Team News
30 December 2025 680 comments
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We had three more pre-Gameweek 19 press conferences on Tuesday, with the managers of Brentford, Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur providing us with their latest team news.

The injury updates and key quotes can be found in the article below.

This follows on from the team news we got (or didn’t get!) for a further 12 clubs on Monday.

As for the other five teams, who all contest matches on New Year’s Day, we’re very likely not going to hear anything before tonight’s deadline.

What we know about Liverpool, Manchester City, Fulham, Sunderland and Crystal Palace can be found in our predicted line-ups page.

KEY GAMEWEEK 19 INJURY NEWS FROM TUESDAY

ARSENAL

Before we begin with the press conferences, however, some late-breaking news on Arsenal.

The Athletic are reporting that Declan Rice will miss their game against Aston Villa this evening with a minor knee injury.

They also say they are “hopeful” that Rice’s absence “will be offset by the return of Jurrien Timber“.

Kai Havertz (knee) and Ben White (hamstring) are reportedly with the squad.

Riccardo Calafiori remains a doubt, while Max Dowman (ankle) and Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) are out.

BRENTFORD

Keith Andrews played his cards close to his chest when asked about Sepp van den Berg (knock), who missed out in Gameweek 18.

“This time of year, naturally, you pick up little bits and bobs. Still a couple of days out, so we’ll see how everyone is tomorrow.” – Keith Andrews

Dango Ouattara and Frank Onyeka are at the Africa Cup of Nations with their respective countries, while long-term absentees Josh Dasilva (knee), Fábio Carvalho (knee) and Antoni Milambo (knee) are still unavailable. 

Meanwhile, Andrews discussed the fact that Igor Thiago has been playing through the pain barrier – which perhaps explains why the striker hasn’t featured in any midweek game this season. Next up: a match on Thursday…

“He just had a bit of an issue, nothing to do with his injury last season at all. Nothing like that. Again, this time of year, the games, it takes its toll, you need to be careful with some players at times.

“I just think he showed a lot of bravery and courage to play against Wolves and gave us that platform. I thought he played really, really well against Wolves and gave us that base to win the game. Players fed off him: Keane Lewis-Potter obviously with his goals and Kev [Schade] was looking dangerous that day.

“There’s nothing too much to worry about with Thiago. I just felt he’s shown a lot of courage and put the team before himself going into the last couple of games.” – Keith Andrews on Igor Thiago, via the Brentford website

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Thomas Frank says that Spurs have no fresh concerns for the trip to Brentford.

Lucas Bergvall should be okay after he came off in the match against Crystal Palace last weekend.

“Lucas is okay. I am quite positive that he will be available. Of course, there’s a small doubt, but it’s quite possible that he will be available.” – Thomas Frank

Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Dominic Solanke (ankle), James Maddison (knee) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) remain out, however. Udogie is back running but not in team training.

“He is running out there on the pitch, doing individual sessions on the pitch, so progressing going forwards, so that’s good.” – Thomas Frank on Destiny Udogie

Xavi Simons is still suspended for this game, too, while Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are both at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cristian Romero returns from a one-match ban, at least. He faces a further misconduct charge but that won’t be resolved till later in January, so he’s available for selection in midweek.

So too is Brennan Johnson, who is reportedly close to a move elsewhere.

“He’s ready for the game tomorrow, as far as I know it’s something that will be decided in early January.” – Thomas Frank on Cristian Romero

LEEDS UNITED

Joe Rodon will be out for around three weeks with the ankle injury he sustained at Sunderland on Sunday.

“Yes, he will definitely miss the Liverpool game. The diagnosis is better than we were fearing straight after the game because it didn’t look really good. The assessment is it’s an ankle ligament injury. Normally he will be out with such an injury for around three weeks. We still have a bit of hope because normally he’s a good healer and also a strong boy so perhaps there’s a chance to involve him even before but at the moment, I’d say it’s realistic that he’ll miss the games including the FA Cup game. Hopefully on the other side… we have him pretty soon back available.” – Daniel Farke on Joe Rodon

Daniel James (hamstring) and Sean Longstaff (calf) are still unavailable but, Rodon aside, Daniel Farke has no new concerns.

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  1. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    38 mins ago

    On FH, who do you prefer?

    A. Foden
    B. Cherki

    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 9 Years
      1 min ago

      B

  2. I have no Wirtz
      37 mins ago

      Who to start

      A) Gabriel
      B) O’Reilly
      C) Rogers

      1. I have no Wirtz
          20 mins ago

          Which one, A B or C?

        • g40steve
          • 7 Years
          19 mins ago

          A

        • Snoop Udogie Dogg
          • 5 Years
          16 mins ago

          C

        • The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 mins ago

          A

        • RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          just now

          A

      2. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        34 mins ago

        scenes if Arteta plays Rice tonight

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          just now

          The only Rice on the pitch will be if someone throws a takeaway on it.

      3. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        33 mins ago

        Rice flagged, is he out?
        Cheers

        1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
          • 5 Years
          3 mins ago

          yes looks like it

          1. Gizzachance
            • 11 Years
            just now

            Cheers, have califiori to!

      4. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        25 mins ago

        Rice to
        A Szbob
        B Bruno g
        C Gordon

        Thx

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          just now

          C

      5. GoonerSteve
        • 16 Years
        23 mins ago

        Is Lewis-Potter a sensible option on free hit or should I get Gabriel?

        Other defenders are Raya, Chalobah, Dorgu.

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          just now

          Gabriel

      6. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        23 mins ago

        To bring in Rogers

        A) Andersen to Fodder (Gabriel, Chalobah, O'Reilly are main three)
        B) Bowen to DCL

      7. The 12th Man
        • 12 Years
        22 mins ago

        I’m moving Rice and Semenyo.
        Which combo?
        A) Cunha,Szob/Gravenburch

        B) Gordon + Scharde/ Neto

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 mins ago

          B

        2. I have no Wirtz
            2 mins ago

            A
            great opportunity, Cunha Szob

            1. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              1 min ago

              This

        3. I have no Wirtz
            20 mins ago

            Which one to bench?

            A) Gabriel
            B) O’Reilly
            C) Rogers

            1. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              just now

              B

          • Powers106
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            19 mins ago

            Who do I start here on FH? (alongside Gabriel and Dalot) Thanks!

            A. Guehi
            B. Gvardiol
            C. Keane

            1. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              1 min ago

              B, Keane a doubt and Palace hasn’t been up to their best lately

              1. Powers106
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                1 min ago

                Good points, thanks!

          • Brunsvigeren
            • 10 Years
            15 mins ago

            Unsure of who to bench, any Suggestions?

            Dubravka
            Dijk, Gabriel, Gvardiol
            Cherki, Foden, Saka, Gordon, Wirtz
            Bowen, Ekitike
            Kelleher, Mateta, Guehi, Hartmann

          • GoonerSteve
            • 16 Years
            14 mins ago

            Free hit g2g?

            Raya
            Gabriel, Dorgu, Chalobah
            Saka, Foden, Cherki, Wirtz, Cunha
            Haaland, Ekitike

            (Dubravka. Keane, Gudmundsson, Gulu)

            Or is Gabriel too risky?

            1. Fifa las vegas
              • 13 Years
              4 mins ago

              Think you should be alright.

              Similar ish to mine except I’ve gone palmer over Saka and 3rd attacker over 5th mid. That being Sesko 😆

              1. RamaJama
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                just now

                GL!

            2. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 mins ago

              Going the same 11, also wondering if Gabriel is risky, but taking the chance

              1. RamaJama
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                just now

                Unless that Foden is Palmer in my team

            3. Paul W.
              • 4 Years
              just now

              Like it, have same midfield and attack on FH

          • Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            8 mins ago

            Still can’t call it between sticking with Palmer on FH or revert to my original team premium in Saka. Palmer could be huge differential in my league but if Saka finally hauls it could sting.

            I’ve also decided to go Sesko over Woltemade. Don’t any of you darn try to warn me against it…I’m warning you now.

            1. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              just now

              got Pslmer instead of Foden, elsewhere the same 11

          • GoonerGirl
            • 6 Years
            6 mins ago

            A) Take one of these defenders: Virgil, Andersen, O'reily, Hincapie, Mukiele for Dorgu
            B) Rice>Gordon, Gravenbach, Schade

            1. FFS ManU
              • 3 Years
              just now

              A) Hincapie
              B) Gordon