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

    People getting rid of Williams now he's confirmed as not playing gw1, would you have played him anyway? surely a great option with evertons fixtures and price?

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

      He could lose loads of value if the 13.5% of people don't realise he isn't playing until after the weekend.

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

        Good point, hadn't thought of this

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

        nobody will drop him though. those who picked him will just keep him.

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

          OK

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

            I nearly kept him and benched him. In the end I realised I'd just be better with the money in the bank.

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

            and people run after the week to get him back in the team? I am sure that would happen. Hes just missing the 1st week.

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

    Vardy or Aguero to (C) 😀

    1. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I'm going Aguero

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

      Aguero (C) could do some damage against Sunderland tomorrow.

  3. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Think I am done..

    Heaton, Foster

    Stones, Morgan, Shaw, Friend, Amat

    Alli, Firminio, Barkley, Tadic, Fischer

    Aguero, Gray, Vardy

    Please let me know your thoughts..

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

      Solid, but I'm not sold on Ali or Barkley

  4. Ninja Skrtels
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Fair shout? Eriksen/Kane too much?

    Foster
    Stones / Shaw / Pieters / Friend
    Hazard / Firmino / Eriksen / Redmond
    Aguero / Kane

    Jaku / Amat / Capoue / Gray

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

      whats Gray doing on the bench?

      1. AJ24
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Agree with above
        Gray in - defender out

    2. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Strong!
      I like a lot. I think i will have to get Redmond..
      Any thoughts of mine above?

    3. Athletic Bilbo
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Have you seen Stoke's fixtures?

      Don't bench Gray GW1, Swansea are there for the taking

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

    Is this fpl season just 1 gameweek long? it does seem so after spending some time on here 😆

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

      mate... I think the same thing "don't get Payet.. will only play 30 mins or so" (for the whole season???)

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

      No but more like 3 GWs. Then WC.

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

    Like meat to a pack of lions, tear it apart! (Constructively that is)

    Foster (Jaku)
    Valencia, Baines, Stones (Friend, Amat)
    Hazard, Firmino, Tadic, Ramirez (Capoue)
    Aguero, Ibra, Gray

  7. bejahajen
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Hello! Please rate my team:

    GK: DDG
    DEF: Stones, Valencia, Friend
    MID: Hazard, Firmino, Alli, Ramirez
    ST: Aguero, Kane, Gray.

    Subs: Jakupovic, Amat, Fletcher, Lafferty.

    Im competing with a bunch of swedes so dropping Ibra is a gamble but Everton's defensive issues got me to opt for
    A. Kane/Alli/Ramirez
    instead of
    B. Ibra/Oscar/Redmond

    Thoughts?

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

      Decent team, but I prefer option B. Not convinced on Spurs to start strong (buying Dembele theory)

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

        Drop Kane/Alli/Ramirez for Ibra/Lamela/Redmond and upgrade bench? Lamela or Oscar?

  8. WDT
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Seems you can't have Aguero, firmino, hazard, United & decent Spurs attacking coverage (Lamelas too weak for me)

    It's Kane or Ibra for me, finding the choice impossible.

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

      Well its Vardy for me for the first 2 GW's with £1.5m ITB to allow for a move to either in time

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

      Have 4/5, missing Spurs coverage. Opted for Ibra over Kane.

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

      Kane's more consistent l for me think Ibra will have a good games to start but fall off after a few weeks.

  9. Seamy
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Think my team is pretty set, however sitting with £2.5m ITB
    Anyone else going with a relatively low team value to start?

    1. King in The North
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      How?!

      Just thinking Aguero is taking up too much TV for me which means my other strikers are Gray & Long. The cold sweats are starting...

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

        Well Im starting with Vardy and Routledge for the first few GW's and plan on upgrading Routledge to a £6.5m option and Vardy to Kane when the fixtures turn

    2. Athletic Bilbo
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, happy with my 96.5m team while I check out Hazard vs Oscar in tough fixture and see how Man U play. Trying to avoid double transfers or early WC. Ultimate GW2 / GW3 flexibility pal.

  10. Graceless Goof
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Which of option A or B considering I do not have any Arsenal or Chelsea assets elsewhere:

    A) (Sanchez - Firmino - Tadic - Lamela - Fletcher) + 4.5 def

    B) (Hazard - Firmino - Tadic - Lamela - Fletcher) + 5.5

    Current defence is:
    Foster/Jaku
    Valencia - Stones - Friend - Amat

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

    Did I miss something regarding 4.0 goalkeeper Jaku on Hull? He was in everyone's team, but not on the watchlist...?

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

      Well, he's rubbish...

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

      people trying to cut corners... hull are rubbish. don't touch

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

      He is a starting GK at £4.0m. Simple as

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

        This

    4. Dogba
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Obviously he's rubbish, but he's a starting GK at 4.0M. Alright, thanks, no news other than him being rubbish 😀

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

    These big pressers in an hour or so... is there somewhere to watch them?

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

      Twitter is best.

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

      TV.

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

        cheers. helpful as

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

      SSN

  13. choop32
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    City have 1 "easy" game first up, (easy in "" because sunderland great pre season) and then some pretty tough games. So why blast 13 on kun, when you can get ibrah and vardy cheaper and better fixtures +++ i fell like city have looked shaken this pre season with new coach and what not.

    Im not gunna lie, kun's in my team atm, but its just a thought, what are your thoughts????

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

      He always does well. Ibra is a slight unknown quantity and overpriced IMO.

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

      1 hatrick by Kun and you are miles behind everyone.

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

      Go with Kun at least GW1 and then make a decision.

      1. choop32
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        alright thanks, ibrah or vardy

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

    Townsend, Eriksen, Fischer, Redmond and Firmino

    Whom to bench?

    Current forwards: Long, Aguero and Zlatan.

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

      Redmond if you have Long up front

    2. King in The North
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Fischer for me

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

        Isnt Fischer the differential?

        1. King in The North
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          New to the league, Redmond being played out of position up front (more than likely), and the other midfielders having a good pedigree of returning points. I think Boro will win, but bench this week. Good option long term though, between him and Ramirez for Boro star this season for me.

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

    Ok, do your worst....

    Schmeichel (Heaton)
    Stones, Fuchs, Dawson (Friend) (Alderweireld)
    Eriksen, Firmino, Tadic, Ayew (Capoue)
    Kane, Vardy, Gray

    Triple Spurs is not ideal but want the front and back - swap Eriksen to.....?

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

      No Hazard or Aguero?

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

        I'm stupidly ignoring Aguero - just eats too many pound notes.

        Hazard in over Erik might work if i can free up a little £.... hmm
        The tinkering continues..
        Thanks

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

    So my friend (a ManUtd fan) who thinks he knows a lot about football but was telling me yesterday that Capoue was great value for a CM from Palace (lol) is now going with a front 8 of

    Hazard Mahrez Firmino Redmond Capoue
    Aguero Vardy Gray

    Yesterday his front 8 had Ibra Long Lukaku Hazard Deulofeu Shaqiri Mane Fletcher. What's the fun in this game if you can't pick your own team?

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

      You've lost me a bit there...

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

        Clearly he didn't pick those front 8 himself, he has been 'reading' some other fantasy forum he told me.

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

          Oh I see. Well, this whole forum is only a quick google away.

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

            It's good for opinions, not to copy a whole team 😀

            The guy didn't even know who Ashley Williams was....

  17. mdm
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A. Firmino, Tadic, Kone, Gray
    B. Deulofeu, Redmond, Amat, Ibra

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

    Please have a look at RMT. Would you change anything?

    Heaton / (Jakupovic)
    Stones / Shaw / Walker / (Smith) / (Amat)
    Feghouli / Willian / Deulofeu / Firmino / (Routledge)
    Agüero / Ibrahimovic / Vardy

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

      Routledge to a 4.5, upgrade Smith to a 4.5

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

      Front 3 no moves, take money from defence and do William to Tadic.

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

      I wasn't confident about Feghouli starting (but tbf haven't paid much attention to west ham in pre-season). You have three expensive forwards, I'd probably be tempted to switch one out for a cheaper option and put some more money in your midfield.

  19. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Who's more likely keep a cleannie gw 1 ?

    a) foster

    b) heaton

    Tnks

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

      Foster but Heaton will save a pen

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

        There is some wishful thinking 😀

  20. My little Bony
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Please RMT, and if any changes needed. 0.0 ITB

    Mandanda

    Friend Stones Shaw

    firminho Lamela Deulofeu Hazard

    Gray Ibra Kun(c)

    Subs: Heaton, Fletcher, Evans, smith

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

    G: Lloris, Jaku
    D: Stones, Pieters, Evans, Kone, Amat
    M: Sanchez, Tadic, Hazard, Fischer, Capoue
    F: Aguero, Vardy, Gray

    Pretty pleased with this team! Comments welcome 🙂

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

      Defence a bit weak

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

      Just not sure about Sanchez for 11m, he was streaky last season and has spent the summer winning the copa america

  22. vanillabear
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A) ibra tadic deulofeu
    B) vardy mkhi redmond

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

      A

  23. mfcphil
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    its the last day for entering a team into this seasons Smoggy league

    All you need is PayPal and a working email address - £10 per team entry - All cash collected is paid out in prizes

    For entry instructions visit my Facebook Page

    https://www.facebook.com/smoggyfantasyleague/

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

      What the heck is this rule?

      "Before joining you need to agree to the RULES of our League
      You are not allowed to take more than MINUS 8 POINTS in any week of the season.
      This rule is there to stop people trying to gain an unfair advantage!"

      😆 😆 😆

  24. O12
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Who to choose?

    A: Siggy

    B: Oscar

    and

    A: Eriksen

    B: Firmino

    1. Banana Boat
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B and B

  25. Banana Boat
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    RMT please

    Heaton (Foster)
    Valencia - Stones - Friend (Kone, Amat)
    Oscar - Firmino - Lamela - Redmond (Capoue)
    Kun - Kane - Vardy

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

      Same team as me, I am going with Tadic instead of Oscar. God know if he will play or not.

      1. Banana Boat
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        do you think its worth sticking to 3 big strikers or something like oscar to hazard and kane to gray

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

          I am a Chelsea Fan but personally I want to analyze Hazard performance first. Vardy will score guaranteed.

          My plan is to stick with the team until GW2 (unless something magical happened), no hits and then you can change any forward for any midfield with the money 😉

  26. Heintorg
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Am i completely off with this team? Any tips or changes appreciated:)

    de Gea (Valdes)
    Valencia Stones Fucs (Friend,Souare)
    Tadic Oscar Firmino Ramirez (Capoue)
    Ibra Kun Gray

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

    Is it too risky to go without any Chelsea coverage?

  28. Seamy
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Who is your left field option that doesn't comply with the template?

    I am currently looking at starting with Routledge for a few weeks

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

      Iwobi

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

    Will Nolito start for GW1?

  30. okan58
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Foster
    Walker - Stones - Shaw
    Hazard - Lamela - Townsend - Ayew
    Aguero - Ibrahimovic - Long
    Subs: Mandanda, Höjbjerg, Amat and Pieters.

    What do you think?