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. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    G2G?

    Elliot
    Walker Kabasele Mee
    Coutinho Richarlison Salah Hazard
    Kane(C) Morata DCL

    Subs: Fabianski, RLC, Daniels, Mbemba

    1. HD7
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      If Elliot doesnt play I will just hope Fab gets as much saves as he can;
      Same with Morata and RLC as sub

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

    RMWCT:

    DDG
    Otamendi – Christensen – Tarkowski
    Hazard – Salah – Coutinho – Silva – Richarlison
    Kane – DCL

    Bench: Pereira, Murray, Ogbonna, Zanka

    0.0 itb

  3. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    *If Elliot doesnt play I will just hope Fab gets as much saves as he can;
    Same with Morata and RLC as sub

  4. DanLFC1
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Got 2 FT not sure how to use on the defence??... 0.3 ITB

    Fabianski
    Mee Simpson Christensen
    Hazard Salah Chumpo Richarlison RLC
    Kane (c) Firmino

    Elliot Morata Daniels Mbemba

    Possibly Fabianski out for Adrian (as need to do at some point)??
    Not convinced by defensive options anyhwere really.. maybe double up Burnely with Tarkowski..

  5. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Foster to De Gea for a hit?

  6. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Apologies if already posted:

    Harry Kane scoring pattern is directly related to West Ham United's match venue

    Gameweek # | West Ham United playing at | Harry Kane points

    1 | Away | 1
    2 | Away | 1
    3 | Away | 2
    4 | Home | 13
    5 | Away | 2
    6 | Home | 13
    7 | Home | 13
    8 | Away | 2
    9 | Home | 16
    10 | Away | 0
    11 | Home | 2
    12 | Away | 1
    13 | Home | 8
    14 | Away | 6
    15 | Away | 2
    16 | Home | 12

    In the 9 gameweeks where West Ham have played away , Kane has scored 17 points. That's less than 2 point per game.

    In the 7 gameweek where West Ham have played home , Kane has scored 77 points. That's 11 points per game.

    Conclusion : Make Harry Kane your captain whenever West Ham play at home.

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Haha, that's bonkers 😀

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

      Be typical that it'll be a gw 11 now it's been brought to light

    3. Expected Toulouse
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Illuminati confirmed.

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

      Sigh, you must REALLY be having a slow day

    5. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Credit to reddit user dhruvchouhan

    6. Caravagio
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      amazing!!!

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

    Foster
    Davies Naughton Kenny
    Hazard Silva Ramsey Salah RLC
    Kane morata Ayew

    Please suggest some changes. Should I get Morata and Ramsey out? Or just go for a free hit chip. Thanks!

  8. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Morata > Lacazette for free then G2G? 🙂

    Elliot
    Christensen • Otamendi • Ward
    Salah • Richarl • Hazard • Coutinho
    Kane(C) • Lacazette • DCL

    (Fabianski / RLC / Kiko F / Duffy)

    1. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Laca a rotation risk for midweek

  9. ManUtdFan_UK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Fabianski (Elliott)
    Alonso, Otamendi, Maguire, Ward (Daniels)
    Hazard, Salah, Ramsey (RLC, A.King)
    Kane, Morata, DCL

    0FT, £1.7 ITB

    Stupidly did Silva > Ramsey last week.
    Already done Abraham > DCL before the Ramsey news, now looking to replace Ramsey.

    A) Sterling
    B) Silva
    C) Richarlison

    1. ManUtdFan_UK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I have Christensen not Alonso.

  10. Kings of Lyon ★
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Whats the chat with Matsuaka ? Is he only covering or do we think he's cemented his place?

    1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Harsh dropping him after the Chelsea performance.

      1. Kings of Lyon ★
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers ! Whos his direct competition?

  11. tibollom
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Hi guys, really dont know what to do with this lot?

    1FT - 0.2 ITB

    DDG Elliot
    Mee Sakho Ota Duffy Hune
    Salah Sane Haz TCaroll Richarlison
    Kane Firmino Abraham

    Thinking of Sakho to a 5.1m def?

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yep, Sakho out. Gomez?

  12. TSN
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Between son, silva, sterling, coutinho
    Which one would you pick?

    Planning to transfer morata out and invest more in MF.

    Current squad:
    Pope-elliott
    Gomez-kola-ota-ward-mbemba
    Salah-haz-rich-shaqiri-surman
    Kane-morata-niasse

    Many thanks

  13. wolves_simmo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Best defender for £5.3M to complete my defence for next 6 weeks or so.

    Pope
    Kiko(inj) - Otamendi - Duffy - Winmer - £5.3

  14. Expected Toulouse
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Anything worth changing or gtg?
    Pope (Elliot)
    Otamendi Mee Kenny (Daniels Fernandez)
    Hazard Salah Coutinho Sterling Ramsay
    Kane Dcl (Wilson)

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

      Ramsey is injured and will miss several matches

      1. Expected Toulouse
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah i know. Means i would be taking a 8 point hit this week to replace him. Reckon its worth it?

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

    It's easy to forget that, while Lukaku is a total donkey, he scored 25 goals last season while playing for Everton and without penalty duties

    I bought Morata at 10.0 so this is a critical decision for me in terms of being able to buy AM back. However, think I might take the punt. Convince me otherwise?

    1. Pieterke30
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      What if Zlatan starts vs BOU?

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

      Man's not hot

    3. Cookie Kid
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      You'll want Morata back and have to pay £10.8m

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

        He will be 10,7 tommorow
        And maybe 10,6 if 2 of Lukaku/Aguero/Firmino scores good

    4. JJO
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Will he start this gw?

    5. Cok3y5murf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Lukaku was better at Everton and United aren't good without Pogba.

  16. Dananz
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    A) Hold Morata, play DCL

    B) Morata and Mane out for Firmino and Hazard for free (already have Salah and Coutinho).

    Thoughts? Leaning towards holding, but tempted...

  17. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Is it worth playing Kiko ahead of Kenny just in case?

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

      Definitely

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

      They will both play if Kiko is fit anyway with all the rotation

  18. Shakshuka
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Ramsey replacements?

    A) Sterling -4 (Also removing Moreno)
    B) Silva
    C) Son
    D) Lanzini
    E) Shaqiri
    F) Martial
    G) Siggy

    1. Expected Toulouse
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Silva.

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

      C or D looks good for a while

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Son or none

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

    Who do we think scores more this GW?

    A) Choupo (bur)
    B) GroB (tot)

    I actually think Pascal has a better chance, being on set pieces. Spurs keep conceding and he'll likely be involved.

  20. Cookie Kid
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    A) Aguero and Tarkowski
    B) Firmino and Valencia

    for next 2 games only

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

      A

      1. Cookie Kid
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Oooo OK - I can definitely see Aguero starting tonight, reckon he will play him again at weekend vs Spurs?

  21. Jebiga
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    play groß or niasse ?

  22. Karan_G14
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Best option out of these?

    A) Morata & RLC ➡️ DCL & Sterling (-4)

    B) Morata & RLC ➡️ Austin & Sterling (-4)

    C) Morata ➡️ Firmino (Triple Pool attack)

    Think Sterling might be a better long term transfer. Also he has only played 90 mins in the last 9 days. So probaly should start tom?

    Appreciate your thoughts!

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

      B I think

    2. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      C.

      Direct swap to Morata later if he looks good in the coming gws

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

    Which of these should I sell?

    a. Choupo-Moting
    b. Gross
    c. Richarlison

    All have good fixtures and are nailed on starters every week.

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

      None. They're all still good picks, but in the order of useless to useful it's ABC

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

        It would be to facilitate getting in Hazard.

        Essentially the swap would be one of them to DCL.

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

          (And Morata to Hazard)

  24. In Carrick we trust
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    So now morata is out, and iv already used my free transfer, i dont no weather to go -4 or keep morata on my bench, this is my team

    Ederson
    Kolasinac, ward, schluup
    Coutinho,cork,hazard,sterling, surman
    Kane, calvert-lewin

    Bench, elliot, daniels, naughton, morata

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

      Doing better than me, i'd hold as for -4 you need someone to come in and score to just break even.

      On a cold midweek fixtures so hard to identify who to bring in instead of Morata.

      1. In Carrick we trust
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers thank thats good advice

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

      hold

  25. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I really want to keep Pogba, but with him out for 2 more games and Morata not starting. I'm a Mee no show away from My 3.9m ace Rangel starting and getting zero points....Oh and I forgot Ben Davies who of course won't start either.

    Already used my free transfer to get rid of Elliot in a planned transfer before all this **** hit and to make matters worse, 0.0 ITB.

    Options:
    A) suck it up and avoid the hit and hope Mee starts and 10 players does better than 11 and a hit.
    B) Pogba -> ???? Son now 8.0, Ramsey injured and no-one else standing out for a -4 hit.
    C) Davies + Pogba -> to Jones and Silva
    D) Panic transfer Morata and Pogba to Kane and Loftus Cheak

    I'm not sure how i've got into this mess as i was happy with my team 2 weeks ago!

  26. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Is a non-captained Hazard still a differential ownership wise?

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

      Is his ownership 100%?

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

  27. Orange Roughy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Lanzini as a Ramsey replacement? Already have Richarlison.

    West Ham are looking much improved, and their fixtures post Arsenal are great (including the DGW). Stats look good, and he easily has the highest xG and xA out of the West Ham midfielders for the last four GWs.

    Tough GW to bring him in for, but I don't like the idea of having Daniels (mun) or Dunk (tot) coming in off my bench.

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

    Fab
    Azpi mee* kiko*
    Haz Salah sane rlc Richo
    Kane morata**
    Subs:Elliot Abra Daniels dunk
    A) play Abra vs city and roll
    B) Abra to dcl on free
    C) azpi + Daniels to ota and christy -4
    Reply plsssss

  29. Ravager
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Good day, actually stuck this week. Help would be appreciated. 0.1 ITB 2 FT

    Fabianski (Elliot)
    Alonso Otamendi Mee
    Salah Sterling Choupo RLC
    Morata Vardy Kane

    (Gross, Daniels, Dunk)

    I could drop Morata > DCL then Choupo > Hazard. But does that make sense considering Hazard will most likely be rotated? Is there any defender I can get in for Daniels at 5.0 so I can reassess for the weekend?

  30. puhd
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Captain Kane or Coutinho?