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. Red Star Toro
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Quickie:

    A) Sanchez
    B) Hazard
    C) none

    1. JIM BOB
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Both?

    2. Mavric Marco
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A & B ....if you can

      ...if not then B

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

      A long term

    4. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I'm on Hazard, but would probably go Sanchez if it didn't upset my team.

    5. Your Man With The Hair
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard all day

    6. Makassar Voetbal
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard; preseason performance, fully fit

    7. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard + 1 million
      You just know you'll kneejerk and take a hit if Sanchez scores and Hazard does not otherwise

    8. Lazarus Star
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Currently on C but have left a path to get either in over 2 GWs

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

      A

    10. Swans4life
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Both

    11. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard + Ozil when he's fit

  2. Makassar Voetbal
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    my last draft till now:

    Heaton (Jakup)
    Azpi - Valencia - Nsue (Evans / Amat)
    Redmond Hazard Lamela Routledge (Capoe)
    Ibra Kun Vardy

    i force myself to get Vardy as i see many goals will come in to Hull's net due to their defensive problems (5players are injured inclusing main keeper). what do you think guys?

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

      Midfield is weak

    2. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      G2G

  3. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I think this whole page may pass by with 0 replies to comments...........

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

      No no

      1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I didn't have show replies ticked. Woops lol

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

    Is it a bad idea to get a Spurs defender from the start? Seems most of the teams here are not considering Spurs defence. Any reasons?

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

      Price. Stones is 0.5 cheaper. Seems better value to me.

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

      I have Walker in team

      1. Swans4life
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Not if they are keeping clean sheets

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

      Walker is incredible value imo, first defender in my team. They've got decent fixtures too

  5. ZaZu89
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Rate my Team:

    GK: De Gea - Valdes
    Def: Baines - Stones - Fuchs - Evans - Paredes
    Mid: Ramirez - Hazard - Mkhitaryan - Barkley - Ibe
    For: Negredo - Ibrahimovic - Costa

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

      Will Mkh even start?

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

        Apparently not

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

      Ramirez, Mkhuykfhgj, Barkley, Ibe and Negredo all weak for me.

    3. Makassar Voetbal
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      doubt at Stones, Mkitharyan and Negredo, they are maybe come off the bench

    4. Wings Fan
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero has to be there

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

        No, he doesn't.

      2. ZaZu89
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Aguero & Bolasie IN
        Costa & Mkhitaryan OUT

    5. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      5 / 11; no Kun is risky, and needs Spurs & Southampton attack & Man U defense

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

    Ayew worth a punt from GW1? Or should I wait till GW2?

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

      I'll bring him in for gw2

    2. Swans4life
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Think he's worth a punt with payet not starting

  7. TheBusDriver
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Can't find the H2H leagues on the app. One of worst apps ever, no wonder it's free.

  8. Lazarus Star
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Looking at the low price midfield (which has a bounty of options) With a day to go I'm going for Redmond & Feghouli to share 4th & 5th midfeild duties.

    My reasons;
    - They both rotate well so shouldnt be too much of a benching headache.
    - Redmond: OOP. Probably starting up top with Long and Tadic behind
    - Feghouli: Supporting Ayew & Payet, some chances are sure going to drop his way.

    I think when choosing the lower price players you need to consider;
    1)Who is playing around them to create/share chances.
    2) Are they the only conduit for attacking points in that team.

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      You need to consider gametime too.. Most West Ham fans on their forum dont want to see Antonio at RB(infact they dread it) and want him further forward. so it's him vs Feghouli vs Tore for that spot in the long run. Redmond is a few bad games away from being dropped too.. and Soton have been crap in preseason. I prefer Ramirez and Ibe/Gradel myself

      1. Lazarus Star
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Lanzini return would be the bigger risk on Feghouli. I'm not sure he will stay for the season, but looking like a good GW1 option and plenty of choices to swap out.

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

      How is the rest of your team looking? 5.5 for the fifth midfielder is a 1.0 more than most tend to opt for.

      1. Lazarus Star
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I had Capoue for a long time but took the plunge to swap Haz out to Oscar.

        Currently lining up like this.

        Heaton, Foster
        Azpi, Stones, Valencia, Friend, Amat
        Oscar, Firmino, Tadic, Redmond, Feghouli
        Ibra, Kun, Gray

        Oscar and lack of Arsenal my current points of quesiton.

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

          lack of leicester vs Hull a concern? nice team otherwise..

          1. Lazarus Star
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Not enough spots/money. Mahrez new price tag puts me off and gone for Ibra over Vardy. Also want to see how they respond in the new season with the CL games to play.

  9. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    How many players from last season's top 3 do you have?

    1. Cecil The Lion
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      1

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

      Why do you want to know?

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

      Walker Vardy

    4. Lazarus Star
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      None.

    5. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      0 lol

    6. Manif
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Mahrez.

    7. pokern1nja09
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      1 lol

    8. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Zero.

  10. UshFPL
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Which defensive structure is best?
    A) 5.5 5.5 5.0 4.0 4.0
    B) 5.5 5.0 5.0 4.5 4.0

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

      b

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

        B all day

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

      4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.0 FTW

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

        who you going with CC?

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

          Foster Jaku

          Soaure Evans Kone Friend Amat

          Haz Sanchez Firmino Redmond

          Kun Vardy Gray

          Banking on all the big defences being a shambles due to changes in personnel, managers, systems etc.

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

      I've gone for 5 5 5 4.5 4 hahah

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

      I think B.

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

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

    Foster; Evans, Capoue, Amat
    1.5 ITB

    Good to go?

    1. Lazarus Star
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Except for Vardy and Evans this has been one of my teams. I had Ibra and Shaw.

      GTG

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

      Very good team. Doubling up on Southampton and no United cover is risky though

  12. Kuyt Hero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    How nailed is Jedinak? I've seen loads of teams go Capoue as the 4.5 but he's a guaranteed 2 pointer, Jedinak on pens etc not a better option?

    1. Swans4life
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      He could be sold villa going in for him

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

        ah ok. Thanks!

  13. More Tragic
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I can really see Ars v Pool being a swashbuckling goal-fest game.

    For that reason Sanchez is my Capt.

    😎

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

      It's always boring at the emirates. 0-0 or 1-1.

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

      Hope you're right, I have a bet on "over 3,5 goals". 😀

  14. Wings Fan
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Trivial in the grand scheme of things I know, but...

    Best 4.5m mid?

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

      Capoue

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

      Capoue

    3. Wings Fan
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Ta muchly folks

    4. Ramgiri
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      How about coquelin?

  15. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Fabregas or Ayew?

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

      ayew

  16. King H
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Who is the best option at 7.5 for a midfielder ??

    losing my mind here please help ??

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

      Tad.

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

      Tadic

    3. S.Agueroooooo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Tadic

    4. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      no redmond? tadic

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

      Tadic or maybe oscar

    6. King H
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      thanks all

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

    Repost:

    Good to Go...??

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

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

      No lol

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      To much money in defence and can tell it lacks everywhere else

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

    People who like Haz and Sanchez ... This any good ?

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

    1. Lazarus Star
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I like this. I have neither Haz or Sanchez.

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

      Looks good, the only one you're missing is Ibra really, but then you have Vardy instead. Nicely done to get both Sánchez and Hazard in.

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

      ...and no Tadic, which struck me now. I think Tadic is close to a must-have.

  19. faver
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Sup!
    Foster
    Stones - Valencia - Friend
    Hazard - Sanchez - Townsend - Redmond
    Aguero - Vardy - Gray
    0,5 itb
    a) Sanchez & Redmond
    b) Eriksen/Alli & Firmino
    c) Stones to 4,5, 1.0 itb = Vardy > Kane gw2

  20. FAITHNOMORENO
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    just seen this new pl fpl show w/mark's expertise.
    if it wasn't for him,it would be quite childish.
    it seems the show's aimed towards new crowds rather than the old guard.

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

    Surely Mahrez will get a goal or assist against Hull?

    1. Swans4life
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Think so yes

    2. Lecky Legs FC
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely against a poor Hull City.

  22. tissae
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Are we sure Williams is fit for gw2?

    1. Swans4life
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Not 100% sure I think you could risk getting him in as his price with sky rocket

  23. Whazza
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I'm done now, my head hurts!! Love a good 5th mid btw! 🙂

    Foster Jaku
    Valencia Stones Friend Pieters Amat
    Hazard Firmino Lamela Redmond Ramirez
    Kun Ibra Gray

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

      Very well balanced

      1. Whazza
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Ta!

    2. FPL_Sponge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Very very decent. Enjoy leaving mid points on your bench though (it is a nice problem to have though)

  24. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I have just picked my team but i have realised for GW i have 4 x HOME mid but then GW 2 4 x AWAY mids... is this a terrible situation? from gw 3 it changes to 3home and 1 away and then 3 away 1 home... so is this bad?

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

      You're allowed to transfer one player each week...

  25. How Mina You
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is there any point in having a Leicester attacker if I don't plan to keep them for longer than Week 3? But that match against Hull seems so enticing...

    1. Swans4life
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I think you should keep them as you can see who good to transfer them out for

  26. La Vida Latte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    How will Xhaka affect the Arsenal defence? Is he a good DM that will improve the Arsenal defence?

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

      He's got no one to protect at the moment.

      1. La Vida Latte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        What about long term. Just not this gw

    2. SamH123
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      he seems like just what they needed. but they have injuries for first couple of weeks

      1. La Vida Latte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks!

  27. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Wait.. there's an actual fpl show now? i thought we were talking about the scoutcast yesterday

    1. JIM BOB
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      What?

      1. Swans4life
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        You mean on sky sports ?

  28. Messsiaah
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    how good is Lamela? any better alternatives in 7.0m?

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

      FFS's newest bandwagon. Will fail miserably.

    2. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Potentially very good. Started showing progress towards delivering on the promise of his talent at the end of last season, and has been excellent in pre-season. Goals and assists.

      But it's a gamble. He has always seemed to deliver his best performances outside of the Premier League and with CL, Poch might rotate him again, you never know.

  29. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Also I had Taylor in my defence before Williams went across, is the Swans back line still as good with Williams out?
    Tbh he was only in due to Swans first 2 fixtures

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

      No, its weaker now

  30. JIM BOB
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Ramsey or Mkhi to score most points over the season?

    1. S.Agueroooooo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Mkhi