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.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

  1. Sob or lie?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

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

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      NO

      1. Sob or lie?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks.

    2. Velocity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Nope

  2. hustler7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 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
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      11:30 tomorrow, don't panic

      1. hustler7
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

    2. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Solid team though, good luck!

      1. hustler7
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks!

  3. Texas Pete
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A) Tadic & Gray

    B) Ayew & Long

    1. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

      1. Texas Pete
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks.

    2. Bollemuza
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

      1. Texas Pete
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        And thanks to you too.

    3. Gaffa914
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B if no other west ham or Southampton

    4. fearthebeard
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

    5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      C - Tadic and caroll

  4. Tshelby
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 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, 6 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, 6 months ago

        B

      2. Tshelby
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        A but maybe with Firmino then?

      3. Knowledgeable meerkat
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        B 🙂

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

        B but only because I like the defenders

      5. EDEN THE MAN
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        b

      6. Jay_
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Thanks guys

      7. unlethal
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 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...

      8. CostaCoffee
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 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, 6 months ago

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

          1. CostaCoffee
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

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

            1. Tshelby
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              And what are you going to do next GW then?

        2. Gaffa914
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Love the hazard aguero Sanchez triangle

      9. Bleach †
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 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?

      10. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

        1. Greenbackbøøg…
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Indeed, hard to fit in

        2. The Generalator
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

        3. Mavric Marco
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Nailed for me - What a diff!! 😀

          1. GinjaWhinja
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            What an expensive diff though!

          2. Bleach †
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            11.0, cant afford 🙁

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

          Got him and haz

        6. CostaCoffee
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Shh

        7. More Tragic
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Defensive frailties could force Arsenal to go gung-ho.

          I'm in.

        8. creaky24
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

        9. Toby Lerone
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

      11. The Generalator
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Wickham a good shout for 3rd striker ?

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

          nope.

      12. uhahpaulmcgrath
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Foster Heaton

        Baines Shaw Amat Stones McAuley

        Deulofeu Ayew Haz Ramirez Redmond

        Ibra Aguero Gray

      13. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 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...

      14. sthelenslad92
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Bench Leko or Carroll?

        1. Tshelby
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Leko

      15. GummiG
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 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
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

      16. Gaffa914
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 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

      17. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 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
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

        2. Bleach †
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

          1. aehii
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 6 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 †
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              100€ on Liverpool and Leicester win

        3. aehii
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

      18. I am 42
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        To Kone or Not To Kone?

        Moving to Everton?

        1. sthelenslad92
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Toughie, he's asked for a move.

        2. Brian (Not the Messiah)
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          at 4.5 seems pretty easy to me!

        3. Sess!
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 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!

      19. Brian (Not the Messiah)
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        which cheaper united or chelsea defenders are nailed on?

        1. CostaCoffee
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Terry Shaw Valencia

        2. Gaffa914
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Terry until they sign a new defender

      20. Badhat
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Hey pretty please last decision, help me out lads!

        Valencia - Ramirez
        Morgan - Redmond

        Many thanks!

      21. aehii
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

        1. I am 42
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          not against liverpool of cos

        2. Giovanni Giorgio
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          How did they come to that conclusion?

        3. Greenbackbøøg…
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Why do they think he won't play?

        4. Tiamani Warrior
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          kosc?

      22. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        A Ibra, Lamela, Vardy

        Or

        B Kane, Gray , Mahrez?

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Sorry B +1.5itb

        2. CostaCoffee
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          B all day every day

      23. Cadenza
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 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
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Pieters?

        2. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

          1. Cadenza
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 6 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

      24. sarnshawn
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

      25. Blanka
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 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, 6 months ago

          Gray's record speaks for itself.

        2. Sooda
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 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

      26. Sooda
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Firmino or Delle Alli ?

        1. EDEN THE MAN
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Firmino

          1. Sooda
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks!

        2. sthelenslad92
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Firmino

        3. Badhat
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

        4. Sess!
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

      27. LevonCD
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 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, 6 months ago

          Lamela is a good option

        2. GinjaWhinja
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 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, 6 months ago

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

          2. LevonCD
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            cheers lads,appreciate the advice

      28. EDEN THE MAN
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Deulofeu or Townsend???

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

          Townsend more nailed

        2. fearthebeard
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Townsend

        3. Sooda
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Deulofeu as a OOP prospect.

      29. TokyoRisingSun
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 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

      30. fearthebeard
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Which option would you choose?

        A) Hazard, Sanchez, Redmond

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

      31. andrinho
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        a) Walker & Morgan

        or

        b) Fuchs & Stones

        THANK YOU

        1. Sess!
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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