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. bennyp
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Think im set, any advice?

    Foster - Heaton
    Baines - morgan - valencia - friend - amat
    Mahrez - oscar - eriksen - feghouli - watson
    Kun - ibra - gray

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

      Good team.
      Anything in the bank?

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

        0 itb!

    2. pm17
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      it seems like a good team...only issue is whether oscar will start or not...otherwise really like it

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

        Cheers. Yeh..may swap to tadic. Can't decide yet hah

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

    Is Siggy going to start?

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

      Nope.

      1. TH14 - INVINCIBLE
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        why wouldnt he

    2. Martial Eriksen
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Probably not!

  3. Sweetpea
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Any love for Barkley??

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I have Ayew and Tadic instead at the min . He's so inconsistent and I don't think he is going to be playing as a number 10 for Koeman ?

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

        Agreed. Flirted with the idea and he's on my watch list but itt's a wait and see for me.

    2. Martial Eriksen
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      He's been looking good pre season, not a bad pick and safest one to start out of mirallas, delboy and him. Drops too deep sometimes which is worrying..

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

      He's in my team.

      Think he'll really want to prove himself after not being given any game time at the Euros. Big season for him.

  4. steveb79
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    best £5.0 mid?

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

      Routledge IMO

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

        This.

        1. steveb79
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Thanks.............am I good to go.......

          Heaton | (Jakupovic)
          Stones | Shaw | Walker| (Amat) | (Friend)
          Feghouli | Hazard | Deulofeu | Firmino | (Watson)
          Agüero | Rooney | Vardy

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

            Friend should be your first sub, not Amat... in my opinion.

            I'd downgrade Rooney and upgrade midfield personally. That said, I've seen far worse teams and you won't do too bad with that.

  5. luke25
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry for the RMT but could someone advise me where I can make some changes:

    Foster Jakupovic
    Valencia Van Dijk Simpson Stones Friend
    KDB Hazard Lamela Deulofeu Redmond
    Aguero Gray Wilson

    Thanks!

    1. vova
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      KDB isn't nailed on for the first GW

    2. Costa's Counsellor
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I look at some teams and can't understand where the money has gone...

      KDB not for me. Too much spent at the back. You need Ibra, Kane or Vardy I reckon.

    3. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Beef up the forward line. Downgrade KDB, many good mid priced options.

  6. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys, Shaw or Valencia?

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

      down to personal choice

    2. Stevee10001
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Personally shaw. I see A lot of people with Valencia but I think there is big rotation risk with Darmian and fosu-mensah compared to shaw. Also I don't think Valencia will out score shaw

    3. Salah Fingers
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Valencia is the more attacking of the two but is the higher risk of rotation out of the two

      1. Ave It
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        This

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

      Shaw.

  7. LE GOD(C)-AMERICAN DYCHO-(1…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    1.5itb Stick or Spend Redmond >>Tadic

    Foster
    Dann Stones Valencia
    Hazard Firmino Lamela Redmond
    Vardy Agüero Gray

    Bench Jakupovic Capoue Friend Amat

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

      Either that, or Vardy >> Ibra?
      Or Foster >> Courtois for some Chelsea defensive coverage?
      Or hold the money to make either of those changes if they're called for.

      Good team.

      1. LE GOD(C)-AMERICAN DYCHO-(1…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks Nobwak

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Would upgrade Lamela to Eriksen/Alli

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

        Or that.

        All of those 3 change are solid options.

  8. Richard Norris
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    a) Terry and Siggy

    or

    b) Azpi and Lamela

    1. Jacket Potato
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. SW6
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      B

  9. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A
    Mahrez HAZARD Firmino REDMOND
    Kun Gray VARDY/COSTA

    B
    Mahrez OSCAR Firmino ALLI
    Kun Gray VARDY/COSTA...

    1. Big Sum
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Jacket Potato
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Thinking A, but it's close

  10. Jacket Potato
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed:
    Which one lads?
    Dann or Morgan + 0.5 ?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Ridgewell's scores
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Morgan

  11. AdamB
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Why do you guys advice against having two defenders from the same team ?

    1. Jacket Potato
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe not for the first week.

      1. AdamB
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Why not ?

    2. SW6
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Not too wrong. It's just higher variance. CS aren't that predictable so you can split your chances across teams.

      I htink it can be good once it becomes clear which teams arenn't conceeding. Hard to say at this stage. We thought Chelsea defence would be good last year and it turned out the opposite

      1. AdamB
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks for the answer !

    3. Wardinator
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Depends what team but its going to double the risk & double the reward. Generally not a risk worth taking and it leaves you with less flexibility / less options when that team faces a tough fixture

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

      It's a higher risk option.

  12. Honey_Badger
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Hi guys, if you wouldn't mind joining my H2H league it would be appreciated. The code is 62021-22265 thanks.

  13. Martial Eriksen
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    The ones going 4.5/4.0 GK, who's your 4.5 pick?

    A. Heaton
    B. Foster
    C. Valdes
    D. Mandanda
    E. Other

    And why?

    I've had all of them but final draft looks like it's going to be A because of save points, ok fixtures and nailedoness comboned...

    1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Wanted D. But hes not nailed to begin with so i have dropped him and Jak for foster and heaton...for now.

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

      Foster - good fixtures and pulls & West Brom are proven in keeping clean sheets

    3. moz_1983
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Currently Heaton as I have Jonny Evans as a 4.5 def. Otherwise it'd be Foster.

  14. Mario Balofail
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone starting with Musa? Seems to me like a good prospect

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

      Not nailed

  15. Nespinha
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Why does no one think Musa is an awesome option? Have people never seen him play?

    1. Hangover United
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I actually think he is an awesome option but 7.5 for 3 striker who has no premier league pedigree ... not sure about that. I´d rather what a few gw and look how he does after that I would absolutely consider him. but for now NO

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

      Not necessarily playing as a striker is a big issue for me.

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

      Not nailed

    4. Mario Balofail
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      He was pretty decent against United

    5. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Is he awful?

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

      not starting probably

    7. Martial Eriksen
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Not a great goalscoring record, plays negative oop, caroll, wickham and gray say hello and 1m cheaper...

    8. Nespinha
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Good points. But the two goals against Barcelona say hi. Yes the price and position is a problem. Will probably change to negredo or another punt

  16. kraftwerker
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone running a money league this year?

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

      Dunno. Like the grav.

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Sure ... send me £5,000 immediately and you can join 😉

  17. FootballGeorge
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Repost

    Bit of a different team I've planned: thoughts appreciated :

    Would appreciate some thoughts on this team... Still not sure about siggy or Gradel... Thanks !

    Heaton Foster
    Shaw Kone Friend Stones Pieters
    Sanchez Gradel Redmond Haz Capoue
    Kun Vardy Gray

    My main concern is no Liv/Utd attack ....

    Thanks

  18. SorSy
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    First Game Week Team
    Any suggestions ? Should I change smth or will be good ?

    Foster
    Stones Valencia Friend
    Deulofeu Oscar Firmino Tadic
    Gray Ibra Aguero

    Bench warmers 😀 Jaku , Lamela , Smith , Kone

    Any feedback will be great

  19. Platinum
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I know comments are flying but would be grateful for any thoughts on my first ever fantasy team.

    Foster (Jaku)
    Shaw Stones Friend (Pieters Amat)
    Hazard Lamela Tadic Fletcher (Capoue)
    Ibra Kun Vardy
    want goals goals goals.

    I wanted Firminio (so had redmond instead of Tadic) but thought spurs coverage + Tadic is better overall!

    1. Jacket Potato
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Lovely team, so tempted to change mine to this

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

      Similar to my team below only I have Redmond and Ramirez rather than Lamela and Fletcher.

      1. Platinum
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks.

        I just thought Spurs coverage is a must.

        If i had a spare 1m I would have Kane over Vardy but just no way to squeeze it in 🙁

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

      I don't like the thought of two £4.5m midfielders. Rest of the team solid.

      1. Platinum
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed, I jsut thought Fletcher has pretty much been consistent for about 6 years in being OK (talking about IRL dunno about FL).

        but he amassed great points last year, was the best I could choose with Capoue

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

    hm 56% of the people would think that Kun(C) gw1 and only 5.4% on Vardy 😀 😀

  21. RomeluStormzy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Repost... RMT please guys...

    Heaton (Foster)
    Shaw Stones Friend Morgan (Williams)
    Hazard Firmino Townsend (Fergouli Capoue)
    Aguero Ibra Gray

    What do you all think? GTG?

    1. makaveli123
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yes. G2G

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

      Too much money on defence. Downgrade defender to 4.5 and upgrade midfield

  22. Blurryface
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed
    A Eriksen Redmond
    B Alli Redmond
    C Lamela Tadic

    1. Jacket Potato
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B

  23. Lucy.
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Where to spend 1m? Or keep ITB?

    Foster Heaton
    Shaw Stones Pieters Friend Amat
    Hazard Firmino Deulofeu Redmond 4.5
    Aguero Ibrahimovic Gray

    Cheers!

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

      Amat to a 4.5 might save you a transfer.

    2. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Hmmm, maybe find a cheeky £0.5m and upgrade Redmond to Tadic.

      Deulofeu to Ayew is another one to consider. Else keep it ITB.

      Btw, do you fancy Shane Long as an option?

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

        Not sure Tadic is worth the extra 1.5m over Redmond. But I'll probably be proven wrong 😉

        I like Long but prefer Redmond/Tadic, I think.

    3. Vedas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Keep it.

    4. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      You folded faster than Superman on laundry day 🙂 . Welcome back to the mind numbing torture that is fpl . It looks grand without spending the extra mill .

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

        Haha yep. The hubby devoted his honeymoon to making me crack 😀

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          😆 . Good stuff

    5. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Save for Benteke or Tadic 🙂

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

        Ah yes, Gray/6.5 -> Benteke may work out later on. 🙂

    6. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Nice to see you changed your mind..on time.

  24. MesQueUnClub
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Firminho AND Mane too much?

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

      Yes.

    2. Big Sum
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Liverpool fan?

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

        Klopp fan more than Liverpool 😀

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

      Yeah

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

    G2G or change some on MID?

    Forster
    Valencia - Van Dijk - Morgan
    Firmino - Payet - Routledge - Siggy
    Aguero - Ibra - Gray

    Jaku - Høj - Amat - 4m DEF

    1. pm17
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      think u shud make a few changes in mid... payet and siggy both may/may not start gw1...routledge and siggy unnecessary...
      mite wanna consder options from spurs, everton, chelsea etc

  26. Judas
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is Souare fit?

    If not im going to have to double up on either WBA or MID defence/GK

  27. nobwak
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Mkhitarian has to start surely... come on.

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

      2 mins in charity shield. Seems he might be eased in.

  28. Martial Eriksen
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone starting with a leicester mid/for player other than vardy/mahrez/musa?

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

      Doubt you'll find anyone on here mate.

  29. Energetics
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Foster (Jaku)
    Shaw Stones Friend (Kone Amat)
    Hazard Tadic Redmond Ramirez (Capoue)
    Aguero Zlatan Vardy

    Top heavy but relying on that attack to fire me through the first 3 weeks at which point I will downgrade either Zlatan or Vardy to Benteke and upgrade Tadic or Redmond to whatever premium is firing.

    Please rate my team and leave any suggestions/opinions.

  30. Simpix
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Aguero, Vardy and 6.5m forward
    or
    Kane, Vardy and Costa
    Thoughts please..........