Diego Costa is expected to be fit for Chelsea’s midweek match with PSG. Claudio Ranieri plays down Riyad Mahrez’ injury fears, Palace playmaker Yohan Cabaye is forced off against Liverpool, whilst Mauricio Pochettino reveals that Dele Alli is playing through the pain barrier.
Chelsea
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s home clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, Guus Hiddink revealed that Diego Costa is likely to recover from a minor tendon injury, while John Terry looks set to remain sidelined with a hamstring complaint:
“He (Diego Costa) had a little bit of a problem with a tendon. He could have started, to be honest, but then the risk was there and afterwards I might be left saying, ‘Why did I risk him?’ I don’t think John will make Wednesday.”
Since Gameweek 22, Costa has only failed to deliver attacking returns once – chalking up five goals and three assists in the process – which prompted over 200,000 Fantasy managers to snap him up in recent weeks. Looking beyond the Blues’ Gameweek 30 blank, they embark on a trio of match-ups (WHU, avl, swa) that could cement the ex-Atletico Madrid frontman as a key Fantasy recruit in the closing stages of the campaign.
Crystal Palace
In the wake of his side’s 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool, Alan Pardew explained that Yohan Cabaye was withdrawn due to a knock.
Leicester City
Riyad Mahrez raised fears regarding his fitness when he pulled up with an apparent muscular injury in the second half of Leicester’s trip to Watford. Claudio Ranieri would latter assuage these concerns, confirming that the Algerian winger was merely suffering from cramp and was substituted as a precaution:
“It’s not an injury, just a little cramp, but his job was done and I prefer to change him. It was nothing. He wanted to continue, but I thought his job was done. We had to be solid in defence.”
Newcastle United
Paul Dummett limped off at the 31-minute mark against Bournemouth, having only made his return from a hamstring problem in midweek.
Norwich City
Robbie Brady (calf) and Steven Naismith (hamstring) were both subbed off at the Liberty Stadium with muscular complaints. Although Alex Neil is confident that neither injury is serious, he admitted that further assessments are necessary:
“Losing Robbie so early in the game was a blow because he is a big player for us and then Steven Naismith later on with a hamstring problem. That certainly doesn’t help our cause but we just need to wait. I think both felt the injuries and we got them off as soon as we could. I don’t think it is tears or anything like that, there was a bit of discomfort and they were not capable of moving properly so they put their hands up.”
Sunderland
Wahbi Khazri picked up a knock in the second period against Southampton, rendering him a doubt for the Tyne-Wear derby in Gameweek 31.
Tottenham
Mauricio Pochettino has conceded that Del Alli is nursing a couple of knocks as Spurs attempt to step up their bid for the title. The Spurs boss also admitted he may consider resting the youngster at some point, depending on his fitness levels:
“He is an incredible athlete, yes, but he is not a machine. He has a problem in his ankle and knee. He was good before the game but the players are not machines…It depends (if he will rest Alli). We assess the players every day and we take the best decision from the team. We have a lot of players who are young and in their first or second season in the Premier League. It’s very tough and we spend a lot of time analysing and to find information to give the best training sessions or recovery, or to find the best way to help them.”
Pochettino’s decision to hand Alli a brief sub appearance at West Ham last midweek saw Spurs fall to a rare defeat and, despite his ongoing knocks, it was no surprise to see him return to the starting XI for the visit of Arsenal. Alli is suspended for the midweek Europa League clash against Dortmund on Thursday, though, thus allowing him to recharge his batteries ahead of Sunday’s visit to Villa. Given that up to ten teams could be without a fixture next weekend, a spot on the bench against the Villains would be a real blow at a time when our options are already restricted due to the FA Cup schedule.
Watford
Miguel Britos sustained a hamstring issue during the warm-ups prior to Watford’s head-to-head against the Foxes. In the Uruguayan defender’s absence, Quique Sanchez Flores believes that full-back Nathan Ake can flourish in a central role:
“Ake normally plays as a left-back but he knows perfectly how (Craig) Cathcart or (Miguel) Britos work in other positions because they are defenders and they train together every day.”
West Bromwich Albion
According to local reports, Craig Dawson was removed at the 55-minute mark against Manchester United with a minor foot injury.
Suspensions
As many as five players received their marching orders over the weekend fixtures. Here’s a quick rundown of the guilty parties, along with the repercussions..
Arsenal
Having been dismissed for two bookable offences during the North London derby, Francis Coquelin will sit out Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth round replay against Hull City on Tuesday. On that note, the Gunners’ home encounter against West Brom in Gameweek 30 will have to be rescheduled if they triumph over the Tigers.
Everton
Kevin Mirallas received his marching orders for earning two yellows in the first half of Everton’s clash against West Ham. Given that it was his second red of the season, the Belgian wide man will now be unavailable for the Toffees’ FA Cup tie against Chelsea and visit from Arsenal in Gameweek 31.
Liverpool
James Milner was sent off for accepting a yellow card either side of the half at Selhurst Park. The 6.5-priced midfielder – who bagged two goals and as many assists in his previous four starts – misses the Reds’ trip to Southampton in Gameweek 31.
Manchester United
Afforded an early bath by way of two fouls in the opening 26 minutes at The Hawthorns, Juan Mata sits out the Red Devils’ FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham and will be available for Gameweek 31.
Southampton
Deemed to be the last man when Fabio Borini penetrated Saints’ back line and was brought to the ground, Jose Fonte received a straight red and a one-match ban, ruling him out of Southampton’s road tie against Stoke City this weekend. As such, Maya Yoshida will likely slot alongside Virgil van Dijk at the Britannia Stadium, with Ronald Koeman somewhat forced into retaining a four-man rearguard – to the detriment of Matt Targett’s 9% ownership. The disbandment of Saints’ first-choice central defensive partnership diminishes their clean-sheet potential against a Potters outfit that’s rediscovered their attacking verve, tallying seven goals across the past four Gameweeks.
