Team News

The Weekend Team News

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a doubt for Arsenal’s home encounter with Everton due to illness, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan will make his first start for the Gunners.

David Silva is an injury concern for Manchester City’s trip to Burnley, while Andreas Christensen could miss Chelsea’s trip to Watford.

Here’s our summary of the key team news so far, with the vast majority of press conferences still to come this afternoon.

Stephen Ward, Chris Wood (both knee) and James Tarkowski (groin) remain doubtful for Burnley’s home clash with Manchester City. Playmaker Steven Defour, meanwhile, faces two months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

As for the leaders, they will check on David Silva, who was forced off with an abdominal injury in the 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. John Stones will be assessed after missing out in midweek due to illness and could replace new boy Aymeric Laporte at Turf Moor.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has revealed that Adam Smith will sit out the home meeting with Stoke City due to a thigh injury, so Ryan Fraser looks set to start at right wing-back once again.

Paul Lambert will assess new signing Badou Ndiaye in training today before deciding whether to include the midfielder in the starting XI for Stoke’s trip to the Vitality Stadium. Jack Butland is expected to recover from a dead leg to start in goal for the Potters, with Lee Grant the back-up option.

Jurgen Locadia is still not ready to make his Brighton & Hove Albion debut for the home encounter against West Ham United. Jiri Skalak is a doubt and Steve Sidwell remains sidelined.

Michail Antonio will be named in the Hammers squad for the trip to the Amex Stadium, after he was left out against Crystal Palace for being late for a pre-match meeting. Winston Reid could return from a groin injury, while deadline day signing Jordan Hugill may make his Premier League debut up front.

According to reports, Riyad Mahrez is yet to return to training after failing to secure a move to Manchester City on deadline day. Demarai Gray may keep his place in the side for the home fixture against Swansea City, then, but skipper Wes Morgan misses out again.

Swansea’s club-record signing Andre Ayew has been sidelined with a hamstring injury of late, and will be assessed today ahead of the trip to the King Power Stadium. On-loan midfielder Andy King is ineligible to face his parent club.

Marouane Fellaini looks certain to miss Manchester United’s home meeting with Huddersfield Town after picking up suspected knee ligament damage in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Alexis Sanchez is set for his Old Trafford debut after a January switch from Arsenal.

As for the Terriers, they will check on Scott Malone and Danny Williams for the trip to Old Trafford, after the pair missed the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Alan Pardew was once again coy on West Brom’s injury situation ahead of the home encounter against Southampton, although Jonny Evans is thought to be a major doubt due to a muscle injury. Kieran Gibbs and Hal Robson-Kanu (both hamstring) Grzegorz Krychowiak (thigh) and Jake Livermore (knock) all remain doubtful, but Daniel Sturridge could be handed his full debut after appearing off the bench against Man City in midweek.

Mauricio Pellegrino revealed Manolo Gabbiadini is a doubt for the trip to The Hawthorns after suffering a hip complaint during the 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, but the Saints boss suggested that Guido Carrillo could make his first start for the club.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan will make his first start for the club against Everton. But the Gunners boss will assess club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Jack Wilshere, who have both been struggling with illness.

The Toffees have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to the Emirates, although Sam Allardyce will check on Seamus Coleman after the defender returned from a 10-month lay-off in midweek. Jonjoe Kenny is the alternative at right-back. New loan signing Eliaquim Mangala offers another option in defence.

Crystal Palace’s Bakary Sako was forced off with an ankle injury in the 1-1 draw with West Ham United, and will almost certainly miss the home clash against Newcastle United. Yohan Cabaye is likely to earn a recall against his former club, while deadline day signing Alexander Sorloth could make his Premier League debut alongside Christian Benteke up top.

But the Magpies are not expected to have new signing Islam Slimani available for the trip to Selhurst Park, with the forward nursing a thigh injury. Fellow new boy Martin Dubravka is expected to challenge Karl Darlow for the starting role in goal, with Rob Elliot (knock) still doubtful. Dwight Gayle may be handed a recall against his former side.

Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could all push for teamsheet returns for Liverpool’s home encounter against Tottenham Hotspur after only being named among the substitutes in Tuesday night’s 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town. Ragnar Klavan and Adam Lallana both remain doubtful due to muscle injuries.

Serge Aurier (calf) remains a doubt for Spurs, while this match could come too soon for Toby Alderweireld, despite his return to first-team training. Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely to make many changes for the trip to Anfield following the 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Watford head coach Javi Gracia will check on Heurelho Gomes, Molla Wague and Tom Cleverley ahead of Chelsea’s visit to Vicarage Road. Cleverley was forced off with a knock in the goalless draw with Stoke City, with Roberto Pereyra an alternative in central midfield. New signing Didier Ndong serves the last of a three-match ban earned while still at Sunderland.

After being forced off with a hamstring in the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, Andreas Christensen could be ruled out for Chelsea. But David Luiz and Willian were able to train yesterday and could be close to returns, while new signings Emerson Palmieri and, in particular, Olivier Giroud may be in contention to make their debuts, with Alvaro Morata still troubled by a back complaint. We will know more following Antonio Conte’s press conference at luncthime.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s 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.

745 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tekkerslovakiaftw
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Need to get Mahrez out who should I get in
    A) KDB (-4)
    B) Martial
    C) B Silva

    1. Irons9
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      What about Walcott?

      1. Tekkerslovakiaftw
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Already got Walcott

    2. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Can you save it for Walcott next week?

  2. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez+DCL tp Ibe+Giroud for -4, worth to try?

  3. V-2 Schneiderlin
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    can't believe I still have Richarlison in my team! I assume its not worth taking him out for -4?

    1. Malkmus
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Prob not worth -4.

      That is a great username btw, one of the best I've seen !

      1. V-2 Schneiderlin
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Steve !

    2. doy
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      might as well keep him now for BGW31, depending on the rest of your squad.

  4. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Still no City press wtf??

  5. Teror
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    P L A Y - O N E :

    A. Ogabonna

    B. Milivojevic

  6. damiang2233
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    11m to spend on 2 defenders any thoughts? already have jones, otamendi and mustafi

    1. TheAbear53
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Corrr... why so much on defence ? Coleman and a Burnley ? VVD and Maguire ?

  7. ionic
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    What to do? 0.9 ITB

    Pope
    Alonso Ota Mee Robertson Obganna
    Eriksen Mahrez Salah Shaq RLC
    Firmino Kane Quarner

    Thinking of Mahrez and Quarner to Walcott and Wilson or is a WC worthwhile?

  8. TheAbear53
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Can Jay Rodriguez be seen as on a par to Callum Wilson ? A tad cheaper, bigger differential, equal fixtures and in a side that has vastly improved underlying (attacking) stats...

    1. RoryzonderR
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Jay still nailed on with Sturridge on board?

      1. TheAbear53
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        It's impossible to say nailed, but I definitely predict they will play as a two together - the sort of thing Pards would try don't you think ?

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Yes

  9. Welts
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth Mahrez > KDB for -4?

    Or use WC? Already used FT before the Mahrez news broke.

    Team is:

    Courtois
    Jones - Alonso - Maguire
    Lingard - Mahrez - Sterling - Walcott
    Ayew - Wilson - Kane

    Fabianski - Richarlison - Kenny - Duffy

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      that's a good team. don't wildcard. mahrez to kdb looks good.

  10. Sarri ball
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Dont slate me for what im sure you'll all think is a stupid question but should I do B.Silva to Sterling for a -4 hit?
    I had him as a differential last week but conscious that everyone immediately above me has sterling and i could lose more ground if he does well. The counter argument is if B.Silva does well that will bode well for me...???

    1. Sarri ball
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      pleease....

    2. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Not worth it for -4 imo, too sideways just do for a free next week.

      1. Sarri ball
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers The jack, appreciated

  11. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    GTG - who to captain?

    Pickford
    Alonso, Chilwell, Monreal
    Salah, Sterling, Hazard, Walcott
    Kane, Wilson, Ayew

    Pereira, CM, stones, Gomez

    1. Sarri ball
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling or Hazard
      Chelsea will be looking for a response following there embarrassing 3-0 defeat and Hazard will prob play up front.

  12. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Foster
    Ogbonna Ota Maguire
    Salah Haz Atsu Allen Sterling
    Kun (C) Kane

    Elliot Niasse Holgate Mee

    G2G? Order of the bench ready to go? Allready used my FT.....

  13. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    1FT 0.1M in bank
    current front 7
    Sterling/Salah/Shaq/Son
    Kane/Kun/Ayew

    Have Lanzini on bench price dropping.
    A) Save
    B) Son to Pogba/Martial
    C) Son & Lanzini to ?? & ??

  14. Jammy
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Wenger playing us for a fool, there#s loads of pics of aubameyang training!

  15. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Save FT? Would like to change Richarlson but am 0.1 short of Walcott. Any other suggestions?

    Foster (McCarthy)
    Robertson Jones Ottamendi (Ogbonna Kenny)
    Salah Richarlson Shaqiri Lindgard (Carrol)
    Kun(c) Kane Firmino

  16. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    You think Mourinho is finally going to realise lingard Sanchez and martial won’t work.. Herrera needs to come in with Matic so pogba moves higher up..

  17. xRedArrow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    For 4th defender (4.4 max)
    A) Simpson
    B) Chilwel
    C) Other

  18. LEFT-FIELD
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Help please...

    De Gea
    Jones | Otamendi | Lascelles
    Sterling | Salah | Son | Ibe
    Kane | Firmino | J Ayew

    Elliot | Mahrez** | Duffy | Tuanzebe

    A. Take -4 and bring in Theo for Mahrez and bench Ibe
    B. Take -4 and bring in Theo for Mahrez and bench J Ayew
    B. Play Ibe and not take a hit

    1. LEFT-FIELD
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      C. Play Ibe and not take a hit

  19. mbea02
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Can Mahrez drop tonight or is he locked because of the red flag?

  20. CFC1990
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking of swapping out Eriksen or Son this week?

    Who would.you get in?

    I can't afford KDB/Hazard and have a midfield of Salah, Sterling, Shaqirir and those two spurs kids.

    Thanks