Team News
22 December 2017 742 comments
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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. white lightning
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Is this worth a -4 hit:
    Kane out - Firmino in
    Richarlison out - KDB in

    Thanks.

    1. white lightning
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Or for free = Hazard out - KDB in

      Thanks.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      No

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

      The hit sways it to a no from me. Haz to KDB is ok but I own him and will be holding him, I have faith he will get a haul very soon and repay the faith!

  2. Obi Wan Ken Obi Nil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Pick three to play

    A. Christenssen
    B. Jones
    C. Austin
    D. Firmino

    Thanks!

    1. MTPockets
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Flip a coin on defender for bench.

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

        Wow - lucky you!

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

          Sorry - probably Christensen. Everton in good form.

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

        ACD

      • Botman and Robben
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Bench Jones

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

      Pope
      masuaka naughton dunk jones
      hazard sane salah richarilson rlc
      Kane
      (elliot, dcl, kenny, morata)

      1) gtg
      2) captain?

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        yes, kane or sane

      2. Vpan
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Help please:
        My team

        Pope
        Alonso Christensen Jones (Ward* Mariappa)
        Salah Sterling Richarlison Gross (RLC)
        Kane Firmino Morata*

        2FT

        a) Morata + Gross -> Aguero (c) + Surman (bench)

        b) Morata + Gross -> DLC + KDB (c)

        c) Morata + Gross -> DLC + Hazard

        d) Richarlison + Gross -> Sane + Carroll (Morata bench)

        e) Ward -> Ogbonna (save FT, Morata bench)

    3. 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)

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

      Smalling & Richarlison >> Cresswell & Pogba?

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        yes, if for free

      2. SAY MY NAME
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        first 2 may score more points, not sure i'd make that move

    5. MartialMatas
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      1 week punt on a defender up to 5.4m
      Who would you go for?
      Mangala, Cresswell, Dann?

      1. LFC4EVER
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        None of the Obote.. why not Jones?

        1. MartialMatas
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          he's 5.5. I'll be getting him on wc after the deadline

          1. LFC4EVER
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 3 months ago

            Didn't realize it's probably already went up..

            1. LFC4EVER
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 3 months ago

              His price, stupid autocorrect

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

      Who will you choose to bench this week :
      A) Richarlison
      B) Calvert-Lewin
      C) Vardy

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

        B

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

        B

    7. Fantasyfootballer
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Pope
      Christensen - Jones - Otamendi
      Hazard - Sane (C?) - Salah - Richarlison - RLC
      Kane - Vardy

      Elliot - DCL - Simpson - Femenia

      What do you think of Vardy & RLC > Quaner & Sterling?

      Y/N?

      1. LFC4EVER
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Sounds good

      2. Ohh1454
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        I wouldn't your getting rid of two nailed players over Christmas to two players of rotation risk

    8. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Daniels to Alonso worth -4?

      1. HonestBlatter
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Yay

    9. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Captain pick?

      De Bruyne
      Sterling
      Salah
      Kane

      I have a feeling city may ship a few so then it's out of the top 2?

      Thoughts everyone?

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

        My gut feels kdb

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

        Kdb

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

        I'd go KDB if i had

    10. vopemartin
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Play one:
      a) Gomes (BHA) - Away
      b) Fabianski (CRY) - Home

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

        Fabianski

    11. _Gunner
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Who to captain?

      A- Hazard
      B- Kane
      C- Sterling

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

        C) for me.

        If morata was playing, I would consider Hazard.

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

        Sterling

    12. Alnair
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Fabianski Elliot
      Otamendi Cristensen Jones Robertson (Dunk)
      Hazard Salah Zaha Richarlison (King)
      Kane Morata (Niasse)

      0.6 ITB, 1FT

      Hold FT and consider Adrian next gw?

    13. PaladinVargas
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I have a genuinely shocking team for this week and hope that people can point out a few options that I haven’t thought of!? Nothing in the bank and no free transfers. Lanzini and Morata being suspended killed my 3-5-2 idea.

      Courtois/Elliot
      Ota/Monreal/Simpson/Ogbonna/Ward(inj)
      Salah/Haz/Richarlison/Lanzini(sus)/RLC
      Kane/Morata(sus)/DCL

      1) Play the team as it is (4-4-2). Will have no bench players as all are injured/susp.
      2) Hazard > KDB/Sterling (-4)? Biggest mistake was selling Silva a few weeks ago.
      3) Hazard & Ward > which 2 players? (-8)

      Appreciate any help you can give and best of luck this weekend!

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

        Ward needs to go first imo. Nice cheap bench player maybe a Huddersfield def play him this week then sort the others next week

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Need city cover

      3. MTPockets
          8 years, 3 months ago

          1) or Ward out. Next gw in just 4 days, then 4, then 2. Think everyone will have benching issues at some point.

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

          Simpson->Kabasele or Zanka?

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

        Surely it’s Mee ahead of Maguire this week?

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

          I'm playing maguire ahead of mee... goal threat

      5. LFC4EVER
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Who to (C):

        A. Aguero
        B. KDB

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

          B. Kdb

        2. vopemartin
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          A for me

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

          a

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

        A. Ramsay + Kane to Kdb (c) + Firmino (-8)
        B. Hazard to Kdb (-4)
        C. Mee to Jones (-4)
        D. Ramsay to Son (-4)
        E. Ramsay to Pogba (-4)

        1. Cornholi0
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          E

        2. itommy
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          I'd say E

      7. Cornholi0
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Would you start:

        a) Callum Wilson (city)
        or
        b) Tom Carroll (CRY)

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          B

      8. itommy
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        B. Foster
        P. Jones - B. Mee - Christensen
        Coutinho - Salah - Hazard - Richarlison
        Firmino - Calvert-Lewin - Kane

        Elliot, Gross, Duffy, Kiko

        A) Coutinho > Sterling
        B) Fimino & Richarlison > C. Austin & Sterling
        C) Fimino & Gross > M.B Diouf & Sterling
        D) Something else

        2FT

        1. Cornholi0
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Coutinho to Sterling and Kiko to Masuaku

          1. Cornholi0
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 3 months ago

            And play Masuaku instead of Calvert-Lewin

        2. vopemartin
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          nonono, do not swap out coutinho.

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

        G2G? Right C and bench order?

        De Gea
        Ota Kabasele Ogbona
        RLC Sterling(C) Richarlison Salah Hazard
        Kane Crouch

        Subs: Elliot, DCL, Mbemba, Daniels

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

          Yup G2G

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

        Afternoon all,

        Transfer advice needed.. £2.4m itb

        Current team: Elliot/Gomes - Otamendi Christensen Daniels Masuaku Simpson - Hazard Salah Sterling Richarlison RLC - Kane Firmino DCL

        A) Daniels to Alonso
        B) Richarlison to Sane
        C) RLC to Shaqiri

        Thanks.

        1. Buck The Trent
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          A

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

        Guys,

        Any news about Silva? Interested to bring him instead of Coutinho, I have Sterling already

        1. Buck The Trent
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          wait presser

        2. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Press conference at 1330

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

            Ok thanx guys

      12. Ohh1454
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Who's the best straight swap for choupo ?

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

          Shaq, Richa, Lingard

          1. Ohh1454
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 3 months ago

            Can't afford any of them I'm on a budget of 5.6m I was thinking maybe mooy or a dark horse choice in van la parra

      13. Tabbara
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Thoughts on Gray and Sane for RLC and Morata(-4)?
        Got Sterling

        1. Rik Waller
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Sane is a don't buy/don't sell for me. Prefer Pogba or Silva if he's fit

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

            Why u have him?

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

        What should I do with this? 0FTs and 0.2 ITB.

        De Gea - Speroni
        Otamendi - Christensen - Mee - Kabasele - Long
        Eriksen - Salah - Sterling - Zaha - Loftus
        Kane - Morata - Niasse

        Thanks!!!

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

          What was your transfer?

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

            Kolasinac --> Otamendi

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

              Save as is.

      15. AnderEstimatedHerrera
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Hey lads,
        any thoughts appreciated here

        have used my ft and have only Otamendi from City. No City cover in midfield annoys me.
        Should I swap Hazard or Cout (have Salah) to Sane?

      16. Pieterke30
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        What's more stupid, guys?

        A. Taking a 16-point hit
        B. Playing Free Hit Chip this GW

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

          B

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

            Depends what your moves are and who's in your team. Not the best question.

            1. Pieterke30
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 3 months ago

              I know but quite long to elaborate. Here it goes...

              Team is the following, with a -8 already taken (too) early to bring in Otamendi, Sterling and Gray for Kolasinac/RLC/Lacazette

              Pickford/Speroni
              Azpi/Otamendi/Maguire*/Mee*/Mariappa*
              Salah/Cout/Haz/Richarlison/Sterling
              Gray/Morata*/Niasse*

              * = weak spots imo, likely to be taken out soon

              I see Otamendi and Sterling as season keepers (took -8 for them and getting rid of Kolasinac), two other transfers I would make to get me to -16 would be Ogbonna and Aguero for Maguire and Morata. Likely to reverse transfer Aguero to Morata before next GW. Ogbonna would be a keeper for a while due to WHM DGW and good fixtures.

              FHC team would be sth like

              Adrian
              Otamendi/Dann/? (Naughton, Shawcross, Soton def)
              Salah/Arnautovic/Sterling/Richarlison (or Zaha)
              Aguero/Kane/Austin

        2. weaver93
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          both of the above...

          IF I had to choose.... A

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

          both
          if they are long-term moves, then maybe I'd go for A

      17. brabraza
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        What do we think about Lindgard vs Pogba ? On a wildcard this week. Aguero for 1 week ?

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Pogba

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

          Pogba is more nailed for festive period

      18. Weeb Kakashi
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        If you have no other pressing issues would you do Kane> Kun(C) for free??

        1. abk
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Did morata to kun (c) for free earlier.

          Do you have enough coin to get kane back?

          1. Weeb Kakashi
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 3 months ago

            Will get him directly for the dgw.

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

          No

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

          No

        4. MTPockets
            8 years, 3 months ago

            No because he probably gets benched 4 days later.

        5. Gudjohnsen
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Sensible move this week?

          A. Ogbonna for Simpson
          B. Richarlison to Pogba

          My team is:

          Foster, Pereiera
          Otamendi, Monreal, Christensen, Simpson, Mee
          Salah, Hazard, Sané, Richarlison, RLC
          Kane, Firmino, Quaner

          1.7 itb, 1 free tranfer