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. t4thomas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    RMT/10:

    Foster Jakupovic

    Valencia Stones Koné Friend Smith

    Hazard Mahrez Lamela Redmond Capoue

    Agüero Ibrahimovic Gray

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

      10

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

      I have similar, but Mahrez > Firmino, Friend > 5.5

      1. t4thomas
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Ok, fair swap.

        I am a bit light at the back.

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

        Kone > 5.5, Friend is fine!

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

      Pretty solid. Personally would prefer Alli + Firmino over Mahrez + Lamela but that's personal preference

      1. t4thomas
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks.

        I have thought about this; just nervous about a lack of Leicester cover for that juice game in week 1.

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

      I have the same just with Shaw instead of Valencia & Evans instead of Kone.

  2. southernpacific
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Its basically a toss up between adding Ibra and getting lucky with people like Fegouli, Gradel and other 5.5s If these 5.5s turn out to be gems and Ibra grabs a few goals people with this approach will be in a good place. If they don't, I fancy the team below to outscore Ibra

    Or you replace Ibra with a Vardy and have a more balanced mid, with people like Tadic, Alli, Townsend etc

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

      Which 5.5 do you like the look of? I'm thinking a 5m defender could well outscore all of them and would be better of with 4 at the back and stacking the other 3 midfield spots.

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

    Who scores more opening few GW?

    A) John Stones
    B) 5.5m mid (if so which)

    Currently think A...

  4. jojon440
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Think I'm done.

    Heaton (Jakupovic)

    Stones - Valencia - Friend (Wasilewski, Amat)

    Tadic, Puncheon, De Bruyne, Mahrez (Capoue)

    Aguero (c), Ibrahimovic, Gray

    Thoughts?

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      meh

    2. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Great team apart from those two 4.0Ms.

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

      Not much on the bench... arguably nothing on the bench. I'm taking a punt on Amat though

    4. Deece
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Will KDB start?

      Talk of Puncheon playing deep for palace and not behind striker (from mates who are palace fans)

      No Chelsea / Arsenal / Liverpool / Spurs attack?

      1. jojon440
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Man City are going to win the league so happy with three of theirs! KDB should start. Capoue is a good benchwarmer, starts almost every game and has a more attacking role in pre-season. Jaku in goal until McGregor is back in January. Amat and Wasilewski may start. I'm concerned about Puncheon now!

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

          Is he 5.5? Takes a lot of set pieces especially when cabaye not on the pitch. Zaha is another option if he can get some end product. My fear with someone like Ramirez at boro is that they simply won't score enough goals

  5. nobwak
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    So supposedly there's doubts over Mkhi's starting credentials... I'm not sure that I buy it personally... who would start instead?

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Lingard?

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

        Came off injured in the community shield, not sure how bad it was though.

  6. Scotty B
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Albrighton, Drinkwater, Ramirez, Fischer, Ibe, Gradel, Puncheon, Zaha or Snodgrass & why?

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

      Ramirez... fixtures and more nailed on than Fischer. Although I love Fischer because he's a Football Manager legend.

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

      Gradel, just because.

  7. Twiggy SRFC
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is it worth swapping Kun for Ibra to free up 1.5m to spend on my midfield?

    Currently my midfield is: Hazard, Tadic, Lamela, Ramirez, Capoue

    Is that Midfield too weak??

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Oh no. Step away and cool down!

  8. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Just debating Firmino & Ayew vs Mahrez & Townsend now...

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      The former, easily!

      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I just hate Liverpools fixture and have the fear that Hull are going to get a pasting...

        1. Az
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          *fixtures

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

      F&A

  9. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Any important news so far today

  10. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is having Lamela + Eriksen in midfield too much? I don't have Kane

    1. LC1
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah.. pick one or the other.

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

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

      Yes, have one or the other.

    4. Trae44
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I don't think so, I'd go Alli over Eriksen personally

    5. Narcissist
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I really don't understand the popularity of Lamela.

      Drinkwater had a higher PPG last season. (I have neither).

  11. Lucy.
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    So it turns out that it's very difficult to resist playing FPL when your new husband devotes time during EVERY DAY of his honeymoon to making you play, including such lines as 'Wow, that restaurant looks great. Play FPL and I'll buy you dinner :D'.

    1. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A man after my own heart 😀

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

      All cards in your hands, just beat him in mini-league and ask for everything you want 🙂

      1. Lucy.
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        He's yet to beat me in 6 seasons. The man likes a challenge, clearly. I guess that's why he married me 😉

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

          Share your season history, want to know how hard task it is.

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

      🙂

    4. Tiamani Warrior
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      ...tadic over redmond+1.5?

      1. Lucy.
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I'm leaning towards Redmond. Neither are bad picks. Tadic is more assured of starts.

    5. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Are you sure its not the other way around?

      1. Lucy.
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Very sure thanks...

    6. Jay_
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Go on girl, you know you want to 🙂

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

      I've been reading this loada shpeel for the last few weeks but also having a look at what the pundits in the press and on tele are saying.

      I've come to the conclusion that... The guys in the press earn money to make boring/unimaginative predictions about the season. Phil Thompson think Middlesborough are 'going to have a good year' for example. So Phil woke up that morning and read boro's first 5 fixtures and concluded this? There's going to be a time when they play 5,6 or even 7 big clubs in a run probably over Christmas and new year. No analysis of stats which would conclude why Middlesborough might do well.

      It's just a niggling thing I have, in which, when pundits predict something boring and get it wrong... We should probably give them a lot more s*** at the end of the year for thoroughly undeserving their massive pay cheques to say Hazard might have a good year and Leicester will finish 18th (Last Years obvious punts courtesy of Alan Smith).

      The guys on here have obviously got this indepth analysis down to an art... I think that probably needs a lot of appreciation.

    8. Radebe_5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Which combination is better?
      A) Costa and Gray
      B) Vardy and Wickham

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        A Surely!!

      2. Tanaka'd
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        A

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

      If Zlatan didnt score that late header in the comm shield would anybody on here have him?

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Still ain't got him.

      2. Tiamani Warrior
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        what about the bicycle kick though

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

        That's why I was relieved when Zlatan scored as there would still be a lot of ppl owning him 😉

    10. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Just got one or two dilemmas now...

      Alli or Eriksen?

      and

      Best £7.0m attacker? (can be below)

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

        Its personal preference, whoever answers either way is just an opinion, theres no clear frontrunner for either of those questions

        1. Every Dog Has Its Day
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          I know I want to know people's opinions.

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

            Alli, Gray

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

        Tough one that. Alli for me but you'll probably have to dip into the 6.5's as Lamela's the 7m go to guy..

      3. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Lamela

        Gives you a little more option for the striker?

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

      Anyone reckon Ward Prose will start for Southampton??

      1. Lucy.
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        The 3 CM spots are really hard to work out. Any three from:
        Clasie, JWP, Hojbjerg, Romeu, Reed, Davis. I'd guess Davis/Hojbjerg/Romeu but I may be wrong.

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

          Cheers Lucy. Really like JWP and think he's a real set piece specialist. Think I'll just monitor for now

          1. Lucy.
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            His set pieces are great, agreed 🙂

    12. FIRMINOLOOKGOAL
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Who's the best pick 4.5 def besides Friend?

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

        Mccauley, Kone (If he goes to eve), Pieters

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

          Doubling up McAuley with Foster would be mad?

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

        McAuley, Pieters

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

        Pieters

    13. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Is B Smith expected to start for Bournemouth?

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

        It's a wait and see with him, you'd assume Daniels would start but he may take up another role. I'd personally not take the risk

    14. Knowledgeable meerkat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Why oh why do Leicester have to play first.... That's just to add salt in the wound when mahrez grabs his brace and all us non Leicester owners feel like our season is already done for by 2pm

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

        On the other hand...

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

        😀 😀

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

      First post be gentle; RMT

      de Gea (Jakupovic)
      Morgan Shaw Stones (Carter-Vickers Paredes)
      Eriksen Xhaka Oscar Mane (Kante)
      Ibra Kun (c) Gray

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

        punty' picks I like : Mane, Oscar, Carter-Vickers
        I don't like : Kante, Xhaka

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

          Cheers man

    16. Jay_
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Happy FPL eve everyone 🙂 I've got a spring in my step today, no work and its beautiful day in London. Garden, ipad, tinker time 🙂

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

          Nice

      • DanLFC1
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I think G2G??

        Foster (Jaku)
        Pieters Stones Shaw (Friend Amat)
        Hazard Mahrez Tadic Cabaye (Capoue)
        Aguero Gray Kane

        1. Tiamani Warrior
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          start friend over pieters?

          1. DanLFC1
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            I think you are correct

      • Laserface
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Sanchez and Gray
        Or
        Ayew and Ibrahimovic

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

          Sanchez and Gray

          1. Texas Pete
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Ayew & Ibra

      • dhamphiir
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Which Spurs defence is better?
        A. Vertonghen
        B. Walker
        C. Lloris

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Vert.

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

          A obviously but B snd C are the cheaper routes into Spurs defence and will get attacking points and saves.

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

          A

      • Jabba12
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        tight call this I think:

        Ibra, Mahrez, Redmond
        or
        Vardy, Firmino, Tadic

      • Seamy
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Goalkeeper conundrum:
        A) Courtois + Janko
        B) Foster + Heaton + 0.5m

        Yours In Sport,
        Seamy

      • Numb
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Which one?

        A. Lamela
        B. Siggy
        C. Ayew

        1. t4thomas
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          I am on A, but C is probably the better pick.

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

            It's tricky isn't it.

        2. Jay_
            9 years, 6 months ago

            C for the season
            A for a punty start
            B for a solid gw2 pick

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

              That's cleared that up then! 🙂

        3. Uncle Avram
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Whose more likely to play in defence for Arsenal,once Koscielny is back

          Holding or Chambers?

        4. UpAndAway
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Mahrez and Costa, or Hazard and Vardy?

        5. TheEgyptianKing
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Best 6.5 mid?

          i) Deulefeo
          ii) townsend
          iii) Other (got redmond)