Team News
13 December 2016 1970 comments
Paul Paul
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan is ruled out of United’s trip to Palace with a short-term ankle problem. Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi is sidelined due to a hamstring injury, whilst Emre Can is still doubtful for Liverpool’s trip to the Riverside.

Shkodran Mustafi is out for three weeks with the hamstring problem that forced him off during Arsenal’s weekend win over Stoke. Aaron Ramsey remains sidelined with a similar complaint for this evening’s trip to Everton.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is ruled out of United’s trip to Palace with an ankle problem, though Jose Mourinho expects the Armenian international’s absence to be short term. Antonio Valencia is suspended after falling off the Suspension Tightrope with his fifth yellow of the season against Spurs.

Emre Can remains a doubt for Liverpool’s trip to Middlesbrough, though is expected to return in time for next week’s Merseyside derby with Everton at the latest. Jurgen Klopp remains uncertain as to whether Dejan Lovren is available, after the defender was forced off with cramp against West Ham on Sunday.

Junior Stanislas and Andrew Surman will remain unavailable for Bournemouth’s clash with Leicester, Eddie Howe conceded yesterday.

Craig Dawson is suspended for West Brom’s home clash with Swansea after earning a fifth caution of the season during Sunday’s loss at Chelsea.

Marc Muniesa and Glen Johnson are rated as slight doubts for Stoke’s clash with Southampton. Jon Walters and Ryan Shawcross are back in training, with the former more likely to be available.

Charlie Austin is set to stay on the sidelines for around three-to-four months with shoulder ligament damage sustained on Europa League duties last Thursday.

Younes Kaboul is back in training and will be assessed ahead of Watford’s trip to Man City. Valon Behrami is a slight doubt due to illness, though Roberto Pereyra is available, having served a one-match suspension.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of this evening’s deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter Stream for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from Tuesday’s press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.

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  1. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would you have Jones or Vert from next week onwards?

    1. TokyoRisingSun
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Jones for the price, Vert for the nailed-on-ness

    2. The Rock
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Vert

    3. allthewine
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think I am going with Vert as Jones might lose his place to Bailly.

    4. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      vert,
      just feel he's a bit more nailed

    5. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers fellas

    6. Simon Says...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Injury permitting, Jones is nailed methinks. He's been immaculate recently, and can't see Bailly being plonked in with AFCON around the corner. If he is then I see Rojo as the susceptible one, because he's more of a liability.

      Riskier than Vert obviously, but probably not that risky.

    7. SARRFACE
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Just be aware of Vert's 4 yellows.

  2. meandurr
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'm a constant red arrow & it's forcing me to take hits
    -- a slippery slope, do not advise!

    How am I looking & who to captain?

    Foster
    Alonso, Matip, Cedric
    Sanchez, Hazard, Firmino, Gundogan
    Costa, Kane, Origi

    Pickford, Capoue, Amat, Love

    1. TokyoRisingSun
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Having a Liverpool defender is a big mistake. Captain either Costa or Kane, coin toss

    2. MTPockets
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Ok. Kane personally.
        I did Firmino/Gundogan to Siggy/Lallana. Just got fed up with them.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone know when the West Ham presser is today?

      Still so torn between Carroll and Origi

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I took the plunge last night on Origi. Carroll could be in this weekend if he plays well tomorrow, but just can't see him starting yet.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Origi could be out this week/weekend if he's poor again

          1. Simon Says...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Yep, happy to have 3rd striker transfers most weeks over xmas. Happy with rest of squad for next 2-3 (he says, blissfully ignoring form, fixtures etc)

    4. Nesvy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Who play ?
      a/ Stones
      b/ Holebas

      Captain pick ?
      1/ Costa
      2/ Eriksen
      3/ Sanchez

      Thanks.

      1. _Gunner
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        A and 1 I Think

      2. Two is a Kompany three is a…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        b1

      3. The Rock
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        A1.

        Eriksen C is tempting though.

      4. MTPockets
          9 years, 1 month ago

          b, 3

          1. Simon Says...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            This will be the differential pick.

            Sanchez captain especially appealing. (I'm being a dullard and captaining Kane)

            1. MTPockets
                9 years, 1 month ago

                So am I. But sanchez vc.

                1. Simon Says...
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Same. Although chances of Kane not playing are 0%.

                  1. MTPockets
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      True. Maintaining rank trumps sort-of-differential c punt for me right now.

                      1. Simon Says...
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        Agreed. Although Kane still not massively owned, which is odd.

            2. Nesvy
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Dilemma....

          2. _Gunner
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Kone + Firmino > Hazard + Toby (-4)

            Yay or Nay?

            1. Chris_White
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Yay.

              1. _Gunner
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Thanks mate, in that case

                Can you pick one of Amat , Capoue and Holebas to play ?

                1. Chris_White
                  • 14 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Holebas

                2. Sahil Yadav
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Amat

            2. The Rock
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Yup.

              1. _Gunner
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                And who would you play out of Capoue, Holebas and Amat?

                1. The Rock
                  • 16 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Amat.

            3. drughi
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              yay

          3. Team Cruel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            18 clean sheets in 20 games between Boxing Day and new year last season. Time to play defence (442)?

            1. The Rock
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Doesn't mean the same will happen this year though.

              1. Team Cruel
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Too many games in a short period = tired attackers = more fringe players get the chance in attack = more clean sheets

                I'm thinking Cedric, Alonso, Toby + 1 other guy.

                1. Two is a Kompany three is a…
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  If you are convinced with that theory then go for it.

                  1. Team Cruel
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    9 years, 1 month ago

                    Might do it tonight with Amat as my 4th defender.

                2. TokyoRisingSun
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Too many games in a short period = tired defenders = fullback rotation = more goals

                  1. Team Cruel
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    9 years, 1 month ago

                    It's easier to defend than to score in football. If every team rotated full backs and wingers it would lead to more CS.

            2. Simon Says...
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Yep, defences usually get better this time of year as attackers get tired. But this season has been rather mad for goals, wouldn't count on the dropoff being as pronounced over the next few weeks.

              So tight in midtable / lower part of table that a lot of teams back themselves to win away, so home teams aren't even dependable.

          4. 1569Tippins
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Very random but my team "units" look so well balanced this gameweek...

            1x GK and 1x Def playing at HOME
            2x Def playing AWAY

            All Mid playing AWAY

            All For playing at HOME

            You'll all sleep easy tonight knowing this. Enjoy your gameweek!

          5. allthewine
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Mane as captain? Madness?

            1. TokyoRisingSun
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Yeah. Boro are pretty sound defensively

            2. Sahil Yadav
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              No

              1. Sahil Yadav
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                I mean don't captain him

                1. allthewine
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Cheers

            3. Simon Says...
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Who else you got?

              1. allthewine
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Hazard, Costa, Sanchez, Nacho & Philips are my other options mate

                1. Simon Says...
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Without a Spurs option Mane becomes a better option. Boro tighter at home than Sunderland and Everton though...

          6. Sahil Yadav
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Help me..
            1.Play two out of amat, cedric, pieters
            2. Play one out of allen, phillips

            1. The Rock
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Cedric, Pieters, Philips

              1. MTPockets
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  this

              2. TokyoRisingSun
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Cedric, Pieters, Phillips

              3. Two is a Kompany three is a…
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                1 Cedric
                2 Allen

            2. MTPockets
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Bench Defoe (CHE), Lallana (mid) or Allen (SOU)?

                Foster
                Alonso, McAuley, Holebas
                Sanchez, Hazard, Siggy
                Costa, Kane

                Subs: Pickford, Cedric, Amat

                1. Miguel Sanchez
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Allen

                2. zakard
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  bench defoe

                3. MTPockets
                    9 years, 1 month ago

                    Cheers both. Yeah can't decide between defoe/allen.

                4. camarozz
                  • 11 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  I think they should have 80 games a season therefore two every wk.
                  It's great craic.

                  1. Stokelona
                    • 9 Years
                    9 years, 1 month ago

                    The rotation would be less fun, imagine how complex it'd be trying to predict who'd play. We'd spend our whole lives waiting on snippets from press conferences and wondering how 'nailed' people are (not that most of us already don't).

                5. Frank Koscielny
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Which three defenders to start?

                  Alonso (SUN) Amat (WBA) Kos (EVE) McAuley (SWA) Pieters (SOU)

                  Cheers!

                  1. Miguel Sanchez
                    • 9 Years
                    9 years, 1 month ago

                    Alonso, Kos and McAuley

                    1. MTPockets
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        this

                      • Frank Koscielny
                        • 9 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        Is Swansea less possible to score than West Brom given their recent form? I have Siggy also..

                    2. drughi
                      • 16 Years
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      alonso, kos and mcAuley

                      1. Frank Koscielny
                        • 9 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        Is Swansea less possible to score than West Brom given their recent form? I have Siggy also..

                  2. Fowler23
                    • 10 Years
                    9 years, 1 month ago

                    Bench 2 pls
                    A) Stones
                    B) Alonso
                    C) McAuley
                    D) Pieters
                    E) Amat

                    1. Man Chest Hair United
                      • 11 Years
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      C E

                    2. Miguel Sanchez
                      • 9 Years
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      D and E

                    3. zakard
                      • 10 Years
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      D E

                    4. Sahil Yadav
                      • 9 Years
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      Amat, mcAuley

                    5. MTPockets
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        a,e

                      • Stokelona
                        • 9 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        A, B. (Just my opinion, think Sunderland will shock Chelsea and stones is poo)

                    6. Man Chest Hair United
                      • 11 Years
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      Start

                      A cedric
                      B Evans

                      1. Miguel Sanchez
                        • 9 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        B

                    7. Hybrid.power
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 15 Years
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      Who's the person who posts captain picks and they're usually pretty spot on?

                      1. The Rock
                        • 16 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        Your Mums Athletic. He went for Kane this week.

                        1. Kane
                        2. Costa
                        3. Sanchez
                        4. Ibrahimovic
                        5. Hazard
                        6. Mane

                        1. Hybrid.power
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 15 Years
                          9 years, 1 month ago

                          Great, thanks!

                    8. Miguel Sanchez
                      • 9 Years
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      Time to remove Holebas for Phil Jones? Watford have stopped keeping clean sheets so you're mainly looking at attacking returns for him. Also he is only another two yellows from a second suspension. And United have Sunderland and Boro at home between Xmas and NYE. Thoughts?

                      1. TokyoRisingSun
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 9 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        Tempted by Jones, but not sure how Bailly factors into the equation

                      2. Fowler23
                        • 10 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        risky . Bailli is back

                        1. Miguel Sanchez
                          • 9 Years
                          9 years, 1 month ago

                          Jones more at risk than Rojo?

                    9. Aaaatsu
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      Play Anichebe or Allen?

                      1. The Rock
                        • 16 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        Allen.

                      2. MTPockets
                          9 years, 1 month ago

                          allen

                        • Two is a Kompany three is a…
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 1 month ago

                          Allen

                      3. SpaceCadet
                        • 12 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        Play one

                        a. capoue
                        b. holebas
                        c. amat
                        d. diomande

                        1. Hybrid.power
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 15 Years
                          9 years, 1 month ago

                          Amat

                        2. Moves like Dejagah
                          • 9 Years
                          9 years, 1 month ago

                          C

                        3. MTPockets
                            9 years, 1 month ago

                            capoue

                        4. Lightbody
                          • 15 Years
                          9 years, 1 month ago

                          No one else concerned about rotation enough not to captain Costa (2nd of 3 games in a week, fit and quality striker ready to come in for him against easy opponents)?

                          1. TokyoRisingSun
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 9 Years
                            9 years, 1 month ago

                            No chance. Conte does not tinker

                          2. Team Cruel
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 10 Years
                            9 years, 1 month ago

                            Chelsea probably have the freshest set of first teamers. I don't think they'll be resting.

                        5. ROOTY7
                          • 9 Years
                          9 years, 1 month ago

                          Start one

                          1) Arnautovic (SOU H)
                          2) Amat (WBA A)

                          1. The Rock
                            • 16 Years
                            9 years, 1 month ago

                            Arnie.

                          2. crikeybruce
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 14 Years
                            9 years, 1 month ago

                            Easily Arnie

                        6. nevins84
                          • 13 Years
                          9 years, 1 month ago

                          Just seen a post on twitter saying Andy Carroll is out for a month anyone else hear anything?

                          1. drughi
                            • 16 Years
                            9 years, 1 month ago

                            Would not be surprised, he is made of glass

                            1. nevins84
                              • 13 Years
                              9 years, 1 month ago

                              He was my punt this week... glad I didnt buy him yet... Just that one post not sure if its to be believed

                          2. Fowler23
                            • 10 Years
                            9 years, 1 month ago

                            Lol again? From Mane's punch to his tummy?

                          3. Moves like Dejagah
                            • 9 Years
                            9 years, 1 month ago

                            No!!!

                          4. GreenWindmill
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 14 Years
                            9 years, 1 month ago

                            Link?

                            1. Team Cruel
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 10 Years
                              9 years, 1 month ago

                              Nonsense source. Rubbish

                              1. nevins84
                                • 13 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Makes me scared of buying him no though, is the hammers presser today?

                            2. GreenWindmill
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 14 Years
                              9 years, 1 month ago

                              Lol

                            3. Worzel Gummidge
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                FFS. This is literally 1 line on the internet.

                          5. Fowler23
                            • 10 Years
                            9 years, 1 month ago

                            Captain
                            A) Kane
                            B) Alexis
                            C) Hazard
                            D) Costa

                            Think everyone gonna go Harry

                            1. The Rock
                              • 16 Years
                              9 years, 1 month ago

                              Your thought right! 🙂

                            2. MTPockets
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Think so

                              • zakard
                                • 10 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                triple cap kane here !

                            3. Top 210 Club
                              • 15 Years
                              9 years, 1 month ago

                              Got exactly enough Williams to Toby. It worth -8 or hold do after deadline tonight?

                              1. Moves like Dejagah
                                • 9 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Hold

                              2. drughi
                                • 16 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                -4 is the cost for each move and yes I would do that move before deadline. Toby great chance of a cs and williams has not plus a good long term move

                              3. Team Cruel
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 10 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                That move is only -4. Do it.

                              4. Top 210 Club
                                • 15 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Thanks chaps

                            4. Brian (Not the Messiah)
                              • 16 Years
                              9 years, 1 month ago

                              Heaton
                              Pieters,McAuley,Amat
                              Hazard,Sánchez,Walcott,Eriksen,Sigurdsson
                              Kane,Costa
                              Pickford,Anichebe,Gibson,Holebas

                              GTG? not sure of my bench order...

                              1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
                                • 16 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Captain Kane.

                              2. meenabakery
                                • 9 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Great team, but in your position I'd want a Liverpool midfielder in there. They're not looking great at the minute, admittedly, but they're explosive.

                                1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
                                  • 16 Years
                                  9 years, 1 month ago

                                  hmm, just took out Firmino. Mane seems to be the one to have, but he's a bit pricy. I'll think I'll bring in Coutinho when he's fit again.

                            5. nikush
                              • 9 Years
                              9 years, 1 month ago

                              GTG?

                              Heaton
                              Pieters, Evans, Alonso
                              Firmino, Hazard, Walcott, Eriksen, Siggy
                              Kane, Costa

                              Sub: Pick, Fuchs, Amat, Anichebe

                              A. Subs?
                              B. Captain?

                              Thanks all in advance..

                              1. RustyBz
                                • 10 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Looks lavly.

                                Safe option, Kane (C). Punt, Sanchez (C) 😉

                                1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
                                  • 16 Years
                                  9 years, 1 month ago

                                  he doesn't have Sanchez 😮

                                  1. RustyBz
                                    • 10 Years
                                    9 years, 1 month ago

                                    need to get my eyes tested.

                              2. MTPockets
                                  9 years, 1 month ago

                                  I'd put Anichebe before def subs & kane.

                                • Moves like Dejagah
                                  • 9 Years
                                  9 years, 1 month ago

                                  Looks good with Kane as captain.

                                • nikush
                                  • 9 Years
                                  9 years, 1 month ago

                                  Thank you all..

                              3. Darthshearer
                                • 9 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Who to captain out of Kane, Costa, Hazard?

                              4. RAFA THE GAFFA
                                • 9 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Are there any west ham fans out there?? need their thoughts on Carroll and his gametime for the next 3! Any good West Ham forums??

                              5. meenabakery
                                • 9 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Head says stick with Firmino and captain Costa.
                                Heart says Firmino > Mane (-4) and captain Sanchez.

                                What am I to do?

                              6. Maddamotha
                                • 9 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                Sell Gundogan and get?

                                A) Walcott
                                B) Son
                                C) Antonio
                                D) Lallana

                                1. The Polymath
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 10 Years
                                  9 years, 1 month ago

                                  A

                                2. meenabakery
                                  • 9 Years
                                  9 years, 1 month ago

                                  Walcott.

                              7. The Polymath
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 10 Years
                                9 years, 1 month ago

                                My defence

                                Alonso, Holebas, Amat, McAuley, Kingsley

                                I know Kingsley needs to go.

                                Who am I missing?

                                Thanks

                                1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
                                  • 16 Years
                                  9 years, 1 month ago

                                  Gibson?