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. Dont give a fuchs
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Mandanda
    Friend - Tarkowski - Bellerin
    Hazard - mahrez - downing - townsend
    Aguerov- ibra - gray

    Mannone - hodjberg - pieters - mcauley

    All set for GW1?

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Will Mandanda definitely start?

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

        Only played 1 game and it was with the bench/u21 team

      2. Dont give a fuchs
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Not sure? :$

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

    Whole set up of team comes down to whether I want Ibra and I'm not sure I do, this is so hard

    1. Louis123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Toss a coin and oreay. I've gong for it with him.

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

      Cant see him outscoring Kane this season. Kane is younger, so arguably sharper. He knows the league and so far has gotten better every year. I can see ibra hitting 15 goals. Kane is a safe bet for 20.

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

        Good point

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

    Welcome to my team Alexis Sanchez 🙂

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

      Nicee

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

      Same ... This team any good ?

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

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

        Very nice. Although Kone is a worry as hes handed in a transfer request

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

          Thanks , and thanks for the heads up

    3. Oz lotto
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      your mids were so nice Bubz! assuming you are Hazardless?

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

        My mids are now Sanchez, Firmino, Alli, Redmond, Capoue 😉

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

      sanzhez in haz out or dropped a striker?

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

        Got rid of Haz

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

          3-3 - hatricks for alexis&firm

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

      Good choice.

  4. Jumping Jurgen
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    a) Tadic, Silva, Oscar, Firmino (Capoue)
    b) Hazard, Gradel, Firmino, Eriksen (Capoue)

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

      B

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

      B

  5. JÆKS ⭐
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is Friend the right call to bench?

    Morgan (A HULL)
    Valencia (A BOU)
    Stones (H SUN)
    Friend (H STK)

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

      Yes

      1. JÆKS ⭐
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. Hect.OR 98th
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I'd bench Morgan out of those.

      1. JÆKS ⭐
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Against Hull? Can't see them scoring

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

        Why Morgan?

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

      Yes

      1. JÆKS ⭐
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers!

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

      Yeah

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

    Heaton / Jakupovic

    Van Dijk Shaw Stones - Kinglsey/Amat

    Silva / Deulofeu / Hazard /Redmond - fletcher

    Costa / Rooney /Aguero

    1. Jumping Jurgen
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Bin Rooney and upgrade the midfield

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

        this

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

      2 x 4.0 defenders is an accident waiting to happen. Dont double up on chelsea and man city attacks

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

        So much hatred for Rooney, think that's silly to right him off....bare in mind please, he takes corners, free kicks,pens , is the Captain , will play 90 mins and Jose has confirmed he sees him as a striker.

        If he was a 9m midfielder would you be tempted?

  7. TheBallersClub
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Cech Jakupovic

    Stones Evans Shaw Baines Friend

    Firminio Tadic Hazard Feghouli Lamela

    Gray Aguero Benteke

  8. Hect.OR 98th
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is Jakupovic nailed on at Hull? There's no other squad keeper loitering in the background that FPL haven't added yet, is there, or an imminent transfer that will render Jaku deadwood early on?

    I'd prefer Heaton to go with Foster, but the 0.5 is so useful elsewhere.

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Hull make signings? Don't be daft.

  9. Ceefax Page 302
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on the following for the next few weeks?

    Heaton, Valdes
    Souare, Francis, Friend, Stones, Evans
    Ayew, Hazard, Tadic, Alli, Firmino
    Grey, Aguero, Wilson

    1. Hect.OR 98th
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Like it. Big 5 midfield.

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

      I like it but looks like a rotation headache every week, guarenteed points left in the bench.

    3. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Who is Grey?!

      1. Hect.OR 98th
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        A squirrel.

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

    Cheeky RMT, any comments would be greatly appreciated!

    Foster (Jaku)
    Valencia / Friend / Stones (Amat / Kone)
    Hazard / Mane / Deulofeu / Lamela (Capoue)
    Kun / Ibra / Gray

    What you guys think? Thinking of maybe downgrading Mane to Firmino and doing Lamela to Tadic...

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

      I would make your suggested changes.

    2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Not cheeky enough.

    3. Manani
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Firmino and tadic is what I went for over Mane + lamela.

      but I have kane though

    4. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Mane to Tadic or even Redmond. Then upgrade Deulofeu to Townsend

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

    Is it better to spread the funds evenly around the team or have a few big hitters and fill with 4.5 defenders?

    1. Hect.OR 98th
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I try and have one big hitter in every position. Makes it affordable to switch to a bandwagon if the need arises.

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

        i've got two big hitter strikers, and two big hitter midfielders, i'm feeling like i need to downgrade a mid and spread the money

        1. Hect.OR 98th
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          I meant I try and have at least one in every position. My view is that as long as you have 15 fairly sure starters, you'll be alright. I don't subscribe to the view of getting a super-cheap non-playing defender or midfielder to afford players elsewhere.

    2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      All preference

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

    Firminho OR Mane & why?

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

      toss a coin but Firmino
      Mane inconsistent and maybe early sub material

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

      Firmino 0.5 cheaper and OOP

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

    A) Rooney + Sanchez
    B) Ibra and Eriksen

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

      B

  14. ANDER.
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Amat OR Paredes?

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

      Amat

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

      Amat

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

      Cheers guys!

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

      Measles or chicken pox?
      Neither.

  15. Manani
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Think I am all set, can someone RMT pls?

    Foster Jak
    Stones Shaw Morgan Amat Kone
    Hazard Firmino Townsend Tadic Capoue
    Kun Kane Gray

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Solid. Maybe just change Kone to Friend.

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Nice team. I'd do the above too, Kone is transfer bound.

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

          thanks. good point

  16. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    How are we feeling about WBA clean sheet chances? I am having second thoughts about Foster. May go with Valdes until GW3 WC.

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

    Looking at the stats, I'm really warming to Jason Puncheon.

    But will he start?

    1. Hect.OR 98th
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      risky. Bolasie leaving will be good for him, but until then, I think he's a risk.

    2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I hear he's playing deep this year.

    3. Oz lotto
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      started majority of pre-season matches with Bolasie there... will he get a good run at it with Bolasie leaving? Definitely. What stats are you looking at?

  18. Oz lotto
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Gone Hazard-less and liking the more balanced picks:

    Firm Oscar Ayew Lamela Capoue
    Kun Kane Carroll

    1 ITB... Very tempted to go Carroll to Musa but I think Oscar is a punt enough...
    Thoughts?

    1. Trading Bear
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Lamela > Tadic

      1. Oz lotto
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        hmmm.. not sure it's worth it. Can't see tadic living up to the expectation

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

    A.Tadic & Delafou
    or
    B. Barkley & redmond

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

      Tadic and Townsend

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

      A

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

    I hope Boro will play the tripple De's in midfield this season. de Roon, de Sart and de Pena all cost 4.5m.

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

    Morgan or Williams ?

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Williams won't play GW1, but him overall.

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Morgan, Williams not fit to play GW1.

    3. mental
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      morgan to start with then switch to williams if fit

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

    Boring but necessary:

    A: Foster + McAuley or B: Heaton + McAuley

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      B

  23. RustyBz
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    No love for Mahrez around here?

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

      Bah

  24. David
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone know if the Ultimate fantasy game is happening this year?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      No they're fully focusing on FPL this year.

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

    A) Silva + Borini
    B) Fletcher + Vardy

    Thanks!

  26. Paddy D
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Who's everyone got for 5.5 Mid?

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

      Ramirez

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

    Part of the article from outsideoftheboot. It may help you if you have have tough time choosing between Mkhitaryan and Martial.

    Another aspect where the system differs is the very structured and traditional link-up in the wider areas of the creative third. The full-back link-up is most often restricted to involving the winger and fullback, which is unlike most modern systems, such as Pochettino’s, where the deep playmaker and attacking midfielder are more involved in the wide link-up. The approach keeps central positions more stable, and additionally allows the No.10 to take up attacking positions to supplement the Center Forward’s presence.

    Real Madrid 2011/12

    The team set up with Xabi Alonso in the playmaking role and Sami Khedira placed slightly more defensively.

    Mourinho2

    Alonso made 9 assists that season, and had competed more passes on average than any other player in the team, averaging over 80 passes per game (atleast 20 passes more than any other player).

    Alonso also averaged the most number of long passes (9 per game).

    Both Khedira and Alonso ended the season with considerably high pass completion rates (88%).

    Together, the duo also contributed an average of 4.6 tackles per game, the same as that totaled by Ramos and Pepe.

    Chelsea 2014/15

    Chelsea played most of the season with Matic and Fabregas filling the two midfield spots.

    mourinho3

    Fabregas made 18 assists in the season, completing an average of 80 passes per game (20 more passes per game than any other player on the pitch).

    Fabregas averaged the most number of long passes in the team (5.5 per game).

    Together, Matic and Fabregas made an average of 6 tackles per game, while John Terry and Cahill together averaged 2 tackles per game.

    On both occasions, the midfield duos had phenomenal seasons and pivotal roles in their team’s success.

    On a gross analysis of chance creation in Mourinho’s system over the years, the right side of attack seems more involved in delivering crosses to the attackers while the left side involves more link-up play and short-pass play around the edge of the box.

    The inverted winger and left fullback often link up with the Center Forward and No.10 with shorter passes to create chances. On the other flank, the right full-back and winger pair up to get deliveries to the attackers. The approach recently saw success at Chelsea with Hazard/Fabregas on the left and Ivanovic/Willian on the right.

    Another aspect where the system differs is the very structured and traditional link-up in the wider areas of the creative third. The full-back link-up is most often restricted to involving the winger and fullback, which is unlike most modern systems, such as Pochettino’s, where the deep playmaker and attacking midfielder are more involved in the wide link-up. The approach keeps central positions more stable, and additionally allows the No.10 to take up attacking positions to supplement the Center Forward’s presence.

  28. mental
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    people are really overstating arsenal defence issues.they are only missing one CB after all.kosc,monreal,bellerin and cech are all starting ,it's not like mert or gabriel are world class anyway.

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

      thought kos was injured

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

        not injured he's just back to training but can easily be started

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

          been ruled out

  29. PogIbra
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Right lads choice between 2 teams what do people think.....

    Foster (Jaku)
    Valencia, Stones, Friend, Kone, Amat
    Redmond, Haz, Lamela, Firm, Cap
    Ibra, Aguero, Gray

    1 mil itb: Could have tadic for lamela and redmond for townsend or stones to a 4.5 then redmond to tadic but leaves defence short...

    Or with 3 big strikers....

    Foster (Jaku)
    Valencia, Evans, Friend, Kone, Amat
    Townsend, Tadic, Lamela, Firm, Cap
    Ibra, Aguero, Vardy

    Options on second team is redmond instead of townsend gives me 0.5 to bump evans to stones (but then would need different 7.5mil for tadic)

    so....close.....now

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

    Ibra + Kane or Kun + Vardy

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

      kun+vardy