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. Ted Striker
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Thanks to Bubs messing with my head, I'm now caught deciding between:

    Lamela / Haz / Tadic -or-
    Sanchez / Oscar / Redmond

    Thoughts?

    1. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Meinhoff
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Second one looks better to me

    3. Your Man With The Hair
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I like B. Something is drawing me towards Oscar

    4. UshFPL
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Second but I'm not so sure about Oscar. Will he definitely play?

  2. Lution93
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Forster

    Alderweireld
    Baines
    Shaw
    Stones

    Townsend
    Hazard
    Mkhitaryan
    Redmond

    Wilson
    Agüero

    Bench

    Heaton
    Friend
    Leko
    Benteke

  3. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Shots inside the box 2015/16

    Alexis Sanchez: 69
    Eden Hazard: 21

    😯

    1. aehii
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah....but....

      1. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I'm not sure what the but is?

        1. Lucy.
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Hazard/Chelsea were way below par.

          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            Everyone keeps saying this, but theres no evidence that they aren't still going to be below par yet. Seems like too much faith is being put in Conte suddenly making Hazard a world beater again

            1. Bleach †
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 8 months ago

              had decent euros aswell though

        2. Oz lotto
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          this... only thing is I think Alexis will need a couple of games to build up momentum... he will outscore Haz this year. Wenger is the same. Conte in = chelsea defence ups and more 1-2 goal games for them I feel. Less drubbings than Mou's "we will concede one but score 4" mentality.

      2. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        but..?

        1. aehii
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          I'm on a tablet, slow to type, was too lazy to then. There are numerous plusses and minuses for each, no? Last season doesn't matter. Hazard had good euros, decent pre season, even the goal against spurs near the end of last season showed his confidence is back. Sanchez will still be getting back to full fitness. He can have off periods too. They're bost instinctive players.

          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            I just think the Hazard love is massively overrated and based on hopes rather than facts. Even at the peak of his powers his stats were nowhere near Sanchez levels.

    2. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Ssshhhh

    3. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Limited pre season for Sanchez though?

      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        It's Sanchez though you know what hes like. Doesnt need a preseason to get fired up. Looked good in the one game he did play, assist and hit the post

      2. Sjaugen
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Wouldn't worry about that. He is a machine

    4. Sjaugen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Sanchez Alli and Carroll in for Ayew Lamela Ibra ATM...

    5. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      When both are in form i'd take sanchez all day long. Triple captained him last year for 75 pts on a double gameweek.

    6. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      TBF, Hazard had a shocker last season. Think his stats will be more like 14/15 this year.

      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        But thats just pure guesswork. People are just assuming Hazard will be 2014/15 Hazard but I dont know why

    7. Graceless Goof
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      He does like to shot, though most of them are blanks to be fair...

  4. NOVARDYNOPARTY
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    * HELPPPP! *

    Shall I go with Tadic or Lamela?

    Will be playing wildcard after GW3

    1. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Tadic

  5. UnitedFan
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    What's the news about Kone?

    1. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Believe he handed in a transfer request

    2. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      He's being a greedy sh!te

  6. Ceefax Page 302
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Which front 8 do I go with - A or B?

    A.
    De Bruyne, Hazard, Alli, Firmino, Sanchez
    Wilson, Gray, Long

    B.
    Ayew, Hazard, Tadic, Alli, Firmino
    Aguero, Wilson, Gray

    1. Swans4life
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

  7. FootballGeorge
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Repost :

    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

    1. aehii
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I don't know where your money has gone to be honest...your mid is not strong enough imo

      1. FootballGeorge
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Have 0.5 ITB ... Thanks for the reply

      2. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Its gone on having aguero sanchez vardy and hazard all in the same team. Pick one out of sanchez and hazard imo.

  8. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Courtois + Redmond + Lamela
    B) Foster + Townsend + Tadic

    My other keeper is Jak but I'd have a Chelsea defender with A

  9. The Man Pastore
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Pick one :

    A) Tadic + Kane

    B) Eriksen + Vardy

    1. fluffythecat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

  10. DAV087
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Tadic and Redmond too much Soton?

    1. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah

    2. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Aye

  11. Wings Fan
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I think I'm ready

    Heaton

    Valencia - Morgan - Stones

    Lamela - Tadic - Firmino - Hazard

    Gray - Aguero - Vardy
    -------------------------------------------
    Foster - Hojbjerg - Amat - Kone

    Any obvious weaknesses?

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      No. Good Ibra-less team. Perhaps too much funds in defence. Coukd dowgrade one and upgrade bench

    2. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Strong team

    3. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      maybe Stones & Morgan to 4.5 defenders (CPL, WBrom) to free up funds to upgrade bench if Gray doesn't perform

  12. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Barkely or Oscar?

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Barkley**

    2. Jumping Jurgen
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I've gone Oscar, had a decent pre season and on pens at the moment apparently.

    3. BIG TONES
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Oscar all day... Barkley only scores from pens (is he even on them) and the odd long range cracker

    4. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Oscar

  13. El Copo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I'm on Tadic at the minute, but could downgrade to Redmond. Are we sure he's going to play?

    1. Lucy.
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      No we're not. Please see my long post 😀

    2. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I am.

      1. Bleach †
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Redmond ftw

  14. Ivanov Itch
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    A. Hazard and Redmond

    B. Pogba and Tadic

    1. Jumping Jurgen
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A for now

    2. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

  15. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Does anyone have Mkhitaryan?

    1. Viprin
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Martial.Mkhi could compete against Mata and Lingard

  16. Jumping Jurgen
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    GTG?

    Foster (Jaku)

    Terry / Shaw / Stones

    Silva / Oscar / Lamela / Firmino

    Long / Aguero / Vardy

    (Mcaulay, Capoue, Friend)

    0.5m in the bank, could swap out Silva for Mahrez?
    Any other suggestions much appreciated.

  17. TN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Firmino or Alli? Have Kane, but dont like Liverpools opening fixtures.

    Also, is Deulofeu nailed?

    1. NielsYBFC
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      It seems like Firmino doesn't really fade away against big teams so I would recommend having him

    2. mental
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      alli. and yes deulofeu is nailed but can easily be subbed after 60 mins

  18. Viprin
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Borja Baston bandwagon anyone?

    1. Moss
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Won't play first game

    2. mental
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      i'm tempted but will keep a close eye till we see how they will lineup

      1. Swans4life
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        He won't be in first game and depends on what his price is aswell

  19. Blurryface
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed

    Vardy or Ibra?

    1. mental
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      vardy.but would get kane over both

    2. BIG TONES
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy's in my team, but it's the million dollar question really

    3. Blurryface
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks guys

    4. Zikry
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy for the start; Kane to finish 🙂

  20. BIG TONES
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Probably been asked a million times, but is Stones nailed to start this weekend?

    1. CONTE'S HAIR
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      yes

  21. CONTE'S HAIR
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    guys i need your help...

    forster heaton

    walker valencia amat stones morgan
    ferhouli redmond hazard capoue ?ibe? or mahrez

    ibra aguero ?vardy"? or caroll or long?

    plz help me

  22. Athletic Bilbo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Something a bit different.... (bottomed previously)

    My Girlfriend has a team made up of entirely Spanish speaking players, vs. my team of players eligible to play for African Nations (by virtue of African parents in some cases - took a bit of wiki research and failed on 2nd keeper...).

    Who will come out top and who would you change? (Note - Brazilians speak Portuguese, and just having played in Spain does not qualify you!)

    'Diego Someone'

    De Gea / Adrian
    Valencia / Funes Mori / Azpi (Fernandez / Amat)
    Sanchez / Bojan / Lamela / Deulofeu (Montero)
    Costa / Aguero (c) / Hernandez

    1.0 itb

    (Best options: GK: Robles, Romero, Speroni. DEF: Zabaleta, Moreno, Paredes, Hernandez, Barragan, Bellerin, Monreal, Otamendi, Rojo, Britos. MID: Mata, Fab, Silva, Navas, Herrera, Ramirez, Yacob, Cazorla, Cuadrado, Obiang, Nolito, Romeu. FOR: Rondon, Ulloa, Joselu, Valencia, Negredo, Llorente - waiting for Calleri and Borja to be added)

    VS

    'Kalakuta Republic'

    Mandanda / 4.0
    Bailly / Sagna / Nsue (Ogbonna / Kone)
    Mane / Ayew / Mahrez (c) / Alli (Gradel)
    Lukaku / Musa / Ighalo

    1.5 itb

    (Best options: DEF: Matip, Kabasele, Ake, Kompany, Zouma, Nyom, Sakho etc. MID: Yaya, Kouyate, Feghouli, Bolasie, Zaha, Ibe, Leko, Elmohamady, Moses, Iwobi, Khazri, Adomah, Success, Wanyama etc. FOR: Origi, Afobe, Barrow, Batshuayi, Diomande, Benteke, Diouf, Bony, Iheanacho). Looking for a Lukaku replacement for GW1. Desperately hoping for nice transfers for Benteke and Bony.

    Also, anybody interested in a second team 'theme team' mini league? Suggestions: Brits, U-21, Reds, Veterans (over 30), French Speakers (inc Belgium and some Africans), South Americans?

    1. Francescoli
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      that's a cute thing to do.

    2. Athletic Bilbo
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Might be more fun than watching the template crash and burn again

  23. The Non Flying Dutchman
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Hi Guys. I'm a bit late to the party this year. Any of you care to comment on the below team. Is everyone in my squad gone start? Anyone that can be upgraded? Thanks!!!

    Foster, Jak

    Pieters, Stones, Friend, Shaw, McCauley

    Hazard, Sanchez, Iwobi, Townsend, Jedinak

    Rondon, Aguero, Vardy

    1. CONTE'S HAIR
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      i dont like mc cauley and iwobi

  24. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    GTG?

    Foster - Jaku
    Valencia - Stones - Morgan - Friend - Amat
    Hazard - Firmino - Alli - Redmond - Capoue
    Aguero - Vardy - Gray

    0.5 ITB

    1. George James
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      yeah very similar to mine mate although I have gone with Ibra and a 7.5 mid instead of vardy and Alli.

      Like your team a lot though

      Thoughts on my team below

      1. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks. What 7.5 do you have?

  25. George James
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    so its coming down to...

    a) Lamela + Redmond

    b) Tadic + Ramirez

    first to 3 votes I will go with..

    1. steryder2002
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Tough but I'd go with A.

      1. Swans4life
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        B

    2. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Tough one. A just

    3. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      B

    4. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

  26. steryder2002
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone have any insights over which is the best 4.0 defender option? Currently torn between;

    Amat, Kingsley, Brad Smith.

    Playing 3-4-3 so not necessarily needed but would be ideal to have one that's likely to play if needed to rather than have 4.5 sitting on the bench. I would rather have the 0.5m ITB if needed along the line.

    1. Swans4life
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I think be Amat as Fernandez is 75% plus he has two good fixtures

    2. Zikry
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Kingsley looks like he'll be playing 100% this weekend with Naylor not even making the trip to Burnley

  27. JamesFG
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Terry or VvD? On Terry atm but not sure I love either option

    1. mental
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      walker or fuchs better options imo

      1. Swans4life
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Vvd has 3 good home fixtures

    2. Zikry
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      i'm at a wait and see with Chelsea defense. Think once Zouma comes in for Cahill they will look a lot better. VvD for his home fixtures and constant threat of bonus points/attacking gains.

  28. Wajidiqbal
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Good to Go...??

    GK: Courtois. Heaton.
    DEF: Sagna. Bailly. Lovren. Cedric. Lowton.
    MID: Henderson. Hazard. Oscar. Shaqiri. Lee Chung Yong.
    FWD: Aguero. Vardy. Long.

  29. divingheeder
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Think ive finally settled on my team.

    Thoughts please?

    Forster

    Stones / Evans / Pieters

    Alli / Mahrez / Firminio / Bolasie

    Zlantan / Kun / Gray

    Jaku, Kone, Amat, Anya

    1. King H
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      defence is poor imo. not many clean sheets in that defence.

  30. br00ky69
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Hi Guys
    Im new to all this and was wondering if anyone had and suggestions or thoughts on my team. Im thinking of dropping Gray in GW2 for Carrol as Burnly host Liverpool?
    Team:
    Heaton
    Stones / Morgan / Walker
    Zaha/Mkitaryan(v)/Tadic/Eriksen
    Gray/Vardy/Aguero(c)
    Subs:
    Stekelenburg/Friend/Feghouli/McAuley

    Any tips help appreciated 🙂