Team News
21 October 2016 816 comments
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Spurs have worries in defence for the trip to Bournemouth. Santi Cazorla is Arsenal’s only concern for the visit of Middlesbrough, while Leighton Baines is ruled out of Everton’s trip to Turf Moor with an ongoing hamstring problem.

Here’s the round up of the press conferences so far.

Toby Alderweireld has failed to recover from a leg injury and joins Harry Kane on the sidelines as Spurs make their way to Bournemouth. Mauricio Pochettino has also revealed that Danny Rose will be assessed after picking up a foot problem against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night.

Leighton Baines misses out again for Everton with an ongoing hamstring problem. Ronald Koeman has conceded it is “difficult to say how long it will take” before the left-back returns to action. Aaron Lennon is available again, though, after shrugging off a knock.

Santi Cazorla remains a doubt for Arsenal’s clash with ‘Boro after being forced off in the midweek Champions League win over Ludogorets Razgrad. Granit Xhaka starts the first of a three-match suspension. Aaron Ramsey is “progressing well” and could be back for next weekend’s trip to Sunderland.

Sunderland defensive duo Lamine Kone and Patrick van Aanholt are both back in training and have been passed fit to face West Ham tomorrow.

Miguel Britos is available for Watford’s trip to Swansea, though fellow defender Craig Cathcart is still sidelined due to a groin issue. Isaac Success (muscle) is doubtful, while the weekend comes too soon for Daryl Janmaat and Stefano Okaka, who have stepped up their recoveries from injury.

Jamie Vardy (groin), Wes Morgan (back) and Andy King (shin) all missed training yesterday as Leicester City prepare for the visit of Crystal Palace. Claudio Ranieri remains optimistic that all three will be passed fit, though remains without Nampalys Mendy due to an ankle problem. Matty James has stepped up his recovery from injury but lacks match fitness.

Scott Dann has returned to training ahead of Palace’s trip to Leicester. Alan Pardew has conceded Dann will start on the bench, though, as the Eagles look for a first clean sheet of the season.

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he has “nothing to moan about” in terms of injury worries for the home encounter against West Brom, with Georginio Wijnaldum back in contention after shrugging off the hip problem that forced him to miss Monday’s stalemate with Man United.

Andre Ayew is back in full training for West Ham, though Slaven Bilic has conceded the Ghana international “probably won’t be in Saturday’s squad” to face Sunderland. Aaron Cresswell serves a one-match suspension as a result of his sending off against Palace last Saturday evening.

Fernando Llorente and Mo Barrow have both recovered from injury in time for Swansea’s Liberty clash with Watford. Jefferson Montero misses out in Bob Bradley’s first home match in charge.

Steven Defour is ruled out of Burnley’s home clash with Everton due to a hamstring problem picked up in last week’s loss at Southampton. Andre Gray serves the last of a four-match ban, whilst Ashley Barnes remains short of match fitness after stepping up his injury recovery with a 45-minute run-out for the reserves in midweek.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s 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.

816 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. seanysheep
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez or Lukaku for captain?

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

      Alexis

    2. nevins84
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Sanchez

    3. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Sanchez

  2. Rains of Castamere
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    My intention had always been to use my 1FT to do Ozil >> Sanchez but after Ozil's midweek hat-trick, I'm unsure.

    Stick or twist?

    1. Krul Runnings
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I'd stick now.

      And use the FT somewhere else.

      Team?

      1. Rains of Castamere
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate.

        Pickford/Foster
        Clyne----Kosc----Holebas
        Antonio---Ozil---Sterling---Snodgrass
        Lukaku---Aguero---Deeney

        Subs: Capoue, Amat, McAuley

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Stick.
      Ozil in great form and getting into the box more.

      1. Rains of Castamere
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Ta.

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

    Use AOA to get in Allen?

    Grant
    Walker Coleman Holebas
    Sanchez(c) Sterling Firmino Antonio
    Aguero(vc) Lukaku Deeney

    (Pickford Allen Smith Amat)

    FT: 0, ITB: 0.3

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Probably as good as any gw.
      Go for it.

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

      Who would you bench though? Lot of room to get it wrong I think.. Any of your starting defenders could do well.. I was considering it too (team below)..

  4. Boss Hogg
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Need a defender.
    Up to 4.6m.
    Can I do better than Holebas?

    Heaton, Pickford
    Kosc, Walker, Smith, Pieters, xxxx

    ???

    1. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Holebas seems best.

      But you have decent defenders so perhaps go for amat as bench fodder, freeing up funds for other positions?

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

      Amat

  5. Just Been On Loan
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A) Take a -4 to finally ditch Baines? If so, who to go for with 0.4ITB?
    or
    B) Save and stick with McAuley away at Liverpool?

    Foster / Pickford
    BAINES / McAuley / Kosc / Amat / Love
    Sanchez / Walcott / Firmino / Snod / Capoue
    Aguero / Costa / Defoe

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Clyne?

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Ditch. Never taking a hit for a defender is total rubbish. If you get a cs it's almost a extra free transfer. If it doesn't work then asses Wether it's good over a few games and not just one weekend

    3. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Save, not for a hit

  6. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Walcott, Sanchez or Lukaku for (C)?

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Hmmm.
      Walcott.

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

      Walcott or Sanchez

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

      I'm on Sanchez and own those 3..

    4. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Sanchez (C)

      Dont own wally, contemplating ditching son or sterling for wally...rational move seems to be stick

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

        If any it would be Son, I worry for his long term prospects with Kane back soon. Then he will be a real rotation risk IMO and will become less influential too

  7. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Good to go?

    Foster
    Kosc - Stones - Holebas
    Sanchez (c) - Walcott - Firmino - Snodgrass
    Aguero - Lukaku - Benteke

    (Jaku - Allen - Amat - Valencia)

    0FT, 0.2 ITB

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Excellent team mate.
      Your gtg, but Mugabe consider AOA if you have it?

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

        I am considering AOA.. No idea who I'd bench though and would probably end up getting it wrong..

      2. Boss Hogg
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Mugabe?!?!

        Should have been maybe!

        Why is Mugabe is my autocorrect list???

        1. Boss Hogg
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Actually, play Mugabe.

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

            😀 😀

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

      Allen over snodgrass. Hull are awful, relying on hull penalty to get u points

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

      I have the exact same attack
      except Benteke and I'm playing AOA with Holebas on bench
      I know it's risky but he's not going to give attacking returns every week, so the risk might be worth the reward

    4. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Allen over snoddy, rest looks great

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

    i read articles suggesting that pep is going to sell aguero next summer!!wth is he thinking selling his best player?

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

      Because he wants a team built around Pep, not a team built around Aguero. 😕

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

        good luck with that

  9. FPL Panda
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling or Antonio to Walcott or lalana?

    Or both for a -4?

    Unsure of either so think I might just bank the transfer.

    Thoughts?

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

      sterling to walcott yes but i would keep antonio for sunderland at least

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

      Antonio to Walcott

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

      Hold then bring in Lallana for Antonio if he is at RB again.

    4. FPL Panda
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I can't afford the Antonio to wally trade I'm afraid

    5. Ready Manager One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Difficult one that...wally in great form so you would want him against boro...but sterling has good stats and may do well. Ideally ant to wally but u said funds dont permit. Possibly downgrade elsewhere to free funds?

    6. FPL Panda
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      What you guys think of

      Firm and Antonio > lallana and Walcott for -4?

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

        sideways. Just Antonio for Lala if you don't mind the Pool double

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

          that would be after this GW as well

  10. nevins84
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you start

    A)
    Jakupovic Stoke H

    B)
    Pickford WHU A

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

      Pickford, Jaku probably on the bench

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

      But if you think jaku Would score more points, then play him. If he Is benched then auto sub will kick in.

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

    Is my team GTG? No transfers used.

    Pickford
    Walker - Coleman - Lovren
    Snodgrass - Firmino - Sanchez - Antonio
    Deeney - Aguero - Lukaku

    Subs: Foster, Capoue, Holebas, Amat

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

      I would be tempted to play an extra defender over snodgrass. Good depth of squad giving u a bit of a bench headache I see

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

      Save the transfer but I'd start with Foster. Both teams will concede but Foster will save more against a rampant Liverpool side?

      1. Ready Manager One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        This

  12. jmcclory123
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    As an Arsenal fan I really don't want to see Giroud back in that starting 11, anyone else feel Arsenal are stronger without him.

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

      Don't think there's any worry about him coming straight in once fit at the moment with us in the form we are

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

        C'mon Arsene. Giroud upfront, Sanchez wide, Walcott on the bench, Ramsey shoe-horned in out of position, Mertesacker reliable in defence... give us back the Arsenal we know and trust. 🙂

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

          😉

          It finally seems to have clicked purely through luck.. Like you said, if both were fit I'm sure Giroud and Ramsey would have been shoe-horned in there so far this season and we wouldn't have the current players hitting form like they are.

          Luckily he'll now be forced to keep those two on the bench once back to match fitness.. Both great bench options but that's all they should be.

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

            I think he changed his mind on Walcott in the summer, that was the mood music before the season began. He also talked about Ramsey as "primarily a CM". I think Walcott was always going to get a run as RF.

            All the rest I agree with. But the signings of Xhaka and Mustafi (even if 3 years too late) and of Perez as an additional strike option suggest that dear old Arsène is altering his approach at last. Shame for the rest of us because Arsenal look serious contenders now. In CL as well as PL.

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

      he is a great choice from the bench imo.sanchez and walcott are doing the job greatly,no need to mess this up

    3. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      He looks good though doesn't he?

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

      Seriously, though, there are some games where Giroud would be very useful.

      Burnley away was a good example - against teams that defend deep and block space Arsenal need the aerial/hold-up option that Giroud offers much better than Sanchez. That creates more space for the 3 behind.

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

    G2G? 0.2 ITB, 0 FT

    Foster
    Walker/ Lovren/ Holebas
    Walcott/ Allen/ Firminho/ Sanchez (c)
    Kun (vc)/ Costa/ Lukaku

    Pickford/ Amat/ Smith/ Fletcher

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yep, looking good. Sanch vs Walcott for (c) is a tricky one though

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

        Thanks, I'm backing Sanchez, purely cuz he's due. (Poor logic I know)

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

    On a WC could do with a quick RMT

    Pickford Grant

    Kos Lovren Holebas Amat Pieters

    Sanchez Walcott Allen lallana Stirling

    Kun lukaku Austin

    0 ITB. Any tips?

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      looks good. not entirely convinced by lovren, and the keepers could be problematic (you'll soon have to play pickford every week), so maybe Lovren to 4.5 and grant to 4.5?

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

        Yeah the keepers are troubling me now butland is on his way back. They just allow me to have a miles better team. Might look at downgrading lovren and bring in Karius

    2. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good. I'd be worried about the GK rotation though over the next few weeks.

    3. L9
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      if i were u i would decide wheither i play 3 4 3 or 3 5 2 and remove a mid or forward( austin) to a cheaper one to strength gk and def. if u keep all of them u ll have benching problems every week..

  15. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Leicester or Liverpool defender in?

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      liverpool, just because they seem a much better side than leicester (in the PL anyway) at the moment

    2. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Interesting one....

      Liverpool win it on fixtures overall but if you're just playing them at home I'd probably prefer the Leicester man.

      I have Lovren though and think he's great value at 4.9

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I benched Lovren against United, hoping for more of the same tomorrow

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

          Interesting. Clyne's stats are excellent but that's probably too much for a Liverpool defender. Might go with Lovren.

  16. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Mané long term? Would a downgrade > Firmino be a good move in a few weeks to generate extra funds?

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I'm thinking about it, but it's pretty sideways, so only if you have nothing else to do

    2. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Currently they're all hitting similar numbers, so I'd be happy going cheaper with Lallana. Think it's fairly obvious how missed he is when he doesn't play, so I'd be expecting him to be fairly safe in upcoming games.

  17. martyhan
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling to walcott for -4 ?

    Yes or no

    1. L9
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      no city has good fixtures coming after sthmpton

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

      I'd say no. I have both and think Walcott is the best midfielder out here right now, but City's upcoming fixtures are amazing. I'd try find a way of fitting in both but if I had to choose it would be Walcott... so if you have Aguero, then maybe do it for the -4. Maybe.

  18. L9
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    stones, Williams, lovren, walker... who to bench?

  19. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    bench one of
    >allen
    >snoddy
    >sterling
    >austin

    1. L9
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      snoddy

  20. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling -> Wally (already own Ozil)?

    Would prefer to do Antonio -> Wally but not enough money and Sunderland is still a good fixture for Antonio.

  21. Teror
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    A. Costa + Allen

    B. Deeney + Son

    1. L9
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A

  22. Lav
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Good to go?

    Pickford
    Vertonghen Williams Reid
    Sanchez (c) Firmino Sterling Snodgrass
    Aguero Lukaku Benteke

    (Foster Capoue Friend Wilson)

    1FT 0.1 ITB

  23. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Morning everyone.

    How are your Friday's going?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Not too bad. Nearly the weekend, thats all I can think about tbh.

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

      Good thanks Andy, happy with my team and team value ticking along nicely. U get rid of ibra?

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

      Good, just waiting on my two favorite Friday articles to come out.

      Always keen to see what the Bookies and Fans are saying.

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

      Yeah not bad at all Andy... Got 2FT burning a hole in my pocket so look forward to using them after the pressers.

      How about yourself ?

  24. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Sánchez or Walcott (c)?

    Is there any l reason to pick one over the other or are they equally good picks?

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

      I genuinely believe this one is a roll of the dice... but as you have both you can't lose out too much ?

      I'd go Sanchez for what it's worth

  25. FF Dirtbag
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Who to play from Snodgrass(STK) or Allen (hul)??

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Allen after last week I reckon

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

      Allen

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

      Same as me. Leaning on Allen but it's tough

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

      Snoddy

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

    Bench one...

    A) Sleeping Snodgrass
    Or
    B) Goal Allen

  27. Ando
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys, should I do the following transfers for a hit?

    Redmond & Ibrahimovic ➡ Walcott & Slimani

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

      No

  28. The Red Devil
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Heaton/Pickford
    Kos/lovren/mcauley/robertson/amat
    Sanchez/Antonio/sterling/capoue/fletcher
    kun/ibra/deeney

    2FT 0.0ITB

    A-heaton or pickford
    B-costa or lukaku
    C-walcott or any liverpool mid

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

      Most would say Heaton but I think I'm going Pickford.
      Lukaku for me.
      Wally

  29. Teror
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Trying to make room for Deeney > Costa, but need to downgrade a midfielder. Who should go?

    A. Sterling

    B. Son (will need to do -4)

    C. Lallana (will need to do -4)

  30. pompeyfan
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I don't see a lot of support for captaining Aguero on here right now. Do people seriously think there's a chance he doesn't start this gw?

    I could captain Sanchez or Walcott, but I find it difficult to go against Aguero at home to a non-top team.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe some people are bored of captaining him. More will still be sour from last week. But mostly there are better options this week.

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

        cheers. Think it's still a tough decision