Team News
12 December 2017 2037 comments
James H James H
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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. Hampe
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Best 3-way budget defence for the rest of the season?

    1. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Seriously?

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

      rest of the season... god dammit man... just worry about xmas like the rest of us 🙂

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Ha.

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

      He he.

    5. Hampe
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Can't say the question is so weird. Each season someone makes a terrific spreadsheet with a nice overview of 3-way rotation in defence with favorable fixtures.

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

        true but with all the panic transfers going on no one has time to look that far ahead.

        Wasn't it Doos usually had a good one? they were banging around early on in the season

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

        Typically someone goes to great lngths to make on start of season, then planned rotation invariably breaks down after 4 GWs

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah it really does.

      3. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        There is absolutely no chance you will have whatever defence you choose by the end of the season, to believe you will is naive. As written above, just hope they all play over Christmas, but even that is unlikely.

    6. Mick J
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      For a good period Burnley (Tarkowski) seems to rotate pretty well with West Ham (Ogbonna), Stoke (Wimmer) and Leicester (Simpson).

      Since you’d like to play your Burnley defender more often than not (unless you also have Pope and don’t want to double up), these four teams might even make a good four-way rotation with Otamendi/Walker, Kolasinac (when Mustafi is back), Azpilicueta/Christensen (Chelsea will come good), Jones/Bailly/Valencia (after Christmas when the two former hopefully are back at full pace), or Alderweireld (when back) as the one that will start every gameweek.

  2. Daghe Munegu
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    re
    Otamendi Christensen Mustafi Kiko Mbemba

    How many should play tonight ? If less then 3 is -4 worth it ?

    1. Krionos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      2 will play, 2 won't, the last I am not sure about..

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

      I doubt anyone here could say for sure but I wouldn't take a hit for a defender or a presumption.

    3. Mick J
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      If you can upgrade Mbemba, I would say now is a good time since you’d most likely have only two defenders playing this gameweek. That makes is much less likely that you actually will lose 4 points on the move. (Don’t get a Swansea defender this gameweek, however, because it’s better to get zero than minus points after getting beaten up by City.)

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

    Who is with me Hazard (C)?

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

      I've b*tched out this morning (to Kane)... you reckon false 9?

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

        I reckon he is the best option they have to play there.

    2. Vlad Tepes
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I got tempted when Morata is injured(if Haz on top and more minutes). But I still think Kane and Salah are better options.

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

      currently, yeah.

      I will panic and change it about 50 times between now and then though.

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      No chance.

    5. teki0s
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      For me Salah is the best option, Kane is the sensible one (Salah may be rested or subbed off or come in late). Having said that i think i ll go with Kane

  4. MarkyMarkovic
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Play
    Atsu vs Eve
    or Morata -> Giroud for a -4.

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

      A

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

    Good to go?

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

    Speroni / Loftus-Cheek / Francis / Morata

    .1itb on a -4

    1. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Love it. Who's your skipper?

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

        (K)ane

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

      -4 to bring in who?

      G2g

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

      Should be fine Dingo.Youve two on the bench almost certain to get game time.

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

      Morata? Where's Firmino?

  6. Hazardous1983
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    start naughton or schindler?

    daniels for jones/chirstiansen

    morata keep or out?

    carrol for rlc for -4

  7. Mr. Jenkins
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Captain one
    Hazard
    Cout
    Salah
    Kane

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

      Cout

    2. raoulduke71
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      On salah but tempted to go Cout

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

    Worth a hit to rid me of either Wison or Daniels? If so which one first?

    Wilson > Austin
    Daniels > Jones/Christensen

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

      I wouldn't, Wilson may start as might be too much for Defoe & Daniels will def play (I think)

    2. SkeletONv01
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I like Daniels>Christensen, but mind he can be rotated, you would hate yourself to bring someone who end up not playing for a hit 🙂

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

      Thanks guys.

      Lost .2 on Wilson already and Daniels will play but they won't keep Lukaku out imo

  9. villian-ty
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Fimino doesnt cut it for me, doesnt get enough points.

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

      I am with you here. Not even nailed enough

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I see.

    3. Adz87
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      perfect for his price.

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

    What would you change here? Anything at all?

    Elliot Pope
    Vertonghen Christensen Daniels Mee Mariappa
    Coutinho Sane Salah Richarlison Gross
    Kane Morata DCL

    FT: 0, ITB: 0.3

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

      Nope. Save

    2. FPL Jogger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Could get Daniels out for Masuaku (could be good planning for GW 22) or Jonjoe Kenny .

      Elliot to Adrian is another option in preparation for GW22

      The injury to Morata is the elephant in the room, need to decide whether you stick or twist

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

    Hennessey or Speroni expected to start?

    1. Home Late From Age
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Speroni most probably

  12. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts on the below?

    Team is in bits this week due to injuries and likely rotation. Would you take a -4 for anyone?

    DDG

    Mee, Christensen, Kenny

    Hazard, Salah, Richarlison, Sane

    Kane (C), Morata, Niasse

    Speroni, RLC, Daniels, Zeegelaar

    In all likelyhood daniels and RLC will be in for Niasse and Morata, so any other rotation and im down to 9 or 10.

    0.3 ITB but trying to save money for moving Niasse on

  13. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys.
    think ill just bench Morata, so which move should I make?
    A. Daniels to Mariappa.
    B. Murray to DCL.

  14. Hazardous1983
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    this weeks team

    gomes (foster)
    schindler kola daniels (mbemba,naughton)
    gross hazard salah carrol sterling
    kane dlc (morata)

    one ft 0.7 in bank, what shall i do

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

      mbeba to kenny bench schindler

    2. Home Late From Age
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Play Mbemba instead of Schindler

  15. Viper
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Which is the better double up?

    A. Salah & Coutinho

    B. Hazard & Morata

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Long term B, Short term A

  16. Football Weekender
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Pretty set on Morata to Firmino but already worried about Morata coming back at the weekend and hurting me! Who’s in the hold or sell camp and why?

    Pope
    Otamendi • Femenía • Mee
    Hazard • Salah • Sterling • Richarlison
    Kane (C) • Morata • Calvert-Lewin

    Speroni • Groß • Daniels • Dunk

    1FT
    £0.3m ITB

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

      If 10.4+ then sell. Real risk he picks up a YC in the near future and gets banned for a game. Reckon he'll drop to 10.6

      1. Football Weekender
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Bought at 10.3 so have quite a bit of value tied up in him. Think I’ll get rid and hope for some drops like you say so there’s the option to bring him back.

        1. Adz87
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          yeah it's all about the money for me, if I think he'll drop .2/3 i'll pull the trigger. got all day to ponder I suppose.

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

    Is DCL nailed on now?
    Likely to be rested over Christmas?

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Everton fans think he's nailed until they buy a new striker

  18. C'mon the Fylde
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    GTG or Morata -> Firmino (-8)?

    Fabianski
    Gomez/Maguire/Otamendi/Na'ton
    Hazard(c)/Gross/Salah/Sterling
    Kane/Wilson

  19. Ser Bronn of The Blackwater
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Davies to start ahead of Rose?

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

      probably not

  20. AnfieldLad
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Speroni
    Kola, Alonso, Mee
    Haz, Salah, Sterling, Rich, RLC
    Kane (C), Morata

    (Henny, Niasse, Naughton, Gamez)

    1FT 0.0ITB

    A) Naughton -> 4.5
    B) Kola -> Ota
    C) Save FT

    Baring in mind if I don't do A, Naughton will play vs City

  21. Drosiah
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Is it worth taking -4 to take out Morata?

    If so who for?

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

      I did look at Aguero but decided to just bench Morata

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

    Morata being out is a bit of a kick in the nads

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

      I agree. Tough season. Every week there is a new curve ball thrown at us.

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

        This is why we love this game.

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

          True. 🙂

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

      I wouldn't have minded it if he had just picked up a yellow. But now he could see extended time on my bench with a bad tackle or dive...

  23. No Salah
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Morata our only for one week?

    My selling value for him is 10.5 million and buying him back will cost 10.8

    Have one free transfer. Otherwise RLC is the auto sub.

    Have more pressing issues at defence but willing to pull the trigger on Morata if it’s more than one week.

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

      He'll be 10.7 tomorrow.
      And he may not play 90 at the weekend either. Might be a good time to sell?

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

      You wont know if its more than one week though.

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

      He could well be 10.6 by the weekend. Will definitely be 10.7 tomorrow and if any other big hitters do well, his sales will accelerate

    4. Assisting the assister
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Think it's worth benching and wait and see

    5. No Salah
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks for the great feedback guys! Probably gonna sell

  24. Viper
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Start Gross or Wilson?

    1. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Gross imo

  25. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Fab
    Azpi mee* kiko*
    Haz Salah sane rlc Richo
    Kane dcl
    Subs:Elliot Daniels dunk Morata
    Got dcl for Abra
    Gtg??????
    Reply pls??

  26. Cebolinha
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone thinking that hazard might play up top as the false 9 with william/pedro/fab supporting?

    Is it worth captaining him over Kane?

  27. twoNineCFP
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Team now:

    DDG
    Ota - Christensen - Ward
    Surman - Richarlison - Salah - Sterling
    Morata* - Kane(C) - DCL

    Have to play one of Daniels, T.carrol or Dunk due to Morata injury. Who do I go with?

    Appreciate the answers 🙂

  28. Fantasy123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Is lukaku definitley going to start tomorrow?

    Seem to remember him having a lot of joy against bournemouth last season... very tempted by morata -> lukaku(c)

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

      I'd be very surprised if he didn't start. Very very surprised

  29. raoulduke71
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Who scores more this gwk?

    a) Liverpool
    b) Spurs
    c) City
    d) Man Utd
    e) Chelsea

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

      A top I reckon

  30. jia you
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Free Hit team?

    Speroni
    Otamedi / Trippier / Ward
    Hazard / Salah / Coutinho / Son / Lingard
    Kane / Firmino
    (3.9/4.5/3.9/3.9)

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      wow
      if only this was my all-week team