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.

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  1. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Timber, Cash and Esteve all in my team, how unlucky?!

    Not sure what to do

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Play Timber. Maybe take a hit for Esteve to Dorgu or something like that?!

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        Good shout, thank you

  2. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Play Semenyo and hope he features or sell (would be for a ‐4) what are people doing?

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      I would just play and hope for the best.

      1. The Reptile
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        Cheers Iceman - was going to swap for Wirtz but 0.2 short

    2. tsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Bournemouth will play him until he has to leave.

  3. The Iceman
    • 3 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Is Semenyo a good enough first sub to cover Rice?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Yes

    2. Boz
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      100%

  4. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Which one is the best pick starting from GW20?

    1. Gordon

    2. Rogers

    3. Hall

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      2 - sensational form.

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        Could be, yeah

    2. tsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      1

  5. Boz
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Best Rodon replacement for 4.1? Missed the Dorgu rise last night and with the Rice news I need to shore up the bench. Alderete for the long run?

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Alderete then.

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Probably yes if for long term

    3. chelseabrad
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Heaven?

      1. Boz
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        Ooo good shout

  6. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    I’m expecting Sunderland to shut up shop so it might be a tricky game for City. Nevertheless, City should grab a narrow win. I don’t see a 3/4 nil mauling. Wirtz(C) still on the cards for me since he makes more touches than Haaland at least. Away Haaland isn’t always explosive.

  7. Supersonic_
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Imagine many are in the same boat, Rice news is annoying.

    Do I take a -4 to another attacker or play Andersen?

  8. Big Col
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Which is the better combo for Free hit?

    A) Gabriel & Gordon

    B) VVD & Rogers

    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      A

    2. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      A

  9. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    The truth of this game is that there are tens of thousands of players who make completely solid decisions every week for the entire season. Whoever comes out on top in the "Best FPL Manager" ranking is based way more on being that person who gets consecutive 95+ percentile seasons in terms of luck, than any skill.

  10. Saviour22
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Verbruggen
    Tarkowski Dalot Guehi
    Cuhna cherki szobo Schade rice
    Haaland ekitike

    Dubravka DCL hall Bogle

    1. Verbruggen to Sanchez
    2. Rice to Palmer
    3. Rice to Gordon

    Or Suggest something

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      2

      1. Saviour22
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        Will szobo play

  11. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Best replacement for Semenyo:
    A) Wirtz
    B) Gordon
    C) or keep Semenyo

    Other mids are: Foden - Saka - Rogers - Cunha

  12. Manani
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Would you change anything? FH team

    Sanchez
    Frimpong Dorgu Hall
    Palmer Cherki Foden Wirtz Cunha
    Haaland Ekiteke
    (John Dalot Clyne Guiu)

    1. Mean Gaals
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Cherki to Gordon

    2. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Im not sure about the city attacking triple up. Also, I guess palmer wont play much more than 60 minutes perhaps even benched?

  13. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Raya
    Virgil, Gabriel, Andersen
    Bruno, Wilson, Foden, Saka, Anderson
    Thiago, Haaland (c)

    Dubravka, Richards, Rodon, Guiu

    3ft 1.6 itb

    A Richards to Keane
    B Richards to Hall
    C Richards and Rodon to Hall and Keane (bench Anderson and go 442)
    D Roll

    Or any other suggestions?

  14. chelseabrad
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Rodon to Heaven to then bench either Wilson (cry) or Keane (nfo), or roll? 0.1 from Dorgu

    1. Boz
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Yeah rumours of Keane out too

  15. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    With Rice is out, which bencher is to promote up?
    A. Keane
    B. Hincapie
    C. Stach

    1. mattyb09
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Keane

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      A is a doubt from earlier post

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        Saw that but not sure how sure it is

  16. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Best Rice replacement? Quick!

    1. Anthonydavoren
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Cunha for 3 games

    2. Supersonic_
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      I am stuck on this. 0.1 short of Gordon 🙁
      Bruno G?

    3. chelseabrad
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Probably pasta

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Szoboszlai

  17. Anthonydavoren
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Rice to Cunha -4????

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Okaay

    2. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Depends on bench

      1. Anthonydavoren
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        Bench is miley, Hincapie, gudmon

    3. mcginnntonic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      I was just about to ask this

      Already pulled trigger on Hincape to Hall this morning so no more trfs

  18. XX SMICER XX
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Which 2 defenders go bench? Currently on C&D

    A. Dorgu
    B. O’Reilly
    C. Richards
    D. Timber
    E. VVD

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      C&E

      1. how now brown cow
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        If you don't play Virgil home to Leeds, it's time to sell.

    2. gunnersxgooners
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 20 days ago

      B
      C

  19. Rollercoaster
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    What do we know about Richards, out??

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Doubt, foot still swollen.
      Personal take is he either starts or doesn’t feature at all

  20. Vasshin
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Any team leaks today yet?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Yes

      Rice out

      Lazy FPL on X is a reliable aggregator of late news

  21. Saviour22
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Verbruggen
    Tarkowski Dalot Guehi
    Cuhna cherki szobo Schade rice
    Haaland ekitike

    Dubravka DCL hall Bogle

    1. Verbruggen to Sanchez
    2. Rice to Palmer
    3. Rice to Gordon
    4. Szobo to Writz

    Will szobo play

    1. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Rice will miss, decide between DCL or Hall for 1st sub. I suggest DCL.
      If you're replacing Rice, i'd go with Gordon.
      Good luck.

      1. Saviour22
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        It is an wild card I can make unlimited transfer

      2. Full ham tragic
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        If rice out I have either
        VDV or senesi on bench to cover
        Who ? Swap out or is rice a chance of playing?

        1. ΒAZEΛOS
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 20 days ago

          Rice is out for this GW.
          VDV over Senesi.

          1. Full ham tragic
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 20 days ago

            Cheers

    2. mcginnntonic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Surely you start Hall this week?

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Why u Benching Hall ?

      1. Saviour22
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        Whom should I bench instead of hall

  22. mcginnntonic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Bench currently has 2 injured players, and now a third to join in Rice.

    Play Wilson and have 0 bench cover, or do Rice to Cunha for -4?

  23. GROBARI
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    What are the % of Hincapie starting?

    1. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Almost certain for that LB position as Calafiori is not ready.
      Good luck.

      1. The Philosopher
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        Not certain as Lewis Skelly could start too, but yeah highly likely it'll be Hincapie who starts.

        1. ΒAZEΛOS
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 20 days ago

          I see you Philosopher. However Arteta doesn't seem to be trusting Lewis-Skelly. I predict he goes Timber (maybe)-Gabriel-Saliba-Hincapie. We'll see.

      2. GROBARI
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        Thanks
        Good luck to you too

  24. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Predictions

    Arsenal 1-3 Villa
    Liverpool 3-1 Leeds
    Sunderland 0-2 City
    Burnley 1-1 Newcastle
    Mutd 2-2 Wolves
    West ham 1-0 Brighton
    Palace 1-2 Fulham
    Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
    Nfo 0-0 Everton
    Brentford 1-1 Spurs

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Arsenal, Utd, Newcastle, Brentford to win. Agree with the rest.

    2. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Would love to have what's being used at the party time.

  25. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    As someone who's had to sit through a lot of oawful spurs performances this year, is Wirtz over Thiago really a good move on FH?

    1. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      No. Spurs is leaky. I see them conceding vs Brentford. Whether it's Thiago or someone else, your guess is as good as mine.

  26. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    What are Semenyo owners doing with him?

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Unfortunately sell him to get Cunha

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Selling for Cunha for a hit I think

    3. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      I'm keeping. Can see Chelsea conceding. Especially if Cucurella isn't starting against Semenyo.
      Good luck.

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 20 days ago

        What's ur mid players ?

        1. ΒAZEΛOS
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 20 days ago

          Semenyo Foden BrunoG Saka

          1. OptimusBlack
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 20 days ago

            What about Cunha?

            1. ΒAZEΛOS
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 20 days ago

              I'm not so hot on him (might be on my own on this one), there's no creation for united without Bruno

  27. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Richards & Semenyo >
    For Long Term
    A- Hall & Cunha
    B- Dorgu & Gordon
    C- Dorgu & Cunha

    1. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Change 'long term' to short-term for those moves.
      If you decide to do, A easily.
      Good luck.

    2. Sgt. Schultz
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      A

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Cheers Guys

  28. LS11
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 20 days ago

    FH set, gtg? Not sure on Gabriel minutes

    Sanchez
    Dorgu Gabriel Hall
    Cherki Palmer Wirtz Gordon Cunha
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dubs Keane Heaven Kroupi

  29. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Should I start Hincapíe, Minteh or Andersen over my current outfielders?

    Timber Guehi O’Reilly

    Szsobozlai Foden Rogers Semenyo

    Bowen Haaland Thiago

    1. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 20 days ago

      Minteh is a really good option against a messed-up West Ham.
      I'd only switch him for Szobo.
      Tough decision surely.
      Good luck.

  30. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 20 days ago

    Start

    A) Wilson

    B) Andersen (Fulham one)

    Already starting Lacroix Vs Wilson