Team News
30 December 2025 684 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.

price change predictions
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  1. it lies in the proles
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Who is more nailed long term, Heaven or Dorgu?

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Heaven of course

      Dorgu is nailed for next 3 and has higher ceiling for those games. If U have him as bench fodder after that I'd go him

    2. Shteve
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Neither are in anyway nailed long term

    3. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Neither.

    4. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Heaven until De Ligt / Maguire return

  2. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Semenyo to Cunha for a hit???

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Nah

    2. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      I would.

  3. chocolove
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Wirtz or Szobo?

    1. Mole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      A week ago I’d have said Szobo - no brainer. Wirtz seems to be improving with every week. Would probably still say Szobo safer.

    2. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Wirtz - far more exciting pick.

  4. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Declan Rice is expected to miss Arsenal’s match against Aston Villa on Tuesday evening after sustaining a knee injury in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.

    https://x.com/i/status/2006025446618480659

    1. Chinese_person
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Is swearing allowed on here?

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Big miss

    3. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Cheers Tony.

    4. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      i just give up with this season 😆

      must have had at least 5/6 injuries/suspensions in the last 5 GWs. i know others have had more but yeah. arghhhhhh 🙂

    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      wtf

    6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      makes me think, he has to manage minutes. Gabriel isn't likely to start all 3 games right? Would be scandalous if he gets injured again

    7. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      er could do with another price rise today for 0.1 gain as well lol. maybe still get lucky, he wont be flagged will he

    8. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Ouch what a huge problem for me 😛

    9. JBG
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Wow what the actual fck.... 4th or 5th player that get injured after I get him in. Genuinely wtf is going on??

    10. Zilla
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Surely no serious player got him?

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Only 6 of the top 15 teams have him

  5. Mole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Pick
    A. DeCuyper (whu)
    B. Van Hecke (whu) or
    C. Van de Ven (bre)

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      I like B and strongly considering him

  6. it lies in the proles
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Anyone knows if Wilson (WH) will play today?

  7. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Which combo on FH?

    A) Gabriel and Cherki
    B) O´Reilly and Gordon

    1. Mole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      B

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      A

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Still Gabriel after Rice´s injury announcement?

  8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Which is best on wc
    1. Mukiele/Alderte and Foden
    2. Gabriel and Cherki

    1. Mole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      2

  9. boroie
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Need to sort out this defence…

    Timber* VVD O’Reilly Richards* Esteve*

    A - Richards -> Dorgu
    B - Timber & Richards -> Hall & Keane and then VVD -> Gabriel in GW20
    C - something else

    *** 4FTs 0.0ITB

  10. it lies in the proles
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    A) Rogers and Bowen?

    B) Palmer and Wilson

    1. Mole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      B- for this GW

  11. boroie
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Any Timber updates today?

    Sorry… I’ve been out and just got in…

    1. Chinese_person
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Expected to start according to this source. Unsure of how reliable it is.

      https://x.com/FPLFocal/status/2005982171400683792?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

      There is someone on here spreading lies that he is not with the squad but this is fallacy.

  12. cuppatea78
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Selling Senesi but unsure who for.

    A) Dorgu
    B) Keane

    1. Mole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      A for next three GWs. Fixtures get ugly then.

  13. yanky
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    whats the strategy for hits and bench boost?

    I have 2 FT and 5 potential blanks in:

    Van Den Berg, Esteve, Califori, Rodon, Marc Gui

    Do I take a -12 pter to get a full team? or -8 and risk Van Den Berg?

    1. People in Preston
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      What's your full squad?

      1. yanky
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        verb, dubra
        dorgu esteve* rodon* calif* van berg*
        saka minteh* cherki foden wirtz
        haaland thiago gui*

        1. People in Preston
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          So...

          Verbruggen / Dúbravka
          Dorgu / VDB? / ??? / ??? / ???
          Saka / Minteh / Cherki / Foden / Wirtz
          Haaland / Thiago / Guiu?

          I'd probably just write-off the BB.

          I don't think the attempt to get 15 players with the proposed hits will be worth it.

          Maybe just use 1-2 FTs to get 11 out this GW, with one eye on the fixtures moving forward?

          Good luck whatever you choose.

          .

  14. AD105
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Play Andersen (cry) or Richards (FUL)?

    This is assuming Richards is fit, which he may well not be

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      andersen

  15. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Rice out means anyone going for Gabriel this week shd wait

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Unless on wc

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Why, also not on FH?

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        His attacking threat takes huge fall without rice. Also arsenal weaker defensively

  16. boroie
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Bench one…

    A - Wilson (cry)
    B - Keane (nfo)

    1. Mole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      A

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      a

    3. cuppatea78
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      A

  17. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Rice -> Neto on FH

    1. Mole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Neto form is so-so. 0 Goals and 2 assists in last six.

      Cunha, Cherki or Wirtz?

    2. cuppatea78
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Why Neto? Seems like a strange move

      1. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Bournemouth can't defend, Palmer a minutes risk

        Already have Cunha, Cherki and Wirtz

  18. F4L
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    rice to rogers on the cards after this gw then i guess

    1. Chinese_person
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Depends on the extent of injury.

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        yeah. just i guess knee injuries can be abit tough to come back from quickly.

  19. Return of the FF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Any advice here?

    Raya, Dubranka
    Gusto, O'Reilly, Senesi, Mukiele, Andersen
    Foden, Rice, Semenyo, Enzo, Wilson
    Haaland, Thiago, Ekitike

    1FT, 0.6 itb.

    Want rid of Enzo but don't like any of the options at that price point. Now hearing Rice is out but can't afford Cunha. Any ideas??

    1. A Moon Shaped Pool
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Enzo to Garner
      Rice to Cunha

  20. TochanMama
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Who'd you captain among these?

    A) Saka vs Villa (redemption incoming?)
    B) Cunha vs Wolves (Tasty option)
    C) Haaland (Safe and boring)
    D) Ekitike (Strong contender)
    E) Woltemade (Punt)

    1. Mole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      C, D or B in that order.

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      i dont think this is a week to go against haaland

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      B and D could be good

      I’m worried about Es minutes

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Cunha or Haaland for me

  21. Chinese_person
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Whoever was spreading lies about Timber can the mods please issue a warning. Clear spreading of misinformation to cause panic about his status for this GW.

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      ???

    2. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      No one likes a fat grass

  22. Sgt. Schultz
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Keane and Grealish a doubt as well? Anyone found some twitter news?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      keane?

      1. Sgt. Schultz
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        hey Bemba! FPl Tom Live Stream reported. trying to figure out the source

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      What?

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        https://x.com/i/status/2006006339114525094

        Keane doubt is for this. Absolutely no idea on reliability of source

        But enough to make me not buy keane

        1. Sgt. Schultz
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          thanks Flynny

  23. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Who do you think will score most over next, let's say, 4 fixtures?

    1. Gordon

    2. Rogers

    3. Hall

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      321

      1. I have no Wirtz
          3 months, 15 days ago

          213

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        213

      3. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        321

    2. Skout
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      A) Rodon/Reinildo to Dorgu (would have to bench someone like Semenyo)
      B) Roll

      Dubravka
      Timber O’Reilly Thiaw
      Saka Cunha Foden Semenyo
      Haaland Thiago Ekitike

      Petrovic Stach Rodon Reinildo 1FT, 0.3itb

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Save the transfer

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Any changes to the team below? Should I start Timber? If so, over who?
      Thanks

      Verbruggen
      Dorgu VVD O’Reilly
      Saka Cunha Cherki Gakpo
      Bowen Haaland Thiago

      Dubravka Richards Timber Gomez

    4. I have no Wirtz
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Still torn, who would you start?

        A) Rogers away against Arsenal
        B) Chalobah at home against Bournemouth

        1. Feanor
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          BBBB

      • Feanor
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Gordon or Wirtz - just for this week?

        1. I have no Wirtz
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Wirtz

          • SouthCoastSaint
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Wirtz

        2. maimar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          What to do here.
          A. Hincapie / Wilson to Hall / Cherki
          B. Hincapie / Wilson to Thiaw / Gordon
          C Hincapie to Hall
          D. Roll

          1. A Moon Shaped Pool
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Hincapie to Hall

        3. SouthCoastSaint
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Sell Cucurella to Hall for -4

          OR

          Leave and let Kayode come on and hope O Reilly starts so I don’t get Gudmundsson at Anfield …

          Get me a wildcard ….

          1. SouthCoastSaint
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Jeez scrap this then.

            Just seen Rice news.

            Sold Saka and Jiminez to fund Rice and Ekitike for a 1 point loss and both could be injured