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. sthelenslad92
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A) 5.5 - 4.5 - 4.5 Defenders
    B) 5.5 - 5 - 4 Defenders

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A) Shaw,Stones,Paredes/Amat

    2. Johnny Drama
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B and 4=Amat

    3. Mozart_s Balls
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

    4. GE
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A) Valencia - Friend - Kone
      B) Valencia - Stones - Amat

      Then I would go for B personally if you have a ok backup in the mid. If not, I would prefer A.

    5. sthelenslad92
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      FUchs/VVD - Kone - Pieters
      B) Fuchs/VVD - Stones - Paredes/Amat

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

    Help! Cant decide..

    A) Firmino and Eriksen

    B) Mahrez and Siggy

    A or B??

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

      A

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

      Firminho and Ali

    3. Mozart_s Balls
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

    4. Touré De Force
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      prob just B given the fixture list, but either would be very acceptable

    5. Ten Season Wonder
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B. But with Lamela.

      You need Mahrez V Hull.

    6. EDEN THE MAN
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

        Thanks! Currently on A myself.. Not sure about Mahrez with all the transfer speculation.

    7. Johnny Drama
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

    The last micro-decision I have to make has to do with Lamine Kone, I don't know if there's anyone here on the same boat. Basically it's a twofold question:

    a) Are there any other options worth considering (excluding the more expensive PvA) if Kone leaves? Kaboul and O'Shea are leaky, injury-prone defenders. New boy Djilobodji did well at Bremen last season, but will he go straight into the team? With such low ownership you could easily end up with a 4.4m defender on your hands before GW2

    b) If Kone goes to Everton, will he be nailed on and start playing straight away? I imagine you don't pay 21M for a defender if he's not going to play every week. But Williams must also have had some playing time guarantees before moving from Swansea, so where does that leave Jagielka and Mori? The magic answer is that Koeman really wants to play 3-5-2, which I must say makes sense given their personnel. Baines and Coleman will be more comfortable as wing-backs with more defensive cover behind them, and Everton only have one natural winger in Deulofeu, and even he has been tested through the middle.

    If you have given these things any thought, feel free to share it! Cheers

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

      As I have Amat as well I have to part ship with Kone. Don't want to have another unsure starter in defence.

    2. SAY SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I will probably ship Kone if he goes Everton, lot's of nailed on 4.5s to choose from.

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

        Yeah I'm also tempted to do that. But on the other hand, a nailed on 4.5m DEF at Everton is a great asset, especially with the fixtures they've got coming up

        1. SAY SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          I agree, but I have Coleman and, as you say, he's a great option in a 352.

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

            Right, Coleman becomes an even better option in that scenario!

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

            Why Coleman over Baines?

            1. SAY SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              Coleman just seems better going forward. Baines potentially losing set pieces makes him a lot less attractive imo.

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

      I strongly suspect Jags will go the other way as part of the deal.

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

        Good point, a reunion with Moyes. Maybe that's what's delaying this whole thing. Cheers!

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

      my feeling is that williams will be nailed on, while mori and kone rotate. jags is 4th choice and will be left in the dust

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

        In a vacuum that's what I would do. But in that case wouldn't you look for a cheaper option to rotate with Mori? 21M is a lot, especially for a defender

  4. Jairzinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Foster (Jaku)
    Stones, Valencia, VVD (Pieters, 4.0)
    Martial, Mahrez, Eriksen, Fischer (Capoue)
    Gray, Vardy (c), Aguero

    Heading out in 30 mins, probably won't be able change team again. Am I all set?

    Only thing I'm considering is VVD to Friend, Martial to De Bruyne?

    What happened to all the old Fischer love? Team news says he'll start.

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

      Would imagine Firmino will match Martial for points at 1m cheaper. This could enable Fischer>6/6.5?

  5. Mozart_s Balls
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Repost. Bottomed.

    Last tiny dilemma:

    Feghouli or Redmond?

    Thnx.

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Redmond

    2. Brayden29
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Redmond

    3. Johnny Drama
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Redmond

    4. SAY SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Feg for me. I like him a lot AND I have Tadic though.

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

    Thoughts about this draft?

    Heaton
    Valencia, Walker, Pieters
    Lamela, Hazard, Puncheon, Ramirez
    Vardy, Aguero, Ibrahimovic

    subs: Foster, Capoue, Amat, Evans

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

      To weak mid. I would downgrade Vardy or Ibra and upgrade Puncheon and Ramirez.

  7. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is de bruyne gonna start?

    1. Johnny Drama
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah sure

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

    I feel like the comments section should be at least twice the length, by the time I've read and replied to comments we're another two pages on!

    1. Johnny Drama
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      This.

  9. Gaffa914
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A) Gray and Feghouli
    B) Musa and 4.5
    Please help

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

      A

    2. Brayden29
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. Johnny Drama
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

    4. Gaffa914
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks all

  10. Gol D Roger
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Forster

    Morgan, Shaw, Stones
    Townsend, Hazard, Redmond, Martial
    Gray, Aguero (C) , Vardy (VC)

    Mannone Friend, Capoue, Amat

    1 Point in the bank

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

    Think I have settled for this, defence is only small worry but should be fine. Went for Tadic + Lamela over Redmond + Alli/Erik in the end.

    Foster (Jaku)
    Friend Stones Shaw (Parades, Amat)
    Tadic Firminio Lamela Hazard (Capoue)
    Aguero Ibra Gray
    (0 ITB)

    Gtg??

  12. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A) Sanchez & Lamela
    B) Firmino & Mahrez

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

      A for me.

    2. Brayden29
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. Johnny Drama
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B

    4. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B

  13. LONG LIVE ZOLA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Final team. Am I ready to go?

    Foster, Heaton
    Valencia, Stones, Friend, Evans, Pieters
    Hazard, Tadic, Deulofeu, Townsend, Ramirez
    Aguero, Ibra, Gray

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

    A) IBRA + REDMOND

    B ) VARDY + TADIC

    1. Brayden29
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Johnny Drama
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. SAY SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      Exactly my dilemma. I'm leaning towards B due to game time...

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

    A) Hazard - Firmino - Ali - 5.5
    B) Sanchez - Hazard - Redmond - 5.5
    C) Sanchez - Ali - Oscar - 5.5

    1. moz_1983
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A - Sanchez misses GW1 and may play a bit part in GW2.

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Tough one maybe B

  16. moz_1983
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Redmond, Bolasie, Gradel or Townsend?

    1. Brayden29
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Redmond

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Redmond atm

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

      Am on Townsend if you can afford the upgrade on the others - all about the budget, otherwise Gradel

  17. Mr Q
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Foster- heaton

    Morgan, walker, friend, kone and Amat.

    Dont have a dime extra to spend...

    How should u improve?

    Im not so sure on kone..

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

      Valencia is pretty strong if you're not sure about Morgan or Walker.

      Jakupovic is 4.0 if you need an extra 0.5 to spend.

      1. Mr Q
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Ty! Is Valencia nailed?

        Morgan is 5.0 though...

        Maybe downgrade a goalie, but kind happy with the rotation..

        Mindfuchs

  18. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    De bruyne or hazard?

    1. Brayden29
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard as you should own Aguero

    2. EDEN THE MAN
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      De Bruyne for gw1 and then Hazard
      Please RMT below

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

      Haz the more reliable imo

  19. EDEN THE MAN
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys please RMT.

    Foster/Jaku
    Shaw/Walker/Stones/Friend/Amat
    Hazard/Tadic/Ayew/Deulofeu/Capoue
    Aguero/Ibra/Grey

    Thanks in advance.

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

      Yeah like it. I'm not sure on Deulofeu but it's a punt

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

      Very good. Deulofeu hasn't looked good in pre-season though. Maybe Townsend?

    3. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Really similar to mine. I think if you can squeeze 0.5 out of somewhere to get Heaton instead of Jako you'd be in a much better position. Decent team though

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

        Could do Jako/Deulo to Heaton/Feghouli/0.5. Any chance you guys can RMT below?

  20. Bushers
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Rate my team please gents. Good to go?

    GK: Foster (Jaku)
    DF: Valencia, Stones, Pieters (Friend, Amat)
    MF: Tadic, Sanchez, Townsend, Firmino (Capoue)
    ST: Vardy, Carroll, Aguero

    (0.5 ITB)

    Cheers

  21. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Hey all,

    I know there are a million RMT's flying around, but any chance of a few comments on this?

    Foster Jakupovic
    Shaw Terry Stone Friend McAuley
    Hazard Firmino Redmond Feghouli Fischer
    Aguero Ibrahimovic Gray

    Cheers all 🙂

    1. Brayden29
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Nice side, similar to mind although I would downgrade McAuley to 4mil Amat as with the strong 3 big hitter defenders you probably don't need 2 4.5's

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

      Would downgrade Terry to a 4.0 to upgrade a cheap mid.

    3. EDEN THE MAN
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I like it a lot. Im not sure what I would change.

      Please RMT above

    4. SAY SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I think Ramirez is a better option at 5.5 than Fischer. Talk that he might not be a starter.

    5. jackjones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Very similar to mine. So yep it looks awesome 🙂

  22. Christov 182
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Question time: Whats your best / original side bets you have with your friends?

    (some from the big spreadsheet I have)

    Jannsen and Lamela vs Wilson and Firminho - Most overal points

    Best player at each value. 4.0, 4.5, etc - of course all the same ones are void.

    3 players from a team that plays in red vs 3 players from a team that plays in blue.

    We once had (alittle morbid) someone to break their leg during the season (wont name the player).

    And Pitch invader (last game of season not counting)

    Do you guys have any mint or original bets this year? FF related

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

    Final team here. Plz rate 🙂

    Foster - Jaku
    Terry - Valencia - Stones - Friend - Lafferty
    Hazard - Firmino - Lamela - Redmond - Capoue
    Ibra - Kun - Carroll

    1. Brayden29
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Nice

  24. Elijah's Wood
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Got an extra £1m to spend:

    Valdes
    Azpi Stone Valencia
    Hazard Firmino Redmond Ramirez
    Aguero Vardy Gray

    Jaku McAuley Capoue £4m

    A) McAuley -> Morgan/Fuchs and bench Azpi (WHU will score)
    B) Firmino -> Mane
    C) Capoue -> Routledge (for GW2 vs Hull)
    D) Ramirez -> Townsend/£6.5m (a bit hesitant as 'Boro fixtures are great)
    E) Other

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

      Capoue to Feghouli or Albrighton?

      1. Elijah's Wood
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Rotates quite well with Redmond but im planning on WCing GW4 so not worth it until then, not a fan of rotating attackers either

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

          In that case I'd go D. Can you RMT below please?

  25. Brian (Not the Messiah)
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Whats wrong with this team?

    Foster,Heaton
    Koné,McAuley,Wollscheid,Targett,Friend
    Capoue,Firmino,Mahrez,Gradel,Hazard
    Kane,Agüero,Gray

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

      Lack of united attack bothers me. Targett a likely transfer soon.

    2. Elijah's Wood
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Solid team, im not a fan of the defence though. Kone is looking to leave Sunderland so wont join a team in time for GW2 probably (wont play GW1 not that you will want him to). Targett is a 1 GW option so future transfer, Stoke dont have the best fixtures and Pieters > Wolly in terms of attack and BAPs

  26. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Oscar and Feghouli and 0.5 ITB

    or

    Lamela and townsend

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      B

      Please RMT above

  27. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    No Koscielny.

    Firmino false 9.

    😎

    1. Brayden29
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I am now on Firmino

    2. SAY SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I got on the Firmino hype train a few days ago. I have faith.

  28. jackjones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Hi, just back online for this season. Some great articles already. I'd be grateful for some feedback on my team please;

    Foster, Heaton
    Shaw, Stones, Morgan, Friend, Kone
    Hazard, Firmino, Redmond, Albrighton, Feghouli
    Kun, Ibra, Gray

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

      Hi any chance I could get someone to RMT?

  29. Mikeharbrw
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Morning all. Not long to go now!!!

    Anyone know any good leagues to enter with prizes?