Team News
19 January 2018 309 comments
James H James H
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Pedro and Alvaro Morata will both miss Chelsea’s trip to Brighton due to suspension. Arsenal are expected to welcome back Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal for their home clash against Crystal Palace.

Virgil van Dijk has returned to full training ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Swansea, though social media chat suggests that Mohamed Salah was one of several players to miss the Reds latest session.

We await an update from Jurgen Klopp, along with a number of other key press conferences later today. For now, here is our summary of the team news situation as it stands.

Markus Suttner and Solly March could push for recalls when Brighton & Hove Albion host Chelsea in tomorrow’s early kick-off.

As for the champions, they’ll be without the suspended Alvaro Morata and Pedro, with Eden Hazard potentially utilised as a “false nine”. Meanwhile, Antonio Conte will have to check on the fitness of Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas who both missed the midweek FA Cup replay.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects to have Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal back for the home meeting against Crystal Palace but Mesut Ozil remains doubtful. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is uncertain to feature due to illness, so Sead Kolasinac may be handed a recall at left wing-back.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury, but Joel Ward is available to return for the trip to the Emirates. Andros Townsend has recovered quickly from an ankle problem and could be back in contention along with defender Joel Ward who is back in full training. .

Stephen Ward and Chris Wood remain out for Burnley’s home clash against Manchester United. Midfielder Scott Arfield has a good chance of being able to return, while Charlie Taylor is expected to start despite having taken a knock to the ribs.

Ashley Young is available again for United after serving his three-match ban, and could return in place of Luke Shaw at left-back for the trip to Turf Moor.

Sam Allardyce could hand a debut to new signing Theo Walcott as Everton entertain West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park, while Michael Keane is also available after recovering from a foot problem. Seamus Coleman is back in training though it would seem unlikley that he’ll be considered for selection just yet.

Baggies defenders Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazi are both being monitored after suffering a clash of heads last weekend, with a final decision to be made later today.

Matty James looks set to be available for the home fixture against Watford after picking up a minor knock in the goalless draw with Chelsea. Despite returning to training, Danny Simpson may be short of match fitness for the Hornets’ encounter, though Robert Huth could be back in contention following his return with the U23’s.

Hornets head coach Marco Silva will make a late call on Tom Cleverley ahead of the trip to the King Power Stadium, with the midfielder withdrawn last weekend after feeling tightness in his hamstring.

New Stoke City manager Paul Lambert has revealed that both Ryan Shawcross and Glen Johnson trained on Tuesday and could be in contention for the home meeting with Huddersfield Town. Erik Pieters (hamstring) remains a concern but new signing Kostas Stafylidis is lacking match fitness, and seems unlikely to make his debut.

Chris Lowe and Collin Quaner both look set to come back into contention for the Terriers, while recent additions Alex Pritchard and Terence Kongolo may be handed their first starts after making their debuts off the bench last weekend.

David Moyes has been dealt a blow with the news that Andy Carroll could be sidelined for a month with an ankle injury. Winston Reid (hamstring) and Chicharito (illness) are doubts ahead of the home clash against Bournemouth.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe has revealed that Junior Stanislas and Josh King are “getting closer” to a return, with both players set to be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s trip to the London Stadium.

Fabian Delph looks almost certain to miss Manchester City’s home encounter against Newcastle United due to a knee injury, while question marks remain over Vincent Kompany’s availability prior to Pep Guardiola’s press conference today.

Rafa Benitez will check on Dwight Gayle ahead of the trip to the Etihad Stadium, after the forward was forced off with a knock during the 1-1 draw with Swansea City.

Southampton defender Maya Yoshida remains doubtful ahead of the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to St Mary’s due to a hamstring injury, so Jack Stephens and Wesley Hoedt could continue in central defence.

Harry Winks looks set to miss out for Spurs, having skipped the last three matches due to an ankle injury. Kieran Trippier may push for a recall at right-back in place of Serge Aurier.

Kyle Naughton is available again after serving his three-match suspension and should return to the starting XI for Swansea City’s home fixture against Liverpool. Mike van der Hoorn, Renato Sanches and Tammy Abraham are all doubtfs for the Swans.

Virgil van Dijk and Alberto Moreno look set to be available for Monday’s trip to south Wales, while Jordan Henderson is also back in training following a hamstring injury. But there is a suggestion that Mohamed Salah missed training yesterday, with talk that he is still affected by the illness that he suffered going into Sunday’s win over Manchester City. Klopp’s press conference today will hopefully reveal more on that.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s 11.30am deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter Stream 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.

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

    Salah -> Ibe?

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

      Salah < Ibe

      1. Lingardium Leviosa.
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Salah > Ibe

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

    I'm a bit stuck at the moment - I don't really have any idea how to get Alonso or even azpi in. Aguero too...

    Pope Gomez
    Otamendi Jones Mee Masuaku 3.9
    Salah Sterling Arnie Lingard Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Firminio

    ITB 0.2
    1 FT
    SQV 105.1

    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 6 months ago

      You'd have to downgrade Lukaku.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Agree. You can't have them all.

    2. Typo
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Lukaku - > wilson
      3.9 -> Alonso

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

        I'd do this too

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

      I would do this next week and keep the FT now.

      3,9/Lukaku/Carrol -> Alonso/Wilson/MF with the rest of the money.

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

        Or just Lukaku/3,9 to Alonso/Wilson this week/next week.

    4. jshelmo
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks for the input guys. That means you're all more for Alonso than Kun?

  3. twoplustwo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling to Arnie is tempting me. Best avoided?

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

      If you're a better rank than me then do it.

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

      Certainly best avoided with NEW WBA bur up next and Sterling heavily template. Asking for trouble there.

  4. Hardly Athletic
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Is there a website that tells you what percentage a player is owned by in the top 10k teams?

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

      FPL Discovery.

      1. Hardly Athletic
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Rains of Castamere
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Fantasy Football Fix

  5. Frasmac
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this -

    A - Eriksen to Mahrez (free)

    B - Eriksen & DLC to Mahrez & Wilson (-4)

    C - Save

    Cheers

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

      DCL to Wilson possible?

      1. Frasmac
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Need the funds from erik to mahrez to fund it

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

          Ah I see. Roll it, keep Erksen this week then and do the mini WC next week.

          1. Frasmac
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Cheers mate makes sense

  6. megatron14
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Walcott or Ramsey for Gross?

    Or hold tight, Brighton have some easier fixtures after Chelsea...

    1. Toby Lerone
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Walcott as Ramsey may not start

    2. MTPockets
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Will either start?

  7. Toby Lerone
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Final votes on this transfer please (will not change keeper for rest of season)

    A) Fabianski > pickford
    B) fabianski > ddg
    C) fabianski > ederson

    Currently on A....Cheers!

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

      A

  8. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Is there really any reason to move Arnie / Sterling / Lingard / Son around from one to the other ?

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

      No.

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

      Nah - sit tight.

    3. Toby Lerone
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I have all of those. Looking at mahrez for son after this gw

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

    I would be very grateful for your input. Am basically happy with my team (13k OR) but have 2 FTs and not sure what to do. Would you just do DCL->Crouch to free up cash (realistically Crouch is not going to Chelsea but has great fixtures)?

    Will look to do Aguero->Firmino after his 2 great fixtures and use funds to upgrade Richarlson (to Mahrez/Son/Pogda, TBC) or Carroll (to Lingard).

    Adrian
    Ota // Alonso // Jones // Holgate
    Salah // Sterling // Arnie // Richarlson
    Kane (vc) // Aguero (C)

    Subs: Pope, DCL, Ogbonna, Carroll

    2FT and 0.2ITB.

    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yep DCL, but not sure about Crouch. Didn't seem to have much of a role in last game (admittedly mun & the only Stoke game I've seen this season)

    2. Rains of Castamere
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Would probably go Quaner.

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

        Tempted, but is he nailed? Looking at his mins not sure whether he is first choice and could just get Depoitre

    3. Toby Lerone
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Why don't you get ayew in? He starts every game and seems to have a bit of form

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

        Thanks - his woeful fixtures put me off but may still go with him as nailed

  10. Visionaries
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    A Ota, Sane, Albright, (Ayew)
    B Stones, Mahrez, Wilson, Albrigh (selection headache)
    C Ota, Mahrez, Wilson, (5.1 mid?)

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

      C

  11. fantasydan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    My keepers are Elliott and Speroni. Would you bring Adrian in for Speroni or Hennessy for Elliott to cover rotation? Palace fixtures are nasty but they have kept a few clean sheets. Ta

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

      Looks like Palace have been knocked back on that keeper
      http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/transfer-news-watford-crystal-palace-1072543
      Up to you if you want to go for it really. Elliot is a no no, but Adrian might be a good shout for the short term.
      Best one to get cos of no blank 31 is Pickford

      1. fantasydan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks for the info.

  12. boc610
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    hav haz ...is there any argument to keeping? and who should i replace him with if not?

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

      Sure there is an argument. He could score lots of points.

    2. MTPockets
      8 years, 6 months ago

      He should at least get a full game.

    3. Hardly Athletic
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Keep Hazard. Great fixtures for the next four weeks.

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

      Bigger argument for selling.. he's had great fixtures for over a month and the returns have been poor. Chelsea playing much worse now as well.

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

      I'm in the same boat. For this week I am keeping. If I was getting shut I was looking at Mharez and using the cash elsewhere.

  13. xRedArrow
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Liverpool fixt:

    swa (EPL)
    West Brom (fa Cup)
    hudd (EPL)

    Which fixtures do you all seeing Gomez playing and which ones will TAA start?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      TAA will start West Brom game

  14. thepeen555
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    anyone going for Walcott now or see how he goes? glad he moved though

    1. Bunk Moreland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Have to wait and see, surely, with all the other in form midfielders around. But I might go for him later, he's always been a good fpl prospect when fit and getting a run of games.

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

      See how he goes I think - couple on twitter seem to have taken the plunge but it seems a bit risky to me at the mo with Everton not firing up front thus far. In a week or two if he's hit the ground running then deffo

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

    GtG
    pickford
    Alonso (c), martina, jones, vvd
    Lingard, mane, arni, pogba
    Kane (vc), aguero

    Bench, elliot, ayew, zanka, cork

  16. Hardly Athletic
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Keep Hazard. Great fixtures for the next 4 weeks.

    1. Hardly Athletic
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Replay fail 🙁

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

      Too much cash but he his bound to haul soon, but I believe money better spent elsewhere (coming from a massive Hazard fan)

  17. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Adrian
    Ogbon Alonso Mee
    S S S Mahrez Alli
    Kane Wilson

    Alli->Mane next week.

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

      Bewtiful

  18. DanM8
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Hazard & Vardy > Marez & Firmino ??

    1. Hardly Athletic
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Mahrez & Firmino

      1. DanM8
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Agree or just a spell check?

  19. _Make
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Christensen to Danilo worth the switch? Anyone know how long Danilo might get?

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

      I dont think it is

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

        Cheers Bobby B

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

      From one uncertainty to another. I'd pass on that.

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

        Much obliged.

  20. vardys party
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Pope (eliott)
    Christensen Otamendi Masuaku Vertonghen Gomez
    Eriksen Sterling Salah (Doucoure Carroll)
    Kane Firmino (Calert-Lewin)

    2 FT 0.4 in the bank

    What do I do?

    1. Hardly Athletic
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Doucoure > Albrighton

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

        this

    2. MTPockets
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Sell DCL

  21. Bobby_Baggio
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts chaps... 2FT & 1.1m ITB. Next week i'll look to do Son > Mahrez

    Adrián • Speroni
    Alonso • Otamendi • Jones • Dunk • Kenny
    Salah • Sterling • Son • Arnautovic • Lingard
    Kane • Firmino • Quaner

    A) Speroni > Hennesey (prefer to have a low costing keeper)
    B) Kenny > 5.6m or below (again probably prefer low cost defender)
    C) Anything else

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

      Hennesey I'd worry about with Palace in the market for a keeper, seemingly.
      I'm looking to move Kenny on to Maguire soon with a strong run and a good write up in the technical area article yesterday, so I'd be tempted by that but given your Alonso/Ota/PJ fire and forget three I'd just get Tomkins in at 4.3 or Dummet at 4.2 as a 2nd bencher.

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

        Cheers as always - you dont think changing speroni as more of a priority?

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

          I don't think it's a priority - no indication that Adrian is going to stop being the no.1 for WHU for the moment. If that changes then sure. One to watch with Hennessey as you could end up with another dead asset on your hands if Palace do sign a new no 1 (tho the Getafe guy is a ? atm: http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/transfer-news-watford-crystal-palace-1072543)

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

            cheers indi

  22. thunder_mike
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    A) Keep Alli and save FT (have Son + Kane)
    B) Alli > Arnie
    C) Alli > Mahrez

    Pope
    Alonso Jones Chilwell
    Salah Sterling Alli Son Lingard
    Kane Firmino
    Elliot Masuaka Duffy Quaner

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

      If its for free then C

  23. Kanteisking
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Assuming Salah is fine for the weekend then would bring him in for Son for a hit?

    1. Hardly Athletic
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, Salah is a must and Son has 3 difficult fixtures after this week.

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

        he will definitely come in but just thinking do I take a hit to get him this week or willSon possibly match him against Southampton

        1. Hardly Athletic
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Son's away scores this season have been 1-1-1-3-1-1-7-2-3-3. I'd still rather have Salah for -4. His away scores have been 11-1-7-2-7-15-13-5-8-10

  24. Ghost86
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    2FT decent moves going forward have to do both?

    Pope & Mee to Pickford & Martina

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

      not sure on the double up everton

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

      Deffo not Martina. Awful player and Sam knows it I think. Pope to Pickford I can get behind. If you can do that straight then just do it.
      Mee's fixtures get better and at least he's starting so you can leave him benched.
      If you need to free up cash get Tomkins or Dummet instead.

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

    Could a Chelsea fan help me. Is Christiansen nailed?

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

      Yes

    2. MTPockets
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Not a chelsea fan, but evidently not.

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

        Why not? It appeared he was rotated for a rest because of busy schedule, before that he was playing every game and the best CB, also just signed new contract...

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          most of his missing minutes were illness related I believe, I could be deluded though

        2. MTPockets
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Because if he was nailed you wouldn't be asking.

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

          Correct. Rested, came back from injury, Conte loves him as he can play out from the back and his the future rock in our back line. He will be play most games

    3. Gommy
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, pretty much. Certainly for this weekend, considering Cahill's injury and his recent absences have been due to his illness and recover/rest from that illness.

      Conte loves him.

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

      Thanks guys! 🙂

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

    Friday Pressers

    Everton, Bournemouth - DONE
    Chelsea - 1.15pm
    Southampton, Liverpool, Man Utd, West Ham, Swansea - 1:30pm
    Newcastle, Man CIty - 1:45pm
    Spurs - TBA

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

      cheers

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      1:30pm Sanchez > Utd announced then....

  27. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Captain

    A) Sterling
    B) Salah (if fit)
    C) KDB

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      a

  28. Red Card Rockets
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Weather forecasts look dry for both Kane and Salah on Sunday and Monday. (I don't like Spurs in rain)

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

    Breaking News....

    Sanchez has been spotted outside Man United, wearing a Chelsea Shirt, singing 'Blue Moon', amid speculation that he may move to spurs.

  30. Greko82
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Captaincy pick. Which one?
    A) Kane
    B) Aguero
    C) Salah

    Thanks

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Kane for the safe option C if you've got some catching to do.

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

      I'm personally going with Aguero. My rivals have Kane and Salah so i'm gambling with Kun differential

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I'd go in this order:

      A
      B
      C