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. Musicholic
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Does it make sense to have Long in your team when you already have redmond/tadic? Or take Negredo (even though you have Fischer in your team). I dont see Gray will score in 3 out of the first 5 fixtures.

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Best to spread players out thinly I think.

      1. Musicholic
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        But to who? I have only 6.5, the only good options are Long, Gray and Negredo.

        1. Narcissist
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Or Rondon, or Carroll at a push.

  2. Unbelievable Jeff!
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    VVD or Terry?

    I like Southampton's home fixtures but fancy Chelsea clean sheets over the season with Kante + Matic

    1. FPLEL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I've gone with Terry. Do you know if he's nailed?

      1. Unbelievable Jeff!
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I hope so. With Zouma out who does he have as competition?

    2. Musicholic
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      VVD. Better fixtures and a good manager.

    3. mental
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      i would prefer terry but imo he's far from nailed when zouma is back or if we sign a new CB

      1. Unbelievable Jeff!
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I could go [Azpi + Jaku] in for [Terry + Heaton] (already have Foster) - worth it?

  3. Bubz
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Need a 4.5 defender that rotates with Friend. Any ideas? Currently on Souare.

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Check Palace fans forums they do not think he is going to start

      1. Bubz
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Friend will come in if Souare doesnt start this weekend so not too bad..

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Evans? Pieters?

      1. Bubz
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I have Foster in goal so not too keen on Evans

        1. The Wise Owl
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Kone?

          1. Bubz
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            He handed in a transfer request today so not sure whats happening with him

            1. Ridgewell's scores
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Did he? Any source on that? 😮

                1. Ridgewell's scores
                  • 13 Years
                  10 years, 1 month ago

                  cheers

    3. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Pieters

      1. Bubz
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Stoke fixtures are a bit iffy?

        1. Jigger & Pony
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Play Friend first 4 GWs. Then Pieters fixtures are good.

    4. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Pieters works well

    5. SW6
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Evans rotates nicely bar a couple GWs, annoyingly one is GW2 though. Sunderland away isn't too bad though I guess

      1. Bubz
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Problem is I have Foster/Jaku in goal. Do I really want double Wba... hmmm

    6. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Souare and friend are the best options at 4.5 assuming you have foster in goal, otherwise evans is good also. So what if souare doesnt start GWK 1? His fixtures are golden for weeks.

      1. Bubz
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed. Might just stick. Cheers

    7. ANDER.
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Had been in the same dilemma. Did:
      Foster > Mandanda
      Souare > McAuley
      I think this solves it.

    8. FPL_Sponge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Going Targett, 4.5 and nailed on whilst Bertrand is injured

  4. tissae
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So do i stick with Williams and play Friend in gw1 or what?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Could do.

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Play Friend get Kone.

  5. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys, is Shaw more nailed on than Valencia?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yes however I've heard Mou doesn't rotate defenders.

    2. Stevee10001
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yes but I'd b surprised that Valencia has nailed down RB after a few pre season games

  6. DAV087
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Any reason Sanchez not in many RMT's?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Expensive, schedule not easy, had a busy summer.
      Saying all that, he is a beast.

    2. Big Sum
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard has better fixtures

      1. DAV087
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Why not both?

      2. FootballGeorge
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Both ? 😉

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

    3. mental
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      expensive and not consistent.would prefer ozil+1.5

  7. steveb79
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

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

    *Do I down grade Friend and change Watson for Routledge?

    1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No and getting rid of rooney should be your priority.

      1. steveb79
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Does that look better?

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

  8. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Two questions and I'm done - please help so I can sleep tonight 🙂

    1. A Redmond and eriksen B tadic and ayew
    2. A hazard and capos B Oscar and ayew

    Help will be appreciated a lot!

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm so close to finalising my team... Just this Oscar temptation...

    2. Musicholic
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      1. A

  9. SW6
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So, Puel has said Redmond can be Southampton's Thierry Henry....

    I'm sure he's not suggesting he's as good (Puel and Henry are friends apparently) but certainly implies he sees him as a striker and an important one.

    All Aboaaaard 😀

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Im still not sure hes nailed

      1. Lucy.
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        He isn't nailed, this is true. But I'm still likely to go with him.

        1. Kings of Lyon ★
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Hey! I hope the big day and the honeymoon was everything you wished for 🙂

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Redmond over Tadic?

      1. Knowledgeable meerkat
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Not for me 🙂

    3. Lucy.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think that's *quite* what he said, is it? But he certainly seems a fan of him playing as a striker. And has a reputation for unearthing/developing talent.

      1. Clump
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Someone posted that Saints looked disjointed pre season.
        Any truth?

      2. SW6
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah quotes stretched a little 😆

        But its definitely promising

    4. Bleach †
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      he was the who converted Henry to ST when he was young

  10. Ramgiri
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Please Rate my team.. Any feedback would be appreciated... Need to get back on top of my private leagues 😡

    A
    Foster
    Valencia baines stones
    Haz Redmond Lamela Firmino
    Gray ibra kun

    Jaku, Friend, Coquelin, Amat

    B: Swap Redmond -> Tadic and Baines -> Parades

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Parades is probably not going to start . You're grand relax

      1. Ramgiri
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks a lot mate !

  11. TheBallersClub
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    (A) Townsend and Costa

    (B) Firminio and Musa

    1. FPLEL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

  12. JIM BOB
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Firmino or Ozil to score most points this season?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Firmino I bet.

    2. flipthebuzzard
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm expecting a Liv to really up things this season - Firmino for me personally

    3. Big Sum
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ozil

    4. mental
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      ozil

    5. moz_1983
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Firm for me.

  13. Cadenza
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Not a lot of love for Silva on here? Surely he is a good option. Perfect player for Guardiola, great link with Aguero and will play 90 mins.

    1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Double on city attackers though straight away?

  14. merin
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Foster
    Valencia Fuchs Pieters
    Hazard Alli Tadic Ramirez
    Aguero(c) Ibrahimovic Gray

    (Jakupovic McAuley Friend Capoue)

    1. Big Sum
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      GTG

  15. cra1g0s
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Okay, so taking into account form and fixtures (although thinking long term over the season too), which one?

    A. Gray

    or

    B. Negredo

    ps. I was originally going for Jordan Rhodes but not sure about game time, then there's Long but I have Tadic

    1. flipthebuzzard
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Just been deliberating the same Gray/Neg/Long - have sided with Gray as have Tadic .... we shall see if the decsion remains till this time tomoz....!

      1. cra1g0s
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I'm doing the same, let's hope it's the right decision.

  16. murderonzidanesfloor302
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Please RMT

    Any Suggestions?

    Valdes (Jaku)
    Valencia Stones Targett (Amat Souare)
    Martial Hazard Zaha Tadic (Capoue)
    Ibra Aggy Gray

    Thanks!

    1. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Don't like defence or Zaha otherwise nice

    2. cra1g0s
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Martial to Firminho and Zaha to Shaqiri

    3. FPLEL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Targett, Souare and Amat (I think) are far from nailed.

  17. FootballGeorge
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

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

    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. PogIbra
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Bottom page nightmare...

    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

    1. Knallie
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Second team is very close to my own, so I like it
      I'm punting on Oscar myself...

  19. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Last decision before the team is all ready 🙂

    Deulofeo or Townsend?

    1. SW6
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Deulofeu

    2. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Out of those Deu

  20. ST United
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Forster + Morgan (+0.5)
    B) Schmichel + VVD

    1. ST United
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      ?

      1. napoli54
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        B more saves + more attacking chances

  21. Blurryface
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Ibra or Vardy???

  22. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    WBA has kept just 1 CS in pre-season. MID has kept 5. Just feel better going with Valdes over Foster given Friend is on the bench. Anyone else thinking the same way?

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm feeling less confident about Foster by the minute for sure.

  23. gingerhero
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Most likely to keep a clean sheet GW1?

    A) Heaton - SWA (H)
    B) Foster - CRY (A)

  24. Kuyt Hero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Valencia or Terry?
    Jedinak a good 4.5m option?

  25. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Captains Poll - 56% Aguero.

    Well that's one less thing to worry about.

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm Kunless though.
      Swedish and Utd fan, this season is the perfect storm for me.
      Ibra all the way.

    2. flipthebuzzard
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Unless you have decided to buck the trend and save the cash for elsewhere......I'm still undecided!!?

    3. Bleach †
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      imo Vardy a better pick??

  26. tipster
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Feedback please
    Foster - (Jaku)
    Stones - Friend - Valencia (Amat - Kone)
    Hazard(C) - Redmond - Silva - Firmino (Deulofeu)
    Ibrah (V) - Gray - Vardy

  27. Tshelby
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Don't know which one I should play..

    A)
    Heaton-jaku
    Shaw-Williams-Evans-Friend-kone
    Hazard-Erikson-Ayew-Deulofeu-Capoue
    Aguero-Ibra-Gray

    B)
    Jaku-Foster
    Valencia-Walker-Amat- Kone-Friend
    Hazard-Firmino-Tadic-Townsend-Fletcher
    Aguero-Kane-Gray

    C)
    Foster-Jaku
    Walker-Valencia-Stones-Kone-Targett
    Firmino-Townsend-Hazard-Deulofeu-Leko
    Kun-Kane-Long

    1. Big Sum
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure why you have 3 different 4.5 mids

  28. Samuel9
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    99% happy, even with 3 4.0s!

    GW1
    Foster
    Stones Kingsley Amat
    Firminho Ayew Tadic Zaha
    Kane Aguero Ibra

    Jaku Evans Williams Capoue

  29. Sweetpea
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    It comes down to this:

    A Kane and Amat

    or

    B Costa and Terry

    Thanks all.

    1. DP7657
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

  30. DoobNoob
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Redmond and Erikson/Ali
    B) Tadic and Lamela

    1. DP7657
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A