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. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Ditch Rice?
    I'm using BB so need a full squad

    1. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Yes if on BB

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

      Yes

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Yes or lose the chip

    4. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Yep.

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

    Would you drop any of these for Gordon? (FH)

    Cherki Palmer Saka Wirtz Cunha
    Ekiteke Haaland

    1. Podorsky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      No

    2. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      No

    3. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      No

    4. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      No chance.

    5. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      No

  3. FantasyTony
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Given the Rice news, would you swap Saka to Palmer on a Free Hit?

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      I'd probably do it either way

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Nope. More set pieces for Saka

      1. FantasyTony
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        True

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Sorry, on FH that’s debatable

    3. Prinzhorn
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      No

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      No

    5. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Huh?

      1. FantasyTony
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Rice did his knee in

        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 6 days ago

          Yeah I heard, but don't see why that would make you sell Saka

  4. Snoop Udogie Dogg
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Sorry bottomed again, is Gab likely to start tonight?

    1. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      I think he will

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

      75%

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Yes imo

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      For Arsenals sake, I hope it’s

      Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

  5. Thomas Magnum
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Chasing, TC Cunha or Haaland? Neither scream big hauls to me this week but have to use it on one

    1. HellasLEAF
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Cunha.

  6. Keane There Dunne That
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    With Rice out…
    A) Start Miley
    B) Get Rogers
    C) Get Gordon

    1. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      B

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      A

    3. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      C for now

    4. Should have stuck with Golf…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      B

  7. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Which one to bench:

    a- O'Reilly (sun a)
    b- Dorgo (WOL H)
    c- Hall (bur a)
    d- Chalobah (BOU H)

    1. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      A

    2. HellasLEAF
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      A

    3. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      A or C don’t see CS

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Thick fingers A D

    4. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      D

  8. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Start one:

    A) Anderden
    B) Van Den Berg
    C) Senesi

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      A

  9. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Is Rice out confirmed?

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Yay

  10. HellasLEAF
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Any Forrest ITK out there??

    Is it Sels or John this GW?

  11. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Semenyo options:

    A) Sell to Wirtz
    B) Sell to Gordon
    C) Sell to Szobozlai
    D) Keep

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      A

  12. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Schade or Gakpo to start ??

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Schade due to Form

  13. BenSvnt
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Richards or Senesi out for Dorgu/Dalot?

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Senesi, they've really fallen off a cliff

  14. MetallicaJack93
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Rice out for a hit? Gordon?

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Only if you're struggling to field 11

  15. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Rice to Szobo for a hit or field Senesi?

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Okay

  16. Big Col
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    On FH which one to buy?

    A) VVD
    B) Gabriel

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      B

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      B

  17. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Who are the best pair of goalie (on FH)

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Budget, John & Dubs cheap as it gets

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        This

  18. hawkeyes
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Help please:
    A) Pope + James
    B) Sanchez + Hall
    C) Sanchez + James

    1. Manani
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      B

  19. HaffNanner
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Hincapie and Wilson > Dorgu and Cunha for a -4?

    Dubravka (Petrovic)
    Timber Virgil Hincapie O'Reilly (Gudmunsson)
    Saka Foden Wirtz Wilson (Stach)
    Haaland Ekitike (Guiu)

    1. HaffNanner
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Or I could save the hit and just do Saka > Cunha

  20. Manani
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Best goalie for this week?

    On John/Sels atm, but feels a bit weak

  21. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Eze to start?

    A predicted Arsenal line-up.

    https://x.com/i/status/2006013408106180970

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Decent

  22. The Pep Revolution
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Which one to start this week:
    A. Dubravka
    B. Kelleher

  23. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    I’ve only just heard the Rice news I thought my squad was okay
    Apart from Calafiori who is a doubt
    I want to keep Rice so I looked at my options
    Decided on Calafiori out for me bringing in Rubin Dias
    Low ownership & scored v Sunderland in the reverse fixture

  24. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    AAAAAARGGH DECLAN RICE misses tonight with a knee injury ! That's now Timber and Rice. Honestly what's the point.

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Look up a couple of posts

      1. Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Okay, so Timber might be okay, but from a title/fan perspective I can't see Arsenal winning this game without Rice. Congratulations Man City.

  25. Ribus
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Semenyo ->
    A) Gordon
    B) Bruno G

    Other mids are Rice, Cunha, Foden, Wirtz

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Rice is the bigger problem

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

      A

  26. Tripleh123
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    For next few gameweeks, which 2 midfielders to have ?

    A. Foden
    B. Semenyo
    C. Rogers
    D. Gordon

    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      A D

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        C and D

  27. AnfieldLad
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Thoughts on this Free Hit ?

    John
    Gabriel James Frimpong Dorgu
    Palmer Wirtz Cherki Cunha
    Haaland Woltenmade

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Looks Fine

  28. Garlana
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Team is becoming a bit messy! Timber, Rice, Richards and Rodon in the team with a non playing guiu l, only one free transfer...help!

    Raya
    Timber* ,O'Reilly, VVD
    Wirtz, Foden, Minteh, Anderson, Rice*
    Haaland, ekitike

    Dubravka, Richards*, Rodon**, Guiu

    Only 1 FT and 3.1m itb.

    Rice to Cunha and hope Timber plays?

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Timber should be OK, I'm going with no subs FWIW

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        but yeah, Rice to Cunha is a good move

        1. Garlana
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 6 days ago

          Thanks mate, it's not ideal is it 😉

  29. C0YS
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Final dilemma - best 7th attacker?

    A. Palmer
    B. Foden (already playing Cherki/Haaland)
    C. Wilson
    D. Wolte
    E. Keane/Thiaw

    Team for context:

    John (Dub)
    Dalot Dorgu James (Thiaw, Keane)
    Wirtz Cunha Gordon Cherki ____
    Haaland Ekitike (Wolte)

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      D

  30. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Evening guys Schade or Gakpo to start ??

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Schade