Team News
10 December 2021 2159 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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We’ve got all the important Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news information for Gameweek 16 in our Friday press conference summary.

You can catch the headline updates from Wednesday and Thursday’s pressers – featuring Brentford, Leeds United, Southampton and Watford via this link here.

For much more detailed information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page (which is being refreshed on Friday evening) and Injuries and Bans feed plus Az and Neale’s video here:

And for other help and advice, from our weekly Scout Picks to team reveals, head to our complete Gameweek 16 guide below:

LIVERPOOL

Adding to an already-depleted week for many FPL squads, rumours surfaced on Thursday evening that Diogo Jota would be a doubt to face Aston Villa. Jurgen Klopp has addressed this, saying that the decision on whether Jota plays could go either way.

“Diogo [Jota] felt something after the last Premier League game, didn’t train yet. We will see – maybe he can train today. Then he is an option. If not, then not.” – Jurgen Klopp

Divock Origi is fit, while Roberto Firmino (hamstring) returned to training this week and could feature. Joe Gomez and Naby Keita made appearances in Milan after calf and hamstring problems, meaning Nathaniel Phillips (cheekbone), Curtis Jones (eye) and Harvey Elliott (ankle) are the main absentees.

CHELSEA

Ben Chilwell (knee), Mateo Kovacic (Covid), N’Golo Kante (knee) and Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring) will miss out again but Jorginho (back) is expected to play through the pain barrier against Leeds.

Thomas Tuchel helpfully confirmed that Reece James and Edouard Mendy would start on Saturday.

“Trevoh Chalobah, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Ben Chilwell are out. [Jorginho] did the last two training sessions and I think he will do what he did the last games: play through pain and do what’s needed.

Reecey will start as a wing-back and we’ll find another [option in midfield].” – Thomas Tuchel

MANCHESTER CITY

Pep Guardiola unsurprisingly didn’t give us anything clear cut on Phil Foden (knock) and Nathan Ake (back), while Gabriel Jesus (knock) wasn’t even mentioned in Friday’s presser.

“We will assess [Foden and Ake] this afternoon, we have training in a few hours.

“He still has these niggles but every time he’s better and better. He will dictate and say how he feels after games. But in December, with this amount of games and knowing Phil, he will want to fight to be there. We will see how feels.” – Pep Guardiola on Phil Foden

MANCHESTER UNITED

After naming a fully-changed side for their midweek clash with Young Boys, many of Ralf Rangnick’s star men are fresh to face Norwich City. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was stretchered off after full time against the Swiss, having collided with an advertising board.

“We have Aaron [Wan-Bissaka], who received one or two knocks [in midweek]. Nemanja Matic has a bit of a cold. I wouldn’t call it ‘flu, he is negative, tested for COVID, and I am still hoping he can be available but we have to wait.” – Ralf Rangnick

Paul Pogba (thigh) and Raphael Varane (hamstring) are still sidelined for the Red Devils, with the availability of Edinson Cavani (tendon) and Anthony Martial (knee) uncertain.

ARSENAL

Sead Kolasinac (ankle) will miss the visit of Southampton, while Arsenal’s medical team said on Friday that Emile Smith Rowe and Bernd Leno would have to be assessed for groin injuries ahead of Saturday’s game.

“He’s trained today and he’s feeling much better after we lost him for the last game. Hopefully, he will be available to play. The rest is OK.” – Mikel Arteta on Emile Smith Rowe

Gabriel Martinelli has been passed fit.

LEICESTER CITY

The advertised pre-match press conference from Brendan Rodgers hasn’t materialised yet, so we’re in the dark as to the latest fitness news from the Foxes camp.

James Justin (knee/match fitness), Wesley Fofana (leg) and Ricardo Pereira (thigh) are thought to still be out, while seven players – including Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman – didn’t make the trip to Napoli amid fears of Covid infections.

“We’ve had some positive (COVID-19) cases, some are generally not well, so we haven’t taken the risk. We will have seven (players) unavailable. (Who they are is) something you’ll see in time… It’s been (over the) last few days really. In general, you’re starting to see a few more cases and, for us, it’s always about the health of our players.” – Brendan Rodgers

WEST HAM UNITED

Angelo Ogbonna (knee) has been joined on the sidelines by Ben Johnson and Kurt Zouma, both of whom picked up hamstring injuries in the win over Chelsea last weekend.

David Moyes’s press conference was low on injury news so we’re still unsure over the availability of Aaron Cresswell and Ryan Fredericks, neither of whom was sighted in training in midweek after missing out in recent weeks.

EVERTON

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh/toe), Tom Davies (knee) and Yerry Mina (calf) remain out, while Allan is a fresh concern after minimal involvement in training this week.

“Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] is getting closer. Yerry [Mina] is not available. Rondon is available, has been training. Allan has done today half a training session. Davies, maybe next week he will start with the team.”

ASTON VILLA

Danny Ings (thigh) and Matt Targett (head) have been pictured back in training for Villa, although Bertrand Traore (thigh) and Leon Bailey (muscle) are still out. Trezeguet played and scored on Monday for the under-23s after recovering from a knee injury.

“We have a couple of kicks from yesterday, but we think they’re all going to pull through. Morgan Sanson wasn’t feeling too well but we’ve had good news and he’ll be back in to train. Obviously, Bertrand and Leon (Bailey) will be missing.” – Steven Gerrard

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Eddie Howe is managing “couple of knocks and niggles” ahead of Sunday’s game at Leicester. Fabian Schar (rib) and Ryan Fraser (hamstring) are expected to recover from minor issues, whilst Ciaran Clark will be back from his suspension for the red card against Norwich City. Paul Dummett (calf) is the only ongoing injury.

“We’re looking OK within the squad in the sense of Covid, we have testing today but a clean bill of health at the moment. A couple of knocks and niggles, Schar had a rib problem earlier in the week, he missed a bit of training, but hopefully will be OK.” – Eddie Howe

CRYSTAL PALACE

Patrick Vieira confirmed that Joachim Andersen (hamstring) has been back in training ahead of the Everton game. James McArthur (hamstring) isn’t quite ready yet despite his own return to the grass, while Nathan Ferguson (match fitness) will need more training and under-23s game-time before being considered.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Bruno Lage confirmed that Marcal, Conor Coady, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Willy Boly are all fit for the trip to Manchester City, leaving only long-term absentees Jonny (knee), Yerson Mosquera (muscle) and Pedro Neto (knee) on the sidelines.

BURNLEY

Sean Dyche says that Maxwel Cornet (thigh) only has an “outside chance” of facing West Ham, while Ben Mee’s shoulder is “settling down” but the defender will face a late check.

Connor Roberts (illness) is also a doubt.

NORWICH CITY

Dean Smith has reported that two of his players have tested for Covid-19 after feeling unwell during the week, with neither names nor results given. Another couple are carrying injuries, meanwhile.

Smith also confirmed that Mathias Normann has had pelvic injections but is more likely to face Aston Villa in midweek than make the weekend. Additionally, Milot Rashica (groin) is likely to miss the festive period but Todd Cantwell is available. Christoph Zimmermann (ankle) and Brandon Williams (ineligible to face parent club) will not be part of the squad this weekend.

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

  1. Ibralicious
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Let’s get some point predictions here. How much do we think these lads are getting this week to pay off our many hits?

    Antonio
    Bowen
    B. Silva

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      5, 8, 3

      1. Ibralicious
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        I personally have it going:

        6
        3
        8

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          8, 3, 3.

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      9
      2
      7

    3. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Who knows it's all guess work and luck

    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      2, 5, 3

    5. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      5
      13
      3

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Had all 3 already, no hits

  2. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Best 4.0 or less defender?

    Need to downgrade Alonso to get Bilva

    bottomed

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Williams, best of a bad bunch

      Norwich tries to park the bus under Smith, so Williams should at least drop into negatives far less often. Third sub, only. Definitely him over Omobamidele

      I wouldn't touch Manquillo under Howe. Could more easily get into negatives

      Johnson is hamstrung. Tsimikas might get one game out of five, and he'll probably be routed to your bench for that game

      Goode is a placeholder, so he's not so goode for your team long-term

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Thanks for the detailed reply.

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Always welcome 🙂

  3. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Top 10k EO
    SALAH 190.80%
    ALEXANDER-ARNOLD 98.95%
    CANCELO 91.06%
    JAMES 80.41%
    JOTA 72.76%
    RAMSDALE 57.61%
    ANTONIO 57.57%
    RONALDO 56.86%
    BERNARDO 54.80%
    BOWEN 36.83%
    KING 36.29%
    ALONSO 35.08%
    DENNIS 34.79%
    SMITH ROWE 23.85%
    RÜDIGER 18.44%
    RAPHINHA 17.06%
    MBEUMO 16.15%
    VARDY 14.07%
    GALLAGHER 13.93%
    DE GEA 13.11%
    WILSON 13.05%
    FODEN 12.57%
    SÁNCHEZ 12.23%
    MOUNT 11.91%

    Top 10k Captain
    SALAH 90.82%
    RONALDO 7.64%
    JAMES 0.28%
    VARDY 0.23%
    BERNARDO 0.22%
    CANCELO 0.13%
    MOUNT 0.12%
    SON 0.10%
    FERNANDES 0.10%
    RASHFORD 0.08%
    ALEXANDER-ARNOLD 0.06%
    JOTA 0.05%
    LUKAKU 0.04%
    ANTONIO 0.04%
    SANCHO 0.03%
    MADDISON 0.02%

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Ronaldo playing bottom of the table barely budging Salah, wow.

      1. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        The fear is strong in the herd

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Nobody owns him

        1. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          A little over half of them do

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Need City and West Ham to do well to make ground

    3. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Looking forward to Wilson double

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Playing 9 or top 11 on that EO list, other one is Ederson

    4. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Anyone but a Ramsdale clean sheet especially this week, come on you Saint's!

  4. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Top10K starting at -2.37 😮

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Was hoping for more tbh

  5. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    LMS safety score currently -7
    Lowest score -16

    1. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      626 managers took hits, 592 didn't.

  6. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Isn’t Dennis going AFCON? Seems like a transfer waiting to happen

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Not certain.
      So is Salah by that thinking.

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Unconfirmed as he has a beef with the manager.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Will be getting him over King if that’s the case

  7. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Is Dennis otherwise known as 'Bonaventure'?

    1. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Indeed

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Only when he's travelling.

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Had to think there for a while, then crossed italian and english language. Lol as i write

  8. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    "Thomas Frank has just confirmed Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock misses out tonight because he has contracted Covid-19."

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Second case at Brentford

      It continues...

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        We've had Marcal out. I think most teams have probably had a few cases.

    2. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      There’s more

  9. WVA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Never thought I'd see the day Fred went up in price in FPL

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      I got him in on WC.

      Cheap playing 5th mid to come off the bench if needed.

      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        So it's your fault!

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          It usually is, to be fair.

  10. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Nothing worse than a pointless Friday night game…….. hang on I’ve a player in this

  11. XabiAlonso
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    How is willy wonka getting on this season

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Remember seeing at the start of the season he isn't playing this year.

      1. XabiAlonso
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        1. XabiAlonso
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Guess emojis still don't work here.
          Can't believe he's quit

  12. Cheeky Onion
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    My OR has gone from 202k > 188k just from not taking hits. TBH I thought it would be even more

  13. Salan
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    This week may be weird... Mbeumo HT coming.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Whats the hot topic about

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Half-time sub?

  14. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Will Toney miss the mid week fixture vs United next week?

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Yes

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      He will be raring to go for Southampton though!

    3. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Cheers!

  15. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Deciding which one to drop for Bilva? What do you think? Most votes will probably go.

    A) Gallagher
    B) ESR

  16. Kun Tozser
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    30k bump for no hits

  17. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    10% rank improvement due to no hit.
    Hopefully can improve on that during the GW.

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Sometimes the best move is to stand still and take stock - I was not one of them I took a -8

      1. MikeS
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Neither was I.. I took a -16

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Well at least you got the team you wanted!

  18. Nuka Girl
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    My cup rival made 28 transfers at -108 points, has played his bench boost, but still had Son and at least 2 other non-starters.
    Can't work out what he's doing 🙂

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Forgot to press WC button

      1. Nuka Girl
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        He's made 16, 14, 16 transfers in previous weeks. Prior to that no transfers whatsoever.

        1. Kun Tozser
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Given up OR and playing for fun

    2. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      May have forgotten to play his WC?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        BB & WC not an option.

    3. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      They always end up winning anyway. Watch him make 165points to beat your 29points.

      1. Nuka Girl
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        For sure 🙂

    4. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      I'm guessing he's playing a private game, based only on a single GW score

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        although...that does not explain why he kept non-starters

      2. Nuka Girl
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        I was thinking that. But bench boost with Son and 2 players that never play is confusing.

    5. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      my opponent captained Bernardo Silva, so this could be a wild ride

      1. Nuka Girl
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Gambler!

  19. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    To be honest when I was listening to Raineri talking - I was freaked out watching the Watford team named on the ticker thing below him.
    They seem to take ages to move through the players.
    I have King and for a split second I thought he was not playing - named last.

  20. COLLIN QUANER
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    I like to move it move it
    I like to move it move it

  21. The Train Driver
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    No Foden, Gundo or Bernardo in last training picks. Interesting.

    Source: FPL Goat twitter.

    1. Eze Really?
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Who is FPL goat?

  22. Eze Really?
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    I am hoping for a weird thing. I have Jota and I hope he misses the game. all my ML adversaries have him but I am the only one with a bench.

  23. MikeS
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Anyone else regretting the hits?

    I had 6 players in the spurs Brighton game and two doubts Jota and EsR, ended up doing -16