Team News
12 December 2017 2037 comments
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Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata will miss tonight’s trip to Huddersfield Town, while Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out of their match at West Ham United.

Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho faces a lengthy spell out following a calf injury, while a late decision will be made on Ben Mee ahead of Burnley’s home clash against Stoke City.

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

Matt Lowton looks unlikely to be fit for Burnley’s home encounter against Stoke City, with Phil Bardsley in line for another start. Meanwhile, a late call will be made on fellow defender Ben Mee.

The Potters, however, will again be without injured pair Bruno Martins Indi and Glen Johnson, with Jese Rodriguez still unavailable due to personal reasons.

Crystal Palace have been dealt a blow with the news that Mamadou Sakho faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines due to a calf injury, with Scott Dann is line to cement a starting berth. Joel Ward remains out but Yohan Cabaye has recovered from a bang to the knee and is fit to face Watford.

Marvin Zeegelaar will miss the trip to Selhurst Park after his appeal following the red card in the 1-0 defeat to Burnley was rejected, with Jose Holebas set for a first-team return. Elsewhere in defence, Kiko Femenia and Miguel Britos are remain doubts.

Huddersfield Town welcome back Rajiv van La Parra from suspension for the home clash against Chelsea, but on-loan midfielder Kasey Palmer is ineligible to face his parent club.

As for the Blues, they’ll be without Alvaro Morata, who is fatigued and nursing a back injury. Antonio Conte rolled out a striker-less formation the last time the Spaniard failed to start, with Eden Hazard backed by Pedro and Willian.

Danny Drinkwater returns to the squad following illness, while Victor Moses and Antonio Rudiger are among those pushing for recalls.

After being introduced from the bench in the 3-2 defeat to Leicester City following a thigh injury, Christian Atsu looks poised for a return to the teamsheet when Newcastle United host Everton. Jamaal Lascelles was an unused substitute at the weekend and may also return to the starting XI.

Aaron Lennon will be pushing for a recall for the Toffees at St James’ Park after coming on as a half-time substitute in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

Cedric Soares returned to training on Monday ahead of the home encounter against Leicester City, with a late decision to be made as to whether he’ll come straight back into the starting XI following a hamstring injury.

Shinji Okazaki is available for the Foxes after suffering a cut to the face against Newcastle last weekend.

Swansea City head coach Paul Clement revealed that Wayne Routledge is a doubt for the home meeting with Manchester City due to some muscle tightness, but Federico Fernandez is expected to return in central defence.

Following the Manchester derby, and with a home fixture with Tottenham Hotspur to come on Saturday, Pep Guardiola could rotate for the trip to the Liberty Stadium. Eliaquim Mangala is set to replace Vincent Kompany, who was forced off with a muscle injury on Sunday, while after being an unused substitute at the weekend, Sergio Aguero is expected to be handed a recall. Danilo, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are others who may come into contention for starts.

After only appearing as substitutes in the Merseyside derby, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are expected to return to the starting XI for the home encounter against West Bromwich Albion. Daniel Sturridge (hamstring) remains a doubt.

For the Baggies, Matt Phillips remains a doubt ans Gareth Barry is still out.

Jose Mourinho will again be without the suspended Paul Pogba for the home clash against Bournemouth, while Marcos Rojo is a doubt after being forced off with a head injury in the Manchester derby. Phil Jones could be in line for a recall.

Adam Smith is available again for the Cherries after serving a one-match ban, while Harry Arter could push for a recall.

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Man City, Mauricio Pochettino may hand starts to Serge Aurier and Danny Rose in the full-back positions for the home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. Moussa Sissoko is another who could return to the side, but Davinson Sanchez serves the second of his three-match ban.

The Seagulls have no fresh injury concerns, though Anthony Knockaert may be handed a recall after being left out for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Huddersfield due to tactical reasons.

Following the 1-0 win over Chelsea, David Moyes could consider naming an unchanged starting XI for the visit of Arsenal to the London Stadium, though both Andy Carroll and Chicharito will push for starts having been named on the bench for the victory over Chelsea.

The Gunners will be without Aaron Ramsey, who picked up a hamstring injury during the 1-1 draw with Southampton. Shkodran Mustafi also remains out.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section, together with predicted line-ups ahead of this tonight’s 6.45pm deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news as the day unfolds.

  1. Boss Hogg
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Thinking of ditching Morata and bringing in Hazard for a hit. (-8 points)

    I fancy Hazard for the long term anyway, so today would be the perfect time to do it. DCL is the makeweight, but who do I sell?

    a. Choupo-Moting
    b. Gross
    c. Richarlison
    d. Nobody. Don't do it!

    Thanks.

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe not the week to bring Hazard in...

      1. Boss Hogg
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Why not?

        1. Differentiator
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I'd captain him as Wellman think it's worth a punt (or K)

    2. Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      a. if you want to take the hit

    3. ElliotJHP
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A for me

    4. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely A. He's been pushed wide

  2. ILOVEBAPS
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Priority to shift first?

    Ramsey
    Wilson (lost 0.2 already)
    Daniels
    Dunk

    1. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      the injured one for sure

      1. kennethrhcp
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        *Ramsey I meant

        1. ILOVEBAPS
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Worth a hit for Austin or Jones/Christensen?

          1. kennethrhcp
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            your team link aint working for me... what's your team like?

            the way i'm looking at this gameweek... get 11 out without hits = a 4 or 8 point headstart

    2. ONE PUNCH MAN
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      rambo injured

  3. ElliotJHP
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling/Son & Firmino

    Or

    Hazard & Austin?

    Have Jesus, Sane & Salah.

    1. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard & Austin

  4. IdrissaGueye
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Who to play?

    A) Ward v stoke(H)

    B) Shaqiri v burnley(A)

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. drughi
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      b

    3. Emp
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A

    4. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B

  5. MrMajeika
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    do I do morata to firmino for -4? worried I have too many non starters/injuries with trippier mee Moreno Stirling.

  6. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Daniels > Kenny & Morata > Kaku for free yes or no?

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Sure. Kaku will break the duck

    2. ONE PUNCH MAN
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      kaku has been poor. wait to see his form.

    3. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I'm benching morata... can you get 11 out & keep? if back at weekend you'll want him again... break might do him well

    4. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A calculated risk

    5. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      1 yellow card away from suspension though anyway

  7. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Morata + Fabianski 》》Firmino + DDG

    Or keep Morata

  8. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Can anybody put a case forward for Firmino? I see a lot of support for this guy, but in my eyes he's the same old Firmino (with more bench time). Is it simply a lack of options, which makes him the best of a bad bunch. And everyone recommending him increases belief that he's actually a great option?

    Not saying he's a bad option, but I'm extremely wary of wasting a transfer on him. I'm also looking at Rashford, so I can use the spare money on Coutinho over Sterling/Silva. Even Rashford has only played a minute less than Firmino over the last 6 GWs, so I'm not confident I could predict Firmino's gametime at all.

    1. Freddo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I guess the case for Firmino comes from the fact that they have 3 homes games in the next 5 with 2 away games agaisnt teams who they can score well against.

      Liverpool are looking like an attacking force again and I guess the idea is to try and predict where points will come.

      People are salivating over Chelsea's short term fixtures but Liverpool's look just as nice and are scoring freely.

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

    playing a dead team in FPL Cup,should I be worried?

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Slightly

      1. ONE PUNCH MAN
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        looks like it.

    2. CloudSky
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I am. Triple Utd, double City, double Spurs. Myself might not even field 11. But eh, cup isnt important.

      1. ONE PUNCH MAN
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        it is not?

        1. CloudSky
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Not for me at least. Gets in the way of my OR ranking.

  10. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Morata to Firmino?

    1. drughi
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      for free ? then yeah worth a shot

    2. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I dont think its worth it as i dont like Firmino.

      1. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Its like am forcing the transfer myself

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

      looks good for this week,but not long term

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

      See two posts above

    5. Freddo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      West Brom are no longer solid at the back, Liverpool are scoring for fun, he's rested with 3 home games in 5.

      Not sure why you have to like a player to see there's an opportunity for points to be scored.

  11. beric
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    A. Kun

    B. Firmino

    C. RLC and save ft

    Would lose 0.1 on morata

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Kun if you can stretch

    2. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A. Fancy him to get a few starts

  12. jpb333
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    might only have 9 starters with Niasse and Mee in team.

    Morata to Lukaku -4 gives me 10.

    Yeah or Nay?

    1. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      In this instance it's effectively a -2 so yeah I'd go for it

  13. Stimps
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Good to go? On a -4

    Courtois
    Kolasinac Smalling Mee
    Hazard Salah Sterling Richarlison
    Kane Firmino Austin

    Elliott RLC Mariappa Daniels

  14. UnitedFan
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Thinking of capping a Pool mid over Kane as I don't see Brighton getting steamrolled. Which one?

    A) Salah

    B) Cout

    Currently on B as he's more rested.

    1. rjcv177
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Coin toss. One is rested the other is the top scorer in Premier League

    2. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A. Hasn't blanked in absolutely ages. Would even call him a safe underappreciated pick

  15. DoobNoob
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Best Man United defender? Dont want to spend the money on Valencia or De Gea

    1. Teror
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Valencia or DDG are the best regardless of whether you want to spend the money on them or not.

      1. DoobNoob
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I meant - the best united defender who isnt Valencia or De Gea as i dont have the money to get them

    2. rnrd
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      wait for presser

    3. Magic Andrés
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Smalling as of now

  16. Teror
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Seems like a good week to use the free hit chip. Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool look certain to score big and Chelsea and Citeh look threatening as well.

    1. J T
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Surely you have players from those already?

  17. rjcv177
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Morning scouts.
    Already on a hit for coutinho.
    Worth another one to go morata to lacazette? Or play rlc?

    Thkx in advance

  18. BEEZUS
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Currently on -8.

    Morata to Rashford for this GW, then bring Morata back after he drops?

    1. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Too much hokey cokeying. So no

  19. Prison Mike
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Who's the best 4.2 defender?

    Mariappa or Holegate?

    1. jpb333
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Mariappa appears more nailed

    2. *sigh*
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Dummett

  20. smix
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Will sterling start ?

    1. Teror
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe

    2. drughi
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Dont think so

  21. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Best short term punt in for Morata?
    a) Rooney
    b) Lacazette
    c) Rashford

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      None

    2. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B

  22. Naboo
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    GTG? Used my FT for Mustafi > Jones

    Courtois
    Otamendi Jones Ward
    Hazard (C)outinho Salah Richarlison
    Kane Niasse Morata (RLC to come on)

    Speroni - RLC Dunk Zeegelaar

  23. dimitros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    FPL question:

    If a player is red flagged does this mean that this player will 100% not play?
    Or not 100%?

    1. Naboo
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Not always 100%

      1. dimitros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        So in this case which two should i bench?

        A) Morata
        B) Ramsey
        C) Mee
        D) RLC

        1. Naboo
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Ramsey is 100% out, so def him and probably Mee. RLC first on bench for Morata just in case it's all baloney (however unlikely)

          1. Naboo
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Sorry Ramsey and Morata. Mee could start

        2. Sgt Frank Drebin
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Morata, Ramsey

  24. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Do we know if Ben Mee might start?

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Nope.

  25. St. Joseph
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Richarlison

    Or

    Richarlison >>> Hazard (-4)

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Rich

    2. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      The latter , no doubt

  26. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Good to go?

    Hennessey
    Alonso / Mee / Kenny / Kiko
    Hazard / Salah / Sterling / Richalison
    Kane / Austin

    Speroni / Loftus-Cheek / Francis / Morata

    .1itb on a -4

  27. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Shite bench, I know. But in case I decide to keep Morata - would you start Cork, Mbemba or Naughton (could replace with 4.6m defender and play him)?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      klavan maybe

      1. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers, I'll think about it. I wanted Kiko but he's still a doubt..

    2. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      mbemba might not start.. so cork over naughton

      1. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, I guess Cork is my best option at the moment

  28. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Which of these two statements is closest to true.

    A. Klopp will keep rotation to a minimum with just the odd break for players within his "team" to recover
    B. Klopp doesn't have a "team" and is trying to keep as many of his squad players happy at the expense of a "settled team".

    It's B isn't it?

    1. Leonard hatred
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      C. Klopp is smoking Ayahuasca and his spirit guide has revealed the esoteric secrets of EPL success to him alone

  29. balint84
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    buying Lindelöf for 1 week hit? (have 2ft)

  30. Jam0sh
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Hello all. Tough situation with Morata, Ramsey and Moreno out and Niasse a doubt to start. How would you fix this lot? I'd appreciate your thoughts on this, thanks.

    Pope
    Mee, Alonso, Daniels
    Salah, Ramsey, Hazard, Richarlison
    Morata, Kane, Niasse

    subs: Elliott --- Stephens, Dunk, Moreno --- 1 FT, 0.4 ITB

    A) Niasse & Moreno -> Calvert-Lewin and Gomez/ Kabasele (-4)
    B) Morata & Ramsey -> Vardy & Sterling (-4)
    C) Something else, what?

    1. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B