Team News

The Weekend Team News

Mohamed Salah looks set to be available for Liverpool’s crunch meeting with Manchester City, while Marko Arnautovic should return for West Ham’s trip to Huddersfield Town.

Jamie Vardy is back for Leicester’s Stamford Bridge visit and Aaron Ramsey will return to the Arsenal squad at Bournemouth following a spell on the sidelines.

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.

After being rested for the goalless draw against Arsenal in the EFL Cup, Gary Cahill and Tiemoue Bakayoko are expected to be recalled for Chelsea’s home meeting with Leicester City.

As for the Foxes, they will have Jamie Vardy available for the trip to Stamford Bridge, with the forward recovering from a groin injury. But Wes Morgan and Danny Simpson are both ruled out.

Crystal Palace pair Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend were forced off with injuries in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup and are expected to be sidelined for the home fixture against Burnley. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is still a doubt, so Bakary Sako could push for a start having scored in the FA Cup tie at Brighton.

Stephen Ward and Chris Wood will both miss the trip to Selhurst Park. Manager Sean Dyche expects defensive trio James Tarkowski (broken hand), Ben Mee and Kevin Long (both knocks) to be in contention. Scott Arfield (hamstring) is rated as “touch and go”, though, while Georges-Kevin Nkoudou is poised to make his debut after joining on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Chris Lowe and Collin Quaner have been ruled out for Huddersfield Town’s home clash against West Ham United. The latter should be back in contention at Stoke next weekend, however, according to David Wagner.

Marko Arnautovic is back in training and according to David Moyes’ Evening Standard column – back and available to return for the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium, while Michail Antonio remains sidelined with an ongoing groin injury. Moyes has an array of injury worries in defence though this morning’s column also revealed that Aaron Cresswell and James Collins are set to be in contention, with Winston Reid the only real doubt.

Jamaal Lascelles, Florian Lejeune and Chancel Mbemba are all injury concerns for Rafa Benitez ahead of the home clash against Swansea City. Rob Elliot is back in training, although he may be return to the bench with Karl Darlow retained in goal.

Renato Sanches (hamstring) and Tammy Abraham (abdominal injury) appear unlikely to be available for the trip to St James’ Park, while Angel Rangel is ruled out and Kyle Naughton remains suspended. Youngster Connor Roberts could start at right-back.

Kiko Femenia and Will Hughes remain likely to miss out again for Watford’s home fixture with Southampton. Troy Deeney returned from suspension with a goal in the 3-0 win over Bristol City in the FA Cup, and may lead the line for the Hornets.

Cedric Soares and Wesley Hoedt have both returned to training ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road, but Mauricio Pellegrino revealed a decision on their availability will be made on the pair after today’s training session. Jeremy Pied (knock) will also be subject to a late assessment.

Alan Pardew will have to check on Kieran Gibbs (muscle problem), Jonny Evans (foot) and Matt Phillips (hamstring) ahead of the home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Izzy Brown has returned to parent club Chelsea after suffering a serious knee injury but, apart from Steve Sidwell, manager Chris Hughton has a clean bill of health ahead of the trip to The Hawthorns.

Harry Winks is a doubt ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s home encounter with Everton due to an ankle injury, while Danny Rose is likely to remain sidelined with a knee complaint.

Sam Allardyce has confirmed that new signing Cenk Tosun will be in the squad for the trip to Wembley, but Michael Keane misses out with a foot injury.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe revealed that both Josh King and Junior Stanislas have returned to training ahead of the visit of Arsenal to the Vitality Stadium, although a late decision will be made on whether they can feature.

Arsene Wenger stated earlier this morning that Aaron Ramsey is available for the trip to the south coast, while Jack Wilshere has a chance of recovering from an ankle sprain to feature on Sunday. Mesut Ozil is rated as 50/50, but Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal remain out and Sead Kolasinac has a “little chance” of making a return.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been handed a boost after Mohamed Salah returned to full training ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Manchester City. Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge are also edging back into contention, but Jordan Henderson remains sidelined.

Vincent Kompany remains a doubt for the leaders ahead of the trip to Anfield, while Ilkay Gundogan will be on standby to start if David Silva isn’t able to feature due to personal reasons.

Manchester United right-back Antonio Valencia is on course to return for Monday night’s home clash against Stoke City, having missed the last four matches with a hamstring complaint. Ashley Young serves the final game of his three-match ban, so Luke Shaw is expected to continue at left-back. Romelu Lukaku is set to start in attack after returning from a head injury in the 2-0 win over Derby County in the FA Cup.

Stoke Under 18s manager Kevin Russell helmed yesterday’s press conference and revealed Erik Pieters and Bruno Martins Indi both returned to training on Thursday, although the pair still need to prove their fitness ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. Ryan Shawcross is unlikely to recover from a calf injury in time to feature against his former club.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s 2.00pm 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.

613 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Newsman70
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    GK Ryan Adrian
    D Azi Otamendi Long Klavan Ogbonna
    M Sterling Erikksen Lingard Son Arnautovic
    F Firmino Kane Calvert-Lewin
    0.8 k 1 FT

    Just a few pints ahead in my cash mini league with a monthly prize due this week. Both my rivals have Salah but not Erikksen.

    A Salah in for Eriksen
    B Roll the transfer

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A cash league with pints involved? Count me in 😛

    2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      B, in all seriousness. You'll be Ble to do more good next week.

      1. Newsman70
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Ha ha. Yep leaning that way just thinking if I had to block salah v city

    3. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Actually think Eriksen will outscore Salah this week

  2. Licious Lizard
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone knows a way to keep you logged in on this website on iPhone?
    Such a hazzle having to log in 672 times a day 😉

    Much appreciated

    1. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Had the same problem a few months ago, but been staying logged in recently ... I just kept logging in and checking the box (keep me logged in). Good luck

      1. Licious Lizard
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers.

  3. timmmuh
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Who to play this weekend?
    A) Trippier (EVE) - rotation again?
    B) Mee (cry) and has a slight knock
    C) Depoitre (WHU)

    Many thanks!

    1. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Will do Trippier to Jones next GW

      1. MitchellD
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Depoitre is a good shout imo

  4. Gally11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    On Wild Card this week. Thoughts

    Adrian Elliot
    Christensen Goldson Dunk Otamendi Alonso
    Lingard Milivojevic Pogba Salah Sterling
    Firmino Murray Aguero

    Still have .3 ITB and have considered downgrading a midfielder to improve Adrian or even find a defensive option actually playing for Goldson any ideas would be appreciated

    1. Licious Lizard
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure I would double up on United attackers and would want a United defender.
      No Kane is an issue for me as well, but of course it depends on your view and if you have value tied up in him

    2. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      On a WD, I'd personally want my subs to be playing. Not too sure on the double up with Pogba and Lingard so that could be the way to go. Adrian is fine, It's Elliot i'd look to improve as well as Goldson. You haven't got much room to make changes to your formation with that squad.
      You need to be happy with a WC which you shouldn't need to change for at least 2 weeks. Maybe downgrade Christensen to a playing cheap defender, and upgrade a keeper to Courtois?

    3. MitchellD
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      No need for two united attackers, I'd drop Pogba and try and get a better second keeper than Elliot.

  5. chrispaterson1
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Lanzini guys? Only 2.1% Ownership and good fixtures. Worth a punt as a 4th or 5th mid?

    1. Sarri ball
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      better of with Arni if he keeps playing up front

  6. MitchellD
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    So.... Captain Salah now or stick with Kane?

    Know this will trigger all of the Kane Loyalists haha

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

    Dunk or Duffy?

    1. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Honestly didn't see your post before I asked exactly the same question! Thinking it's a toss up, so going with Dunk to save the .1

      Hoping no more own goals!

      Anyone know who's had the most touches in opposition third or attempts on goal recently?

      1. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Ok so Dunk's had 7 efforts on target to Duffy's 4. Duffy has more touches in the final third but I'll take Dunk

        1. mickyblue
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Great minds! I'm leaning towards Dunk too - gotta save those pennies 🙂

  8. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Sign Dunk or Duffy (or another.. budget 4.8)?

  9. navin
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Salah flag gone. Waiting for Arnie now.

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

    Bench problems
    Got a bench conundrum and can't decide who to play/bench - thoughts?

    Pope
    Azpi Otamendi Jones Alonso
    Sterling Son Lingard Salah
    Kane Firmino

    Got Richarlison on the bench but can't decide whether to replace him with someone or not, and I do who for?

    1. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Rich ahead of Otw

        1. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
            6 years, 2 months ago

            *otamendi

      • heldercostav
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Do you think Bardsley will retain is place after Lowton comeback for city back?

        1. heldercostav
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          *his

      • Nando7
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        i have sterling and aguero...

        is it worth having both??

      • Nando7
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        best combination ??

        A) Courtois Masuaku Albrighton Sterling

        B) Adrian Alonso David.S Milejeovic

      • Adriano28
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        So is Robertson (liv) out?

      • FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Salah -100.9 and three blue arrows ... still a chance he beats the drop

      • DIOF
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Afternoon All,
        need some help here, I have 1.5 ITB

        A. son > mahrez
        B. son > pogba
        C. arnie > lingard
        D. arnie > pogba
        E. keep son and arnie

        Thankyou guys

        1. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
            6 years, 2 months ago

            E or Son -> Lingard

        2. AuboomXhakaLaca z
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          A) Pope Cry-A
          Or
          B) Elliot SWA-H
          ?