Team News
22 December 2017 742 comments
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Alvaro Morata serves a one-match ban for Chelsea’s trip to Everton, while West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini, Burnley’s James Tarkowski, Brighton’s Shane Duffy and Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke also sit on the sidelines through suspension.

Wilfried Bony is out for Swansea City’s home clash with Palace but Shkodran Mustafi could return for Arsenal’s showdown against Liverpool tonight.

Here’s our summary of the key team news so far, with a whole host of big-name press conferences still to come later today.

Olivier Giroud is expected to miss Arsenal’s home clash against Liverpool tonight due to a hamstring injury but Francis Coquelin could shake off a knock to be in contention. Shkodran Mustafi may be available to return at centre-half following a thigh problem, so Nacho Monreal could move out of the middle and replace Ainsley Maitland-Niles at left-back.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp welcomes back Emre Can for the trip to the Emirates following the midfielder’s one-match ban. Joel Matip has returned to training but tonight’s match may come too soon for the centre-back. Sadio Mane is likely to come into contention for a recall but Daniel Sturridge (illness) is doubtful.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce could name an unchanged side for the home meeting with Chelsea, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the line once again.

The Blues will be without the suspended Alvaro Morata for the trip to Goodison Park after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Bournemouth. Pedro, Willian and Eden Hazard look set to start in attack in a 3-4-2-1 set-up.

Shane Duffy will sit out Brighton & Hove Albion’s home fixture against Watford due to suspension, so Uwe Hunemeier or Connor Goldson will deputise in central defence.

The Hornets are without the suspended Marvin Zeegelaar, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Troy Deeney but Tom Cleverley is available again after serving a one-match ban. Will Hughes will undergo a late fitness test having returned to training following a hamstring injury but Kiko Femenia remains sidelined.

David Silva missed Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur due to personal reasons, with Pep Guardiola hopefully set to provide an update on the midfielder in his press conference later this afternoon. Ilkay Gundogan could retain his start if the Spaniard is still unavailable. Vincent Kompany (muscle problem) and Eliaquim Mangala (head injury) are doubts for the home encounter against Bournemouth. Sergio Aguero looks the favourite to start up front after Gabriel Jesus played all 120 minutes in Tuesday night’s EFL Cup tie against Leicester City.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe has a number of injury concerns ahead of the trip to the Etihad. Jermain Defoe is set to miss out, while Charlie Daniels, Harry Arter and Josh King are all doubtful.

Cedric Soares is expected to miss Southampton’s home clash against Huddersfield Town, while fellow full-back Ryan Bertrand is also a doubt. After only coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, Charlie Austin should be handed a recall against the Terriers.

Huddersfield head coach David Wagner will be without the suspended Jonathan Hogg for the trip to St Mary’s, while Elias Kachunga has been ruled out for eight to 12 weeks with a knee injury. Danny Williams and Tom Ince could be handed recalls, though Chris Lowe remains a concern with a foot injury.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes revealed that Erik Pieters and Kurt Zouma are both very doubtful for the home fixture against West Bromwich Albion. Charlie Adam will be assessed after picking up a hip problem, while Jese Rodriguez will need time to build up his fitness following a recent leave of absence due to personal reasons.

Alan Pardew revealed Matt Phillips and Nacer Chadli are likely to be in the travelling party for the trip to the bet365 Stadium. Gareth Barry is expected to push for a recall after scoring as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

Wilfried Bony has been ruled out for seven to ten days with a hamstring injury, and will miss Swansea City’s home meeting with Crystal Palace. Caretaker manager Leon Britton should hand a recall to Tammy Abraham, but Ki Sung-yeung (calf) and Leroy Fer (back) are both doubtful.

The Eagles will be without the suspended Christian Benteke for the trip to south Wales, so Bakary Sako could start alongside Wilfried Zaha in attack. Luka Milivojevic is available again following his one-match ban and is set to replace James McArthur but Joel Ward and Timothy Fosu-Mensah remain out.

Manuel Lanzini misses West Ham United’s home fixture against Newcastle United – he will serve the second of a two-match ban dished out for successful deception of a match official. Mark Noble is a doubt due to a hamstring injury.

The Magpies will be without the banned Jonjo Shelvey but Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle should push for recalls at the London Stadium.

Burnley will be without the suspended James Tarkowski for their home match against Tottenham Hotspur after the defender was handed a three-match ban by the FA for violent conduct. Kevin Long should deputise in central defence, while Charlie Taylor will continue at left-back with Stephen Ward very unlikely to recover from a knee injury.

As for Spurs, they welcome back Davinson Sanchez for the trip to Turf Moor following the defender’s three-match suspension. His return could allow Mauricio Pochettino to move Eric Dier into central midfield or switch to a three-man central defence.

After being rested for the EFL Cup tie against Man City, Kasper Schmeichel, Danny Simpson, Wes Morgan and Wilfred Ndidi should all return for the home clash against Manchester United.

Antonio Valencia is an injury concern for Jose Mourinho’s side due to a hamstring injury. Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind provide options in the full-back positions, with Ashley Young able to shift across to right-back.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tonight’s 6.45pm deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account 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.

742 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Jammy
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Rooney to score v Chelsea?

    Captain - Sterling or Aguero?

    1. gunner 2727
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Likely not. If I had aguero I'd find it tricky not to do him!

    2. Totti
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      yes
      aguero

  2. gunner 2727
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    GTG? Any thoughts welcome! And a merry Xmas to you all.

    0FT 0.3 ITB

    ------------------Gomez-------------------

    ------ Smalling. Christensen. Ota-----

    RLC Hazard. Sterling(c) Sane. Salah

    ------------ Kane . Firmino-------------

    Krul. Mee. Kenny. Ladapo

    Cheers folks.

    1. Dopey44
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Gtg

    2. Totti
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      sure gtg 😉
      good luck 🙂

      1. Irons9
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        Gtg! May your arrows be green!

  3. Gudjohnsen
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Would you do

    Monreal, Richarlison to Ogbonna, Sterling for -4?

    1. gunner 2727
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      If no city assets then probably. But one of those moves that's could backfire

  4. thischarmingman
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Bench one of Ogbonna, DCL and Oriol Romeu?

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Oriol

    2. gunner 2727
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Romeu by some distance I'd have thought!

    3. A Team Of James McCleans
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Romeu!

  5. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Courtois (Elliot)
    Masuaku Mariappa Daniels [?] (Ward [X], Duffy [X])
    Hazard, Salah, Sterling, Richarlison, Groß.
    Kane, Morata [X] (Ladapo [X])

    0.4 itb, 1ft. Is it too lateral to sell Morata for just the week?

    1. gunner 2727
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      If just for a week yeah. Poss get rid and get kdb for a hit? Team restructure obvs

      1. A Team Of James McCleans
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        Kdb for who?

        1. ljuta zena
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 12 months ago

          Morata, Ward for DCL and Ogbona

        2. gunner 2727
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 12 months ago

          Gross or richy. Like gross fixture but looks a bit doomed lately?

          1. A Team Of James McCleans
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 12 months ago

            Ya hasn’t been great recently

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

    DDG
    Jones otamendi ogbonna naughton
    DEBRUYNE(C) hazard salah lingard Richarlison
    Kane

    Elliot Depoitre Maguire Niasse

    Good to go? Any suggestions/help 🙂

    1. gunner 2727
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Like a lot

    2. Dopey44
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Looks good

    3. Tombory
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Definitely captain KDB? Or any others worth a risk? Maybe Richarlison good fixture away and differential?

      1. gunner 2727
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        For me defo kdb... but at this time of year who knows!

  7. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    What’s the Burnley back 4 when all fit?

    1. Paul
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      lowton tarkowski mee ward

    2. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Lowon, Tark, Mee, Ward

    3. gunner 2727
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Lowt/bard mee tark ward

    4. A Team Of James McCleans
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      So mee still the best option?

      1. gunner 2727
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        Yes but fixtures going baaaaaaad. I'm considering shipping him to rebuy at a later date

  8. Paul
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Play
    Depoitre (Southampton away)
    RLC (Swansea away)

    1. Totti
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      depoitre

    2. gunner 2727
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Coin flip. I'd go RLC myself

    3. Dopey44
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      RLC

    4. Paul
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      cheers guys 🙂

  9. Totti
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    bottomed
    Pope
    Otamendi Jones Naughton (kenny hunemier)
    hazard salah coutinho shaqiri groß
    kane morata DCL
    1 FT 0 itb

    A) kane to aguero(c)
    B) morata and groß -> austin and sterling (-4)
    C) other suggestion

    1. gunner 2727
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      It's ok I topped and still no replies 🙁

      1. gunner 2727
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        I wrote a reply and it didn't come up! I'd either save or put morata cash into a kdb hit

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      A

  10. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Team gtg.
    De gay
    Ota Smalling Dunk
    Hazard KDB (vc) Salah Sterling (C) Lingard
    Austin Firmino

    Subs: Elliot DCL Mustafi Mariappa

    Penny for your thoughts

    1. Totti
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      yes good to go

    2. Tombory
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Good team

  11. steven8991
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    a. Captain Sterling or Kdb?
    b. Play RLC or Quaner?

    1. GreenArrows
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Sterling
      RLC

  12. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Play Quaner or dcl?

    1. MINUS FOUR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Been pondering the same. Going with DCL. Backing the better player and team, despite the fixture. Only takes one goal, and DCL looks more likely than Quaner.

  13. Weeb Kakashi
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    DDG
    Otamendi Dunk Christensen
    Hazard Coutinho Sterling Zaha Richarlison
    Kane(C) Firmino

    Elliot.... Fernandez Dunk Quaner

    1 FT 0 ITB

    Kane> Kun(C)?? G2G??

    1. Pieterke30
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      G2G

      save FT

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        Can Kane deliver at turf moor?
        Aguero not a better option than him.this week?

        1. Pieterke30
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 12 months ago

          Yes Kane could.

          On paper yes Aguero is a better option. But considering Kane could do very well at Burnley, Id rather keep and have 2 FTs for next GW (carry that extra FT until GW 22 would be ideal)

          I would captain Sterling though, not Kane.

  14. aircraft1
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    I have £10.5 for a MID who to get in?
    Already have:
    Salah-RLC-Rich-Haz

    Opinions please

    1. tokara
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      any city

      1. aircraft1
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        KDB, Sterling or Sane??

    2. ljuta zena
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      kdb

    3. amit1964
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      sterling

    4. Paul
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      KDB

    5. aircraft1
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Transfer us Son & Rashford out for DCL & 10.5m

      1. aircraft1
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        *is*

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

      LBS

      1. Tombory
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        KDB*

        1. aircraft1
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 12 months ago

          Gotta wait for the presser. KDB due a rest?

          1. gunner 2727
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 12 months ago

            Kdb all day every day for me. He's just had a 6 day break, shocked if doesn't play both

            1. aircraft1
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 12 months ago

              Cheers

    7. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Sterling.

  15. amit1964
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    hii, play 2 from 3:

    a) lc
    b) mee
    c) gomez

    thank's

    1. gunner 2727
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Bench Gomez . Always goals in tonights

  16. Dazzleraz
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Anyone still not sure about keeping Kane should note he plays in the later kick off which means you can shout abuse/celebrate while watching the game live. A deal breaker for me 🙂

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Kun certainly better option to captain this week. Aint he?

      1. Pieterke30
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        If you are that convinced of it, go for it mate

        Could pay off big time

  17. The Mighty I
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Play Hegazi or DCL?

  18. Dopey44
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Basically Pogba or KDB (-4):

    A - Morata + RLC to Pogba + Depoitre
    B - Morata + RLC + Duffy to KDB + Depoitre + Holgate (-4)

    1. Paul
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      A

  19. tokara
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Huddlesfield fwd, who is most nailed???

    1. Cookie Kid
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Depoitre. Quaner at 4.5m seems nailed, playing on wing but on FPL as striker

      1. tokara
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 12 months ago

        cheers bro

  20. soup natsi
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    what time is the city presser?

    1. Paul
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      1:30

      hot topic!

    2. aircraft1
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      1.30ish

  21. Carcaju
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Gtg?

    DDG

    Otamendi - Christensen - Mee - Ogbonna - 3.9

    Salah - Sterling - Hazard - Richarlison - Zaha

    Kane - DCL - Gray/Depoitre

    Not sure on the 3rd striker, but he will be benched most of the times anyway

  22. cheeky_ash
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Do you think 3 Man C midfielders is overkill....I've just done Hazard->KDB

    And have
    Silva, KDB, Stirling, Coutinho, Salah...

    Next week I'm planning Silva->Pogba....good move?

    1. aircraft1
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Could be genius.......could be a disaster.

  23. gunner 2727
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    To all the Kane to Kun questions.... it has to be about how you are navigating the blank/dgw and whether you have wildcard/freehit and also whether you intend to use them to navigate. So it can't just be a Kane to Kun yes or no I'm afraid!

    1. Ligdon
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      It literally can

  24. aircraft1
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Who to bench?

    DCL, Rich or RLC?

  25. lamby2588
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Is Richarlison & Rooney to Sterling & DCL a good idea? Have 2 FT and have had no City attackers all year and starting to lose ground
    Thanks!

  26. Gudjohnsen
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Best West Ham option?

    A. Ogbonna
    B. Masuaku
    C. Adrian
    D. Cresswell

    1. Ligdon
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      I went ogbonna for goal threat but masuaku could be gold

    2. Ligdon
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 12 months ago

      Also adrian looks a great option for the dgw

  27. Jaok
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Feels really bad not to have city cover in front/mid

    Elliot courtois
    Ota monreal mee kiko* kenny
    Salah couthino haz richarlison rlc
    Morata kane niasse

    2ft 0.3itb

    A: kiko -> 4.5 save ft
    B: morata + rlc -> sterling + grey/austin
    C: couthino -> sterling
    D: other

  28. olidooley
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Gtg here??

    Adrian
    Otamendi Christensen Masuaku
    Hazard Salah Sterling Richarlison RLC
    Kane (c) DCL

    Foster Hunemeier Mee Morata

  29. Backonthecoupon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Pep "doesnt know" whether Silva will return this weekend

  30. torshov_bulls
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 12 months ago

    Who to bench? Naughton, Crouch, Masuako or Calvert-Lewin?