Team News

The Gameweek 34 Team News

Zlatan Ibrahimovic appears destined for a spell on the sidelines, while Andy Carroll has been ruled out of West Ham’s home clash with Everton. Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen could return to face former club Swansea City, but Joel Matip, Lucas Leiva and Ragnar Klavan are all injury concerns ahead of Liverpool’s home encounter with Crystal Palace.

The headline team news undoubtedly surrounds Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who suffered a knee injury during last night’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa League.

The striker had been the top attraction in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) transfer market ahead of United’s double Gameweek fixtures at Burnley and Manchester City, with more than 82,000 managers swooping early for the Swede.

But post-match, United boss Jose Mourinho was far from hopeful regarding the injury, or the one suffered by Marcos Rojo, who was also forced off with a knee problem. While there is no confirmation of a Mourinho press conference, we would still expect some further information on both injuries from the United camp later today ahead of Sunday’s Turf Moor trip.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will make a late call on Dan Gosling, who has missed the last three matches due to a calf complaint. Howe revealed the midfielder hasn’t done a lot of training, so Lewis Cook may earn a rare start in place of Jack Wilshere, who will miss the rest of the season following a hairline fracture to his leg suffered in the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Middlesbrough head coach Steve Agnew revealed the knee injury suffered by Fabio in Monday night’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal isn’t as bad as first feared. The defender will be assessed this morning to see if he is available for tomorrow’s trip to Bournemouth.

Rudy Gestede did suffer a kick to his heel against the Gunners, but he trained well on Thursday, and should for available for selection. Victor Valdes (rib) and Grant Leadbitter (hamstring) are both ruled out.

Jack Cork (ankle) and Wayne Routledge (hernia) will both miss Swansea City’s home clash against Stoke City. Head coach Paul Clement is hopeful Cork could return for the Gameweek 35 trip to Old Trafford, however.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is hopeful Joe Allen (hamstring) and Glenn Whelan (illness) will be available for the trip to south Wales. Both players came through training yesterday, and look set to be available. Jonathan Walters has yet to train this week as the Potters continue to manage his knee problem. The Republic of Ireland international was due to train today though, and may be able to feature. Hughes has also hinted at a first-team return for the fit-again Jack Butland between the posts.

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic will be without Andy Carroll for the home encounter against Everton, with the forward sidelined due to a knock. Sam Byram and Mark Noble are also unavailable due to suspension, but there is some good news, with Winston Reid back following a groin problem, although Bilic has yet to decide if he will start against the Toffees. Diafra Sakho was due to return to training yesterday, with the forward’s fitness levels to be assessed to see whether he can feature in the matchday squad.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has no fresh injury concerns for the trip to the London Stadium, although on-loan forward Enner Valencia is ineligible to face his parent club.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revealed Joel Matip, Lucas Leiva (both knocks) and Ragnar Klavan (knee) are all injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s home meeting with Crystal Palace. The trio had all failed to train prior to Thursday, although Matip is hopeful he’ll be able to overcome a minor muscle issue to face the Eagles.

Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce has been boosted by the return to training of James Tomkins and Loic Remy. Tomkins’ return looks particularly well-timed given on-loan defender Mamadou Sakho is ineligible to face his parent club.

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

1,492 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Royal5
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Who's going to be the biggest DGW flop? I ended up with Llorents 1 pointer last time.

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Valencia imo

      1. Football Weekender
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        This seems the most likely.

        Zlatan is already the biggest flop technically I suppose though.

        1. Royal5
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          True about Zlatan. Guessing a few aldreay brought him in, even for a hit.

          1. Professor Abel X
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            My rival got in Ibra & Rojo as part of a -8. Terrible luck but I'm over the moon

            1. Fitzy.
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Very polite of your rival to let you know his moves ahead of time.

          2. Football Weekender
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            That would be me!

            If I didn't laugh I would cry 🙂

            1. Sess!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              WC

              1. Football Weekender
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 6 months ago

                Oh the Wildcard is long gone mate - played it in GW30. I'll wipe my mouth, take a -12 and move on! 🙂

    2. George Sillett
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Negredo

    3. McQueen
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Negredo with 3 points.

    4. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Everyone

    5. semiconductor
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I think its going to be benteke and/or zaha

    6. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Rashford, rested then 2 pointer

      1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I can see it given he's cemented an essential spot

        1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          under Jose*

    7. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Tekkers

    8. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Negredo

  2. semiconductor
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Quick questions

    1. Bench siggy or de roon?
    2. Captain kane or negredo?

    1. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Siggy
      Kane

    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      De Roon
      Negredo

    3. Legomane
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Deroon kane

    4. UnitedFan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      de Roon
      Kane

  3. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Oh dear Ive went and done something really stupid.....potentially

    20 point hit (10 points if we count DGWers as only -2)

    DDG (Jaku)
    Bailly Valencia Walker (Holgate) (Friend)
    Cout Townsend Sanchez Alli (Zaha)
    Lukaku Kane Negredo

    and Bench Boost now in play :-S

    1. George Sillett
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Unfortunately I agree with you.

    2. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Dropped Heaton, Baines, Siggy, Llorente, T.Carroll and Yoshida

    3. pompeyfan
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      it's still a 20 point hit, those points are lost.

      No guarantee your dgw players will play both games, avoid cards etc...

      Really not a fan of that sort of reasoning.

    4. Bellerinmondo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      it's only -2 if you have to replace a non-player and have no subs!

      1. Bellerinmondo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        only a game though hey, still a fun move 🙂

      2. FrankieTheGent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        You're guaranteeing each player 2 points !
        Last time Ibra played he got zero
        Cards, goals conceded, not starting, missed pens, subbed off before 60 etc etc etc

    5. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Its an all or nothing move to catch my ML leader. Im in 2nd currently and have enough lead on 3rd place to take the hits. Putting my chips all in!!!!!

    6. afcblegend
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Good luck, I have a feeling you'll need it

  4. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Best GK For this GW

    1. AA33
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      De Gea

    2. Baz
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      ddg

    3. Rhodes your boat
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Ddg but Hennessy if you want a cheaper option

  5. rnrd
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Is there a scheduled MUFC press conference today?

  6. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Crikey was so close to Siggy>Zaha last weekend so glad I held back. This is my team now post Carroll/Ibra-gate with 2 FT's spent. Was going to get Hennessey in but I can't see enough profit there for a hit now rather than just play Heaton and go hit-free...?

    Heaton
    Toby Maguire Alonso
    Firmino Coutinho Siggy Alli
    Lukaku NEGREDO(c) BENTEKE

    Jak Mawson Holgate Fletcher

  7. Barbarians
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    all these debates who to take in Tekkers or Negredo, somehow, reminds me of some ppl going overthinking and TC Carroll last season

    like Jonty said on numerous Scoutcasts = borro cannot score

    why then Negredo is such a outstanding pick ? DGW ?

    TC_Carroll effect again

    1. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      New manager, new tactics.

    2. thunder_mike
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I couldn't decide between the two, went for Negrado because of fixtures and Boro have to attack.

    3. Bellerinmondo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      he scored the other week

    4. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Negredo has been looking very dangerous imo, and they will be on the attack in the next two games. Certainly worth a punt.

    5. FrankieTheGent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      The scored 4 in their last 3 and Negredo got two of them

    6. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I agree. It's genuinely bamboozling how many good FPL managers are buying Negredo. Obviously they might be onto something but I can't see it and won't be touching player players.

  8. The Albatross
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    A) Barnes to Negredo, play AOA & bench Alonso

    or

    B) Heaton to De Gea

    Your thoughts appreciated

  9. thunder_mike
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Bench
    A) Sanchez
    B) Sane
    C) Eriksen (have Alli + Kane)

    1. The Albatross
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      definitely not A

      1. thunder_mike
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Benching Sane at the moment. Think You will try and shut City out.

        1. thunder_mike
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          *mou

      2. The Albatross
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I think I'd go B as I think the Manchester derby will be tight

    2. WVA
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      C

  10. ignis88
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Hmm so with Matip, Lucas and Klavan all out Bentekke appeal vs Liverpool is rising. Captaincy option or stick with Negredo?

  11. kalmoffit
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Last year Liverpool messed Benteke around. Now Benteke to mess Liverpool around?

    1. Royal5
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Has Benteke ever done well at Anfield?

      1. Stats Don\'t Lie
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Scored that banger vs man u

      2. kalmoffit
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I don't know, but he's capable.

    2. bigbudgie
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      He's in beast mode or getting there

  12. ROOTY7
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    @KoL what is the league code?

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Its 82-1008408 😀

      1. ROOTY7
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        ta mate, best of luck!

  13. ROOTY7
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Best GK combo for the rest of the season?

    1. UnitedFan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Pickford + Bravo (assuming he's nailed)

  14. Rhodes your boat
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Barnes to ...

    A) benteke- palace on form
    B) negredo- good fixtures
    C) rashford- punt but not guaranteed to play both
    For free
    (For 1 week before WC)

    1. bigbudgie
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. UnitedFan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. George Sillett
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      C

  15. Lingardium Leviosa.
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Ramos-Vinolas the giant slayer

  16. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Gtg??

    Jaku
    Alonso Valencia Barragan
    King Sanchez Coutinho Eriksen Siggy
    Kane Ibra*
    sub:Heaton, Mawson, Robertson, Diomande

    1.Ibra to Benteke or Nergredo for -4 to captain?? tempted Tekker...
    2.wanna play Mawson cause stoke is bad at score at away..But drop who??Alonso, Valencia or King??... think Jose will rest Valencia at Burnley and play him vs City, so his DGW isn't a advantage any more..

  17. JoeSoap
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Thinking Origi>Benteke/Negredo/Rashford for FT, anything else worth a hit in your opinion?

    WC still to play & 1.3 in bank.

    Jak
    Valencia, Walker, Mawson
    Ali, Siggy, Zaha, Eriksen
    Lukaku, Aguero, Origi
    Heaton, Lanzini, Smith, McAuley

  18. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    If you were bringing in 2 Defenders would you go with 2 x MUN or 1 x MUN & 1 x MID?

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      1 and 1 more coverage (Gibson and bailly look best picks)

    2. ROOTY7
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      1 of each

      1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  19. Sp0rting
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Ibra -> Costa. Who's with me?

    SOU
    eve
    MID
    wba/WAT
    SUN.

    You can't argue with those fixtures.

    1. UnitedFan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      His form is a problem. Also seem to be back to his YC-getting ways

      1. Sp0rting
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        He's always been a card magnet. It's just how he is. Form is temporary, he'll pay off in the end.

        Besides, I'd take him over Tekkers or Negrado any day.

        In two weeks, everyone will want him.

        1. UnitedFan
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          He did have a relatively clean spell though. And I'm going with Hazard over him, but fair enough

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I might get him for WC to replace kaku

    3. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Thats a fantastic shout and probably the best move

    4. SGTMacaroni
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Will be getting him on WC week 36 so I like the move

    5. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Not for me

    6. Ravager
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Form practically zero. His head looks to be in China

    7. George Sillett
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      My son who is a big Chelsea fan has been to a lot of games this season and says that he is now a waste of space. He has become exceptionally selfish and his head seems even more wrong than it has ever been. I would leave alone.

  20. itwaswritten
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    What's the appeal of Benteke though? Has he scored more than 1 goal in 1 game this season? Even if he does score 1 goal in each game, you can get that from Lukaku or Kane probably too this week.

    1. Sp0rting
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Zackly.

    2. Lingardium Leviosa.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Dgw fever innit.

    3. UnitedFan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Differential-ness is attractive to me, as well as the things I highlighted on the previous page. I need to climb in rank so am captaining him over Kane this GW

      1. itwaswritten
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Then why not Negredo? Good luck getting those points.

        1. UnitedFan
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Palace much more capable of scoring than Boro. Even if Negredo does score, the ceiling is low. And same to you

  21. SGTMacaroni
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    A Negredo vs Benteke comparison in the members area is acutally pretty close in terms of recent stats, and the shot numbers compared to most are actually pretty positive looking.

    Benteke I would say comes out slightly on top but does negredos better fixtures work in his favour? Really tough decision but i'm edging towards benteke here

    1. UnitedFan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Benteke for me too

    2. Sp0rting
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      So the best thing we can say about Tekkers is that he's a fraction better than Negredo?

      1. SGTMacaroni
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        In the underlying stats yeah, they both actually have a good number of SoT and Shots in box (hope what im saying here isn't against rules)

      2. bigbudgie
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Tekkers plays for a team with waaaaaaaay more attacking potential than Boro. Zaha/Townsend/Cabaye feeding him.

        1. SGTMacaroni
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          very true. much worse fixtures though

          1. bigbudgie
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Chelsea 0 -2 Palace says hello.
            They did just come back from 2-0 at the home of the champions as well...

            1. SGTMacaroni
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              lets be honest though, they were lucky to win that Chelsea game, and its not like leicester are playing like the champions of last year

    3. Toby Lerone
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs and liv defence stats are solid.

  22. MITRO'S ON FIRE
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    A. Jakupovic (WAT)
    B. Hennessy (liv, TOT) -4

    1. UnitedFan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A, don't see Palace getting a cleanie

      1. MITRO'S ON FIRE
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Fair enough. Minutes and save points are the key there

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A

  23. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Aspas has 16 la liga goals this season. He owes liverpool one after THAT corner. Hope he puts Man Utd out of Europa

    1. Lingardium Leviosa.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      What is this corner that folks are referring to?

      1. Lingardium Leviosa.
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        lol....
        LOL never mind i found it damn

  24. Deus
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    I like all Negredo transfers. Green arrows are incoming!

  25. RealSocialDads
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Would you WC this team?

    Pickford Foster
    Rojo Chambers Mee Fuchs Bavies
    Alli King Townsend Siggy JWP
    Lukaku Kane Ibra

    Considering I've already taken -8 this week to bring in Ibra and Rojo

    1. bigbudgie
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Ouch. I think if you took a -8 to bring in two players who are now out, means a -16 to fix that, you are into wildcard territory for sure.

  26. bigbudgie
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Valdes
    Valencia Vertonghan Chambers
    Sanchez Alli Sterling Zaha
    Ibra Benteke (c) Kane

    Pickford JWP Yoshida Mustafi

    1FT here, no WC.

    A) Ibra > Lukaku (covering my two rivals in ML who own Lukaku)
    B) Ibra > Rashford
    C) Mustafi > Bailly (wouldn't mind keeping Mustafi for his double double GW)
    D) Something else?

  27. Toby Lerone
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Bit of help here please lads last time of asking 🙂 1ft 1.5itb

    Pickford
    Valencia Gibson Maguire
    Sane siggy Sanchez alli cout
    Kane luk
    Grant Davies yoshida barnes

    Options:
    1) Sanchez Barnes > zaha negredo
    2) Sanchez Barnes > hazard negredo
    3)grant Barnes > guzan negredo

    All involve benching sane

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      1 if value is a concern elsewhere in your team, 2 if the coffers are overflowing. Although personally I am keeping Sanchez.

    2. Toby Lerone
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Tv 105.5 I do fancy hazard over the palace assets but Sanchez seems the only make way

  28. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Currently third in ML, leader is 88 points ahead. Catch-able at this stage of the proceedings?

    1. bigbudgie
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      absolutely. Gotta get your captains right tho

  29. Pacer.
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Who's going to get more minutes:

    Deeney
    Walcott

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Deeney

  30. Piggs Boson
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Cue Rooney starting over Rashford against Burnley... 😀

    1. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Rooney starting up front. No chance.