Team News
2 December 2016 817 comments
Paul Paul
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Roberto Firmino has returned to training and is expected to be fit for Liverpool’s trip to Bournemouth. Toby Alderweireld is also back training ahead of Spurs’ clash with Swansea, while West Ham are without both first-choice wing-backs for the visit of Arsenal.

Philippe Coutinho is ruled out of Liverpool’s clash with Bournemouth due to an ankle injury. Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana are back in full training, though Daniel Sturridge is ruled out. Discussing Firmino’s fitness, Jurgen Klopp was optimistic on his availability for Sunday:

“Roberto trained yesterday, too. That’s important. There’s still a little bit of pain – it’s painful but not that serious. When you can deal with the pain, then everything is fine. He is quite a tough guy, so he came through the session yesterday. Again, we have to see how he reacts and that’s it.”

Kasper Schmeichel remains ruled out for Leicester’s clash with Sunderland, with Claudio Ranieri optimistic the Dane could be back “before Christmas Day”. Danny Drinkwater serves the second of a two-match ban, though Nampalys Mendy and Ben Chilwell are back in contention.

Tom Heaton remains “touch and go” for Burnley’s match at Stoke – the keeper requires a late assessment on a calf problem. Sean Dyche is hopeful on Dean Marney’s chances of recovering, though Johann Berg Gudmundsson has been ruled out with a hamstring complaint.

Danny Rose returns from a one-match ban as Spurs welcome Swansea to White Hart Lane. Toby Alderweireld is back in training and is “very close” to being available, Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed. Erik Lamela and Ben Davies remain out through injury.

Palace’s Steve Mandanda will undergo knee surgery and is expected to be sidelined for six weeks, while Connor Wickham is out for the season with knee ligament damage. Yohan Cabaye serves a one-match ban after toppling off the Suspension Tightrope.

Dusan Tadic and Matt Targett remain sidelined for Southampton’s trip to Palace. Discussing Tadic, manager Claude Puel has conceded “I don’t know when he’ll return”, with the midfielder still struggling due to a broken nose.

Ryan Mason is expected to recover from illness for Hull’s trip to Middlesbrough. Abel Hernandez and Shaun Maloney have stepped up their recoveries from injury but remain doubtful and will be assessed. Dieumerci Mbokani starts the first of a three-match ban.

Miguel Britos and Valon Behrami serve one-match bans for Watford’s trip to West Brom. Walter Mazzarri will make a late decision on the fitness of Younes Kaboul and Isaac Success.

Arsenal have confirmed that Santi Cazorla will be sidelined for around three months, with the midfielder set to undergo ankle surgery. Olivier Giroud remains doubtful due to a minor groin problem, while Mathieu Debuchy has been ruled out with the hamstring injury that forced him off against Bournemouth last weekend. Mohamed Elneny remains a slight doubt due to illness.

Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell have also been ruled out of tomorrow evening’s encounter after both limped out of the midweek cup defeat to Man United with groin problems.

Ryan Shawcross remains a doubt for Stoke’s clash with Burnley due to the calf problem that caused him to miss last Sunday’s win at Watford. Joe Allen returns from a one-match suspension, while Glenn Whelan is expected to overcome a calf problem. Geoff Cameron and Phil Bardsley remain out due to ongoing knee injuries. Jack Butland will step up his recovery from an ankle problem by turning out for the club’s Under 23 side this evening.

Salomon Rondon is expected to be fit for West Brom’s clash with Watford, despite being sent home from training yesterday due to tonsillitis.

Artur Boruc remains a doubt for Bournemouth’s home clash with Liverpool, Eddie Howe confirmed earlier this morning. Andrew Surman is ruled out with a hamstring complaint, while the Cherries will “make a late call” on Charlie Daniels’ hip problem.

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.

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817 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Ginola14
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    any more opinions on who to bench?
    a siggy
    b allen
    c anichebe
    cheers

    1. Cevap
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      b

    3. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A

    5. Legomane
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      c

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

      B

    7. mgrea
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Bosellicopter

      Anichebe

    8. Worzel Gummidge
        9 years, 2 months ago

        B and it is not close for me.

      • ILOVEBAPS
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        C

    9. okan58
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      0FT:
      Bank: 1.1

      Heaton
      Walker - Evans - Stones
      Sanchez - Eriksen - Pedro - Sigurdsson
      Aguero - Lukaku - Austin
      Subs: Pickford, Capoue, Pieters and Amat.

      Any suggestions?

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Play pieters before summer.

        1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          This

      2. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Stones that is

        1. okan58
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Thx.
          Do you have ideas like I go to Costa next weekend for Lukaku hole? I'm missing 0.2 then

    10. Mayo for Sam
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Who to start?

      A Evans (WATFORD)
      C Alonso (mancity)

      1. Mayo for Sam
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        B*!

      2. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        A

        1. Ginola14
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          b

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

        A

      4. Kryten
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        B for attacking potential

      5. Legomane
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        C

        1. Legomane
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          b*

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

        A.

      7. Cevap
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        B

    11. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Team for the GW...thoughts
      Heaton* (Jaku)
      Brunt, Walker, # (Amat)
      #, Firmino, Sanchez, Walcott
      Kane (C), Kun, Austin

      Play two (if C and D its an AOA) from
      A Fuchs
      B Cedric
      C Capoue
      D Allen

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        BD

      2. Ginola14
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        b, d

      3. Kryten
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        B d

      4. Make United Great Again
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        B D

      5. Legomane
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        ABD and drop brunty....SHOCK

        1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          OOP winger...no chance

      6. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers all

    12. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Going all out attack this week, which two defenders should I start with;

      A. Alonso (mcy)
      B. Evans (WAT)
      C. Holebas (wbr)
      D. Cedric (pal)

      Other defender is Kingsley who I wouldn't play, even if he was starting.

      Thanks all.

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        BCD, no need to AoA?

        1. HamezMace
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          De Roon has Hull at home, and I'm pretty confident my other midfielders will all start, so might as well use AOA, I don't think it's that great of a chip to use to be honest

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            It's not, but De Roon is De Roon.

            1. HamezMace
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              True, but Hull at home for an attacking midfielder is probably a better fixture than any of my defensive options have

      2. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Would waste your AOA this week. Just play a, b & d.

      3. Ginola14
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        save and play a, b, d

      4. Make United Great Again
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        No need to play AOA with that defence

      5. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        B and either C or D

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

        BCD

      7. Kryten
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Best turtle

        A) leonardo
        B) Donatello
        C) Raphael
        D) michelgilo

        Apologies for any incorrect spellings

        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          C

      8. HamezMace
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for the replies guys

    13. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Pickford
      Cedric McAuley Alonso
      Walcott Firmino Hazard Siggy Allen
      Kane(C) Costa.

      Heaton, Anichibe, Holebas, Amat.

      Opinions on this team lads?

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Play Anichebe over Siggy

        1. Make United Great Again
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers. Spurs defence is solid so it makes sense I suppose.

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Hasn't be solid, but Toby back in contention. Will be a cleansheet if he starts.

    14. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Friend [knee] is the only Middlesbrough player sidelined through injury: "The rest of the squad are ready.” [which includes Ayala] #UTB

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Dang.

    15. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Dusan Tadic surely returns this weekend a broken nose is not enough in this day and age to keep a player out for 2 game weeks in the age of face masks

      http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/14940802.Tadic_to_return_with_mask/?ref=rss

      1. Hooky
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Puel said he was out.

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          All great managers play mind games

          1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            I think you are clutching . If he was playing mind games he would have said doubt .

          2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Provisional squad: Forster, McCarthy, Taylor, Cedric, Martina, Fonte, Van Dijk, Yoshida, Stephens, Bertrand, McQueen, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Clasie, Davis, Ward-Prowse, Reed, Rodriguez, Redmond, Austin, Long, Boufal, Sims.

            He's not in the provisional squad

    16. willl
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Brunt to Cedric worth -4?

      1. Costa's Counsellor
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        No mate.

      2. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Not even for free. An attacking oop defender on freekicks for a sometimes attacking fullback. Similar CS potential.

    17. Chicken-Mandy
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Need some advice guys...
      Shaqiri to Walcott (-4)?

      1. HamezMace
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        If it's long term, and the funds are tight then I guess so, but otherwise I'd save that move until next week

        1. Chicken-Mandy
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          it is a long term one yeah, would definitely get rid next week anyway. kept shaqiri for so long due to decent fixtures but he hasn't produced a thing

          1. HamezMace
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Personally don't think it's worth a hit, I do own Walcott, but no guarantee he will score more than Shaqiri this weekend, especially not enough to cover a hit

    18. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Would you take a hit if your defenders were injured and you had to start Amat this weekend?

      Swansea are bottom of YMAs clean sheet hot topic 🙁

      1. Costa's Counsellor
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Who do you have?

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Friend and Cameron are injured leaving Amat as my 3rd defender.

          Only have £4.5m to spend as well

          1. Costa's Counsellor
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            That's a pain. I would say Nyom/Ake but they might be risks too.

            I would reluctantly wait.

            1. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              I was thinking of a cheap Stoke defender (got Pieters already). They are pretty likely for a clean sheet so the +6 would give a net gain on the -4.

              It's a one week punt thing ... I'm wildcarding next week

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

            Sell Cameron keep Amat as cover

      2. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Probably as it's the equivalent of a -2 😆

      3. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        The best you could hope from Amat this week is 0 points he might even get a minus imo i own him too

        In this case a hit might be acceptable if you can afford a Southampton defender great

      4. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        No. His price frees up cash elsewhere.

        1. Costa's Counsellor
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          I think he means he would transfer out one of his other defenders...

        2. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Sorry I meant I would be transferring out an injured defender if Amat is likely to have a mare this weekend.

      5. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Take Barrangan for Cameron

      6. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        this is the week to use AOA

        1. Lone Wolf FPL
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          *for you

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

          That might work very well in this case taylor made for AOA

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            I've already used AOA. 🙁

      7. St. Joseph
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        I have a feeling spurs swansea won't be a high scoring match

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          There is always one

    19. WVA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Gundo > Lallana worth a -4?
      Sanchez Haz Sig Allen Gund*

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        No. do it for free next week

      2. HamezMace
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Really depends on who your 3 forwards are

        1. WVA
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Aguero Costa Austin? Best to play Allen this week?

          1. mojoindojo
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Aye

            1. WVA
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              Many Thanks, first week with no liv cover!

          2. HamezMace
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah definately

    20. Bow Locks
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Saints / Leicester double 5.33. It's a steal

    21. Zareos
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Who would you captain?

      A. Austin (Palace away);
      B. Sanchez (West Ham away);
      C. Aguero (Chelsea home)?

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        B

      2. St. Joseph
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Leaning towards streaky sanchez

      3. Cevap
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        B

        1. WVA
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          B, im giving him one more chance as C as he has burnt me every time so far!

    22. BB-8
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      First sub Holebas(wba) or de Roon(HULL) ?

      1. St. Joseph
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Holebas

      2. Cevap
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        de Roon

      3. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Holebas has more chance for a goal/assist plus he may give you lucky CS

        1. BB-8
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          That's what I'm thinking. But hopefully Rondon plays and I won't be needing Holebas

    23. St. Joseph
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      In doubt

      Play heaton or pickford

      Play gundogan or fletcher

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        play heaton
        sell gundo

        1. St. Joseph
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          For a hit?

          For who?

          1. Ha.
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Absolutely not

      2. Champione
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Pickford and Gundogan imo

    24. ItsGotToBeMyYear
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I have 5.5 million to spend on a third striker, any suggestions?

      1. Cevap
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        not much in that range. Anichebe

      2. Worzel Gummidge
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Has to be Anichebe but because of his price he is not seen as a cool pick on here. You need to compromise somewhere to keep Sanch, Haz, Aguero, Costa, Firmino, Siggy and it is a fair one. Not having Austin doesn't bother me in the slightest. Rotated over xmas and SOU attack is hardly tearing up trees.

          1. ItsGotToBeMyYear
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            But as an Everton I know he is not consistent enough

            1. Worzel Gummidge
                9 years, 2 months ago

                Different team, formation etc. He has been scoring well. From memory I am not sure he was given many minutes as there were always better options but think he will be a regular under Moyes. Just a suggestion. Or you go for Fer instead of Siggy, Walcott instead of Sanchez, Pedro instead of Hazard, Milner instead of Firmino etc. I would not do any of those personally. That approach is the only option though

        • Champione
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Play
          A) Mata
          B) Gundogan
          C) Siggy -4

          1. WVA
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            A is looking good.

        • DrunkPhilosophy
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Heaton Pickford
          Holebas Alonso Amat Evans Kelly
          Sanchez Hazard Firmino Allen DeRoon
          Aguero Benteke Austin
          1 FT , 2.6 itb

          A) Kelly + Allen --> Cedric + Siggy (-4) Exact money!

          B) Allen --> Siggy

          C) Save

          D) Other

          1. mojoindojo
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            C

        • Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Jack Butland nearing a return 🙁

          Grant has been great value for me i will miss him when the time comes

          1. Costa's Counsellor
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Get Butland!

        • liner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          hi guys, what do you think about philips (wba) for captain. I have sanchez, walcott, firmino,mane, costa butt still..

          1. maxxxus
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            I would go for sanchez

        • okan58
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          0FT:
          Bank: 1.1

          Heaton
          Walker - Evans - Pieters
          Sanchez - Eriksen - Pedro - Sigurdsson
          Aguero - Lukaku - Austin
          Subs: Pickford, Capoue, Stones and Amat.

          Do you have ideas like I go to Costa next weekend for Lukaku hole? I'm missing 0.2 then

        • sk018
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Fuchs (sun) to Alonso (city) for -4 this week or wait until next week?

          1. Spencer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Wait IMO.

          2. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Wait. I am looking to do exactly the same tomorrow afternoon. Fuchs may get some attacking returns against Sunderland.

        • ViperStripes
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Already used my 2FT's. Choice is either waste AOA this week, or bench one of Allen, Anichebe or Siggy

          Foster / (Pickford)
          Pieters, Evans, Holebas, (Love), (Britos)
          Hazard, Sanchez, Firmino, Siggy, (Allen)
          Anichebe, Kane(c), Aguero

          Also would you do the Foster & Evans double up vs Watford OR go Pickford & Evans?

          1. maxxxus
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Currently struggeling with a similar problem. I would go for double WBA, they are more likely to CS imo.

        • Kings of Lyon ★
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          @Jonty

          Just had another autoplay video add there

          Device - Desktop
          Broswer - Firefox
          Advert - Hyundai

          1. Spencer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks KoL. Have left a message with Jonty.

        • maxxxus
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Hey guys,

          Should I play Lovren Evans or Fuchs? Rank them 1 to 3 for this GW.

        • Sadio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Who to bench this week?

          Siggy or Benteke

          1. Delhidynamo
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            The only way Palace can save their ass is via scoring goals.

            Siggy

            1. Atimis
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              I bench Siggy and play Zaha

        • lordkippe
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Is this team good to go you think ?

          Heaton

          Pieters - Lovren - Cedric

          Hazard - Firmino - Walcott - Sigurdsson

          Aguero - Austin - Kane

          Jakupovic - Alonso - De roon - Amat

          1. BigBrickDigger
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            I'd start Alonso over siggy personally, Swansea will get trounced.

        • birdosworld
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Bring in a replacement for Heaton for a hit or sit tight? Other keeper is Jakupovic

          1. Costa's Counsellor
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            What about Jaku to Pickford?

        • karvs155
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          XI and bench order right?
          Pickford
          Walker McAuley Pieters
          Firmino* Hazard Walcott Sigurdsson
          Aguero Kane Austin

          Jaku, Capoue, Holebas*, Kingsley