Team News
1 December 2017 877 comments
James H James H
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Alexandre Lacazette will miss Arsenal’s home fixture against Man United, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is a slight doubt ahead of Stoke City’s home meeting with Swansea City.

Big-hitting midfielders Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah are in line for a first-team recall after falling victim to rotation in midweek.

And Leroy Sane is also expected to recover from illness to return to contention for Man City’s home match with West Ham.

Here’s our summary of the key team news so far, with an array of big press conferences still to come this afternoon.

Chris Hughton revealed Gaetan Bong will be available for Brighton & Hove Albion’s home clash against Liverpool, with the left-back recovering from a minor niggle. He looks set to replace Markus Suttner in the XI after missing out in midweek. Manager Chris Hughton could also consider resting Glenn Murray with the striker having played in midweek and just one caution away from a ban; Tomer Hemed may get the nod.

Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho are poised for a first-team return for the Reds after both were named on the bench in the midweek win at Stoke. Similarly, James Milner and Jordan Henderson are also pushing for returns after earning minutes off the bench against the Potters.

Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta look set to return to the Chelsea teamsheet for the visit of Newcastle after being named as subs for the visit of Swansea last Wednesday. The fit-again Victor Moses also featured as a sub against Swansea and could now be named in Antonio Conte’s starting line-up.

Sam Allardyce will have Oumar Niasse available for his first match in charge of Everton, with the forward returning for the home clash against Huddersfield after completing a two-match ban. However, Dominic Calvert-Lewin could retain his start in light of the midweek 4-0 win over West Ham. At the back, Leighton Baines and Michael Keane remain big doubts for the Toffees.

Christian Fuchs will return to the squad for Leicester City’s home meeting with Burnley. The Austrian missed the 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur due to the birth of his daughter and could replace Ben Chilwell at left-back. Demarai Gray will be pushing for a return to the teamsheet after being utilised as a sub in midweek.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche has revealed that defender Matt Lowton is “touch and go” for the trip to the King Power Stadium due to a knee injury, with Phil Bardsley in standby to deputise again. Steven Defour is expected to shake off a minor knock, though.

Eric Choupo-Moting (ankle) is a minor doubt for Stoke’s home encounter with Swansea City, though manager Mark Hughes is very optimistic on his chances of being available. The Cameroon international could return to the lone striker role after being handed a support berth behind Peter Crouch last time out.

Tammy Abraham is available for the trip to the bet365 Stadium after being ineligible to face his parent club Chelsea but Federico Fernandez remains out following the death of his father.

Will Hughes remains doubtful for Watford’s home match with Spurs after limping off with a hamstring problem against Man United in midweek. Roberto Pereyra could start alongside Richarlison if Marco Silva retains his recent 3-4-2-1 set-up.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will be able to call upon Harry Winks at Vicarage Road, with the midfielder recovering from illness. Erik Lamela and Son Heung-min featured as subs in midweek and will be pushing for starts against the Hornets.

New West Brom boss Alan Pardew could be without Matt Phillips and Christ Brunt in his first match in charge. The Baggies boss is expected to retain youngster Sam Field in his XI as he goes head-to-head with former club Crystal Palace.

Roy Hodgson will make late calls on Jeffrey Schlupp, Scott Dann, Luka Milivojevic and Yohan Cabaye, who all sat out training on Thursday due to knocks ahead of the Hawthorns encounter. The Eagles boss also confirmed that Christian Benteke is “fit and ready to play” after completing his first 90 minutes of the season in midweek.

Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette will miss the home encounter against Manchester United due to the groin injury he picked up in the 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town. Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud look set to vie for the lone striker role in Lacazette’s absence, while Alexis Sanchez is expected to recover from a small hamstring problem to start.

The Red Devils have concerns in midfield, though, with both Marouane Fellaini and Nemanja Matic doubtful. At the back, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly look poised to miss out again, with Jose Mourinho expected to employ a three-man defence at the Emirates Stadium.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will make a late decision on Junior Stanislas (groin) ahead of the visit of Southampton to the Vitality Stadium, with the midfielder rated as 50:50.

Leroy Sane remains a slight doubt for Man City’s home match with West Ham after missing the midweek win over Southampton through injury. Pep Guardiola fielded Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus together for the first time since Gameweek 5 against the Saints, but the Argentine has now started each of the last three up front and could be rested to the bench if Sane returns to contention.

The Hammers are set to hand Adrian a rare outing in goal as the on-loan Joe Hart is ineligible to play against his parent club. Meanwhile, Michail Antonio is in line for his first start since Gameweek 9 after signalling his return from injury with an appearance off the bench in Wednesday’s loss at Everton.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of this tomorrow’s 11.30am deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from today’s press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.

877 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Profa Benitez
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Dann to Maguire for a hit?

  2. Reckoner.
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Current front 8:

    Salah | Sane | Sterling | Richarlison* | Choupo-Moting*
    Kane | Morata | Crouch*

    Going to try move to this by GW17:

    Salah | Sane | Sterling | Pogba* | Hughes*
    Kane | Morata | Niasse*

    Obviously dependent on Hughes fitness (could be RLC instead) and Niasse getting in the team. Silly moves or not?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Not silly moves in theory but it's unlikely things will work out exactly as you imagine.

  3. CloudSky
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone benching Choupo because of a fear of cameo or do we expect him to start?

    1. Chucky
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      he's going to start and punish the doubters..

      1. CloudSky
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Thats what I wanted to hear Chucky 😉

    2. Goalosaurus
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Choupo is my team mascot so gotta play, you never know when he'll fluke a goal even with limited minutes.

    3. Rhinos
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      im ditching

      1. CloudSky
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        I might next week but you never really know with him.

  4. JONALDINHO
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Chances of Niasse starting this weekend?

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I can’t see winning team changing. He’ll on bench imo

  5. GreatCarragherReef
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Valencia and Eriksen to Christensen and hazard for free?

    or just Valencia to azpili and do lukaku plus Eriksen to hazard and someone next week

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      The first one

      1. GreatCarragherReef
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        cheers, what do you think of lukaku to aguero for a -4?

  6. fr3d
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:

    a) Mee (lei)
    b) Daniels (SOU)
    c) Niasse (HUD)

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. L9
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      mee

    3. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I don’t think C will start

    4. Reckoner.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely not Daniels out of those. Probably Niasse because doubtful he starts.

  7. The Alli Way
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Lukaku & Dann > Morata & Azpi for a -4?

  8. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Any updates on the Sane injury?

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Press conference at 13:30

    2. Sánchez
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      It wasn't an injury

      1. Majestic Chanka
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Reckon it might have been punishment from Pep for that yellow after the full time whistle?

    3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Press conference in a bit.

    4. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      From article says "Leroy Sane is also expected to recover from illness to return to contention for Man City’s home match with West Ham". Don't know source or anything though

      But city presser at 13:30 apparently.

    5. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      He isn’t injured.

    6. Goalosaurus
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Don't think so. Pep press conference due soon though.

    7. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      thanks all

  9. Scotty B
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Sane > Mane if he is still out or save if he is fit?

    Fabianski
    Bellerin Otamendi Ake Alonso
    Salah KDB Sane
    Abraham Morata Firmino

    Elliot Ritchie Carroll Tuanzabe

    1m ITB & 1 FT

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I'd make the transfer if he's out.

  10. Podge
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Pope
    Smalling Azpilicueta Moreno
    Sané Pogba Salah Hazard(C)
    Niasse Morata Jesus
    Bench RLC Mee Dunk

    Thinking save ?
    Possibility for next week would be Pog and Jesus to Young and Kane if they do ok again this weekend.

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Save

  11. Deece
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    G2g ? save FT 0.0m in bank

    Courtois
    Mustafi Daniels Mee
    Hazard (c) Salah Sterling Silva RLC
    Kane Morata

    Elliot Naughton McBurnie Mbemba

    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good

  12. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Elliot and Speroni owner, FT Elliot to Hennessey (Can only afford 4.3) or Speroni to Hennessey, guaranteed starter or potential room for rotation between keepers if Elliot comes back in?

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I'd go guaranteed starter I think

      1. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

  13. Erez Avni
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    need help please...

    Fister (Elliot)
    Cedric Mee Ake (Rangel Rosenior)
    Salah Silva Sterling Richarlison (Carroll)
    Kane Vardy Morata

    0.9 itb 1 ft

    a. Cedric < Monrial
    b. Rosensior < Moreno
    c, silva < coutinho
    d. silva < sigurdsson

    cheers

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Benster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Fister = hehe hehe hehe

      1. Erez Avni
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        🙂

  14. Rhinos
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Kane to Austin -4. What can go wrong

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Your season

      1. Rhinos
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        not really, be a 20 pt swing at worst, that happens all the time

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      😯 Have you seen his fixtures?

      1. Rhinos
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        ive seen gw15 fixture, dont really care after that 😛

    3. COLLIN QUANER
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Tempted by this myself

  15. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    How to use my 2 FTs?

    A) Aguero/Gross to Niasse/Hazard

    B) Jones/Silva to Christensen/Sterling

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Jones to Christensen and save the other?

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Sensible move, but so tempting to get Hazard... but maby wait 1 week and see if Aguero continues to start and if Niasse plays under Allardyce

  16. Trovsmash
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Pick 2 for draft
    A. Albrighton
    B. Tadic
    C. Brady
    D. Ritchie
    E. Mkhit

  17. AandyzZ
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone benching Morata to avoid his 1 point cameo for 10 mins?

    1. Rhinos
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      anyone doing that is a moron

      1. AandyzZ
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Ahah depends if you think he'll start or not? It's quite likely he's rested

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Captain material this week

      1. AandyzZ
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Very brave

  18. Blue Gaffer
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Benteke-----Niasse
    Richarlison-----Sane - 4

    Yes or no?

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Nay

    2. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      No way. Keep Richarlison.

      1. Volley127
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Niasse can't be nailed yet either.

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      No

    4. AandyzZ
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      No, too much risk, both niasse and Sane could be benched, plus benteke not a bad option this week and you don't want to get rid of Richarlison any time soon as you'll regret it..

  19. Djemba-Djembas right foot
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    A bit unsure where to go with this team..
    Consistantly beating the average by 1/2pt a week but making no real ground up in mini leagues...

    any advice?

    Foster (Elliot)

    Maguire, Mee, Walker (Naughton, Zanka)

    Sterling, Salah, Pogba Zaha (Carroll)

    Kane, Morata (Wilson)

    I need to improve the keeper situation i feel, and probably defence.. any ideas?

    1. Djemba-Djembas right foot
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Forgot to say - 2FT - 0.3 ITB

  20. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    DDG / Elliot
    Azpi / Daniels / Mee / Duffy / Hunemeier
    Salah / Sané / Pogba / Richarlison / Gross
    Kane / Morata / Wilson

    Who would you bench:
    A) Pogba
    B) Richarlison
    C) Gross
    D) Wilson

    Fixtures may dictate Richarlison or Gross, but either could chip in and return? Currently on Kane (C) / Morata (VC). Sound okay?

    People suggest C when I list my team, but in isolation tell me not to bench Gross :S

  21. FPL Panda
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Start richarlison or niasse ?

    Cheers

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Richarlison, guaranteed starter.

    2. fr3d
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Rich

    3. Konstaapeli
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Rich

  22. Blue Gaffer
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Benteke.

    1.Sell
    2.Keep

    If 1 who for up to £8mil?

  23. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    What do you think of
    GW 15 Alonso > Christensen
    GW 16 Pogba & DDG > Hazard & goalie up to 4.6

    Current team is:

    DDG / Speroni

    Daniels / Alonso / Mee / Moreno / Mustafi

    Richarlison / Pogba / Sane / Salah / RLC

    Kane / Morata / Niasse

    2FT 0.4 ITB

  24. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Niasse or Wilson on a wildcard?

    1. Rhinos
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      niasse but have an exit plan in case big sam doesnt lke him

  25. Grounderz
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Rookie question regarding the World Cup.

    Germany is currently the defending champion. Suppose they had a bad run in qualifying campaign. Does Germany automatically qualify for the forthcoming World Cup even if they finish last in their group during the qualifying campaign?

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Nope don't think so. Used to be the case but now only hosts automatically qualify if I remember correctly (don't have to do the qualification at all).

    2. CloudSky
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      They do not. Only the host is automatically qualified.

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

      No they had to qualify like the rest

    4. Podge
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      They wouldn’t be in a group if they qualified automatically

    5. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Think they still have to qualify. Only the hosts get a guaranteed place.

    6. Grounderz
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks, all. I actually thought they deserve automatic qualification after winning the World Cup like the same goes like UCL format.

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        The holders used to get an automatic spot but that changed after 2002.

  26. Big Sam Time
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Struggling for a captian pick??? But other than that hows this look??

    Ederson
    Daniels, Kolasinac, moreno
    Salah, david silva, moting, zaha
    Kane, morata, Niasse

    Bench, elliot, cork, ward, naughton

    1. Goalosaurus
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I'd go for Kane captain out of that team. Watford have conceded the most goals at home and can't see them going defensive now when they haven't against anyone else.

  27. The Alli Way
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Pope (Elliot)
    Daniels Mee Moreno (Dann (Naughton))
    Hazard Sterling Salah C-Moting RLC
    Kane Lukaku (Niasse)

    A) Lukaku > Morata
    B) Lukaku > Morata & Dann > Azpi (-4)
    C) Dann > Christensen

  28. FCSB
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    who to captain this week:

    1. Morata
    2. Salah
    3. Kane

    thanks

    1. fattfattygavgav
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      3

    2. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      All good shouts, the answer is what everyone wants to know 😉

  29. fattfattygavgav
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Eriksen to Hazard -4?

    yes or no?

    (already have Morata and Kane)

  30. El_Shaw
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Is bringing Otamendi in on a WC crazy or stupid?

    1. Rhinos
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      are they the only 2 options?

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Why would it be crazy?