Team News
30 December 2016 1432 comments
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Theo Walcott is likely to miss Arsenal’s clash with Palace. Sunderland stopper Jordan Pickford is out for six-to-eight weeks with a knee problem, while Philippe Coutinho remains unavailable as Liverpool entertain Man City.

Here’s the latest team news ahead of tonight’s Gameweek 19 deadline.

Arsene Wenger has conceded that he doesn’t expect Theo Walcott to recover from a calf complaint in time for Arsenal’s clash with Palace. Kieran Gibbs is also likely to miss out, though Danny Welbeck and Shkodran Mustafi are both back in contention. The Gunners boss also admitted that he has “one or two uncertainties with flu”, though failed to elaborate.

Liverpool pair Philippe Coutinho and Joel Matip remain sidelined for the New Year’s Eve clash with Man City, with Jurgen Klopp conceding he’s “pretty sure” the Brazilian will also miss the Gameweek 20 clash against Sunderland two days’ later.

Jordan Pickford has been ruled out for six-to-eight weeks after straining knee ligaments in Sunderland’s loss at Old Trafford. David Moyes has confirmed that Jack Rodwell, Javier Manquillo and Steven Pienaar have resumed light training – all three are unlikely to start, though have a chance of making the bench.

Claudio Ranieri is hopeful that Danny Drinkwater will be fit enough to start at home to West Ham. The Leicester boss also hinted at a first-team return for Riyad Mahrez after utilising the Algerian as a sub against Everton last time out.

Nathan Redmond serves a one-match suspension as Southampton take on West Brom. Claude Puel will assess the fitness levels of his players as they prepare for the second of three matches over a five-day stretch.

Swansea’s Jefferson Montero is expected to be sidelined for up to a month with the hamstring injury that forced him off against West Ham.

Watford pair Daryl Janmaat and Valon Behrami could be out for up to three weeks with the knocks that forced them off against Palace on Boxing Day.

Maarten Stekelenburg and James McCarthy are both still ruled out through injury, while Bryan Oviedo joins them on the sidelines as Everton make their way to Hull in the first match of Gameweek 19 this evening.

Jeff Hendrick is suspended for Burnley’s clash with Sunderland, while fellow midfielder Dean Marney will be assessed after picking up a knock.

Hull’s Abel Hernandez is back in training following a hernia operation but remains around two weeks away from a return.

Viktor Fischer is Middlesbrough’s only injury absentee for the trip to Old Trafford, while Antonio Barragan is set to serve a one-match suspension.

Manuel Lanzini is back in training but remains a slight for West Ham due to a rib injury. Pedro Obiang is available after serving a one-match suspension, though James Collins remains sidelined, with Slaven Bilic expecting the Welshman back next week.

Mark Hughes has revealed that Phil Bardsley has returned to training and could be rushed back into action due to a lack of defensive options for Stoke’s trip to the Bridge. Marc Muniesa and Geoff Cameron remain sidelined through injury.

Marc Pugh and Lewis Cook are Bournemouth’s only absentees for the trip to Swansea, Eddie Howe has confirmed.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of this evening’s 7pm 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. The Generalator
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Chances of Alexis playing ?

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

      200%

    2. The Generalator
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Armband off Sanchez then that made it easy

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

        You deserve that

      2. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Don't take it off him for a made up rumour!!??

    3. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      We don't really know.

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

      something that's reapeat constantly doesn't make it happen

    5. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Not comfortable with folk making speculative statements on heavily owned assets like Sanchez and persuading folk to remove armbands etc.There's flu in the Arsenal camp but Sanchez would play with his leg hanging off and I don't see a reason to consider him a specific doubt.

      Fair enough if there are sources naming Sanchez but, right now, all I'm seeing is speculation in comments which could end in tears for some who take it on board.

      Just about to publish Picks with Sanchez in the XI.

      1. Venom Snake
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        You've just speculated by saying would play with his leg hanging off.

        If that day comes and I put the armband on him I tell ya....

      2. pompeyfan
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Here here

    6. Halftime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I think he will either start or not play at all, can't remember him ever coming off the bench.

    7. The Generalator
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I think people should post info only from reliable sources

  2. Postbox12
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Do we think Fer will start now Bradley is gone?

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Not this game no

  3. ZakAFC_
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Kane > Costa for -4. Yay or Nay?

    1. JakesXI
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I would say good move

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Nay just in case Kane scores you'd be snookered

    3. ONE PUNCH MAN
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Nay

    4. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Lord no. For free yeah but not for a hit. Kane has a great fixture.

    5. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      lol is the word here

      1. Venom Snake
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Is an acronym considered a word?

        1. La Roja
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          😀

  4. JakesXI
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Koscielny Fuchs Amat Prodl *walker suspended
    ^at the back
    Take a hit or two?

  5. Invincibles
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed
    Next week: mane & capoue > alli & Phillips?

    Any better moves for similar price? 1.3itb

  6. ONE PUNCH MAN
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    captain Sanchez or Ibra? currently on Ibra but playing against a stubborn defense

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Ibra. Defences aren't stubborn against Ibra, Ibra is stubborn against defences.

      1. ONE PUNCH MAN
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Lol

    2. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Sanchez. He's overdue.

      1. ONE PUNCH MAN
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I too think so,tried so hard against west brom,but Giroud playing reduces the appeal.

    3. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Struggling to choose but I'm on Sanchez atm fwiw..

      1. rnrd
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Sanchez too but Wenger comments make it tough.
        I Will go to the less prone to rotation option: ibra
        Xmas rotation make armbrand decisions difficult and it is probably better to play it safe

        1. Volley127
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          True but if Sanchez does have flu he's not likely to play at all I reckon so Ibra VC for me.

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Sanchez for me. Whenever I've tried something a tiny bit different this season I've been severely punished however. So you should probably go with Zlatan.

  7. teki0s
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    1FT, 0.1ITB

    Heaton
    Toby Alonso Cedric Jones
    Sanchez Firmino Siggy
    Ibra Costa Defoe

    Pickford Philips Evans Allen

    Forced to go 4-3-3 this week. G2G?
    Was thinking of saving the FT. Opinions?

    1. Invincibles
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Looks decent

  8. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    A) Cabaye + Rondon + Kun (-4)

    B) Siggy + Rondon + Costa

    C) Philips + Benteke + Costa + 1.3 mil (-4)

    D) Philips + Origi + Aguero

    1. Klopphiphop11
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      philips origi costa

  9. JakesXI
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Captain
    a) ibra
    b) costa
    c) mane
    d) erikson
    Opinions?

    1. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Ibra cos everyone else will

      1. El-Kloppico
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Am I among the everyone? I'm going with Costa

    2. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Costa

      1. JakesXI
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Stuck between Ibra and Costa :/

  10. greghammer95
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Opinions

    1. greghammer95
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Reply fail.

    2. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      are like A***holes

  11. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    So Wenger previously said he will rest Sanchez during Xmas period.

    #justsaying

    1. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      He's been talking about resting Sanchez for years it seems.

      1. La Roja
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        That's true I've to say.

    2. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      ah but which xmas was he talking about

      1. La Roja
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Last Xmas

  12. Niemi
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Lukaku to Costa for a hit, or wait?

    1. Dele
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Wait!

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      If I had Lukaku, he'd be my captain without doubt.

    3. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      are you mental?

    4. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'm thinking about getting Lukaku in next week.

  13. Dele
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts lads GTG?

    Heaton,
    Brunt, Alonso, Jones, Ake
    Hazard, Sanchez, Alli,
    Benteke, Kane, Ibra (C)

    Bench: Jaku, Zaha, De Roon, Kingsley

    I rarely play 4 at the back but don't fancy both Zaha and Big Ben.

    1. pjanns
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Looks GTG.

  14. Marty McFly
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    To replace Redmond:

    A) Iwobi
    B) Snodgrass
    C) Moses

    1. Klopphiphop11
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      jay

      1. Marty McFly
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Can't afford him

    2. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      B

      1. Marty McFly
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        You thinking set pieces?

        1. Stokelona
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Hull have a scary run of fixtures coming up

          1. Marty McFly
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Would only be for 2 weeks max

    3. ONE PUNCH MAN
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      what about Philips?

      1. Marty McFly
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Fixtures look okay after this week by I'm not a fan of sou this week

    4. Stokelona
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I would go either Chadli or Townsend

  15. DameCorp
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Captain?

    Zlatan
    Costa
    Hazard
    Sanchez

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'm on Hazard.

    2. JakesXI
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I think Zlatan but Costa is more of a risk

      1. Pieterke30
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Why is Costa a risk?

    3. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

    4. Urchin
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Anybody with a Z in their name 😉

      1. El-Kloppico
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Costaz?

    5. The Mighty Hippo
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I have the same four and I'm going with Sanchez, but it's a tough call.

  16. The Hindu Monkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Zlatan captains. Not worried how many big teams Boro have already stung this season? They just don't concede very many.

    Stoke look likely to fall apart at any moment...

  17. Sponge-worthy
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Is there a chance for lallana being rested?

    1. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      still no...

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

    3. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      He's their most inform player in their biggest match so far.

      It's not even worth a response.

    4. El-Kloppico
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      If he needed a rest, I bet Klopp would have rather rested him for the Stoke match than the City one.. This is a 6pointer..

  18. pjanns
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Looks GTG?

    Foster
    Smith - Cedric - Jones
    Sanchez - Hazard - Eriksen - Siggy
    Defoe - Ibra(c) - Costa

    (Grant - De Roon - Kingsley - Holebas)

    Next week will be:
    Defoe --> Rondon
    Holebas --> Alonso

  19. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    What are the chances I will play against Stoke on the weekend?

    1. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Are you going down there to play fetch or something?

  20. JustPark
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Lallana is rising. Again!

  21. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Costa has never scored against Stoke in the league

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Good

      1. El-Kloppico
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Zlatan never scored against Boro too.. Nor dis Kun at Anfield.. so?

    2. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Due

    3. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      To be fair he's barely played them at home.. In 2015 he was subbed on at half time but went off injured after 10 mins. The year before he didn't play at all.

      So basically Costa failed to score within one 10 minute window at home to Stoke in the last two years.

      1. Pieterke30
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Thx for clearing that up Jonty

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Neither has Zlatan!

  22. Optic1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Can't even begin to explain how Walcott has messed me about lately.

    Few weeks ago, took a hit to swap him out for Eriksen. Eriksen blank, Wally goal. Last week I have a mad moment and take another hit to do Eriksen to Walcott. Eriksen 10 pointer, Wally not even in squad.

    Am I really about to take another hit to ship out Walcott? What a jester.

    1. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      suggest you get Eriksen back in quick

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      It's nothing personal

  23. Toby Lerone
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Kane to Costa for free? Go

  24. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Just a note to say that any post about a player being injured or likely to miss a game without a link to back it up will be removed.

    If you have genuine news from a reliable source by all means share it with us.

    If you want to spread false news as you think that is funny, such posts will be treated as trolling and could result in commenting rights being removed.

    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Its a simple rule really - if you have news provide a source.

      This is in particular in relation to false speculation around which members of the Arsenal team have flu. None have been named and there is no credible sources currently to suggest a particular player is affected.

    2. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks.

      News from you & Mark? Getting Kun? Hiding behind sofa? Captains?

    3. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      What if it a genuine source that is not posted on the internet? How can we link to that? Just a general question.

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I can't think of a genuine source you would have unless you were a top sports journalist that had just had an off the record chat with Wenger...which you are not.

        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          ..and even if you were I'd assume you'd post it somewhere online if you were a credible source of news.

        2. John t penguin
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          or a chemist in north London area

    4. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Let's say a friend of a friends Aunty told me, so there wouldn't be a link to post but it's a strong source.

      Will it be accepted?

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        No

    5. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Well said Jonty. Keep the kids in line.

      1. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Lol, your post claiming he was dead is one of the ones that had to be removed!

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

      this is like market manipulation. An attempt for Sanchez price to drop.?

    7. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Can you not ban these fools Jonty?

      no place for them here

      1. Venom Snake
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Settle down

        1. Funkyav
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          no time for trolls and idiots

      2. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Sadly we have had to block comments from a number of posters this week who think spreading false news is funny.

    8. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Tbh Jonty, it's not even coming across as people joking at this stage. You can tell when it's a bit of a mess or a laugh. These days it seems a certain few are just out to spread nonsense.

    9. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      You tell em Jonty

    10. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Here here

    11. El-Kloppico
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I am injured.
      Don't think I'll be able to select my team for this GW.. Sorry for those who owns me 😀

  25. Rajveer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Play

    Anichebe (bur)

    Or

    Zaha (ars) ??

    1. Sahil Yadav
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      anichebe

  26. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    So today it's Sanchez scaremongering.

    Last GW it was Ibra scaremongering.

    Cool.

  27. Sahil Yadav
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Team for this GW:
    Heaton
    Holebas, alonso, cedric
    Sanchez, walcott, siggy, phillips
    Costa, ibra, defoe

    Subs: grant, allen, amat, pieters
    1 FT, 0.6 itb

    Since walcott is injured, i want to transfer him out. For which one should i go?
    1) walcott->alli
    2) walcott->lallana
    3)walcott+siggy->alli+lallana for -4
    4) any other transfer/ dont do a transfer

    1. xtremesid
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      1

  28. xtremesid
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    GTG ? Save FT ?
    Heaton
    Alonso-Evans-Cedric
    Sanchez-Pogba-Eriksen-Matic-Siggy
    Costa(C)-Ibra

    Jaku-Smith-Amat-Anichebe
    ITB 0.1

    1. Sahil Yadav
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      how about siggy->lallana

  29. Depleda
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Play one?
    Zaha or Capoue

    Thanks

    1. Zareos
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Zaha

  30. Zareos
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    I have the exact money to transfer Siggy and Kane for Lallana and Aguero. However, with Lallana rising and Kane dropping, I would need to make the move today (after the deadline for GW20).

    I don't like the idea of making 2 transfers before the majority of the gameweek is played. However, this time may be an exception. Should I:

    A. Siggy and Kane to Lallana and Aguero (after the deadline tonight and -4); or
    B. Wait until after the games and transfer Kane out for Aguero (no hit but with the drops it means I would be without a Liverpool midfielder)?

    1. Sahil Yadav
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Price may be an issue so go for it. However, you may wait for their(lallna/aguero) matches to be played so that you become sure about any injury issue.