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. Moin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Walcott just owned by 1.5% makes me want to take a punt on him!

    1. Gaffa914
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Sign out

      1. Moin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        yeah! best thing to do

        1. Gaffa914
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 20 days ago

          What you make of the Sanchez differential

          1. Moin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 20 days ago

            great differential, but too expensive to fit in..unless you want to go Hazard-less

          2. creaky24
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 20 days ago

            the only thing holding me back with sanchez is KDB, 0.5 cheaper

    2. Francescoli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      never again

    3. aehii
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Change it to iwobi.

    4. Bubz
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Will he even play?

  2. sthelenslad92
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Start Leko or Carroll?

    1. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Carroll. Leko far from a sure starter.

    2. Francescoli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Carroll

  3. Hypnos
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    why no UFPL this year?

    1. Touré De Force
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      I assume they didn't get the growth the hoped for last year, iirc it went from 35k runners in Y1 to just 27.5k last year.
      Probably running at a loss for them.
      Disappointing, as it was by far my favourite format.

      1. Hypnos
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        that's a shame

  4. lennyify
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    rmt please
    valdes , (heaton)
    morgan , valencia ,stones ,(friend) , (paredes)
    alli , hazard , firminio , redmond , (capoue)
    vardy , kun , gray

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Really good! Just personal preference with individuals now

  5. Big Col
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    last decision..

    A) Tadic & Bojan

    or

    B) Ayew & Redmond

  6. tokara
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Please advise :

    Foster
    Stones // VVD // Valencia
    Hazard // Tadic // Alli // Townsend
    Kun // Vardy // Gray

    Jaku // Fletcher // Friend // Amat

    ITB = $0.5m

  7. Carcetti
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Hazard or Kane?

    1. lennyify
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      hazard

    2. Carcetti
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      A) Hazard + Lamela

      B) Willian + Kane

      1. Gaffa914
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        1000% a

      2. lennyify
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        a

  8. Djemba-Djemba
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    A) Naughton
    B) Friend

    1. Francescoli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Friend

      1. Djemba-Djemba
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        Any specific reason? I have Friend too, but I like the idea of Naughton

  9. Bubz
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Historically teams dont keep consistent clean sheets at the start of the season. I will use this as an excuse to shave 1m off my defence and buy Alexis Sanchez 😆

    1. Sanchit
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Don't leave out hazard though :p

  10. Gaffa914
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Why are people going Valencia over shaw

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Got an assist in the CS

      1. Gaffa914
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        That it? Surely no reason to have the risky pick over the safe one for the same price

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 20 days ago

          Mourinho tends to stick with his defence, doesn't really rotate, even full backs. Both him and shaw are good options, Valencia crosses more, Shaw shoots more.

      2. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        He got 4 assists in last two pre season games.

    2. Francescoli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      More attacking corridor. Best bet for assists.

  11. EDEN THE MAN
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Rooney and Mahrez
    or
    Ibra and Tadic/Ayew

    1. Sanchit
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      I'm taking a huge punt on Rooney after the community shield. Him and Ibra changed roles too often which meant Rooney was ST

    2. Francescoli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Kane and Tadic

  12. Dom15
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Quick one. This is it. Who would you take? Cheers!

    a) Mahrez - Townsend - Kane
    b) Firmino - Lamela - Ibra

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      B

    2. Sanchit
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Firmino Tadic Kane

    3. Francescoli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      A

    4. Jarnathan
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      B

  13. Brian (Not the Messiah)
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    best 5.5 defender?

    Are there any serious bargains I'm missing besides Stones and Kone?

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Walker/Shaw IMO

      1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        thanks

    2. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Valencia - Looks fairly secure and always a threat going forward.

  14. Sheeeit
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    I wonder how Deeney is going to get on this season. I keep thinking whether I'm trying to be a bit too creative with 6.5's like Gray, Negrado & Wilson when there's 7.0 Deeney. 28 Years old, just hitting his peak, Mr consistent, eye for a goal and assist. It's just an unknown how Watford will perform under Mazzarri.

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Start with one of the cheaper ones for the moment

  15. True Blue
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Anyone from Delhi wants to play in a cash league?

    1. Sanchit
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Me!

      1. True Blue
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        send a blank email to amanarora.dce@gmail.com and I will email you back the T&C

  16. Lecky Legs FC
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Aguero TC captainers show yourself

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      U mean 4 gw 1

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        Exactly I'm curious to see if anyone has the bottle to do it like.

        1. EDEN THE MAN
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 20 days ago

          I would b tempted just to get the prize

  17. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Best 5M defender? Apart from Stones?

    1. Evasivo
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Dawson

      1. Evasivo
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        Or Williams

        1. gaurava1216
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 20 days ago

          thanks.. not sure Williams will play GW1... thoughts on Morgan? I have Friend.
          Leicter and Mboro rotate home and away every week... so as a 3rd def home playing ?

    2. Lecky Legs FC
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Zabalets or Winston Reid.

    3. Elijah's Wood
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Morgan

    4. Jarnathan
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Maybe Morgan - I have him. I think Leicester will start the season strongly.

  18. Francescoli
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    RMT

    Heaton
    Stones, Friend, VVD
    Tadic, Firmino, Hazard, Redmond
    Vardy, Aguero, Gray

    Foster; Evans, Capoue, Amat

    1.5 in the bank

    1. dhamphiir
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Both Foster and Evans are West Brom player
      It is better to do Evans --> Kone

      1. Francescoli
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        not sure where Kone is going to be. if he stays at Sunderland, i'll bring him back in.

  19. Blanka
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    A. ALLI & REDMOND.

    B. LAMELA & TADIC.

    HAVING NIGHTMARES ABOUT THIS ONE.

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      B but don't shout next time

    2. Blanka
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Just read Puel saying Redmond is gonna be the new Henry. He's put even more doubt in my mind ha.

  20. Elijah's Wood
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Thoughts on benching Azpi (WHU) and upgrading my 4th defender to Morgan?

  21. Jesus saves but Bergkamp sc…
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Hi guys

    Any advice on my team would be greatly appreciated!

    Foster (Heaton)
    Shaw Stones Baines (Pieters/ Parades)

    Tadic Eriksen Ayew Siggurdsson (Fletcher)

    Aguero (c) Lukaku Rooney

    Many thanks.

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      I'd put some more money in midfield, not 100% confident with either Lukaku or Rooney :/

      1. Jesus saves but Bergkamp sc…
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        I thought midfied may be slightly weak. Thanks.

  22. sthelenslad92
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    A) Leko
    B) Capoue

  23. No Totti No Party
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    First and last RMT, any thoughts ?

    De Gea/ Heaton
    Stones / Valencia/ VD / Friend / McAuley
    Hazzy / Lamela / Redmond / Shaqiry / Hojbjerk
    Aggy / Ibra / Negredo

    1. Giovanni Giorgio
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      I would downgrade Heaton to a 4.0 and probably VD.
      Upgrade the midfield.

  24. Brian (Not the Messiah)
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Any playing 4.0 defenders?

    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Amat to start with now Williams gone.

  25. Lucy.
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    I am pretty set on Hazard, Firmino and Deulofeu. I need to work out my 4th mid.

    Townsend, Lamela, Redmond or another?

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      I'm going Haz - Mane - Tadic - Ayew - Capoue

      But Lamela would be my 6th mid 🙂

      1. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        Nice midfield.

    2. Sweetpea
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Redmond at 6.0 playing OOP - not a lot of downside.

      Townsend could be good but Bolasie, Zaha and Puncheon could easily steal his points.

    3. pompeyfan
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Redmond for me, partly because he's cheaper.

    4. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Looking at Redmond or Gradel myself.

      Southampton bretherin of yours that I work with are strongly suggesting the former!

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        Gradel will be an incredible player this year, I'm convinced, but I don't know if he'll start GW1 🙁

        1. Pap Le Cissier
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 20 days ago

          Trust you to plant the seed of doubt! 😉

          1. Irish Madridista ⭐
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 20 days ago

            Gradel was the first mid in my team... but I'm gonna wait and see, Wilson seems to be the only Bournemouth option 10000% nailed to start!

    5. Lucy.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Thanks all. Leaning towards Redmond at the moment.

  26. GummiG
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Alli & Ramirez vs Tadic & Townsend

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      B

  27. fearthebeard
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Which option would you choose?

    A) Hazard, Sanchez, Redmond

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

    1. Genovoze
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      I have a similar dilemma.
      A team with Sanchez and Hazard is possible. It depends on how nailed are the likes of Redmond, Deu and Townsend.

  28. reggy123
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    RMT please, I've spent the last 4 hours tinkering and I just can't see past this line up anymore!

    Heaton
    Stones // Azi // Valencia // Baines
    Hazard // Mane // Ibe
    Kun // Ibra // Gray

    Foster // Capoue // Leko // Pieters

    1. I am 42
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      mane? nice diff

  29. Bubz
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Officially gone off the idea of Hazard. 10m for someone who scored 2 goals last season, one of which was a penalty, which he's not even on anymore. Everyone seems to be picking him with the assumption he will instantly be a world beater again under Conte but I'm not convinced. Seems like a big leap into the unknown for 10m of your budget.

    1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      It's true... seems like a lot of faith in someone just because.

    2. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Did you watch the euro's?

      1. Bubz
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        Yeah, he played reasonably well against some mediocre teams

      2. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        he had one good game against Hungary.

    3. Jarnathan
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      Easier to step down to Oscar than step up to Hazard.

      I'll be watching both players on Monday night

  30. Genovoze
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 20 days ago

    Sanchez- XXX- XXX- Deulofeu- De Roon
    Kun-Vardy-Gray

    A) Hazard- Redmond
    B) Tadic- Alli/Firminho

    1. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 20 days ago

      B but what is your defence?

      1. Genovoze
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 20 days ago

        Foster/Heaton
        Valencia, Shaw, Friend, 4.5, 4.0

        1. Genovoze
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 20 days ago

          Sorry, Stones instead of Shaw