Team News
12 August 2016 3369 comments
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Jan Vertonghen recovers from injury in time for Spurs’ trip to Goodison. Laurent Koscielny is still unavailable for Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool. Ashley Williams misses out for the Toffees, who have worries at both ends of the pitch, whilst Southampton have defensive concerns as Watford roll up to St Mary’s.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche is optimistic that left-back Stephen Ward will shrug off a hamstring problem in time for the home clash against Swansea. Jon Flanagan has stepped up his fitness in training, whilst Ashley Barnes (hamstring) is expected to miss out.

Alan Pardew was somewhat reluctant to give away any information for Palace’s clash against West Brom. The Eagles boss conceded he’s still trying to get one or two players “up to full speed”.

Laurent Koscielny is “not ready” to return for Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool, according to Arsene Wenger.

Ashley Williams misses his debut for Everton due to a lack of match fitness, according to Ronald Koeman. Seamus Coleman and Romelu Lukaku are doubtful for the visit of Tottenham, though Phil Jagielka has been passed fit.

Claudio Ranieri has no injury concerns for Leicester’s trip to Hull, though the champions are without Robert Huth due to suspension. The Foxes manager has admitted he doesn’t expect his side to reach last year’s fitness levels “until the fifth or sixth game”.

Aitor Karanka has revealed that Bernardo Espinoza, Daniel Ayala and Grant Leadbitter will all miss Middlesbrough’s home encounter against Stoke.

Southampton pair Jose Fonte and Cedric Soares will have their fitness assessed after a late return to training due to their exertions for Portugal in Euro 2016. Ryan Bertrand misses out with a knee injury.

Glen Johnson is Stoke’s only injury worry for their trip to the Riverside. Marko Arnautovic is expected to feature after stepping up his recovery from a minor hamstring issue, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri is available, having shrugged off a knock.

Jermain Defoe has declared himself available for Sunderland’s trip to Man City. Jan Kirchhoff, Billy Jones and Seb Larsson all remain doubts.

Francesco Guidolin has admitted that Swansea’s record signing Borja Baston is unlikely to be involved in the weekend trip to Burnley.

Jan Vertonghen has recovered from the ankle injury that forced him to miss Euro 2016 and is available for Tottenham’s trip to Goodison. Mousa Dembele serves the third of a six-match suspension.

Brice Dja Djedje has been ruled out of Watford’s trip to St Mary’s, whilst fellow new boy Isaac Success is almost certainly unavailable, too. Midfield duo Valon Behrami and Adlene Guedioura are set to have their fitness assessed.

Gokhan Tore has resumed training ahead of West Ham’s trip to Chelsea on Monday evening. Diafra Sakho is still sidelined with a back problem, whilst Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang and Darren Randolph have all recovered from knocks. Slaven Bilic has admitted Dimitri Payet isn’t fit to play 90 minutes, though the Frenchman is expected to play some part in the Stamford Bridge showdown.

Junior Stanislas has been ruled out of Bournemouth’s clash against United on Sunday. Eddie Howe has admitted he has “one or two niggles” to contend with in the squad.

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

3,369 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Sob or lie?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Has FPL made any changes to the way they calculate points this year?

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      NO

      1. Sob or lie?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks.

    2. Velocity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Nope

  2. hustler7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Didn't realise the deadline was at 11:30am!!!

    Please RMT:

    Foster
    Shaw Pieters Stones
    Hazard Mahrez Redmond Lamela
    Ibra Kun Gray

    Subs: Jaku, Friend, Fletcher, Amat

    Any pointers appreciated : ) Bring on the season!!!!!!!!

    1. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      11:30 tomorrow, don't panic

      1. hustler7
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Oh sweet panic over, for some reason I thought there was a game tonight!!!

    2. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Solid team though, good luck!

      1. hustler7
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks!

  3. Texas Pete
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    A) Tadic & Gray

    B) Ayew & Long

    1. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      A

      1. Texas Pete
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks.

    2. Bollemuza
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      A

      1. Texas Pete
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        And thanks to you too.

    3. Gaffa914
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B if no other west ham or Southampton

    4. fearthebeard
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      A

    5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      C - Tadic and caroll

  4. Tshelby
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Hope this is my last RMT pre-season for this season 🙂

    Foster, Jaku
    Walker, Kone, Amat, Valencia, Friend
    Townsend, Tadic, Firmino, Hazard, Fletcher
    Kane, Kun, Gray

    Cheers!

  5. Jay_
    9 years, 11 months ago

    A:

    Dann VVD
    Alli
    Vardy

    0.0 ITB

    B:

    Stones Williams
    Firmino
    Vardy

    1.0 ITB (for Vardy > Kane gw2)

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      A but maybe with Firmino then?

    3. Knowledgeable meerkat
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B 🙂

    4. CostaCoffee
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B but only because I like the defenders

    5. EDEN THE MAN
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      b

    6. Jay_
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks guys

  6. unlethal
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Done some tinkering, please RMT and help fill in the last midfield spot...

    Foster/Heaton
    Walker/Shaw/Friend/Pieters/Amat
    Sanchez/Hazard/Tadic/Capoue/(4.5)
    Aguero/Vardy/Carroll

    Don't particularly want Fletcher because I don't want to double up on the baggies...

  7. CostaCoffee
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Heaton (Jaku)
    Shaw Azpi Stones (Friend Smith)
    Hazard Tadic Sanchez Lamela (Capoue)
    Aguero Gray Musa

    Rmt anyone ?

    1. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Don't think Musa is going to play 90min at first

      1. CostaCoffee
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Neither do I but they're playing hull I expect him to score

        1. Tshelby
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          And what are you going to do next GW then?

    2. Gaffa914
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Love the hazard aguero Sanchez triangle

  8. Bleach †
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Who would've thought my last decision of picking 6.5 striker would be so hard.
    1)Gray, who had a great pre-season, but how much are Burnley really gonna score..
    2)Carroll, as Payet and Ayew can assist
    3)Wilson?Long?

  9. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Alexis Sanchez just 8% ownership is so tempting. Such a differential.

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Indeed, hard to fit in

    2. The Generalator
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Surprise so little
      If he was on form that would be 20%

    3. Mavric Marco
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Nailed for me - What a diff!! 😀

      1. GinjaWhinja
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        What an expensive diff though!

      2. Bleach †
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        11.0, cant afford 🙁

    4. BabyB
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Yep. I've got him and very happy. Can't believe he is at 8%. People want differentials and are overlooking one of he best players in the league..

    5. creaky24
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Got him and haz

    6. CostaCoffee
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Shh

    7. More Tragic
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Defensive frailties could force Arsenal to go gung-ho.

      I'm in.

    8. creaky24
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      with KDB being cheaper, i'm torn but i'm on Sanchez atm

    9. Toby Lerone
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Sure I've seen a team with hazard sanchez ibra and ibra in, but it fails everywhere else. Hmm

  10. The Generalator
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Wickham a good shout for 3rd striker ?

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      nope.

  11. uhahpaulmcgrath
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Foster Heaton

    Baines Shaw Amat Stones McAuley

    Deulofeu Ayew Haz Ramirez Redmond

    Ibra Aguero Gray

  12. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    vardy is 2/1 to score anytime vs hull tomorrow in the shops with hills all day today,up to a century,help yourselves lads...

  13. sthelenslad92
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Leko or Carroll?

    1. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Leko

  14. GummiG
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Foster - 4m
    Valencia - Stones - Friend - KONE - Amat
    Hazard - Alli - Firmino - RAMIREZ - Capoue

    vs

    Foster - 4m
    Valencia - Stones - Friend - 4m - Amat
    Hazard - Alli - Firmino - REDMOND - Capoue

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      First one, you don't want 2 x 4.0 DEF

  15. Gaffa914
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Right guys think this might be the last draft, no ibra but I love a big hitting midfield. Thanks in advance.
    Foster (Jakupovic)
    Terry Shaw Stones (Brad Smith, Amat)
    Sanchez Hazard Firmino Townsend (Feghouli)
    Aguero(c) Gray Long

  16. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Wenger:
    “I have a few [defensive] options that we have seen in pre-season. That is basically the players we have available at the moment, who are quite young but have a great desire to do well. [Rob Holding] played in the Championship and that is a good experience, to have played in the Championship".

    Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160812/-i-have-a-few-options-centre-back-#qVjZhQDIeqyGxT9R.99

    Firmino 😎

    1. GinjaWhinja
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      When on earth will Wenger sign a new physio or doctor?

    2. Bleach †
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      *Bets on Liverpool hopes for $$$, jinxes it* 🙁

      1. aehii
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        What are your bets? I'm spreading them out over win, 1-2, 1-3, 0-3, 1-3, with separate ones for each with firmino first scorer. 85-1 is not bad ! For1-3 firmino first scorer.

        1. Bleach †
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          100€ on Liverpool and Leicester win

    3. aehii
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Ha, played played on the championship, that is good experience, playing in the championship.

  17. I am 42
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    To Kone or Not To Kone?

    Moving to Everton?

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Toughie, he's asked for a move.

    2. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      at 4.5 seems pretty easy to me!

    3. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Only reason he won't move to Everton imo is if someone like Chelsea came in for him instead. He'll be in my squad from the start, even though I'm angry at his greedy ass!

  18. Brian (Not the Messiah)
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    which cheaper united or chelsea defenders are nailed on?

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Terry Shaw Valencia

    2. Gaffa914
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Terry until they sign a new defender

  19. Badhat
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Hey pretty please last decision, help me out lads!

    Valencia - Ramirez
    Morgan - Redmond

    Many thanks!

  20. aehii
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Guardian reckon Firmino won't start against Liverpool. Hmm, false 9 for me. Worked before.

    1. I am 42
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      not against liverpool of cos

    2. Giovanni Giorgio
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      How did they come to that conclusion?

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Why do they think he won't play?

    4. Tiamani Warrior
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      kosc?

  21. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    A Ibra, Lamela, Vardy

    Or

    B Kane, Gray , Mahrez?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Sorry B +1.5itb

    2. CostaCoffee
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B all day every day

  22. Cadenza
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Let's have it, please give me some feedback 🙂

    Jaku Foster
    Williams Stones Valencia Friend Koné
    Hazard Fabregas Firmino Feghouli Fletcher
    Ibra Aguero Long

    See now that Williams might not play this weekend. Best 4.5 option in order to turn Feghouli into Redmond?

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Pieters?

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Double chelsea mid. Hmmm. Is fab going to start?

      1. Cadenza
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        I would think so, but maybe it is an unnecessary risk. I feel though, that he is a steal for that price tag. Thinking of bringing in Tadic as his replacement. This is just stressful, haha

  23. sarnshawn
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Still unsure about the team. Thoughts?
    Schmeichel (Jaku)
    Morgan, Stones, Daniels
    Mahrez, Alli, Ayew, Redmond
    Aguero, Gray, Ibra
    (McAuley, Paredes, Watson)

  24. Blanka
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Still not set on my 6.5 forward.

    Anyone looking at Rondon? Not seem much love for him on here, despite West Brom friendly fixtures.

    Long was the obvious one but have Tadic.

    Gray looks appealing only gw1.

    Is Negredo nailed, with Rhodes out scoring him pee season?

    Llorente maybe a decent pick first 2 gws.

    Carrol? Possibly at risk of rotation.

    I hate and also love sorting my team out.

    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Gray's record speaks for itself.

    2. Sooda
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Im on Gray , which is a bit of a punt and they have a tough run of fixtures- but with regards to the rest on your list - Rondon (and WBA) dont score enough,

      Long as you say both Tadic and Redmond are better options
      Karanka does not like Rhodes, he was mainly a sub in pre season, Negredo is more likely to start
      Llorente is a good striker for a team that likes a big man up front to bring attacking players around him into the game. Borja is a much better goal scorer and will replace him in time
      Carrol is the only other one and yes there is questions around his fitness

  25. Sooda
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Firmino or Delle Alli ?

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino

      1. Sooda
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks!

    2. sthelenslad92
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino

    3. Badhat
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Got both... would prolly go Firm if i had to chose

    4. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Both but firm from the start due to lack of pre season for alli.

  26. LevonCD
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Valdes(Jaku)
    valencia-Stones-Target(Lenihan-Fry)
    Ayew-(7.0)-Firmino-Hazard(Fletcher)
    Aguero-Ibra-Gray

    Thoughts lads?

    im thinking lamela but any other options?

    1. LC1
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Lamela is a good option

    2. GinjaWhinja
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Nope. Lamela best at that price. If you find 0.5, Oscar and Ayew are worth considering but not for that first game.

      Lamela has been on fire pre-season and looks to be playing at top of a diamond, with Alli pushed out wide and Spurs playing two upfront. Perfect for him.

      1. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Ooh, this is interesting. Did they play that vs Inter when Alli was playing?

      2. LevonCD
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        cheers lads,appreciate the advice

  27. EDEN THE MAN
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Deulofeu or Townsend???

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

      Townsend more nailed

    2. fearthebeard
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Townsend

    3. Sooda
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Deulofeu as a OOP prospect.

  28. TokyoRisingSun
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    G: Lloris, Jaku
    D: Stones, Pieters, Evans, Kone, Amat
    M: Sanchez, Hazard, Ayew, Fischer, Capoue
    F: Aguero, Vardy, Gray

    How much staying power does this team have? Question mark over Vardy once CL starts, but I figure I can swap him for Costa or Giroud later on

  29. fearthebeard
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Which option would you choose?

    A) Hazard, Sanchez, Redmond

    B) Hazard, Firmino, Tadic(& 1m ITB)

  30. andrinho
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    a) Walker & Morgan

    or

    b) Fuchs & Stones

    THANK YOU

    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Stones & Walker/Valencia/VVD/Baines - Basically not a Leicester Def. Don't think they'll get many CSs this year.