Team News
30 December 2025 684 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

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
684 Comments Login to Post a Comment
    1. Gazwaz80
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Noooooo!!!!!!

    2. Full ham tragic
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Any word on how long for?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        No

        But a knee injury wouldn't normally be just one match

        That would probably be described as knock?

  1. grooveymatt65
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    Hi guys here's my team:

    Roefs
    Timber Senesi O'Reilly
    Saka Rice* Cunha Rogers Foden
    Haaland Thiago
    Dubravka Esteve Gudmudsson Guiu

    £2.2 itb 0ft

    Will take out Rice for -4 as apparently he's injured, just don't know who for?

    A. Szoboszlai
    B. Gordon
    C. Bruno G
    D. Wirtz
    E. Gravenberch

    thanks guys!

    1. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Has to be Gordon out of those.
      Good luck.

  2. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 14 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. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      I suppose you could bench Rogers but I think i'd leave it as is.

  3. ebb2sparky
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    Best option for a FH?
    1) Palmer and Cherki
    2) Wirtz and Foden
    Currently on 2 due to concerns over Palmer minutes.

    1. Quality Quality Qualit
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      I went with Palmer and Foden

    2. thewhitepele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      I'm currently on Palmer and Cherki, Gordon instead of Foden/Wirtz.

  4. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    A: Richards -> Dorgu
    B: Rodon -> Heaven

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      A

  5. Pornchef
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    I fancy a 1-0 or 2-1 Villa win tonight

    1. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      For whatever reason i see an end to Villa's wins tonight with a 2-0 win for Arsenal.

  6. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    Start

    A) Wilson

    B) Andersen (Fulham one)

    Already starting Lacroix Vs Wilson..

  7. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    Declan Rice expected to miss Arsenal’s match against Aston Villa tonight after sustaining a knee injury in 2-1 victory over Brighton.

    #AFC hopeful it will be short absence but don't want to risk aggravating issue further.

    Story for @TheAthleticFC

    https://x.com/i/status/2006024927770472849

  8. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    FH19, anything missing?

    Wirtz vs Foden would need to lose DCL ?

    John
    Hall, Dorgu, Gabriel
    Cherki, Palmer, Cunha, Saka, Wirtz
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dubs, DCL, Heaven, Alder

    0.1

    1. umerlfc
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Foden can come in for Palmer as well unless you want to punt on Palmer as of now
      Even Sesko or Gordon can be options

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Tempted by Foden, but still think Wirtz is better this week on FH. Also, triple City attack might be overkill.

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Splitting risk as everything goes through Wirtz

    3. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Nice, 10/11 of my FH team as well.

      For some reason though im starting to doubt my Palmer choice, and thinking of gambling on Sesko instead and going 3-4-3. Decisions

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Palmer can get huge numbers hence the punt

        1. Hughes Your Daddy
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Yep, I agree - I do love a punt and if you cant do it on a FH when can you 😀

  9. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    The source that posted the Rice injury news.

    AFC hopeful of better news on Timber, with White & Havertz also closing on returns and pushing for inclusion. Calafiori remains a doubt.

    https://x.com/i/status/2006027767238836529

  10. Manani
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    This week only

    A. Cherki
    B. Gordon
    C. JPedro
    D. Sezko

    1. Saka
    2. Palmer

    1. umerlfc
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      D1

    2. Quality Quality Qualit
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      I went B2

  11. umerlfc
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    Who to start?

    A) Verbruggen - WHU (A)
    B) Dubravka - NEW (H)

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      A

    2. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      A.
      Good luck,

  12. The 12th Man
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    Rice news is a pain.
    Rice,Semenyo > Cunha,Szob -4.?

    1. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Well, what's the rest of your team looking like?
      If no Gordon, just do Rice -> Gordon.
      Or, roll.

      Good luck.

  13. mattyb09
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    Source of Michael Keane injury doubt?

  14. I have no Wirtz
      3 months, 14 days ago

      With Rice injured, seems benching Arsenal defenders and playing Rogers might be the better call?

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        No imo

    • Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      What the hell is going on with Rice?

      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Arteta overcooked it

    • ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      So Thiago benching incoming it seems

      1. Sgt. Schultz
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Keith Andrews?

        1. ZeBestee
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          The comments hint at someone who will be benched.

          1. ΒAZEΛOS
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 14 days ago

            This is painful to read. It seems he's being benched yes.

    • hawkeyes
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Any news on who will start for Newcastle, Pope or Ramsdale?

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        pope if he has any sense

        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Yeah but does he sh*t in the woods?

    • Saviour22
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Help

      Wildcard team

      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

    • ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Which one:

      A) Semenyo to Wirtz?
      B) Semenyo to Gordon?

    • Tripleh123
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Holding onto slender lead of 5pts in mini league, who to captain this week?

      A. Haaland
      B. Cunha

      1. Full ham tragic
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Coin toss , I’m chasing and on cuhna

    • Full ham tragic
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 14 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?

    • ABCDEFC
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      I have Rice, with no free transfers, and Richards and Rodon (doubts) on bench. Would you?
      A) Roll and play with 10 players
      B) Richards to Thiaw (-4)
      C) Rodon to Dorgu (-4)

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Rodon has been ruled out for 19

      2. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Rodon out for roughly 3 weeks so not back until GW22

    • Podorsky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Rice to Gordon, Newcastle fixtures looking good.

    • Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Semenyo to Cunha?

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        I'm doing it.

    • Viper
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Genuinely don't know if this is template or rogue, but how how does Semenyo -> Gordon look with my last FT?

      A. Save FT

      B. Semenyo -> Gordon

      C. Semenyo -> Cherki.

    • Radulfo28773
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Start two: Guehi, Van de Ven, Wilson, Rogers

      1. ΒAZEΛOS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Wilson + Rogers.

    • how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Do I just ignore Arsenal on FH?

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        I would

      2. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        I won't miss a Saka haul just because I'm on FH personally

    • Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      No subs now, should I take a hit?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Possibly

        There's likely surprise benchings too

    • aardvark22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Start
      A) Timber
      B) Caicedo
      C) Wilson