatar

      2. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        gravatar.com

        1. Powers106
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Okay, thanks!

    3. Straight Outta Brompton
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Nah you're good to go

    4. MartialMatas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No that looks fine

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks for the replies!

    5. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Play ighalo over martial/mata

    6. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Very similar team to mine.

      My worry is lack of Southampton + no Lukaku or Kane

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Yes, I was considering scratching Jagielka for a Southampton defender after reading some of the articles here, but in the end Pedro just had to go first LOL (we'll see if that's right since I might now go with 3 forwards ...)

    7. Jay10
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      You don't have Arsenal cover,wow.

  2. Fishy
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Any good? Not sure on captain or bench or
    Gw team
    Stek
    P.jones kompany evans
    Mane sanchez kdb payet
    Bony pelle(c) vardy
    Bench henesdy mahrez huth francis

    1. MartialMatas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Lineup looks fine. I think I'd captain kdb though

      1. Fishy
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Will he 90 mins?
        Pelle and mane more likely 90 mins
        Bony and kdb les so

        1. MartialMatas
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          mane and pelle are far from bad choices, i just think city are gonna put at least 3 past norwich

    2. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Any captain pick looks good and bad at the same time this week.. Pelle's a safe choice, my choice as well. Just hope bournemouth stays leaky.

  3. Individual
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    To hit or not to hit, that is the question.

    The XI:
    Butland
    VVD Vertonghen Kolarov
    Mane (c) KdB Mahrez Ozil
    Lukaku Kane Martial

    Martial out, Bony in for a -4?

    Thoughts?

    1. Joey Barton and Friends
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      martial will come good

      1. Costa's Counsellor
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        You reckon?

    2. jennmenn
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      -4 = 1 goal.. I wouldnt

      1. Individual
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks guys! Guess you're right - I suppose my team is pretty strong already

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No way your team is good.

      I on the other hand have Vardy Igloo and Martial upfront and considering a -4 to Bony.

  4. Olivier Bernards watch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    try again: bojan to lukaku for a hit: yay or nay?

      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    1. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yay. Not many Bojan's left round here since the great punt of 2013

      1. Olivier Bernards watch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        ha, thanks. I was actually a victim of that punt as well. I never learn

    2. Eden Hazardous
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Bojan > Chamakh?

      1. Olivier Bernards watch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        is that a `greater than' or a transfer suggestion?

        1. Eden Hazardous
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Suggestion 😉

  5. MartialMatas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Play Myhill or Butland?

    MYHILL
    Kolarov Bellerín Smalling
    MAHREZ Sánchez De Bruyne Payet
    VARDY Pellè Martial

    Subs: BUTLAND Nyom Souaré Westwood

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      myhill

      1. MartialMatas
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        evan with mahrez and vardy starting for me?

        1. MartialMatas
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          even*

        2. Olivier Bernards watch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          just think he has a better chance of a clean sheet

          1. MartialMatas
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 7 months ago

            i dont think either will get a clean sheet so i'm looking for the save points/ less goals conceded

    2. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Have the same combo and am playing Butland.

      1. Jazz!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        I have Mahrez and Vardy. Pulis at home concedes a lot more than away. Leicester have scored in every game. Shawcross is back for Stoke and played excellent midweek. Butland is on fantastic form. Butland it is.

    3. Costa's Counsellor
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm starting Butland but I have Dawson.

      Not sure if that helps...

  6. Butters_lfc9
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Ruddy-Rudd
    Bellerin-Cedric-Dawson-Huth-Saylor
    Sanchez-KDB-Mahrez-Ayew-Fletcher
    Pelle-Martial- Vardy
    5.5 ITB ,1FT

    Should I move Martial to Lukaku? Ruddy to DDG? Both for a hit? Any other moves you guys can see?

    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    When is Mourinho's interview?

      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      press conference*

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      12:30 I'm pretty sure

        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks 🙂

    2. Costa's Counsellor
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Job interview?!

  7. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Chances of Pulis' "one or two knocks" not including Jonny Evans? 🙁

    1. Eden Hazardous
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      0.10%

    2. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Benching him anyway. High chance it does though because it is Johnny Evans 😉

    3. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah, that's what I thought. Ah nuts.

  8. Tribecca
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Play Mahrez or Ayew?

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      mahrez

    2. Daaf
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I have both and am playing Mahrez. Still have Gomis and I think I will give him a chance.

  9. Tribecca
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Marital to Lukaku for -4?

    1. Individual
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Ugh I'm wondering whether to take a hit to remove Martial, too! Such a pain.

      Tbf I think I'm going to give him one more week as I intended.

    2. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      hold unless captaining

  10. Jose's Magic Omelette
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    With that late Coleman news I have a query on the conventional wisdom on the site not to take a -4 for a defensive transfer, and tricks of the mind.

    In order to get a hit (-4 points) a manager needs to make at least two transfers in a week.

    Assuming in any GW the free-transfer is spent on a defender (as the common FFS wisdom seems to be) and later in the week a hit is taken for a forward/midfielder surely that's exactly the same as taking a hit for a defender after the free-transfer has been used?

    I don't really see this being taken into consideration by posters and commenters here. Responses to posts only querying whether the 2nd transfer (for a hit) should be made tend to be far more negative when it's a defender than a forward with little or no consideration given to what the previous transfer was.

    Should we always think about both transfers together when deciding on whether hits are worth it?

    Discuss!

    1. Bibelnissen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yes of course. Doesn't everyone do this??

      1. Jose's Magic Omelette
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        I do, but no idea about everyone else... by the way people ask if hits are worth it or not it wouldn't appear so.

    2. Costa's Counsellor
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah.

      1. Costa's Counsellor
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        In fact, when people ask "is X > Y worth a hit" they should really reference the previous transfer.

        1. Straight Outta Brompton
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Why does it matter what the previous transfer was?

          1. Costa's Counsellor
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 7 months ago

            Because of Jose's point. You are taking a hit for both transfers.

            Example:

            You have Coleman and transfer him out because he's injured (a necessity) and then ask is Martial > Kane worth -4.

            People will say no, but in context it's probably a perfectly acceptable move.

            1. Jose's Magic Omelette
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 7 months ago

              Well from my experience the problem is people will say no to a hit if Coleman is the second transfer of the two and yes to the hit if Martial is the second transfer of the two, a contradiction.

    3. Straight Outta Brompton
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Once the first transfer is made it's gone, it's what's known as a "sunk cost". Deciding whether to make a transfer for a hit is independent of the initial transfer (assuming it's been confirmed). The best advice is, as you say, to wait as late as possible before making any transfers so you can maximise the information available, but most posts are "I've made x transfer should I now do y for a hit". Saying " you shouldn't have done x" isn't very helpful.

      1. Jose's Magic Omelette
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        I agree with you about waiting as late as possible of course, as it means you have more information about the consequences of your first transfer and whether that transfer will lead to hits. What may seem like a "free transfer may not be".

  11. Bibelnissen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    To play:
    A) Darmian
    B) Dawson

    1. Meinhoff
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I am playing Darmian over Evans, so A

      1. Bibelnissen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers. Worried about Dawson goal threat though.

    2. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm playing A.

  12. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Is Lukaku on penalties?

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yup.

      1. Arvin-ation
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers 🙂

    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Luka or Gru?

      1. Arvin-ation
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Giroud, easily, imo.

  13. ANON.
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Gtg? Will do Costa + Westwood to Lukaku and Mane to leave me this.
    All out attack chip next week

    Schmeichel
    Kolarov, Azpi, Dawson
    Sanchez, KDB(c), Mane(vc), Mahrez
    Pelle, Lukaku, Vardy

    Butland, Ayew, Francis, Richards

  14. Saniul
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Okay. So I did Costa ➡ Pelle, and Francis ➡ van Dijk for a hit right now.

    Team set for GW11.

    Butland,
    van Dijk, Dawson, Janmaat,
    Sanchez, de Bruyne, Payet, Mahrez,
    Kane (c), Pelle, Vardy.

    Let's go. 😉

    1. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Nice. 🙂

      Good luck!

      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks. 🙂

    2. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good, should be a big week

    3. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Nice.

    4. Kuqi Monster
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      So you ignored all the oranje advice then 😉

      I'm looking to bring Kane in this week, you fancy him for the armband over kdb?

  15. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone here benching Vardy instead of Mahrez?

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Considering.. Apparently tinkerman was keen on Ulloa's fitness? Could he tinker to give Vardy a rest?

      1. Theatre_Of_Screams
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        That would be madness

  16. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Harry Kane > Lukaku

    Get the Big Belgian over Kanye at your own expense.

    1. Saniul
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I got Kane last week, and will sell him after this week. 😉

    2. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      blank for Kane and people will be getting rid. Blank for Lukaku and people will be keeping anyway for his good run

      1. Arvin-ation
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Not sure about that, but okay. Well, he's risen 0.1 anyway so a drop won't matter.

    3. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Post-research conclusion. Not just a silly claim with nothing to back it. 🙂

      Lukaku seems to have a Pelle-esque problem - can't get his shots on target!! Not that he's getting off enough shots anyway.

  17. Alejo - CFC
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Play Nyom or Huth this week?

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Huth

  18. rdamjan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Any news about Costa?

    1. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      He is a fat thug.

      1. rdamjan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        This is not new news:)

  19. Jimbo123
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Draft league dilemma....

    A.) Keep Walcott, thinking longer term

    or

    B.) Walcott ----> Pedro

    ???

    1. Jimbo123
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      anyone? 🙁

    2. Daaf
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Change walcott, but not to Pedro. I would rather have Ozil, Eriksen, Mane or Yaya. Or willian or Oscar.

  20. Eden Hazardous
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who is the better keeper? Begovic or Mignolet?

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Erm... Mignolet probably

    2. Jimbo123
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      FPL wise?

  21. Jazz!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    If WBA keep a clean sheet...

    1) Myhill + Evans on the bench. Potential 14 points there atleast
    2) Mahrez + Vardy double blank
    3) I quit life

    1. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No team can keep a clean sheet against Mahrez and Vardy

    2. Bibelnissen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      My rival is likely to field his Myhill + Evans so I'll be in on 3) aswell.

  22. Fishy
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Captain choices this week
    Kdb might not get 90 mins but wil pick up an assist or goal in that fixture
    Bony same situation as kdb really
    Pelle played in midweek and scored and now playing at home aswel
    Mane the only one who didnt play midweek, again potentialy good fixture

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Mané for me.

      1. Fishy
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        The problem with city is if they are a few up at the 60 min mark and kdb and bony have done nothing fpl wise then pelegrini can stil take them off

  23. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Which Keeper & 3 DF's to play?

    Myhill / Butland

    Kolarov / Monreal / Reid / Dawson / Richards

  24. KingOllie
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    x
    Hey guys i had a fantasy football dream last night. All i can remember is that Bony (c) didnt score and KDB did well.
    Also jonny evans headed in a 1-0 winner for WBA.

    Heed my call

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Haha! Fantasy football syndrome

      1. KingOllie
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        It happens more than im proud to admit.

        I normally go with it though. Im swapping my (c) to KDB

        1. Puntillimon
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          good on you. Makes the game more fun, and a lot less stressful knowing that its divine intervention!!

  25. Nexus
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    what times the podcast out for this week ?

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      was on tuesday

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        go to youtube and search scoutcast

  26. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who to start?

    A) Darmian
    B) Ward
    C) Martin

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Marti he is due a goal

    2. Margarido
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Martin?! 🙂

      Darmian

  27. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who to sell for KDB? Ayew or Mahrez? Already have Vardy.

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Ayew

  28. Margarido
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who to bench?

    Mata
    Mahrez
    Ighalo

    Thoughts on the decision are welcome

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Ighalo

      1. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        im on mahrez playing the igg

        1. Margarido
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Tks both

  29. Rewenge
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone reckon there's any risk of Kevin de Bruyne being rested against Norwich given that he played 75 mins against Palace in the C1C on Wednesday and City have Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday?

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Possible but unlikely

    2. Stephn
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      i HATE that you just asked this question. Possible.

      1. Rewenge
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        haha, sorry. I think he's probably just just playing too well at the mo to be left out though to be honest. But if City are comfortable after 55/60 mins reckon he could definitely be hooked, which could be annoying.