Team News
15 December 2017 625 comments
James H James H
Share:

Fantasy mangers wait on Watford’s afternoon press conference with Richarlison set to be assessed ahead of their home encounter with Huddersfield Town.

Elsewhere, Aaron Ramsey is sidelined for Arsenal’s home clash against Newcastle United, Alvaro Morata may yet remain a doubt for Chelsea’s home meeting with Southampton, while Ben Mee and Matt Lowton are both available for the trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Here’s our summary of the key team news so far, with an array of big press conferences still to come later today.

After being rested against Southampton, Vicente Iborra, Marc Albrighton and Demarai Gray could all be handed recalls for Leicester City’s home clash against Crystal Palace.

The Eagles will be without the suspended Luka Milivojevic, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-1 win over Watford – he is likely to be replaced by James McArthur. Roy Hodgson has problems in defence, though, with Mamadou Sakho and Joel Ward both ruled out, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah (hamstring) could also join them on the sidelines.

Aaron Ramsey will miss Arsenal’s home fixture against Newcastle United due to a hamstring injury, and faces three weeks on the sidelines. Shkodran Mustafi has returned to training but may not be risked by Arsene Wenger. Alexandre Lacazette is set to return against the Magpies after being rested to the bench in midweek, while Sead Kolasinac also looks poised for a recall.

Jonjo Shelvey will miss the trip to the Emirates due to suspension after being sent off in Wednesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Everton. He could be replaced by Isaac Hayden in central midfield, while Rob Elliot and Joselu may also push for recalls.

After only coming on as substitutes in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Pascal Gross and Glenn Murray are expected to return to the starting XI for Brighton & Hove Albion’s home encounter with Burnley. Bruno should also come back into the side after being rested in midweek.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche has revealed that Ben Mee and Matt Lowton will both be available for the trip to the Amex Stadium. But Stephen Ward is a doubt after suffering a knock to his knee in the 1-0 win over Stoke City, with a decision set to be made later today.

Alvaro Morata could remain a doubt for Chelsea’s home clash against Southampton, with Antonio Conte expected to provide an update on the striker’s fitness in his press conference later this afternoon. Morata was pictured back in training yesterday.

Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge, but following the 4-1 home defeat to Leicester City, the likes of Wesley Hoedt, James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond could push for recalls.

Kurt Zouma will miss Stoke City’s home fixture against West Ham United after being forced off with a hamstring injury in the 1-0 defeat to Burnley. Kevin Wimmer looks set to replace the Chelsea loanee, while Eric Choupo-Moting may push for a recall in place of Ramadan Sobhi.

The Hammers will be without the suspended Winston Reid for the trip to the bet365 Stadium, so either James Collins or Declan Rice look set to deputise in central defence.

Richarlison is a doubt for Watford’s home clash against Huddersfield Town after picking up a groin problem in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace. Kiko Femenia will also be checked after appearing to suffer a fresh injury after coming on as a late substitute at Selhurst Park, while Tom Cleverley and Marvin Zeegelaar are both suspended.

After scoring as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, Laurent Depoitre could replace Steve Mounie up front for Huddersfield’s trip to Vicarage Road. Kasey Palmer is available to return after being ineligible to face his parent club.

Kyle Walker and Leroy Sane are expected to return to the starting XI for Manchester City’s home meeting with Spurs after being rested in midweek. Gabriel Jesus was an unused substitute on Wednesday night and will push for a start in place of Sergio Aguero. Vincent Kompany is expected to miss out once again due to a muscle problem.

As for Spurs, there should be recalls for Dele Alli, Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier after the trio were rested for the 2-0 win over Brighton. Mousa Dembele is another who could return to the starting XI at the Etihad, after only playing 23 minutes as a substitute in midweek.

West Bromwich Albion head coach Alan Pardew may hand a recall to Jay Rodriguez for the visit of Manchester United to The Hawthorns, while Sam Field is another who could push for a start. Gareth Barry (thigh), Matt Phillips (hamstring) and Nacer Chadli (muscle problem) all remain doubtful.

Ashley Young should return at left-back for Manchester United after being rested in midweek, but Jose Mourinho will again be without Paul Pogba, who serves the final game of his three-match ban. Marcos Rojo remains a doubt due to a head injury.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is expected to hand a recall to Jermain Defoe after the forward only featured as a late substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United. Andrew Surman and Lewis Cook could also return to the starting XI for the Cherries.

Jurgen Klopp will be without the suspended Emre Can for the trip to the south coast, after the midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the goalless draw with West Brom.

Leighton Baines is expected to remain out with a calf injury, so Sam Allardyce could name an unchanged starting XI for Everton’s home meeting with Swansea City on Monday night. He’s reported no new injuries, while Yannick Bolasie could even figure from the bench against the Swans: he returns to U23 action tonight.

As for the Swans, Federico Fernandez looks poised for a recall in central defence in place of Mike van der Hoorn following the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City.

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.

625 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. ChelseaGuy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Best striker option under 10mil?

    1. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      DLC

      lol

      1. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Who is she?

    2. CloudSky
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Firmino, Vardy, DCL, Rooney.

    3. Home Late From Age
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy

    4. Kaffi og Lukaku
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Considering fixtures and form I'd say Rooney.

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

    Pope (Elliot)
    Ward* Otamendi Gomez (Daniels Naughton)
    Salah DSilva Hazard Couthino (RLC)
    Rooney Kane Austin

    0FT 1.1ITB

    Im very tempted to take out Naughton for -4 and bring in another defender with good fixtures. Both Ward, Daniels and Naughton are having tough fixtures the next few gameweeks. Should I sort out my defence 1GW at the time, or go for hits and sort it out now?

    Your thoughts?

    1. Home Late From Age
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Leave it as it is for now.

  3. Pompel
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    If Richarlison is out, anyone fancy a punt on Willian?

    1. Kaffi og Lukaku
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Really tempted yes.

    2. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Temping, but I'll lose -0.3m on the lad (sell for 6.3m) 🙁

  4. skitsa
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    A or B?

    Mooy + Morata out for

    a) Lacazette + Lingard
    b) Rooney + David Silva

    Cheers!

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B (I have them both)

    2. Kaffi og Lukaku
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. 1Banksy
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A and you can captain Lacca. Alternatively just stick, seems like Morata will play.

  5. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I'm chasing points a bit here:

    Who do I captain?

    Salah - Kane - Morata - DCL - Son - Shaquiri - David Silva?

    HELP

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      If he's going to start, then morata.

    2. Home Late From Age
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

    3. Srv210
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Salah, don't think Morata is completely fit..wait for press conference

  6. steven8991
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Morata and Azpi to Lukaku and Christensen.. do it?

    1. Home Late From Age
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes if for free

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Not for me.

      I'd only be doing that if I was clearing funds for Silva.

  7. jia you
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Saving transfer hopefully guys, GTG?

    Fabianski
    Alonso / Duffy / Masuaku / Ward*
    Salah / Alli / Sane / Richarlison*
    Kane(C) / Morata
    (Nor, Niasse, Daniels, RLC)
    1FT
    0.0

    1. Home Late From Age
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Save. 2FT on next GW can be gold

      1. jia you
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, that's the plan, will have more info after the weekend hopefully! Also there are so many players I want, can see three transfers for a -4 next week to give my team a boost! GL mate.

    2. Juza
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Fabianski > DDG if you can

  8. Yogi_mike
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ship out Morata? Or if I waited last week.. I should wait another week

    1. Srv210
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'm waiting

    2. Cruz88
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Surely just wait to see what Conte says this afternoon?

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Wait for Conte's presser later this afternoon.

      It sounds like he'll be available though, so I've kept him this week.

  9. Srv210
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Is chicharito worth a punt?

    1. Home Late From Age
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No

    2. Juza
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      no

  10. Rik Waller
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    With all the talk about West Ham defenders, are Watford defenders getting overlooked? 3/4 home games coming up. Kabasele maybe?

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      brought in Kabasele. Shhh

    2. Juza
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mariappa in my starting 1, don't tell anyone

      1. Juza
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        *starting 11

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      they have a very nce run of fixtures and i had femenia but injured and i´m starting to think there is something wrong at Watford, everyone gets injjured...

  11. Zlat-man
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    A. Downgrade Alonso to Jones (have Christensen too);
    343

    B. Downgrade Jesus and use the $ to upgrade 4th defender to Jones (-4) ;
    442/433

    Which is the better option??

  12. Wheato182
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Play RLC or take Ramsey out for a hit? unsure for who tho........

    Current midfield is Hazard - Salah - Coutinho - Hazard - RLC - Ramsey*

    1. Kaffi og Lukaku
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Can you afford mahrez? Or perhaps Antonio/arnautovic if not.

  13. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    when are the pressers? Ozil you there..

    1. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      hot topics

  14. thedarkhorse
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    best defender to bring in with these:

    de gea
    alonso tarkowski mariappa lascalles (???)

    a) valencia
    b) azpi
    c) otamendi
    d) kolasinac

    thanks!

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. Kaffi og Lukaku
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      D

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Otamendi or Kola, Ota maybe?

      a and b if you want to double up, viable strategy that too, valencia too expensive so maybe Jones if you want to double up on United? Azpi and alonso seems steep considering that Liverpool got as many cs as them for much less money...

  15. Malkmus
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    A'noon all. Any thoughts? Assuming Richa is out. 1FT, 0.6 ITB

    Speroni (Elliot)
    Ota - Christensen - Mee - Duffy
    Haz (c) - Salah - Sterling - Couts
    Kane - Firmino

    Subs - Mbemba - Quaner - Richa

    A - Mbemba to Ogbonna
    B - Mbemba to Masuaku
    C - Elliot to Pope
    D - Save
    E - Other

    Ta !!

    1. Kaffi og Lukaku
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      C

  16. Crofty92
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    best alternative to Ramsey for 7.2m or less?

  17. Bald Eagle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Conte on Morata's fitness: "He is better and he trained with us two days ago and also today. He has this pain in his back but he is in contention for tomorrow's game" #CFC

    1. bordalo1
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Great Job.
      Now tell me... what is that supposed to mean???

      😉

    2. Partick Bateman
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      So he didn't train yesterday and he still has pain in his back.
      Would have preferred "He had this pain...".

      1. Bald Eagle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Probably lost in translation, have in mind he’s from Italy and could mix some words.

        1. Partick Bateman
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Absolutely, it's what I'm hoping for anyway.

  18. Bonus magnet
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    kane+martial-> Lukaku+Ozil

    yes or no

  19. Scheffert
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hi

    1) Please rate my Wildcard guys.
    2) Who to Cap?

    Tnx

    de Gea
    Christensen / Jones / Otamendi
    Salah / Arnautovic / Mahrez / D. Silva / Heong Son
    Rooney / Lacazette

    Subs:
    Speroni // Mariappa / Ogbonna / Murray

    1. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I quite like it, it's certainly different with some good players in there.

      Personally, I'd rather have Alonso over Christensen. Purely because he plays further forward and more chance of goals and assists. Big differential over all the current players with Christensen. That said, he'd set you back another 1.4m so perhaps leave.

      I'd captain Salah or Mahrez (differential) this week.

  20. rnrd
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ward --> kabasele ?

    1. Juza
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      do it

  21. Bonus magnet
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    cheeky punt on rashford

  22. FPLTrader
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Is Mariappa nailed starter for next 4-6 GW? If Britos comes back from injury, will he replace Prodl or Mariappa?

  23. APEXi
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    2FT 0 ITB

    Kane to Morata
    And
    Gross to Lingard ( left with 2m ITB)

    Next GW
    Lingard to Pogba

    Thoughts ??

  24. Water_Pink
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    When is Chelsea’s press conference?

  25. sirmorbach
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Currently on

    DDG

    Femenia / Mee / Jones / Kola / Duffy

    Salah / Hazard / Gross / Carroll / Richarlison

    Kane / Morata / Murray

    2 ft.

    What do you guys suggest?

    1. navin
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      ITB?

    2. sirmorbach
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Just 0.1 ITB as of now.

      Been thinking about Rooney in and one of the top strikers out, but I don't know...

      1. Clay Davis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I'm toying with Lukaku to Rooney. Give me funds to either bring in Alonso or upgrade to a decent 5th mid.

  26. Clay Davis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Please rate this team

    Pope (Elliot)
    Alsono, Otamendi, Kabasele (Duffy, Mbemba)
    Hazard, Salah, Sterling, Richarlison, Gross
    Kane, Rooney (Bony)

  27. Captain Roberto
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Kabasele v Hud
    Or
    Son v City

    Which to bench... decisions decisions

    1. Magic Hat
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Play Kab

  28. Millie22
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Jesus > Sanchez?

  29. xRedArrow
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Captain:

    A) Laca (NEW)
    B) Haz (SOU)
    C) Salah (bou)

    I’m leaning towards A with his home form against the weaker of the defenses with a week rest on his side.

  30. Magic Hat
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Get rid of A) Kiko B) Ward
    Replace with 1) Jones 2) Masuaku

    All combinations seem good but can't do both.