Team News
22 December 2017 742 comments
James H James H
Share:

Alvaro Morata serves a one-match ban for Chelsea’s trip to Everton, while West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini, Burnley’s James Tarkowski, Brighton’s Shane Duffy and Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke also sit on the sidelines through suspension.

Wilfried Bony is out for Swansea City’s home clash with Palace but Shkodran Mustafi could return for Arsenal’s showdown against Liverpool tonight.

Here’s our summary of the key team news so far, with a whole host of big-name press conferences still to come later today.

Olivier Giroud is expected to miss Arsenal’s home clash against Liverpool tonight due to a hamstring injury but Francis Coquelin could shake off a knock to be in contention. Shkodran Mustafi may be available to return at centre-half following a thigh problem, so Nacho Monreal could move out of the middle and replace Ainsley Maitland-Niles at left-back.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp welcomes back Emre Can for the trip to the Emirates following the midfielder’s one-match ban. Joel Matip has returned to training but tonight’s match may come too soon for the centre-back. Sadio Mane is likely to come into contention for a recall but Daniel Sturridge (illness) is doubtful.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce could name an unchanged side for the home meeting with Chelsea, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the line once again.

The Blues will be without the suspended Alvaro Morata for the trip to Goodison Park after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Bournemouth. Pedro, Willian and Eden Hazard look set to start in attack in a 3-4-2-1 set-up.

Shane Duffy will sit out Brighton & Hove Albion’s home fixture against Watford due to suspension, so Uwe Hunemeier or Connor Goldson will deputise in central defence.

The Hornets are without the suspended Marvin Zeegelaar, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Troy Deeney but Tom Cleverley is available again after serving a one-match ban. Will Hughes will undergo a late fitness test having returned to training following a hamstring injury but Kiko Femenia remains sidelined.

David Silva missed Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur due to personal reasons, with Pep Guardiola hopefully set to provide an update on the midfielder in his press conference later this afternoon. Ilkay Gundogan could retain his start if the Spaniard is still unavailable. Vincent Kompany (muscle problem) and Eliaquim Mangala (head injury) are doubts for the home encounter against Bournemouth. Sergio Aguero looks the favourite to start up front after Gabriel Jesus played all 120 minutes in Tuesday night’s EFL Cup tie against Leicester City.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe has a number of injury concerns ahead of the trip to the Etihad. Jermain Defoe is set to miss out, while Charlie Daniels, Harry Arter and Josh King are all doubtful.

Cedric Soares is expected to miss Southampton’s home clash against Huddersfield Town, while fellow full-back Ryan Bertrand is also a doubt. After only coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, Charlie Austin should be handed a recall against the Terriers.

Huddersfield head coach David Wagner will be without the suspended Jonathan Hogg for the trip to St Mary’s, while Elias Kachunga has been ruled out for eight to 12 weeks with a knee injury. Danny Williams and Tom Ince could be handed recalls, though Chris Lowe remains a concern with a foot injury.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes revealed that Erik Pieters and Kurt Zouma are both very doubtful for the home fixture against West Bromwich Albion. Charlie Adam will be assessed after picking up a hip problem, while Jese Rodriguez will need time to build up his fitness following a recent leave of absence due to personal reasons.

Alan Pardew revealed Matt Phillips and Nacer Chadli are likely to be in the travelling party for the trip to the bet365 Stadium. Gareth Barry is expected to push for a recall after scoring as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

Wilfried Bony has been ruled out for seven to ten days with a hamstring injury, and will miss Swansea City’s home meeting with Crystal Palace. Caretaker manager Leon Britton should hand a recall to Tammy Abraham, but Ki Sung-yeung (calf) and Leroy Fer (back) are both doubtful.

The Eagles will be without the suspended Christian Benteke for the trip to south Wales, so Bakary Sako could start alongside Wilfried Zaha in attack. Luka Milivojevic is available again following his one-match ban and is set to replace James McArthur but Joel Ward and Timothy Fosu-Mensah remain out.

Manuel Lanzini misses West Ham United’s home fixture against Newcastle United – he will serve the second of a two-match ban dished out for successful deception of a match official. Mark Noble is a doubt due to a hamstring injury.

The Magpies will be without the banned Jonjo Shelvey but Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle should push for recalls at the London Stadium.

Burnley will be without the suspended James Tarkowski for their home match against Tottenham Hotspur after the defender was handed a three-match ban by the FA for violent conduct. Kevin Long should deputise in central defence, while Charlie Taylor will continue at left-back with Stephen Ward very unlikely to recover from a knee injury.

As for Spurs, they welcome back Davinson Sanchez for the trip to Turf Moor following the defender’s three-match suspension. His return could allow Mauricio Pochettino to move Eric Dier into central midfield or switch to a three-man central defence.

After being rested for the EFL Cup tie against Man City, Kasper Schmeichel, Danny Simpson, Wes Morgan and Wilfred Ndidi should all return for the home clash against Manchester United.

Antonio Valencia is an injury concern for Jose Mourinho’s side due to a hamstring injury. Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind provide options in the full-back positions, with Ashley Young able to shift across to right-back.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tonight’s 6.45pm deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from Friday’s press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.

742 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    ho ho ho......merry fpl

    1. Costa in Wengerland
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Merry Fpl

  2. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    It's Time for the hurriKane

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Fart in a space suit.

  3. Positive vibes
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Play Mariappa or Kenny?
    Thanks.

    1. mcrayeps
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Kenny sir

  4. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Do you think that Pep will manage Aguero’s minutes like this over Xmas

    GW19 Start and then bench him after MC are 2 goals up
    GW20 Bench and then to come on if MC need a goal
    GW21 Total Rest or Start and then bench him after MC are 2 goals up

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Trying to guess pep for 1 game is hard.

      3 games a waste of time.

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      He will mange sterlings minutes. ::salty sterling non-owner

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

      GW19 - Start and off at 60 minutes for Jesus with City 2 up
      GW20 - Start and plays full match
      GW21- Total rest

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Of course

  5. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Have this team...

    Pope (Elliott)
    Kenny Christensen Jones (Kiko* Duffy*)
    Salah Sterling Hazard Richarlison RLC
    Kane Austin (Morata*)
    0.7itb 1ft

    Either I go...
    A) Sensible route: Bench Morata, just Kiko to Ogbonna and play him over Kenny.
    B) Risky route/power 5: Sell Morata for DLC, get KDB/Sane in for RLC and Ogbonna in for Kiko (-8).
    C) Middle ground: Sell Morata and Kiko for Kaku and Ogbonna (-4).

    1. Geordienufc1
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Similar dilemma to my thoughts below.

      As a generally risk-averse player I'm drawn towards the 'sensible' route. It can't really go wrong - you're transferring out a non-playing player for a playing one in Ogbonna with a good fixture on the horizon.

      As for whether the moves for hits would pay off...maybe. I can see KDB going mad this week and next, justifying a -8, but I could just as easily see Morata scoring well next week and making us regret selling him.

      I can't give you a definitive answer unfortunately, as these are the same questions I'm posing myself!

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks Geordie - perhaps we should pool resources and either be dullard or maverick together!
        Flip a coin. Heads for dullard and tails for maverick!

        1. Geordienufc1
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          *coin flip*

          Tails it is! Maverick for me!

          *flips coin again, just to make sure*

          Heads.

          Aaaand the indecision starts again 😛

  6. The Rumour Mill
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    They really need to start bringing this article out in the mid afternoon.....

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, does seem strange to do Team News before the press conferences with team's news.

      1. The Rumour Mill
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Lol exactly. I don't think any of us would mind waiting longer for the article if it meant it was a comprehensive article.

        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 19 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          But it's the team news section that is fully comprehensive and "live" up to the deadline.

    2. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      We have too many articles in that period - including Picks, Captains and Differentials.

      It's there to sum up what we know and remind folk about the team news section. We keep that section updated after the 1pm pressers - it's live throughout the day.

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Great article, thanks Mark.

      2. Pep Pig
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Some folk are just impossible to please. I look forward to this early article.
        It's Christmas my friends.

        All the best

      3. The Rumour Mill
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Ah OK, I didn't know that about the team news section being live, cheers for the info Mark 🙂 Merry Christmas by the way, I imagine only Santa Claus himself is busier than you at this time of year!

  7. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Is Coutinho a better option than Sane?

    Last 5 starts in the pl

    A) Coutinho- 3 goals 5 assists

    B) Sane- 3 assists

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yup but he might go to barca

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      It's the random benching that puts me off

  8. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    I am currently starting TC because i can't start someone else.Do you think it's worth to take a hit and bring someone to start in his place?I am thinking a)Benteke->Abraham b)Kola->Ota.I will use my first wc in gw20.

    Elliot
    Christensen-Shawcross-Jones
    Salah-Gross-TC-Hazard-Sterling
    Kane-Austin
    Begovic-Gomez-Kola-Benteke
    0ft 0.6itb

    Thanks

    1. Fpldonny
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Kola to Ota sounds sensible as it should pay itself back instantly and hes a better (nailed) long term option anyway

  9. Merlinsnose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Which would you chose please?

    A) Valencia (when fit) and Willian

    Or

    B) Christensen and Pogba?

    Plus is the consensus that Pogba is worth the extra money when compared to Lingard?

    Much obliged.

    1. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      B.

  10. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    How far into January will coutinho and Alexis get mystery illness/minor niggles/bad backs that clear up on Feb 1st?

    1. smeaton1724
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Wenger will probably play Sanchez in the FA Cup then he'll be playing in Sky Blue after that

  11. mcrayeps
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    what will you choose between these options for longer term :
    A) Courtois / Sane / Coutinho
    B) Speroni / Kdb / Coutinho
    C) Pope / Kdb / Pogba

    thoughts appreciated guys

    1. smeaton1724
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Will Pep start to rest KDB? I'd go C.

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      A though I’d rather KDB, Court should easily outscore Speroni

    3. mcrayeps
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      what in my thoughts here :
      Coutinho is far better to have than pogba
      Kdb is slightly better to have than Sane
      Courtois is slightly better than Pope and far better than Speroni

      So A is the most balance, B is the most aggresive, and C is the least by only depending on KdB..

      Thoughts?

    4. Geordienufc1
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Not a huge fan of any of those goalkeepers in the longer-term, I think DDG's better value than Courtois if you're going to dip into the premium GK market, Pope will lose his place once Heaton returns, and Speroni is only a bad game or two away from losing his place again for Hennessey.

      That being said, I think C is the best long-term option, albeit with a different goalkeeper at a similar price.

  12. Zizou
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    richarilson > pogba or wait till next gameweek

    feel i'll give rich another week

    1. Merlinsnose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Or would you consider a straight swop for Lingard?

      I’m debating if Pogba is worth the extra money, given he plays much deeper.

    2. Geordienufc1
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I'd wait til next week, assess whether Richarlison continues to look fatigued, and whether Watford's downturn is attributable to their recent red card problems, or an actual drop off in form. Definitely wouldn't make the move for a hit.

      1. Zizou
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        sound advice thanks

  13. Geordienufc1
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Evening all 🙂

    My question is one on the lips of many - what to do with Morata?

    Speroni
    Azpi | Ogbonna | Dunk
    Salah | Hazard | Sterling (C) | Richarlison | RLC
    Kane | DCL

    Bench: Hennessey; Mee, Kenny, Morata**

    1FT, 0.5 itb.

    A) Hold, save FT
    B) Morata + RLC -> Austin + Pogba/Sane (-4)
    C) Morata + Azpi -> Aguero + Otamendi (-4)
    D) Morata + RLC + Azpi -> Austin + KDB + Christensen/Jones (-8)

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      A.

      1. Geordienufc1
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, this was my first instinct.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Depends how you rate his chances next 2 gws. Given you have starters on bench I would hold.

      1. Geordienufc1
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks mate. If I was certain he would start against both Brighton and Stoke I'd be a lot happier to hold. But I've got it into my head that it would be just like Conte to bench him in the Stoke game ahead of their game against Arsenal, and that really puts me off the idea of holding him.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          I think he should play both.

          I would be holding if I had your team. Good luck!

          1. Geordienufc1
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers, likewise! 🙂

  14. smeaton1724
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Monreal Jones Shawcross
    Salah(C) Sterling Eriksen Fernandino Kante
    Firmino Lukaku

    Bench:
    Elliott
    Kabasele
    Simpson
    Morata

    Debating a minus 8 for :
    A. De Bruyne(C) & Calvert Lewin for Kante & Morata
    B. Pogba & Rooney for Kante & Morata

  15. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Glad the article mentioned the 6.45 pm dead line; I had completely forgotten. 🙂

  16. FPLAdmiral
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Not sure how I’ve ended up with double Watford attack 😆 but how’s she looking chaps?

    Pope
    Otamendi, Christensen, Jones
    Sterling (c), Sane, Hazard, Salah, Richarlison
    Kane (vc), Gray

    (Speroni)(DCL, Mee, Kenny)

    1. smeaton1724
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Sane out for Pogba?

      1. The Overthinker
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Tbh wouldn't do this move for this gw

      2. FPLAdmiral
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Much prefer Sane!

    2. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      G2G imo

  17. Rabbinton
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    DDG
    Dann Hegazi Christensen
    Salah Sterling Zaha Haz
    Kane Austin Firmino

    Elliot Naughton Carroll Mbemba

    a) Haz & Firm > Arnautovic & Aguero
    b) Haz > KDB
    c) clean up subs

    I have 2FT this week and the WC still to go

    1. Rabbinton
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      d) why on earth am i even thinking of taking Hazard out!

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Defence is weak

  18. Pranav Santhosh
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg?
    Elliot
    Dann mbemba otamendi Christensen
    Sterling salah hazard richarlison loftus cheek
    Kane
    Pope Calvert Lewin mee morata

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Play Pope

      1. Pranav Santhosh
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        what transfers would you make with this team? I have 2FT and 0.1ITB. I'm thinking dann to masuaku and save the other FT. thoughts?

  19. jimmy.floyd
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Captain for this gameweek?

    DDG
    Azpilucueta Otamendi Ogbonna
    Salah Shaqiri Haz RLC Richarlison
    Kane Kaku

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Tough with no city attack.

      Salah

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

  20. Foozeball
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Demarai Gray
    B) DCL
    C) Lewis Dunk

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Geordienufc1
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

    Which combo scores more in the festive period?

    A)Morata Richarlison RLC
    B)DCL Pogba Coutinho (-8)

  22. FPL Pillars
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Play Foster or Elliot?

  23. raoulduke71
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    a) Smalling & Richarlison
    b) Cresswell & Pogba

  24. Captain Warlock
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts please
    A) Rooney v Chelsea
    B) RLC v Swans

    1. yakirh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      A

  25. Strchld
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Which one in?
    A) Sane (have Sterling)
    B) Pogba
    C) Coutinho (have Firmino)
    A is the right answer with those fixtures, right?

  26. sentz05
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Good WC?

    DDG Elliott
    Ota Alonso Gomez Masuaku Kenny
    Sterling Coutinho Salah Pogba RLC
    Lukaku DCL Rooney

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Do not like striker combo at all!

      1. sentz05
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        why?

        1. how now brown cow
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Double Big Fat Sam attack is good value for now? But wonder if they'll keep it up....

    2. yakirh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I would get KDB and Hazard

  27. Total Foot 5
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Best Def to bring in? thnx . given gametime and fixtures

    1 mariappa 4.1 (Save .3 but was taken off last gw after 30 min or so, expected to start it seems)

    2 masuaku 4.4 (already have Ogbonna + dgw coming up)

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      2

    2. Geordienufc1
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn't be bringing in Mariappa at this stage given the uncertainty surrounding Watford at the minute. I also probably wouldn't be doubling up on West Ham defence, particularly not before the blank GW has passed. If I had to choose between the 2 though, I'd go for Masuaku.

  28. sentz05
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Coutinho or Sane?

  29. olidooley
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg?

    Adrian
    Otamendi Christensen Masuaku
    Hazard Sterling Salah Richarlison RLC
    Kane (c) DCL

    Foster Hunemeier Mee Morata

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Captain Stering

  30. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    For the next three, before Kane's dgw...Which pair; one mid and one striker?

    A. Lukaku (lei, BUR, SOT) and KDB
    B. Aguero (BOU)+Morata (BHA,STK) and KDB
    C. Kane (bur, SOT, -) (bench for 21, play Gomez) and Sane

    Thanks.

    1. yakirh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      B looks nice