Team News

The Weekend Team News

Theo Walcott will undergo a late fitness test as Arsenal make their way to Sunderland tomorrow lunchtime. Scott Dann is back in contention as Palace entertain Liverpool, whilst Junior Stanislas remains a doubt as Bournemouth travel to ‘Boro.

Theo Walcott is set to be assessed later today with a “very minor” hamstring problem, according to Arsene Wenger. Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal also require late tests, though Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud are back in contention. Lucas Perez is out for six-to-eight weeks with an ankle injury.

Andrew Surman has recovered from illness ahead of Bournemouth’s clash with Middlesbrough. Eddie Howe has admitted he will make “a late call” over the availability of Junior Stanislas, who missed out last week with a calf complaint.

Hull’s Adama Diomande has been charged with violent conduct, following an incident in their midweek cup win over Bristol City. The club have until this evening to reply, with the Norwegian facing three matches on the sidelines if found guilty. Mike Phelan is already without the services of Robert Snodgrass, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury.

Slaven Bilic revealed West Ham “have a few knocks” ahead of their trip to Everton but went on to say “all those who played (in midweek) should all be fit and available for Sunday”. The Hammers boss also confirmed that Andre Ayew is “very close” being able to start after returning from injury in the 2-1 cup win over Chelsea.

Andre Gray is available for Burnley’s trip to Man United after serving a four-match ban. Stephen Ward has recovered from a knock and Sean Dyche is optimstic on George Boyd’s fitness, though Steven Defour remains “touch and go” with a hamstring problem.

Jason Puncheon remains a “slight doubt” for Palace’s clash with Liverpool, though Alan Pardew has confirmed that Scott Dann is now available for selection.

Daryl Janmaat returns to the Watford squad for tomorrow’s visit of Hull. Isaac Success is expected to be ruled out until after the international break, whilst Craig Cathcart, Kenedy and Stefano Okaka all remain sidelined.

Ben Chilwell joins Nampalys Mendy on the injured list for Leicester’s trip to White Hart Lane. Matty James is still unavailable as he builds up his match fitness.

Geoff Cameron is a doubt for Stoke’s clash with Swansea on Monday evening due to a knee problem. Phil Bardsley is likely to miss out – he’s been granted compassionate leave following the death of his grandfather.

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.

1,029 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ziegler1988
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Koeman says Baines is still out

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Koeman has no idea mate.

  2. NRK
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Where do you see possible clean sheets this GW?

    1. Gazzpfc
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Stoke, watford, bournemouth

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Certainly not on my bed.

    3. Mr Chelski
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Man u, Arsenal, Watford & possibly Stoke but unlikely all will get CS given the lower amount of CS compared to last season

      1. Cevap
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        not so sure for United considering injuries. the rest look good though

        1. NRK
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I think so too. Bailey was their best guy.

  3. AA
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Theo owner here. Have Capoue as my 5th midfielder. Thinking of taking him out for Allen and leave him on the bench. Bank the profit. And if Walcott doesn't start, I've Allen coming in, who's looked the best Stoke player so far. Good move?

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Capoue plays Hull. Waste of trade.

    2. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Capoue could go mental though

      1. si
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Capoue will never score again in his life. Fact.

    3. GHB
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Would save the transfer personally. Capoue against hull could be profitable anyway

      Not a bad move though

    4. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Why do you think Allen will outscore Capoue?

    5. Could Have Ben Mee
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      No profit to bank. Allen will set u back 0.1m more than u get for Capoue

  4. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Pickford
    Valencia, Kosc, Holebas
    Mane, Firmino, Sterling, Walcott*
    Aguero(C), Deeney, Lukaku

    Foster-- Capoue, Pieters, Amat............. 1FT, 0.4 itb

    Very tempted by Wally to Alli, have exact cash, and really feel a big haul coming for Alli. More sensible to keep Wally and bank a xfer though right?

    1. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Ali is on my radar as well, could be a decent differential this week - unless there's more concrete news on Theo i think you should have a gamble with Ali.

    2. Cevap
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      yes that is the logical...you have Capoue coming on if Wally is out. But i'm a big believer of going with your gut, hard to predict points, but if Alli is tempting you go for it

    3. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Alli is at the top of my wish-list too.
      Bank it imo

      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Save the trade. Capoue a great sub to have if wally doesn't play.

    4. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Keep cool and play Pieters over Wally 😉

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Im struggling to choose between Pieters and Capoue first sub but feel I should go with Capoue as he could easily score vs Hull

    5. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Possibly save as you have a good bench in Cap and Piet

  5. Wheato182
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Right guys, had planned to play my AOA chip this week and have Allen off my bench playing but the Theo news is making me think twice, should I....

    A) Save chip, play Theo and have Allen as first sub
    B) Save chip, play Allen and have Theo as first sub (in case of Theo cameo)
    C) Gamble, play chip and start Theo and Allen.

    1. Cevap
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      depending on your other attackers...but I would say A

      1. Wheato182
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        other attackers...

        Sanchez - Coutinho - Firmino
        Deeney - Lukaku - Benteke

        I'm leaning towards A tbh as well.

  6. Legomane
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Cech, Heaton
    Walker, Smith, Collins, Kone, Pieters
    Sanchez, Mane, Walcott, Allen, Capoue
    Aguero, Lukaku, Rashford

    1FT, 0.8ITB

    injury worries Walcott and Rashford.
    want to double mid Liverpool with Walcott out, ideally Firmino in, but cost wise looking like Cout (can always do Mane-Firmino later in time for ACON)
    want to do Collins>Morgan next week

    A. Have exact money for: Walcott>Coutinho + Rashford>Wilson for -4 this week (both are looking like increasing). Collins>Morgan next week.
    B. Save this week. Potentially hold onto Rash for another two weeks before getting in Austin. Prioritise Walcott and Collins out this week and next but may have to settle for Lallana instead of Coutinho...

    Thanks!

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Your bench will serve you well, so it's a waste of a transfer imo

    2. BooYaKasha
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      just do Rash > Wilson

      1. alexmj
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Rash to Deeney, then next week Deeney to Austin

  7. Gazzpfc
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Lets see

    Grant (jak)
    Holebas smith pieters (lowton mcauley) like 3 to choose from 5

    Sanchez walcott lallana allen

    Aguerro lukaku costa

    Next week stuck if to downgrade lukaku sanchez or aguerro???

    At mo sanchez to countinho???

  8. Ziegler1988
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Chelsea FC ‏@ChelseaFC 2m2 minutes ago
    Conte says he saw a lot of things in the West Ham game that can be useful for the future, like playing Pedro as a wing-back. #CFC

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Instead of Alonso?

      1. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Sort of. Pedro RB and Azpi returns to RB 🙂

      2. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        No Moses.

    2. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah I figured that would be a possibility. Or willian wb

    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Possible nice replacement for my Arnautovic when Chelsea fixt pick up...

  9. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Long term if you could only have one of Walcott and Sanchez, who would you keep?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Walcott + Hazard over Alexis + 7m

    2. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Sanchez, bolted and is a beast in a top scoring side.

    3. Cevap
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Alexis

    4. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Walcott and the millions all day

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Sanchez. He is less injury prone, less of a rotation risk, and a much better player.

    5. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Sanchez for now. But depends on KDB & Hazard if they start outscoring him then I would shift to one of them and get Walcott later as Arsenal cover.

  10. Rake
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Son & Walcott to Cout & Shaq/Arnie (-4)

    Pickford
    Monreal Holebas Lovren
    Sanchez Son Walcott Firmino
    Kun Rashford Lukaku

    Jaku Capoue Evans Amat

    ITB 0.2

    1. Rake
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Good moves?

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      nah, Son vs Leic

      1. Rake
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Is he likely to start? He wad subbed at the hour mark last match. So thought he was out of favour.

        1. Pap Le Cissier
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          He'll start. Bournemouth nullified spurs very well that game. Won't happen week in week out

          1. Rake
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            And what about Walcott? Just got him in last week and already looking to get rid. Wait and assess or ditch?

    3. Cevap
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      nope

      1. Rake
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Any suggestions, Cevap?

        1. Cevap
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          consider getting someone for Rash ➡ wilson? austin? deeney?

          1. Rake
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Wilson seems good but Austin for the long run, eh?

    4. bojack
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Not for -4. Son should start.

  11. PlayPercentage
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Antonio now playing up front?
    I shipped him out after last GW, thinking he would now be at wing back.

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Meh. He won't do much anyways.

      1. Ravager
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        He was up front 2 or so weeks ago. Changed nothing

  12. IWR
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Foster (Pickford)
    Kosc, Holebas, Smith (Pieters, Amat)
    Ozil, Walcott (C), Mane, Firm (V) (Allen)
    Aguero, Lukaku, Benteke

    Anything worthy of a hit?

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Would change your armband.

      Apart from that it's fine

    2. Rake
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaku (c). Otherwise, good team.

    3. Cevap
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      change C to Firm or Kaku...nothing else worth a hit

      1. IWR
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers

  13. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Who takes the direct free kicks for Hull now Snodgrass is injured?

    1. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Huddlestone I'd imagine

  14. Crystal
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Why no love for Lallana on here? Before his injury he was proving the Liverpool mid to have and over a million cheaper than the others

    1. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      There is love but the other 3 are better options. He's a good double up option for value but that's really about it.

      1. Crystal
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Hasn't played as minutes as the others due to the injury and another double figure haul and he'll be up with the top mids

    2. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Very good pick. The "no love" is deceptive because people feel firmino and coutinho are worth the extra

    3. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Im contemplating Antonio > Lallana with FT next GW.

    4. Individual
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Lallana is excellent value. He's in my team at the awkward ~7 price point because, as you infer, he's a great option in that midfield. I have him alongside Firmino. I brought him in for Antonio prior to his (Ant) price drop on Tuesday.

      Ideally I'd have Coutinho and Firmino, but I've got to have the extra cash for elsewhere.

      The Liverpool midfield is a lottery - best to have 2 tickets! You won't get it right every week, but I think as long as you have cover in some fashion you'll get a bonanza at least once before the meta moves beyond having them!

  15. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    aguero and wally to lukaku and hazard/sanchez worth it ????? crazy !!

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Do it.

      1. alexmj
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I'm doing Deeney and Sanchez in...can't afford Lukaku

      2. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        for a hit ??? 😀

        1. alexmj
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          for free

        2. Cevap
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          if its for a hit...I would not do it this week. I assume you have playing fifth mid that can come on for Wally if he does not play

  16. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Good to go?

    Schmeichel
    Valencia / Pieters / Friend
    Sanchez / Redmond / Coutinho / Firmino
    Aguero / Deeney / Lukaku

    (Jaku / Capoue / Evans / Kinglsey)

  17. Barcelinda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    so like everyone, i have capoue as a mid, but thinking of upgrading fletcher to either redmond or chadli.
    members section stats show redmond as a clear favourite, but i cant really understand why, anyone shed some light?

    Chadli V Redmond, who do you choose?

    1. Rake
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Redmond. OOP and in a better attacking side.

  18. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    1FT, 0.2 ITB

    Cech / Pickford

    Walker / Lovren / Holebas / Pieters / Amat

    Sanchez / Firmino / Walcott / Snodgrass* / Capoue

    Aguero / Lukaku / Deeney

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Save. Play 4-3-3.

  19. mustafa mohamed
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    lallana or sigurdsson?

    1. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Siggy

  20. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Not a lot I can do with this lot as already on -4 but after this GW what do you all recommend? 0ITB

    Pickford - Jaku
    Mustafi - Stones - Holebas - Kingsley - Amat
    Coutinho - Firmino - Sanchez - Allen - Marney
    Aguero - Zlatan - Benteke

    Been suggested to captain Sanchez over Ibrah

  21. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Aguero & Wally > Lukaku & KDB

    For -4

    Yaaaaay

    Naaaay

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Kdb is a doubt

    2. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      No, although would be tempted to just do Aguero > Lukaku.

  22. Neeskens Under Matip
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Here is my draft wildcard team based on the next 10 fixtures (so don't laugh, as I've gone long term fixtures over form) to get me to the next January wildcard:

    Heaton / Grant

    Lovren / Van Dijk / Stones / Holebas / Dawson

    Hazard / Countinho / Sigurdsson / De Bruyne / Drinkwater

    Ibrahimovich / Austin / Deeney

    Obvious surprises are no Arsenal or Spurs players!

    Thoughts?

    1. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Not keen on City defenders and I recommend downgrading Drinkwater to a bench fodder. Obviously there is the Ibra doubt and going without Costa or Luku is risky. Like the midfield and VVD/Lovren picks though.

      1. Neeskens Under Matip
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, Drinkwater is bench fodder, no? £5.3 (dropped last night, which FPL stats didn't predict, sigh).

        I am waiting on Stones to drop tonight, City have a good run over the next 10 games...How else can I play the Man United attacking output, Rashford or Mata?

        Otherwise, my plan was maybe a funky 3-5-2 .... I like the long term fixtures approach, it naturally differentiates away from all the kneejerk!

  23. Numb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Alonso bandwagon derailed already?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      🙁

    2. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Why?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Pedro?

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I suppose, I was thinking Pedro on the right. He isn't a touchline winger. Inverted suits him best no?

  24. JIM BOB
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Surely Antonio won't stay upfront with Zaza and Ayew fit?

    Also, Carroll and Sakho back soon.

    1. Cevap
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      even if he does, he's done nothing

  25. ktk_interista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Does anyone else think the demise of Hull is overstated here on FFS? They have had a good start to the season then hit a barren spell and lost many key players but comparing them to Villa and Newcastle of last season isn't very wise this early in the season. Newcastle and even more so Villa knew they were going down with around 10 games to go in the season and you could tell many of the players lost interest. It is too early to assume the same with Hull. I wouldn't rule out a change in form with decent fixtures yet to come.

    1. ktk_interista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I have seem some people suggest captaining Holebas 🙂

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Since he changed the gk they have been awful

      Play jaku and Dawson back and they should improve

    3. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Nah you got that wrong, they knew wewere down after 10 games

      1. ktk_interista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Probably the case with Villa 🙂 but not Newcastle. Hull are in much better position than Sunderland. I wouldn't panic yet. A couple of wins in the next 4 games would lift them and they have the fixtures to do it.

        1. Pap Le Cissier
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah just sarcasm creeping in there!

          Hulls attitude is still good, I think Sunderland are in real trouble though

    4. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Yes I agree. On paper they are the weakest team, but that doesn't mean much. They showed in the early weeks they have the spirit and togetherness.
      Look who they were playing in the four where they shipped 18. It's the results against bottom half teams that will decide their fate

    5. Neeskens Under Matip
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, Dawson back, Davies is solid, decent fixtures, Diamonde ban, tempted to go with a Hull striker!

  26. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    McAuley out for
    a) Smith
    b) Pieters
    thanks all.

  27. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Walcott to Antonio?

    Antonio a great option playing up top

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      And I just shipped him because I thought he now was playing back 😕

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Me too. Never go back?

        Maybe Walcott and sterling out next week and bench Walcott this week

        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Eying Ayew when fixtures get better

    2. some witty pun
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      is it opposite day already

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I have Antonio & Walcott and benching Antonio and thinking to sell Walcott

    4. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      What am I missing? I thought he was shunted to the wing last week

    5. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Will he continue playing up top? Zaza or Ayew could play there

    6. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      No. Billic changes his mind with every passing week. Antonio, Ayew, Zaza...even Andy Carroll before too long., who knows who it'll be next week.

  28. Individual
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    With rotation this year, starting to pinpoint already some key men with strong fixtures over Xmas that are fairly nailed on to play.

    Siggy and VVD (saints fixtures become awesome very soon, swansea have ok fixtures as Xmas and Siggy is pretty dangerous) near the top of the list, as are tiresome ever presents like Dawson/Macaulay who will always play for wba whatever the weather !

    Anyone else beginning to think along similar lines? Feel like it's going to be rotation central this year so boring players will become highly sought after!

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I've enough to think about for this weekend.

  29. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Wally > Firmino worth it? I can't risk Wally not starting

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Same Thinking