Team News

The Weekend Team News

Olivier Giroud is back in training as Arsene Wenger confirms that Arsenal have no injuries from last week’s win at Swansea. Robert Snodgrass is a worry for Hull ahead of their trip to Chelsea, while Leighton Baines is also a minor doubt as Everton roll up to Palace.

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Arsenal have no injuries from the squad that faced Swansea last weekend. The Gunners boss also stated that Hector Bellerin, Francis Coquelin and Kieran Gibbs “should be available” for selection at home to Burnley, though Theo Walcott misses out again.

Winston Reid, Sofiane Feghouli, Sam Byram and Andy Carroll are all minor doubts for West Ham’s trip to Middlesbrough, with Slaven Bilic “very optimistic” that all four will be available at the Riverside.

Robert Snodgrass is a slight doubt for Hull’s trip to Chelsea with a muscle problem. David Meyler is set to return to training today and is likely to be available.

Ronald Koeman has revealed that Leighton Baines is “struggling a bit” with a rib problem but expects the defender to be fit in time to face Palace. Maarten Stekelenburg – who was on the bench last weekend – is now 100% fit, according to his manager.

Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Bertrand have recovered from the knocks that forced them to miss Southampton’s midweek cup clash with Norwich. Steven Davis remains on the sidelines, though, as Claude Puel’s welcome Leicester to St Mary’s.

Jan Vertonghen has been ruled out for around six weeks with the ankle injury that forced him off against West Brom last weekend. Mauricio Pochettino also revealed that Erik Lamela is set for further scans on a hip injury that leaves the club uncertain as to when he will return.

Antonio Barragan and Gaston Ramirez remain unavailable for Middlesbrough’s clash with West Ham. The Teesside team have new boy Patrick Bamford in contention after he was snapped up from Chelsea in midweek.

Mark Hughes has revealed that Bojan is back in contention for Stoke’s clash with United after recovering from a hip problem. The Potters manager has no new injury concerns ahead of the bet365 encounter.

West Brom will make a late assessment on Jonny Evans’ ongoing calf problem, while Tony Pulis has conceded they are still waiting to hear if Allan Nyom is cleared to play after withdrawing from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Paul Clement has confirmed that recent additions Martin Olsson and Tom Carroll will feature at Anfield, though fellow new boy Luciano Narsingh is doubtful with a calf complaint.

Heurelho Gomes remains a doubt for Watford’s trip to Bournemouth due to a back problem. Daryl Janmaat (groin) will be assessed, while Isaac Success and Nordin Amrabat remain sidelined.

Javier Manquillo has been ruled out of Sunderland’s trip to West Brom with a calf complaint. David Moyes expects Jack Rodwell to be available but is less optimistic on Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar’s chances of recovering in time.

Marc Wilson is sidelined for Bournemouth’s home match with Watford due to a hamstring problem. The Cherries are also without Simon Francis, who serves the last of a three-match suspension.

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.

907 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Costa's Counsellor
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Defoe would be my differential captain punt this week.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Playing against?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        WBA. Ok. Can work

    2. mcrayeps
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      while i bench defoe, oh no

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      So many good captaincy options - I'd play it safer this week

      1. Costa's Counsellor
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Oh I'm definitely not doing it - just a few people discounting/shifting Defoe seems bizarre to me.

  2. nevins84
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    As an Aggy owner the pics of Aggy Pep and Aggys agent meeting last night has me worried...

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Daily mail. Probably a photoshop 😛

    1. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Nothing to be worried about we'll all be scrabbling around to get him in our teams soon enough

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe it was his annual appraisal?

  3. No Pirlo No Party
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Hold Aguero or shift to Zlatan/Kane?

    Looking at Aguero + Siggy ---> Zlatan + Alli

    1. Costa's Counsellor
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      If it's free, do it.

      1. No Pirlo No Party
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Only 1 transfer. Might just replace Siggy and see what happens with Aguero and Giroud.

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Hold but you do need to get rid of Siggy

      1. No Pirlo No Party
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Siggy to a Alli/Eriksen this week I think

        1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Both good options

  4. Yellin' in my Ear
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    GTG, any changes you'd make? 1FT 0.1

    Heaton
    Alonso, Baines, Bellerin, Evans
    Hazard, Sanchez, Phillips, Eriksen
    Cost, Sanchez

    Pickford, Crouch, Walker, De Roon

    Cheers

    1. Don Broly
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Evans is out so start Walker or De Roon

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Where do you get that? Pulis said 50 minutes ago that Evans was a 'late fitness test". Unless you know the result of that test before it has happened?

  5. rdunc08
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    is it wise to sell Lallana, due to his poor form for someone like pedro??

    1. ATOM AND HUMBER
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Hold for Swansea and then re-evaluate

      1. Yellin' in my Ear
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        This

  6. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Have I got this right for this GW??

    Foster
    Alonso Jones McAuley Friend
    Sanchez Hazard (c) Eriksen Lallana de Roon
    Ibrahimovic Giroud

    Heaton de Roon Amat Anichebe

    0 FT, 2.1m ITB

    Anything worth a hit??

    Thanks

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Too much de roon

  7. AusBest11
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Will costa start or not? Transfer or keep?

    1. makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Keep 🙂

    2. Kevin Malone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      News conference in a couple of hours should hopefully provide alot of answers.

    3. The Wizard of Ozil
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Million dollar question. I'm holding and maybe (c)

    4. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      If you've kept this long, then hold and see

  8. AusBest11
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Have Alli and Eriksen in my team. Who to transfer for coutinho or Pedro. Or just stick

    1. Kevin Malone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Stick. Definitely stick.

      1. The Wizard of Ozil
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        This.

    2. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Stick

  9. maxxxus
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Play 3:

    Lovren, Brunt, Baines, Walker

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Bench Walker

    2. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I'd bench Lovren

  10. JJO
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    When the f will Nyom be able to play again?
    After Afcon?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      So frustrating. Been holding onto him for these fixtures.

      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Me too
        Just dont get it

    2. nevins84
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      No one knows yet... Its down to FIFA ... In the good old days a fat envelope to Sep would have got a decision by now...
      Bring back sep

    3. Kevin Malone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      FIFA are a genuine disgrace.

  11. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Foster
    Alonso l chambers l brunt
    Sanchez (c) l Alli l Coutinho l lallana l Philips
    Ibra l giroud
    Pickford/Jones/dio/Amat
    3.5ITB 1FT g2g?

  12. redwiing
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Is Phillips worth upgrading from Stanislas? Or is the consensus to just make sure you have 1 in your side for game week coverages atm? I can potentially make the upgrade by downgrading Jones in defence?

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      No, just stick with Stan and Jones for now

    2. abreu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Stanis beats Phillips quite comfortably in most stats, so that would be a downgrade imo

      But who knows, anything can happen in one gameweek tho

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

    Snodgrass a doubt? Alonso might actually be the best captaincy shout this week. Has a floor of 6 points this week and a pretty high ceiling as seen last week.

    1. Kevin Malone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Think people are getting a bit carried away and to say his floor is 6 points is a bit premature. Don't think its worth the risk with so many good captaincy options this week.

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

        11 clean sheets in their last 16 games. At home to the worst team in the league without their best attacker. I'd say a floor of 6 is very likely

        1. Kevin Malone
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Likely but not concrete, hence premature.

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

            Well of course it isn't concrete, just very likely

    2. Shirokov(c)
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      He doesn't have a floor of 6 points.

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

        Pretty much does

        1. Shirokov(c)
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          His floor is two points on the basis that he plays 90 minutes. Anything else is a bonus, same as any other defender.

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

            I'm clearly just using the term floor to say it's extremely likely he will get a clean sheet. I'm not using it literally.

      2. bigwig
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Im expecting 6 points, any less I'd be disappointed

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          That's not "floor" though is it?

          1. bigwig
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I think thats what he means though.
            For me Sanchez' 'floor' is double figures this week but I will probably be disappointed

    3. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      the other way of looking at it is snod may be replaced by someone who bothers defending.

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I think your definition of floor is different to everyone else's.

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

        It's pretty obvious what I'm getting at. God people take everything so seriously

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Don't get stroppy 😛

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

            Apologies, I obviously know the definition of floor, I'm just using it to say an Alonso CS looks nailed on with Snoddy out

    5. getfunky
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      tbf it is pretty obvious what he meant. it's like the use the word essential, we all know that no player is essential yet the word is thrown around like hot cakes around here cos it's a convenient way of saying someone's likely to get points

  14. AusBest11
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Do I need to do anything with this team and who to bench and in what order?

    Foster Grant
    Azpil Jones Reid Chambers Amat
    Sanchez Alli Eriksen Lallana Phillips
    Ibra Costa Crouch

    Amat to Holgate maybe?

    1. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah maybe but holgate is by no means nailed either.
      Decent team I'd bench Amat, Crouch and Chambers (just over Reid) and save transfer

  15. ATOM AND HUMBER
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Bit of a benching dilemma. Play Stanislas or Chambers? Or drop someone else

    Foster
    Van Dijk, Alonso, Chambers, Baines
    Eriksen, Sanchez, Alli, Phillips
    Lukaku, Ibra

    Heaton, Stanislas, McAuley, Anichibe

    1. FPL Bielsa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Play Stan and Mac bench Chamb and Baines imo

      Eve poor away and Mac more goal threat than Chamb

  16. dicky2014
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    What is that bloke doing behind Snodgrass?

    1. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      The Haka I rekon

  17. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    GTG??
    Forster
    Alonso Jones Smith
    San(c)hez Lallana Phillips Stan
    Ibra Lukaku Defoe

    Pickford Evans Barragan Deroon
    0FT 3.9itb
    Looking at Barragan+Lallana> Walker+ Eriksen next week

    1. Kevin Malone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good and transfers look good too.

    2. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      G2g and great moves next week

    3. Bring the Cavalry
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks guys

  18. maxxxus
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Which 3 to play?

    A: Lovren (swansea home)
    B: Brunt |(sunderland home)
    C: Baines (palace away)
    D: Walker (city away)

    Barragan is injured 🙁

    Thanks all!

    1. abreu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      very tough choice, would just play the odds in this case and bench walker

    2. Kevin Malone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Probably D but won't matter in the end if Baines doesn't play.

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      You asked this further up the page

    4. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      A, B and C.

      1. maxxxus
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks all 🙂

  19. fordy049
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Whats up with GW28, why will some teams not play? FA cup?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Hot topic

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yep, quarter finals.

  20. Dotherightthing
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Hey, what you think, Alli or Stanislas this GW?

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

      Alli

    2. Kevin Malone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Tough one, probably just Alli though. If it's a benching question then definitely play both.

    3. MTPockets
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Stan probably best, but I wouldn't honestly be able to bench Alli.

        1. Dotherightthing
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Alli, Phillips, Sanchez, Stanislas, Pedro, who to bench? Alli at the moment, but we know Man city concede on the counter attack

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Don't really like idea of benching any of them.

              1. Dotherightthing
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                me neither, lol shall I bench Kun (also have Ibra and Giroud)

                1. MTPockets
                    7 years, 4 months ago

                    If that's a consideration should sell him.

                    1. Dotherightthing
                      • 8 Years
                      7 years, 4 months ago

                      fair point

        2. Gooner97
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I need to get a 5.8m midfielder, which one should I buy?
          Iwobi and Philips are 5.9m 🙁

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Stanislas? Form, pretty good fixtures, no 26/28 blank.

            • Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Stanislas.

          2. tsubasa10
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            rondon for captain, anyone???

            1. Kevin Malone
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              No

            2. Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Not for me.

          3. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            If Costa comes back in this weekend who makes way? Willian or Pedro?

            1. Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Good question, probably Willian.

            2. Kevin Malone
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Willian. Conte loves Pedro.

            3. bigwig
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Willian. Pedro's form just edges it

          4. Iceball
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Foster
            Alonso Lovren McAuley
            Sanchez(C) Hazard(V) Eriksen Firmino Phillips
            Ibra Defoe
            Jak Walker Diomande Amat
            1ft, save and GTG?

            1. Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Fo sho.

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

            Iwobi has a floor of 9 points this GW

            1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              🙂

          6. The Greenback Boogie
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            If you had to pick 2 for the long term, which 2 would you pick?

            A. Walker
            B. Luiz
            C. Mustafi

            1. Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              A and B.

          7. Tomcooper9
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Holebas to Baines/Coleman or Rose?

            1. Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Rose.

            2. MTPockets
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Coleman (or baines if fit).

              • Kevin Malone
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Baines

            3. Dotherightthing
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              A - Brunt (sun H)
              B - Baines (pal A)
              C - Yoshida (Lei H)
              D - Smith (Wat H)
              E - Chambers (West H)

              Pick 3 , please 🙂

              1. Gregor
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                A, B and C.

              2. FPL Bielsa
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                A
                D
                E

                1. Dotherightthing
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  Baines, yoshida out ? Is baines confirmed injured?

                  1. FPL Bielsa
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    7 years, 4 months ago

                    Baines doubtful with Rib and fancy Bou and Boro more than Sou for cleanie.

            4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              I am flying out to Spain in a couple of hours

              c sanchez, ibra or kane?

              1. Now I'm Panicking
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                You subtle braggers make me sick 😛

              2. Your Man With The Hair
                • 13 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Sanchez. He has a "c" in his name.

                1. Ha.
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  Ibrahimovic?

                2. Jam0sh
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  So has IbrahimoviC to not make this too easy

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

                Will you still be on here during matchday?

              4. cheeky moses
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                snachez