Team News

The Gameweek Team News

Arsene Wenger has cast doubt over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s involvement in Arsenal’s home fixture against West Ham, but Aaron Ramsey is available again for the Gunners on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp confirms he will name a “strong line-up” for Liverpool’s trip to West Brom ahead of their Champions League clash with Roma. Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero remains sidelined for Manchester City’s title party at home to Swansea after undergoing minor knee surgery earlier in the week.

Here’s our summary of the team news so far ahead of the reduced Gameweek 35, with more press conferences still to come later today.

Arsene Wenger plans to name a strong starting XI for the home clash against West Ham United in preparation for the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. The Gunners boss stated that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may miss out, then, given that the forward is ineligible to play in Europe. Aaron Ramsey is available again following a shin problem, while David Ospina is also fit to return. But Jack Wilshere (ankle) is doubtful and Henrikh Mkhitaryan remains sidelined, though the latter could possibly be back in time for Thursday’s tie.

For the Hammers, playmaker Manuel Lanzini will push for a recall for the Emirates encounter after returning from injury as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Stoke City. He could replace Edimilson Fernandes in the starting XI.

Earlier this morning, Jurgen Klopp confirmed he will name “a strong line-up” for Liverpool’s trip to West Brom, despite the Reds having a UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg clash with Roma on Tuesday night. This suggests that the prolific front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will be unleashed at The Hawthorns, handing Free Hit chip managers food for thought ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. In defence, Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez are both back in full training, though Nathaniel Clyne remains a doubt due to a muscle problem.

Caretaker manager Darren Moore has revealed thatJonny Evans and Hal Robson-Kanu are both back in contention for West Brom, while Nacer Chadli continues to build up his fitness levels. On-loan forward Daniel Sturridge is ineligible to face his parent club.

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero is likely to miss the rest of the season after undergoing minor knee surgery, with Gabriel Jesus set to continue as the lone striker for the visit of Swansea. Ilkay Gundogan is expected to deputise for the suspended Fernandinho once again, while Nicolas Otamendi should return for the newly-crowned champions after being rested to the bench in last week’s win at Spurs. John Stones (groin) and Benjamin Mendy (lack of match fitness) are still unavailable.

Sam Clucas returned to training yesterday for the Swans following a knee problem and is expected to be available for the trip to the Etihad Stadium. But Luciano Narsingh has been ruled out with a twisted ankle and, while Renato Sanches is back in Wales, he will only return to full training next week.

Jose Holebas is available for Watford’s home encounter against Crystal Palace after missing the 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town due to a back problem, while Richarlison could earn a recall for the Hornets.

As for Palace, they were boosted yesterday by the return to training of Jeffrey Schlupp, but he is unlikely to be ready to return at Vicarage Road. Christian Benteke may again have to settle for a place among the substitutes, with Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend expected to form a two-man forward line once again.

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes must decide whether to hand a recall to Peter Crouch for the home fixture against Burnley after the target man came off the bench to score in the 1-1 draw with West Ham. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Glen Johnson (both groin) and Konstantinos Stafylidis (broken rib) remain sidelined.

Clarets defender Ben Mee (shin) is set to miss out again, with Kevin Long retaining his spot alongside James Tarkowski at centre-half. Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (hamstring) and Jon Walters (lack of match fitness) are both doubts, while Tom Heaton will again challenge Nick Pope for the keeper’s jersey.

Everton manager Sam Allardyce has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the home encounter against Newcastle United. Tom Davies is perhaps the player most likely to push for a recall following the 1-1 draw with Swansea.

Following four consecutive victories, Rafa Benitez is set to name an unchanged starting XI once again for the trip to Goodison Park.
Islam Slimani is the most likely to force a change, he provides an alternative option to Dwight Gayle in the lone striker role after replacing him on the hour-mark in last weekend’s win over Arsenal.

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.

558 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Naboo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    Have I nailed it (FH)?

    Butland
    VVD Bellerin Baines
    Salah Sterling KDB Zaha
    Firmino Laca Jesus

    Bench: Hughes, Long, Tomkins, Hennesey

    1. Ginola14
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      mine is exactly the same apart from pva instead of bell

      1. Naboo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 days ago

        So no then 😉

    2. FPL Laurenzo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      Good team. Karius for Butland? Stoke worries me - and Burnley has started scoring.

      1. Deli Alli OxenFree!
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 days ago

        I prefer Karius to Butland as well...
        ...UNFORTUNATELY, he already has 3 Liverpool players in that Squad; so doesn’t matter! plus I think that VVD has a higher pts Ceiling than Karius

      2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 days ago

        agreed. Barnes & Wood scoring and assisting every game and Vokes also back.

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      nc team.

    4. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      isnt sane a better pick than kdb?

      1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 days ago

        Im going Sane over gundo and KDB. Own the front 3 of a city team celebrating their PL title in front of their home fans? Doesn't get much better than that I don't think.

    5. Koolswan
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      Looks great. I would prefer Auba over Laca.

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

        Is it too risky to bank on one ? Either could start and both could have limited pitch-time...

        1. Koolswan
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 days ago

          Yeah...with Wenger wanting to give pitch time to Laca it will mean Auba either does not start or gets limited time.

    6. owainlfc
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      Firminho not starting either. Salah Ings and Mane front three

  2. Winter_is_coming
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    Look like final draft, rate please?

    Butland
    Baines - Robertson - Monreal
    D.Silva - Sterling - Shaqiri - Ozil - Salah (c)
    Jesus - Firmino (c)

    PVA and Mustafi 1 and 2 sub.

    1. spyda12001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      Lots of risk in Ozil & Silva - I guess if you are chasing then why not but its risky. Go cheaper on your bench defenders.

  3. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    Pickfors Vvd kompany tomkins

    Is this the best def lineup for 35

    Need suggestions

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

      I think so, Butland maybe, and PVAA possibility ?

  4. Salah'd n Sauce
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    A) Robertson / Kompany / Arnie

    OR

    B) VVD / Otamendi / Ramsay

    Choice of the 2. I know I could have Kompany in either. Balancing the risk up though.

    Preference?

    1. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      A

  5. NestorC
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    So after these news, we should all go for 3 City and Pool players in attack?

    1. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      What news?

  6. Toby Lerone
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    Please rate my FH team:

    Butland
    Robertson bellerin baines
    Sane kdb salah ramsey zaha
    Laca jesus

    Anything to change here?

    1. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      GTG

    2. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      my only hole to pick is ramsey - will he start. Also, the minutes afforded to any arsenal player ?

  7. Rust Cohle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    Laca & RLC or Özil & Perez

    Other attackers: Firmino, Jesus, Salah, Sterling, Zaha, and Sane.

    1. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      I love the Ozil & Perez choice. Great wee differential.

  8. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    Which 2/3 are people going for from Man city/ Liverpool/ Arsenal?

    1. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      i've gone silva, sterling and jesus. Salah. Lacazzete and cech / ospina

  9. JohnnyWark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    What do you think of this?
    https://imgur.com/a/80h5M3N

  10. as33
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    Auba, Lacazette or Firmino? others Jesus and Barnes

    1. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      General consensus... Laca ?

      1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 days ago

        Yeah likely to start coming from Wenger's press conference. Differential over Auba that every non FH manager has

        1. Salah'd n Sauce
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 days ago

          Although... the last week has proven to kick me in the ass every time I think I have anything figured out

  11. Gabriel Agbonlahor
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    RMWCT

    Fabianski
    Lascelles Dummets TAA Long
    Salah(C) Sane Sterling Kenedy
    Firmino Jesus

    Subs: Lloris Davies Iwobi Kane

    1. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      great! but i would go for silva over sane and yedlin over dummet

      plus i wouldnt capta salah...danger of his minutes being restricted, no?

  12. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    I'm really looking to maximise this FH.. SO want a front 7 of;

    Sterling - KDB - Salah - Mane - Zaha
    Auba - Jesus

    What uber cheap defenders can i bring in?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      How much itb?

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 days ago

        £31m for 5 defs and 2keepers

    2. stuzig
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      Tomkins (CPL) 4.3m and Lowton (BUR) 4.4m should be starting. Both have a shot at a clean sheet and Tomkins has a goal threat from set pieces

      TAA (4.4) or Klavan (4.1) at Liverpool good value if they start

    3. Dundo
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      Long at 4m. Also, you may want to start Laca and not Auba given Wenger's comments.

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 7 days ago

        or replace him with Bobby

    4. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      go for long. Def. starting 4m

  13. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    Thoughts on Aubameyang on FH this week? Bad idea? Better options alongside Jesus?

    1. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      sounds like he wont play, or if he does will be on the wing

    2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      all of a sudden it seems a risk.. I think he gets minutes but maybe Bobby is the better option given Klopp's comments (although surely his minutes will be limited too).

    3. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      thanks guys

      ...damn you wenger, that was going to be an easy decision but now its not!

  14. spyda12001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    Is this it??

    Pickford / 3.9
    Baines / VVD / PVA /
    Salah / Sterling / Sane / Milo
    Lacazette / Firmino / Jesus

    Long / Tomkins / Kenedy / 3.9

    1. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      It's certainly not far off it

  15. xHolmesyx
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 days ago

    Would someone mind explaining why Lacazette is a better pick over auba please for free hit?

    Many thanks.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 days ago

      Wenger suggested that Auba might not start since he wants to test EL side

      1. Vinyl78LP
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 days ago

        Conte/Jose rested players so theyre fresh for their big semi's, Wenger talks about playing them to test them out - no wonder he's on his way finally.