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

    Is there no Arnie love out there this season?

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Very little, not really sure why.

      Most aren't pushed on Stoke in general tbh. They could be flying under the radar a tad. Tough fixtures though.

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

    RMT

    Heaton
    Valencia Stones Friend
    Hazard Firmino Tadic Lamela
    Kun Vardy Gray

    Jaku Ibe Pieters Amat

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

      Same team for this guy except I have: Terry over Pieters - Capoue over Ibe - Foster over Heaton. Like the team, looks ready to rock!

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

    Yo!

    A) Kun, Tadic, Ramirez
    Or
    B) Vardy, Mane, Lamela

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

      A

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

    Finally done with my team.
    Any thoughts or where I could make improvements ?

    foster - (jakupovic)

    valencia - stones - friend - (amat, kone)

    hazard - firmino - tadic - townsend - (capoue)

    kun - ibra - gray

    Tnks

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

      Looks good I have something very much like it atm

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

    A) Change Hazard to Alli and then Hojbjerg to Redmond

    or

    B) Hazard to Willian then Musa to Vardy

    Heaton / (Jakupovic)
    Stones / Shaw / Walker / (Smith) / (Amat)
    Feghouli / Hazard / Deulofeu / Firmino / (Hojbjerg)
    Agüero / Ibrahimovic / Musa

  6. Michael41
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Ibrahimovic , Redmond , Pieters
    Or
    Gray , Hazard , Walker

    Thanks

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

      Ibra Red Piet

    2. Siggy in the Middle
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    Is Negredo a Good Punt ?

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

      He should play most GWs, you'd expect Rhodes to come to play alongside rather than replace him.

      Wasn't prolific for City in the PL though, will need lots of good service.

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

      I have this strange feeling he is. Currently in my team. Just cant trust Gray with those fixtures and dont want to double up on Southampton attack with Long

  8. Hops91
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    any 7.5 forwards that you guys are keen on?

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

      Go 6.5 and improve in other areas

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

        Musa - but wait til after a few games.

  9. Gramps
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Erikson/Alli/Lamella - best points prospect first 3 Gw's?

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

    RMT pls:

    Foster (jaku)

    Targett - Valencia - Friend (Wasilewski, Amat)

    Sanchez - Hazard - Tadic - Deulofeu (Fletcher)

    Aguero - Vardy - Gray

    GTG?

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

    Would anyone mind giving their thoughts on this team. Many hours of agonising have gone in to it!...

    Heaton (Foster)

    Shaw – Morgan – Targett – Stones - (Kone)

    Hazard – Eriksen – Firmino – (Ibe) - (Watson)

    Aguero (c) – Vardy - Long

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

      Do u think Eriksen is a safer bet than Alli?

      Otherwise like very much!

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

      If this is a long term strategy you're gonna struggle when the big teams play each other.

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

        Hadn't thought of it that way! Any obvious things you would change to solve that problem? I'm not considering WC early, so need to be fairly long term!

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

          If you did Heaton/Foster to Jak you could maybe do Ibe to Cabaye?

          Tough one really.

          Cabaye often gets a pick for me simply because of set pieces, and Palace have Wickham up top and often big defenders/midfielders so potential for set piece goals. Having said that, he's now out in place of Townsend!

    3. jimbo90
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure if Targett will play

  12. chrisr
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Best 5.5m def? Currently on VVD...

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

      I agree. Valencia/Shaw worth a shout as well.

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

        This is my problem. No United coverage at the moment, too many question marks!

  13. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A) Terry, Mahrez, Redmond, Kane

    or

    B) Morgan, Eriksen, Firmino, Vardy

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

      A

  14. delarrn
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone rate Cazorla?

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

      Plays too deep to be worth considering for me.

    2. Forget Special, I am the ON…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      HIghly and he is in my team
      On pens , free kicks & Corners - plays for one of the most attacking team
      Enough reasons to have him

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

        Not sure he's on pens, although I also have him in my team. Yet he's 9th most popular Arsenal midfielder, was wondering if there was some reason for his lack of popularity.

  15. gbr2012
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    RMT

    Foster (Jak)
    Fuchs/Stones/VVD (Friend/Amat)
    Mahrez/Alli/Tadic/Ayew(Capoue)
    Aguero/Vardy/Gray.

    Thanks

  16. Belsunz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Any Swansea fans around? Reckon Siggy will start tomorrow, despite no pre-season?

  17. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A or B please

    A) kane - mahrez - firmino
    B) vardy - eriksen - alexis

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

      B

  18. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Ross Barkley - How come so few of you don't have him in your RMT's ?

    Already seems like a differential .... 😀

    1. Ryan Naysmith
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      gerry instead

      1. French Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        hein ?

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

    RMT

    Valdes | Jakupović
    Valencia | Stones | Evans | Friend | Amat
    Hazard | Mahrez | Lamela | Redmond | Capoue
    Aguero | Ibrahimovic | Gray

    Thanks for any opinions!

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

      Solid

      I dont like Jakupovic, feel that Hull are just going to leak goals all over the shop

  20. slicks1980
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    THINING OF THIS ... THOUGHTS...

    HEATON, PICKFORD

    stones, morgan, simpson, walker , bailly

    oscar, mahrez, arnatutic, deulofeou,dier

    ibra , argeuro , 4.5mil (no idea who)

    thoughts....

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

      Keepers: Pickford wont play - go Jak from Hull who will

      Defence: Don't double up on Leicester, no need.

      Mid: Arnie isn't fit wont play

      Strikers: no point having a 4.5M striker, find the 2M and get a 6.5 who will play

    2. Siggy in the Middle
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Defence is too expensive. You should only have one Leicester def as well.

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

      A suggestion:

      Defence maybe too strong..
      Downgrade a 5.5m def to a 4.5m (Friend)
      Downgrade Dier (5.5m) to a 4.5m midfileder
      Upgrade 4.5m Striker to a 6.5m Striker (Gray, Long, Wilson etc)

      Sure you could prbably downgrade more defence, but above could be start.

      1. slicks1980
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        much appreictaed lads ! looking into to it ....

  21. Ted Striker
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Oscar --> Lamela and spend the 0.5 somewhere else? I really hate all these last minute doubts.

  22. Mmm mmm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is Redmond nailed on / going to play minutes?

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

      The consensus here is that he is and will. Who really knows though...

    2. Mmm mmm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers

    3. dja81
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Doubt it be full 90

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

    Final draft...any good?

    Heaton/Jak
    PVA/Azp/Shaw/Dawson/Pieters
    Mik/Gudmundsson/Redmond/Ayew/Capoue
    Ibra/Musa/Kun

    1. Ted Striker
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Interesting non-template team. Risky, but I kinda like it.

  24. fealdabeirne
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    RMT not too sure on it!
    De Gea
    Pieters, McCauley, Friend
    Mkhitaryan, Hazard, Fabregas, Sigurdsson
    Vardy, Aguero, Gray
    Thanks 🙂

  25. Sergeant Garcia
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Will Chamberlain start? Or too risky for the punt?

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

      I would't like to guess, but for me he isn't defensively good enough to play against Liverpool.

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

    I know I have posted before..
    But any fresh thoughts would be greatly appreciated...

    Heaton, Foster

    Shaw, Friend, Stones, Morgan, Amat

    Tadic, Alli, Barkley, Fischer, Firminio

    Aguero, Vardy, Gray

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

      Don't think barkley will be solid enough. try and bring another mf in

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

        Thanks, i am tempted with Ayew

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

    Jaku Morgan Ibe

    Or

    Heaton VVD fletcher??

    Thoughts appreciated guys!

  28. pkkx
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    confused between the two:

    Tadic or Sigurdsson?!

  29. Clumsy Sakho
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Thought I'd try out a competition in similar vein to that of Froggys:
    Top points scorer competition:-

    In direct reply to this post, comment who you think will score the most points for this gameweek, and how many you think they'll score.
    Get the player right for one point - but the correct score as well for an additional 2 points. Leaders will be given every Thursday before the start of the Gamweek, with the deadline at 11:30 on the Saturday, or 6:30 on Friday night football nights. Just a bit of fun, if I get enough responses then I'll do it.

    Cheers

  30. foreverton
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    How do we think Leicester's attack will line up GW1?

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

      Same team as last year except Mendy for Kante