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Thursday team news as four further Gameweek 18 fixtures are postponed

16 December 2021 1890 comments
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Following the postponement of Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur, tonight’s Premier League action now gets underway at 19:45 GMT with Chelsea v Everton, followed by Liverpool v Newcastle United 15 minutes later.

It has also been revealed that a further four Gameweek 18 fixtures have been called off this weekend, which makes five in total:

  • Everton v Leicester City
  • Manchester United v Brighton and Hove Albion
  • Southampton v Brentford
  • Watford v Crystal Palace
  • West Ham United v Norwich City

The following fixtures remain on, at least for now:

  • Aston Villa v Burnley
  • Leeds United v Arsenal
  • Newcastle United v Manchester City
  • Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea

As for tonight’s team news, Thomas Tuchel makes two changes for Chelsea, with Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic coming in for Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.

Havertz and Werner miss out completely, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Romelu Lukaku also absent from the matchday squad.

Rafael Benitez makes five changes for Everton, with Jonjoe Kenny, Jarrad Branthwaite, Alex Iwobi, Anthony Gordon and Ellis Simms replacing Seamus Coleman, Fabian Delph, Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray and Richarlison.

The headline news at Anfield is that Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones are not included in the squad due to Covid, while Callum Wilson starts on the bench for Newcastle United.

GAMEWEEK 17 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Alonso, Ziyech, Mount, Pulisic

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Christensen, Chalobah, Kante, Niguez, Barkley, Sarr

Everton XI: Pickford, Kenny, Godfrey, Holgate, Keane, Branthwaite, Doucoure, Gomes, Iwobi, Gordon, Simms

Subs: Begovic, Lonergan, Allan, Coleman, Gbamin, Dobbin, Onyango

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson, Thiago, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Mane, Jota

Subs: Kelleher, Pitaluga, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Minamino, Tsimikas, Williams

Newcastle United XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Lewis, Hayden, Shelvey, Fraser, Murphy, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton

Subs: Darlow, Clark, Ritchie, Hendrick, Willock, Almirón, Gayle, Longstaff, Wilson

1,890 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Alonso goal, TAA assist would be sweet….

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

      In the same game?

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    2. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Long shot, that

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    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      FM22 worth getting?

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    4. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I prefer Jota assist

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  2. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Time to get rid of Antonio with this BGW18?

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    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Who to replace him with though?

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      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Whoever playing ...

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    2. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What does the B stand for?

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      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Blank 😉

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        1. AIRMILES
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Nice one, thanks

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      2. Dunk and Disorderly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Blank

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    3. WVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No strikers to swap him too

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      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Werner Wood Jesus Lacazette ... damn, frustrating 🙁

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

          Haaaaa, I'm going 5 at the back although doubt any of them will play!

          Ramsdale
          TAA Cacnelo James Reguilon Cash
          Salah Son Bilva ESR
          Watkins
          Steele Antonio King Sissoko

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    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      There are literally no strikers to buy except Watkins.

      Zilch.

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      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Frustrating, 20 clubs no option 🙁 ok 10 with the blanks

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      2. Zimo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I'm gonna get Lacazette for next 2 if Arsenal fixture doesn't get postponed by deadline

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    5. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Slim pickins

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    6. Fish up a tree
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lacazette?

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  3. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Salah creativity brilliant.

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  4. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Goal required Reese James. Pleeeaase

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  5. Original Sin
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Tierny or Cash?

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    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      The one not one away from a ban

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    2. MagicMessi
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tierny by very small margin

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    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Or Laporte?

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  6. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Salah finished.

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    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      On who, Jafooli?

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  7. Zimo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Salah miss :(((

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  8. Duke Silver ☑
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Can anyone remember what the fewest no. of matches in a GW has been?

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    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I remember 4 match gw (I think...)

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      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        But not going to swear it wasn't 4 matches cancelled tbh.

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        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Postponed naturally 😉

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    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      The Tim Cahill (c) one.

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  9. El Lobito 10
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ronaldo and Maddison > KdB and Watkins for minus 4 (bothRon and Mad ruled out next decimated game week)

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    1. El Lobito 10
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      ?

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    2. MagicMessi
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yes but wait till two minutes before deadline to confirm transfers

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      1. El Lobito 10
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        lol good advice mate, cheers

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  10. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Nonononononooooo

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    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I don’t wanna go to rehab.

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  11. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Salah fluffs his lines …. Expected him to bury that.

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  12. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Cmon Mo

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  13. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Salah regressing

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    • Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Salah in decline

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    • Hairy Potter
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Newcastle haven't bought a new centre back since 2018. Might need to buy a few in January.

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      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Rudiger out of contract at end of season. 500k a week offer to play in the championship?

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    • Critical Observer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lol @ Chelsea's 81% possession in the first half. Everton are terrible.

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    • Fish up a tree
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Guys is it worth taking as many hits as needed to get 11 out or just stick with what you got given more games may go south post deadline?

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      1. Cheeky Onion
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I wouldn't go crazy. Good chance the league takes a break soon

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      2. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        You may take -4 and see no show, risky.

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      3. DARE TO BISCAN
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Nah. Only make long-term improvement moves. Definitely wait and see until nearer the deadline

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    • Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      So if Mane had touched that cross it would have been offside, but because the defender cleared it the corners stand, seems like a bit of a loophole

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    • TomSaints
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      This is great game to watch. But how are Newcastle set up this open? Never going to win a shootout game!

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    • DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No right foot.

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    • OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Salah this season vs Suarez 2013-14 ? Let's go

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      1. Cheeky Onion
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Suarez

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        1. OPTA FPL
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yup liverpool were far worse in those days

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      2. TomSaints
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        That’s a debate to get my teeth into but I’ll go with the non racist player

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      3. Critical Observer
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Still Suarez.

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      4. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        If Salah keeps this up all season he wins imo.

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    • Royal5
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tgis is why Salah never gets baps

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

        Makes no difference as everyone has him captain

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      2. sminkypinky
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        ”Never”

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    • Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Always thought he’d be a good fluffer.

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      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        It's all about his dribbling

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        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Bahaha. Let’s keep this stupid crap up.

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    • Cok3y5murf
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      One-foot wonder

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      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Who, Minime?

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    • Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thiago is, by some distance, THE worst player on the pitch.

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    • Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Matip is in the baps 😎

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

        Lucky watermelon.

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        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          You’d need two surely.

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    • Ady87
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I have Coufal (-2) and Dier, my ML rivals have Jota and double Chelsea defence. We are not the same.

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    • TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Really need an Alonso haul tonight. Just to make average

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    • Bartowski
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Might be the last time in a while Liverpool can win the title. Firmino, Salah, Mane all might be sold come summer.

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      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Why would they sell all of them once?

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        1. Bartowski
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Because they're all out of contract the following year.

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          1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            I think they won't sell all at the same time unless they have replacements in place.

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            1. Bartowski
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              I'm sure they'll get replacements but whether or not they'll be as good is debatable. FSG aren't going to let them go on free transfers if no contracts are agreed though.

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      2. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Well they're going to drop points tonight!!

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      3. Hairy Potter
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Liverpool should be challenging for the next few seasons. Whether Klopp will be able to replace and rebuild another team there is another thing. Liverpool fans should just enjoy it while it lasts.

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    • Marvin.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      There is rather a jolly atmosphere on here tonight isn't there.

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      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        All right m'arse in?

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        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          * Andrey Ars’Shavin’

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      2. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Last games for probs a month or so….

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        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          So time to enjoy 🙂

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      3. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Shut up.

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      4. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Seems to be so 😉

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      5. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I'm having a whale of a time. In double figures now.

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      6. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        @SuperSaints

        Normality needed!

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        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          HAHA I brutal.

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        2. WVA
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I'm always jolly except when Jota scores....

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