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. tibollom
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Who to replace Sakho with? Have 5.1m budget, rest of defence is:

    DDG, Ota, Mee, Duffy, Hune

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Kenny? Kiko?

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Kabasele, Masuaku, Kenny. How much is Maguire?

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

        Thanks... Isnt Kiko doubtful?

        maguire is 5.2 unforutnaltey... How nailed is Gomez???

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

    Best use of a -4?

    My defence is a nightmare with Mee Zeegs Moreno

    A Moreno ---》 Kenney
    B morata --》 firmino

    1. FC nelo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B.

      1. FC nelo
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Bigger chance of that paying off. If Kenny let's a goal in, you will make a -2 of that. If Firmino will score or assist you will make up the -4.

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

          Thanks you. That makes a lot of sense

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

      B I guesa

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

        Thanks Diff

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

      I'd say A. It depends on your attackers though as B may be worth doing also.

      If you for example have RCL or DLC coming in for Morata, then I don't want to do B.

      A is also a more long-term move, while you may want Morata back next week (so essentially it's "more than" a -4).

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

        Thanks mate. Another excellent point. Mmm going to mull this one over

  3. Afghanistanislas
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you captain:
    A) Kane
    B) Salah

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

      Both "should" score highly. I'd captain Salah over Kane for a couple of reasons:

      1) West Brom are the worst team in the league. If you've watched them recently you'll know they are a complete mess. Don't know how to park the bus, so Pool will tear them apart.

      2) Salah's form is INCREDIBLE. He hasn't blanked in something like 8 gameweeks. Kane can blank against any "easy" team at home, and didn't really look that good v Stoke.

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

        Salah would be my first choice if I was sure he would start, which I'm not.

        I've also had the unfortunate experience of captaining Kane for every one of his blanks, then switching to Hazard for last GW...so I just don't know anymore 🙁

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

          Salah came off at 66mins. Would make no sense if he was going to be rested. He scored the only goal for Pool, securing them a point. Klopp won't bench him this GW.

  4. Nanoelektronicar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Ramsey > Richarlison and Abraham > DCL for a hit?

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

      Just the Rich move

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

        This

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

      Silva hinted that Richarlison will get a rest this week

      1. FC nelo
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Think it was a very vague hint to be fair. "He have to be rested if he is tired and fatigued, but he hasn't looked tired" (or something like that, no?)

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

    Kenny coming in,who goes out?
    A)Mustafi
    B)Mee
    C)Daniels
    D)Duffy

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Daniels if you must. I dont think Kenny is nailed though

    2. FC nelo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Mustafi is out for how long?
      Would not remove Daniels since he will at least play. Not sure about Mee and Duffy? But remove the ones that will be out the longest IMO.

  6. Our Tiny Windows
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Honestly I feel like this is a shambles. If anyone has some time could you have a little look at this. I have NO free transfers and 0.5 in the bank.

    Elliot Begovic
    Mariappa Kabasele Davies Christensen Naughton
    Silva Sterling Richarlison Coutinho Zaha
    Firmino Jesus Morata

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

      Decent team. Jesus has to go

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

      morata and jesus to kane and DCL

      use the cash to sort out that defence and get hazard for sterling/silva/ next week

      1. Our Tiny Windows
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I love you guys ;/)

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

      C countinho and good to go,

    4. FC nelo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I am on -16 this week, so guessing a -8 would be fint for you to sort out your forward line maybe.
      Jesus -> Aguero
      X -> X to fund the transfer. Maybe Silva to Son? (Or Lamela for a punt?)

      1. FC nelo
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        But Kane is probably better than Aguero long term, but wth, sometimes you just got to live a little.

        1. Our Tiny Windows
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Aguero has burned me too many times so it’s a relief to have neither Jesus nor him. I’m gonna at Kane as a fire and forget.

    5. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      not a shambles.
      defence needs sorting but you can sort it by downgrading either your 5th mid or 3rd striker depending on which formation you play.
      2 choices - leave it and suffer a bit this GW then take a -4 or take a -8 and do it now.
      Personally i'd keep Christensen, Naughton and only one of the Watford defenders. Davies not a good choice atm probably swap for a Utd defender.

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

      Whatever you do, get Salah. Probably a 2 transfer move to downgrade Davies, maybe Smalling or somebody similar? And upgrade Silva or Sterling (not sure exactly on prices).
      Or downgrade Jesus and upgrade Zaha.

  7. Morgs
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Any advice welcome! 1FT, 0.1m itb

    Gomes (Elliot)
    Azpi, Christensen, Mee (Lowton, Mbemba)
    Salah, Richarlison, Gross, Zaha (TCarroll)
    Morata, Jesus, Kane

    Thanks!

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

      morata to firmino

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

    do you expect that niasse will start or have cameo ?

  9. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Back to Hazard with the armband? Chelsea will want to bounce back.

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

      Kane

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

      Good shout IMO

  10. I Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Start Elliot (EVE) over Foster (liv)?

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

      Will Elliot start?

      1. I Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Don't know but if he doesn't Foster comes in anyway.

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

      Start and see what happens. No risk doing it.

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

      might aswell try Elliot..

  11. Del Monte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I’m very worried about this week, should I make any moves for a -4?

    Mignolet (Elliot)

    Alonso Otamendi Christensen Jones (Mustafi)

    Salah Sterling Richarlison Groß Loftus-Cheek

    Kane (Abraham) (Morata)

    0.1 ITB

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

      Morata to someone because your attack is pretty weak otherwise Imo

      1. Del Monte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I can’t afford Aguero or Lukaku.

        Lacazette could be benched.

        Not entirely convinced by Firmino/Vardy.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      If there's a hit that you feel is a genuine upgrade rather than a panic move then I would take one.

      1. Del Monte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Morata is the only one but unfortunately I can’t afford Aguero/Lukaku. I don’t see Firmino/Vardy as an upgrade.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I'm considering morata to firmino. 0.2 short of lukaku.

          Undecided.

    3. COLLIN QUANER
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      We've got the same front 3 and a similar midfield mate and I'm in the same dilemma as you. Reluctant to take a hit, however I can't see a big scoring week unless I ship Morata. Unfortunately it's between Firmino and Vardy as I can't afford Kun and don't like Lukaku/Laca

  12. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Waste the free hit, or take an extra -4, to make a -8

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

      -8

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      -8

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

        Oh, ok
        Could just play Gross I guess and just Kane up front

        Got Sterling as well though and three defenders max

    3. FC nelo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      -8!

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

    Over 5.5million players now! Top 50k must be deemed really good these days..

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I wonder if the % "active" players is getting lower or staying the same?

      1. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Probably not much difference in %, just amount.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          In which case being top 50k now is like being top 30k a couple of years ago.

          I'll keep telling myself that.

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

        The 5 will keep falling as new teams are created every week just trying yo win the weekly prize and others will keep falling away

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

          *The %

          1. how now brown cow
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            I guess my question is compared a couple of years ago there are say 60% more players. Are there then 60% more active players this season?

            That might not make sense.

        2. John t penguin
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I didn't even know there was weekly prizes

    2. John t penguin
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      how many are second teams or newbies who gave up?
      would be interesting to see who has lowest ranked dead team in cup to have idea how many are roughly active

  14. STONEROSES
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I am crazy for thinking there’s a lot of reassign for keeping Morata IN?

    Assuming he’s only outfit one game - his upcoming fixtures are great and there’s no ideal replacement

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

      Ish. He hasn't been good in front of goal and has a knack for picking up yellows - 1 more and a 1 game ban.

      I think it depends when you bought him

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

      He's the only striker that interests me at the minute bar Kane so def keeping for now, despite my poor cover on bench with fixtures this game-week!

  15. ragsyboys
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Play Niasse or Daniels ?

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

      more upside to Niasse coming on for the last 15 minutes than playing Daniels this week

    2. FC nelo
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Niasse

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

    Speroni
    Kolasinac-Mee-Christensen
    Salah-Sane-Groß-Richarlison-RLC
    Kane(c)-Firmino

    Fabianski,Daniels,Morata,Moreno
    0 FT left. O.6 in the bank.should i transfer Moreno or Morata out?Silva also saying that Richarlison maybe rotated,i have fear that i dont get full team on the pitch.

  17. Fuddled FC
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    So much will depend on whether we think Morata will start this week-end.

    Has anyone indicated that this is likely?

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

      Back injury could be dodgy, could be nothing. Seems he was struggling Vs whu by the rumours before the game, so maybe he needs a few weeks rest?

  18. mgrea
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    1FT with 0.4ITB would you do Morata to Firm for free chaps?

    DDG
    Vert. Kenny. Mee. Christiansen. Maguire.
    Salah. Haz. Richarlison. RLC.
    Kane (c)

    Elliot - Grob. Morata*. Tammy.

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

      Yes then bench Kenny or RLC

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

        Cool. Thanks man.

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

      No.

      It might be ok this weekend though. Klopp may as well be walking around with rotation tattooed on his forehead.

      Sturridge, Solanke and now even Danny Ings will have you cursing after this week.

  19. drokkeh
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Do we think jones will play tonight?

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

      No.

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

      No, but hopefully tomorrow.

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

      sorry meant tomorrow haha

  20. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Bench one:
    A). Niasse
    B). RLC
    C). Masuaku

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

      Playing all three now due to Morata out. But I had planned on benching RLC prior to that.

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

    If I use the free hit chip this GW, I will not have the player that i transfered in this GW in my team right?

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

      Yes all transfers wiped

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

      Hmm okey and I will only have 1 FT next GW right?

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

    Morata & RLC - > Austin & Coutinho or is it too extreme of a formation shift?

    Zero value tied up in Morata

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

      I'd go for it. Cout could hit a lot

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

      I did the same but with Carrol

  23. konrad.sygula95
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Daniels & Morata to Kenny/Kabasele & Vardy good move? yes/no ?

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

      Yes but only if for free.

      1. konrad.sygula95
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        And if for -4 ?

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

          Flip a coin

  24. Gazpilicueta
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think it would be worth doing these transfers for a -12?

    Morata > Aguero
    Sane > Hazard
    Abraham > Calvert Lewin
    Shaqiri > Gudmunsson

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

      No. Will be really hard to recoup that -12 IMO.

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

      No way not even for free let alone -12

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

      No, whats ur team and bank?

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

      No. Why get rid of Shaqiri. In form and great fixtures.

  25. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    With Otamendi Mee Fernandez Long and Daniels as my back 5, is it worth to transfer Daniels to Christensen for a -4? Will get DCL for Wilson come saturday so is basically 2 gws without a transfer at the back if I don't do it.

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

      Put it this way. Christensen has to get a clean sheet just to get you even. So no iI'd take Daniels's 1/2 likely points and be net up

      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Daniels will get 1 point for the next 3 games though,..

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

      Hey Hansel, how's it going? I did Daniels to Christensen this week with my 1FT. I'd do it for a hit too, might pay off in one game.

  26. chrisjdgrady
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Gotta transfer Ramsey or Morata out. Thinking Ramsey. Who would you pick?

    Son
    Silva
    Zaha
    Mahrez

    ???

    Courtois Elliot
    Alonso Otamendi Ward Lowe Britos
    Salah Sterling Richarlison Ramsey RLC
    Kane Morata Wilson

    Thanks

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

      Son

  27. Siva Mohan
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    CANCELLED GAMES

    Frozen pitches around the country and FA Cup second round games have been postponed - Crewe's replay against Blackburn (rescheduled for Wednesday) , PLUS Carlisle v Gillingham. All OFF.

    --

    pray for PL games..

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

      For tonights game or tomorrow?

    2. John t penguin
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      when was last premier game to get called off for pitch being frozen?
      must be a while now

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Feb 2014

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

      Premier league pitches are decent quality. No risk Imo

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

    Morata > Kun ? for free

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

      Nah, too much rotation to go in to Christmas with Kun

  29. Bad Butcher
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    De Gea
    Koła Christensen Mee
    Haz Salah Zaha Gross
    Kane Morata* Abraham

    Bench: Daniels Naughton Caroll

    2FT 0,2 ITB

    What should i do?
    a) Abraham Caroll -> DCL RLC
    b) Morata Daniels -> Firmino Otamendi
    c) Zaha Caroll Abraham -> Richa RLC DCL
    d) something else
    e) save

  30. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I think i will captain the African footballer of the year.

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

      I though Kane was English