Sergio Aguero and Philippe Coutinho both limp out of action to send the Fantasy Premier League transfer market into overdrive ahead of back-to-back double Gameweeks.
Here’s our usual post-Gameweek round-up of the latest batch of injury concerns with just three rounds of fixtures remaining in 2016/17.
Sergio Aguero, Claudio Bravo
Man City’s injury problems at both ends of the pitch have played a major part in the plans of FPL managers over the last few days.
After bagging a goal and assist in the 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough, Sergio Aguero was replaced late on due to a groin problem.
Owned by 22% of FPL managers, the forward – who has scored in six of his last seven league outings – is now set for scans in the next 24 hours, amid fears he could miss the remainder of the season.
With concerns over Aguero escalating, FPL managers have turned to his team-mate Gabriel Jesus in their droves – he’s the number one transfer target, with over 71,000 drafting him in since the weekend.
The Brazilian returned to the starting XI for the first time since being forced off with a foot injury back in Gameweek 25 and was also in the goals, taking his tally to four strikes in as many Premier League starts.
City’s remaining matches – a home clash with Palace in Gameweek 35 and a final-day trip to Watford on either side of Double Gameweek 37 Etihad encounters with Leicester and West Brom – provide obvious allure.
Yet according to his manager, the winter signing was somewhat fortuitous to play from start to finish against ‘Boro after returning from injury with a five-minute sub appearance in the previous Gameweek:
“I am pleased for him, but he needs time. He’s had three months out and has only had four training sessions. Ideally, I wanted him to have 60 minutes, but what happened in the first half changed that but he is young and coped”.
Jesus also conceded that his match sharpness is not quite up to scratch yet:
“After being out for three months, I am tired. In my case I am still not 100 per cent fit so I missed so many chances and I am sad for that.”
Meanwhile, City’s run of two clean sheets in the last three Gameweeks have persuaded many to flock to Willy Caballero as a cut-price pick between the sticks.
With Claudio Bravo ruled out for the season due to a calf complaint, the 4.7-priced Argentine is second only to Arsenal’s Petr Cech for transfers-in among goalkeepers – over 16,000 have acquired him since the weekend.
Philippe Coutinho
The Liverpool midfielder lasted just 12 minutes of last night’s win at Watford before limping off at Vicarage Road.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp rolled out an optimistic post-match update:
“He has a dead leg, hopefully it’s not too serious but of course it’s really painful and no chance (he could continue). Everybody could see he tried hard, but no chance.”
Coutinho also took to Instagram to play down fears:
“Thanks to all for the support. It isn’t serious.”
Having scored in four of his previous five outings, Coutinho was named among the top ten captaincy candidates for Gameweek 35, with over 122,000 handing him the armband.
His early withdrawal has had a significant impact on the FPL transfer market – over 50,000 have parted company in the last 24 hours alone as the Merseysiders prepare for a home clash against Southampton.
With just three matches remaining for Klopp’s side, many are now bailing on their midfielders and turning to the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard, who offer five and four fixtures respectively over the same period.
Indeed, Roberto Firmino is also placed in the top four midfielders for transfers out in the Gameweek as our Wildcard plans begin to take shape.
Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw
Man United’s problems in defence show little sign of abating after two of their back four were forced off during Sunday’s home draw against Swansea City.
Eric Bailly lasted 60 minutes and 13 seconds to be precise, thus earning a clean sheet as he limped out of action with the score 1-0 to the home side. Yet after the match, Jose Mourinho was uncertain whether fatigue has played a part:
“Eric, maybe he is injured but, at the same time, maybe it’s in relation to him being the guy who’s played 800 minutes of football in April. Maybe he has also a relation to that.”
With Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo all sidelined, Bailly has been a rock at the heart of the Red Devils’ defence, starting ten of the last 11 and serving up eight clean sheets over that run.
Yet with back-to-back trips to Arsenal and Spurs (which is the first match of their Double Gameweek 37) up next, our faith in the United defence is on a downturn as they also have one eye on the upcoming Europa League semi-final clash with Celta Vigo.
Bailly is the fourth most-traded defender since the weekend deadline passed, with over 18,000 transfers out. Meanwhile, Antonio Valencia – who was named on the bench for the fourth time in six league matches – has earned more sales than any defender since Saturday’s deadline passed.
Luke Shaw, meanwhile, could now be out for the season after scans confirmed he sustained ligament damage to his left foot early on against the Swans. Reports from earlier today indicate that the left-back is set to see a specialist to ascertain the extent of the damage.
David Luiz
The Chelsea centre-half was replaced by Nathan Ake with just eight minutes remaining of the weekend win at Everton after picking up a knock.
Certainly, the signs look promising for Luiz to return in time for Monday’s home encounter against Middlesbrough.
The Brazilian played down the injury on social media, while manager Antonio Conte was also optimistic, going on to suggest he is keen for his regulars to play through the pain barrier in their bid to secure the title:
“I didn’t speak with the doctor about his (Luiz’s) injury but I don’t think it is a serious injury for him. I hope in the next game that David Luiz is available to play. Also now in this part of the season it is important sometimes to try to play if you are not 100 per cent with your condition. He is showing us great commitment in this season. Don’t forget his injury in the knee after the game against City – but I am very pleased for the impact of Ake in (the Everton) game”.
The remaining fixtures (MID, wba & WAT, MID) could hardly be more encouraging for the Blues, who earned a first clean sheet in 12 attempts with their 3-0 victory over the Toffees.
While Marcos Alonso – whose 5.5 points per match is better than any FPL defender – remains our go-to option in the Blues’ defence, Luiz’s injury is clearly worth monitoring in light of Conte’s words on Ake.
Priced at a mere 3.8 in FPL, Ake could yet play a part in some Wildcard plans if the Brazilian fails to recover in time for Monday’s match and beyond.
Benik Afobe
The Bournemouth frontman was replaced by Junior Stanislas just before the hour-mark against Sunderland after sustaining a hamstring problem.
In a post-match radio interview, Cherries boss Eddie Howe admitted that Afobe – who produced three goals and as many assists in seven outings prior to the weekend – was likely to be sidelined for two weeks with the problem.
Bearing in mind that Bournemouth host Stoke City and Burnley over that period, Josh King’s owners will be optimistic over further returns for the run-in.
Second only to Alexis Sanchez for transfers-in among FPL midfielders since the weekend, the Norwegian international has netted nine times in his last ten outings and looks set to move from a central support role to lone striker for that pair of Vitality encounters.
The Rest…
Slaven Bilic remains optimistic that Andy Carroll could return to the West Ham squad for Friday’s home clash against Spurs, though he admitted the striker won’t be available for a 90-minute appearance.
Hammers left-back Arthur Masuaku also expects to be available after playing down the knock that forced him off against Stoke last Saturday.
Everton were without winter signing Morgan Schneiderlin in Sunday’s home loss to Chelsea – the Frenchman was sidelined with a thigh injury that manager Ronald Koeman reckons “will not take longer than ten days” to recover from.
Burnley’s Stephen Ward was forced off at the break during the 2-0 win at Crystal Palace. The right-back was doubtful for the encounter due to a knee problem, though manager Sean Dyche went on to say “I don’t think and we hope it’s not too serious” ahead of this week’s home clash with West Brom.
The Eagles’ Yohan Cabaye also missed the Selhurst Park match with a knock.
Handed pitch time off the bench in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, Swansea’s Jefferson Montero lasted just six minutes before being forced off with a recurrence of an ongoing hamstring problem.
Watford’s Jose Holebas was unavailable to face Liverpool last night due to a foot injury, while Miguel Britos lasted less than 20 minutes before being replaced. With problems at the back mounting, Adrian Mariappa (4.0) has started three of the last four Gameweeks.
Leicester City captain Wes Morgan failed a late fitness test for the 1-0 win at West Brom. The Jamaican international recently returned to action in the Champions League only to pick up a hamstring problem for the run-in. Although his availability remains in question, Morgan – priced at 4.6 – could come into Wildcard consideration if he can return in time for home matches against Watford and Bournemouth either side of Double Gameweek 37.
