Team News
16 March 2018 455 comments
James H James H
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Everton will be without Gylfi Sigurdsson for the trip to Stoke, but Theo Walcott and Idrissa Gueye are both available for the Toffees.

Wilfried Zaha is expected to return to the starting XI for Crystal Palace’s clash at Huddersfield, while Yohan Cabaye and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are also back in contention.

Meanwhile, Josh King and Ryan Fraser will be assessed ahead of Bournemouth’s home encounter with West Brom.

Here’s our summary of the team news so far, with a couple of press conferences still to come later today ahead of the reduced Gameweek 31.

Gylfi Sigurdsson misses Everton’s trip to Stoke this weekend after being sidelined for six-to-eight weeks with a knee injury sustained in the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Sam Allardyce could hand Wayne Rooney the No 10 role in the playmaker’s absence, with Idrissa Gueye fit to return following illness. Theo Walcott has been passed fit after suffering from cramp against the Seagulls.

Stoke City boss Paul Lambert surprisingly revealed that Mame Biram Diouf has an outside chance of being fit to for the home meeting with Everton following a shoulder injury. Diouf looks likely to earn a sub role at best, though, with Eric Choupo-Moting, Jese Rodriguez or Peter Crouch expected to lead the line.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has revealed that Josh King and Ryan Fraser will be checked following training later today ahead of the home meeting with West Brom. The latter has been nursing a back issue, while Howe has claimed that King “looks like he’s going to be okay.” after his recent neck injury. The Cherries could continue with Adam Smith on the right flank if Fraser misses out, while Lys Mousset could retain the berth behind striker Callum Wilson if King fails to make it.

Baggies head coach Alan Pardew will hope to have Jonny Evans available for the trip to the Vitality Stadium after the centre-back missed the 4-1 defeat to Leicester City due to illness. Gareth Barry has sat out the last two matches with a knock but he could be ready to return, with Grzegorz Krychowiak expected to make way.

Huddersfield Town have been dealt a blow with the news that Danny Williams will miss the rest of the season after suffering a fractured fibula in training on Wednesday. But Elias Kachunga may have an outside chance of returning for the home meeting with Crystal Palace.

The Eagles, however, have been boosted by the news that both Yohan Cabaye and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will both return to the squad for the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium. Meanwhile, Wilfried Zaha is expected to come back into the first XI after impressing on his comeback against Chelsea with an assist off the bench. Mamadou Sakho could also push for a recall after returning to the squad last weekend.

Jurgen Klopp may hand recalls to Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip for Liverpool’s home encounter against Watford. Should Henderson return, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to vie with James Milner for the other role alongside Emre Can, while Matip’s potential selection would see Dejan Lovren drop to the bench.

As for the Hornets, they welcome back Craig Cathcart ahead of the trip to Anfield. The likes of Will Hughes is pushing for a first-team return after stepping up his fitness with appearances off the bench in each of the last two Gameweeks.

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.

455 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Rhinos
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    cl draw has fpl ramifications
    either city are gonna get a dgw with no other comps to play for or liv are gonna have great fixtures and nothing else to play for.
    Puts a dint on wc32 coz may be worth waiting to see if there's a likeky winner after the 1st leg.
    Also makes rotation in 32 33 slightly less likely coz no travel

  2. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    LFC vs City!It will be brilliant for the atmosphere alone in the Anfield leg!Reminiscent of 05 vs Chels. Exept back then it was Carra throwing himself into tackles and blocks. This time it will be Lovren goving away two 1st half penalties Come to think of it Carra is free atm.I wonder if Djimi Traore is available too hmm. 

    1. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Liverpool beat City with Lovren in the PL, they can do it again.

      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Oh no doubt both sides capable of beating the other.
        Wouldn't supprise me if it was 7-5 on agg either way.

    2. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      as a pool fan, its not a good draw, i feared bayern the most tho, id have preferred sevilla, roma, juventus, real and barca personally. i know we can beat them, but i think we are more likely to beat other teams. even if we win 3-0 at home i could see us bottling the away leg

    3. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Wanted a proper CL tie, no offence to City. 🙁

  3. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    josh king yellow flagged

    has there been more news this morning or is that simply due to howe's comments yesterday that he will be assessed after training today???

    1. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      i think its due to comments

    2. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      I'm a bit confused by the flag because Howe also said that it 'looks like he's going to be okay'.

      https://twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/974593002814476289

      1. BobBradleysOpportunity
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        he also used the term "injury doubt" before mentioning king's name.

        1. Pierce34
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 7 days ago

          I mean, he's either a doubt or he's going to be ok. From the comments, I would interpret Howe's position as "I'm going to address the injury doubts: King looks like he's going to be ok", i.e. he was a doubt but now he's ok.

          1. BobBradleysOpportunity
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 7 days ago

            "looks like" does not been he's ok, it means he looks like he will at present. thats how id interpret it to be honest

            1. Pierce34
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 7 days ago

              Hmm, fair enough.

          2. Sedemuda
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 7 days ago

            This

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Howes said should be OK so should not have been flagged in my view. Nothing changed since last week

      1. BobBradleysOpportunity
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        its a close call cuz he didn't say he's 100% fit, but he didn't really say he was still injured

  4. ☻ Jon Snow ☻
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    What's your ideal FH GW31 team?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      What's yours?

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      lol
      There have been loads of articles and hot topics on here.
      Do a bit of research.

    3. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      BUTLAND
      BAINES - PVA - A.SMITH
      SALAH(c) - MANE - STANISLAS - ZAHA - THEO
      FIRMINO - WILSON

      1. Prison Mike
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Shaqiri for Theo

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Spill the beans 🙂

  5. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    A) Sterling -> Stan
    or
    B) Kane -> Wilson

    Not decided yet if I want to keep Sterling in my GW32 WC team but selling him would costs me 0.3 so leaning towards B...

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      A easy. Team Value is irelevant RN

      1. Majestic Chanka
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        This is exactly when it is important, wildcard time!

      2. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Cheers Kris, the 0.3 could be relevant though if I want Sterling back in my WC..

  6. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Didn't do Kane -> King last night and now due to the press conference I probably won't so who should I get instead, Mounie or Wilson?

  7. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    I'm chasing, is it crazy to bring in Rooney and captain this week?

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      great differential

  8. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Team so far is

    Vvd Schindler
    Salah Shaqiri choupo
    Firmino quaner

    Thinking of fabianski and Alonso to butland and Coleman to give me a possible 9 players this week for -4

    Got all chips available

  9. damiang2233
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    With such limited fixtures this week, is it worth making any transfers? At the minute I have 6 players playing this weekend. Team is as follows

    Pope Fabinski
    Otamendi Davies Mustafi Dawson Roberston
    Salah B silva Mahrez Shaquiri Ibe
    Vardy Kane Wilson

    Thoughts Please? thinking of getting Firmino in for Kane on FT?

    1. Prison Mike
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Yeah I would do kane to Firmino and maybe take a hit to bring in Stanislas/Zaha

      1. damiang2233
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Stainislas/Zaha for who tho? Is it really worth a hit either?

        1. Ten Season Wonder
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 7 days ago

          Zaha & Stan are both worth the risk of a hit in my opinion.

          1. damiang2233
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 7 days ago

            If im honest lads i cant rightly see it!! Maybe stanislas for Ibe but nothing else and at that im even hesitant

            1. Lemongrab
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 7 days ago

              I would do B.Silva to Stanislas. Silva looks like he's lost his place to Sterling anyway.

              1. damiang2233
                • 16 Years
                8 years, 7 days ago

                Was thinking of getting rid of him next week for de bruyne?

  10. Prison Mike
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Probably been asked 100 times... But who to bring in?

    A) Zaha (better player, played well off the bench last week against Chelsea, possibly OOP)

    B) Stanislas (better fixture, good form, good stats)

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Both great picks. If you only have one FT, then I would certianly bring in the other for a hit no questions

  11. The Mighty Whites
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    What's the benefit of using FH in the next BGW compared to this week? Surely there'll be more games in the next one?

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Yeah, there should be more games in the next one

      Depends how well set up you are for this week tbh

    2. Ramboros
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      You can't possibly prepare for GW35 the same way you could for GW31. Every GW35 player will not have a DGW in GW35. Many DGW34 teams will n

      You also have to factor in that GW34 players will be more fatigued in GW35, which favours teams that face DGW34 teams in GW35, such as Everton, Stoke and West Ham. These are teams you don't want players from in your WC, but you want for GW35 specifically.

      There's also a specific group of players that have a DGW in GW34 but no league or cup match at the following weekend. These teams will not rotate a lot in GW34 because of the following break. You can't bring in their players if you don't free hit in GW35.

      Last but not least, if GW35 is terrible in terms of number of blanks, you could always use your FH in GW37.

  12. Dele
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Mounie or Benteke?

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Tekkers

    2. Prøfeßör …
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      I'm going to say Tekkers but Mounie is the safe option.

  13. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Hi Managers,

    Did Siggy to Stan for free
    + Kane to Mounie (-4) which gives me 7 players:

    VVD
    Stanislas Shaq Salah
    Firmino Wilson Mounie

    A) Save
    B) Vert to Baines (-8)
    C) Obiang to Zaha (-8)
    D) Both (-12)

  14. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    I would love it! If we beat city

  15. Westfield Irons ⭐️
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Anyone hoping to profit from GW31 transfers?

    Have a slim chance of making a profit from Stanislas and Mounie if they rise again tonight.
    Only an extra total 0.2m - but ready for a WC I'll take that!

    Also planning to drop Firmino and Mane for the GW32 WC, so looking forward to price rises there also.

    1. Sedemuda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Stanislas & Mounie rose lat night so won't rise again

      1. Westfield Irons ⭐️
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Yes, I went with the transfers last night in the vain hope they might rise again tonight.
        Hopefully some FFS 'group-think' might push them up again tonight - appreciate they have a long way to go...

    2. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Last thing on my mind at this stage of the season bro.

      That's what the first 1/3 of the season is for.

      1. Westfield Irons ⭐️
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Even if you're wildcarding in GW32? fair enough, agree in general though

  16. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Ak47 or A.smith?

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      whaaa

    2. QuintonFortune25
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      A.smith. playing RM now

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        If he plays 🙁

  17. Ten Season Wonder
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    My thoughts are that Firmino is the only good option this week in the ATT dept. Just feel that there's greater options in midfield with Zaha, Stanislas etc

    I would happily go 4-5-1 if I were playing my free hit chip.

    1. Prøfeßör …
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Okay, that's pushing it slightly. Better options in attack than defence.

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Sorry, but I'd rather have Baines in my team than Mounie tbh.

        Just feel that all managers are scraping the barrel in attack.

    2. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Yep, I'm going PVA over King/Mounie. Stani + Zaha are shoe-ins imo.

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Agreed Berb.

      2. Pompel
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Are you playing FH or taking hitw, Berb?

        1. Davido989
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 7 days ago

          Hits, -8

    3. Hotdogs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      I agree that 5 mids makes a lot of sense but I'd consider 3-5-2 instead of 4-5-1 especially if you think your mids are going to score

  18. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Everton vs Liverpool in PL on Sunday 8th April will be moved as Manchester City vs Liverpool in CL is confirmed as Tuesday 10th April.

    1. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      salah DGW???

      1. Yellin' in my Ear
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Unless they move it back into the weekend

  19. Hotdogs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    I have to say the FH chip experience has been quite amazing for me this week - I've never felt so relaxed during the a Gameweek before.

    I didn't have to play the price changes and there was no point worrying since there's nothing I could do about it

    Budget was never going to be right which also made price changes irrelevant. Also there was zero pressure on my transfers knowing they will have no consequence to my team after this week

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      What's your FH team?

      1. Hotdogs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Not set in stone yet 🙂 but I do see the most value in midfielders so I'm probably going 3-5-2

        We're also in a weird situation where if I like the FFS team I can actually just copy that exactly. Doubt I'd do that tho as there'll probably be a few things I disagree with

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Same here, going to now switch King out for Shaq ... just because I can 🙂

  20. The Mighty Whites
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    1FT, 1.3 ITB:

    Karius, Foster

    Vertonghen, Schindler, Fernandez, Ogbonna, Dunk

    Salah, Sterling, Shaqiri, Van la Parra, Carroll

    Kane, Aguero, Vardy

    Aguero and Carroll to Firmino and Stanislas or FH?

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Yeah go for those transfers

  21. AllINeedIsCoffee
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Worth it to take a hit somewhere?

    De Gea (x) - Speroni (out)
    Ake - Schindler - Alonso (x) / Azpi (x) - Otamendi (x)
    Salah - Mané - Maxim - Sterling (x) / Mkhitaryan (x)
    Firmino - Rodriguez - Quaner.
    0.4itb, 0 FT.

    Cheers.

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Sterling to Stanislas

      1. AllINeedIsCoffee
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        I thought Sterling is expected to return in the gameweek after?

  22. antolol
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Not a native english speaker so I bring up the subject of free hit again :

    If I use FH now and I have 2FT. Will I have just one ft next week?

    Thanks

    1. Schwarzer
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Yes

    2. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      You will - any saved transfers are lost.

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/17797558

      1. antolol
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Thanks guys.
        Have a nice weekend

  23. El_Shaw
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    I'm not seeing much talk about Shaqiri, is he still worth getting in (for a hit)?

    1. bombayblues
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      No

    2. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      He was high on my watchlist a few days ago, but I think Zaha has overtaken him. (certainly in my thoughts at least).

      Stan the man, is no.1 btw

  24. Schwarzer
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Would you stick or twist? No hit.

    Sterling > Stanislas
    Kane > Mounie/Bentekkers

    Cheers

    1. El_Shaw
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Twist.

  25. Del Monte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Adam Smith the best Bournemouth defensive option now after the Fraser news or is Ibe a risk to his position?

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      I believe so. Should he start. Hear Fraser i

  26. KingOllie
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    O josh king why u do this to me

  27. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    King definitely playing then. A neck injury? Haway toughen up

  28. Ten Season Wonder
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    BGW WATCHLIST: (1FT)
    - Butland
    - Baines
    - Stanislas
    - Zaha

    Can you put these players ^^^ in order of importance to my team please?
    [Willing to take a hit or two but don't think I can justify a -12 for all four].
    Thanks 🙂
    -------------------------------
    Rest of team:
    .
    Trent - Schindler
    Salah(c) - Walcott
    Frimino - DCL
    ---------------------------------

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Cannot compute this logic

      1. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        That's because their isn t any

    2. Kirton Hoops
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      the midfielders as they have a potentially higher pts ceiling than a defender or goalkeeper if taking a hit, unless your planning on keeping butland and baines for more than this week ?

  29. Dele
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    What’s everyone’s preferred formation this week?

    All week I’ve been set on 3-4-3 but now I’m thinking maybe Firmino and Wilson up top is good enough?

    3-5-2 with a midfield of...

    Walcott, Shaqiri, Zaha, Stanislas, Salah

    Maybe more appealing than the Striker options?

    1. Kirton Hoops
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      4 of the mids are there anyway so its a choice between 1 mid or 1 striker?

      Which ones are up 4 discussion

      1. Dele
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        For me it’s either Zaha in midfield or Mounie up top.

  30. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 days ago

    Hennessey
    VVD Keane Schindler
    Salah Mané Walcott
    King Wilson Rondon

    God that's a shite team

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Also after scoutcast said you'd have to be mad not to captain Salah

      Mané captain 😎

    2. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 days ago

      Why no Firmino?

      1. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 days ago

        Buck teeth slimeball

        1. Deulofail
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 7 days ago

          I purposefully cropped my teeth out of the gravatar 🙁