Team News

FPL Gameweek 5 – Team News Round-up

Uncertainty still surrounds the availability of several widely owned Fantasy Premier League assets this evening, with the Thursday and Friday press conferences not providing the unambiguous injury updates we had yearned for.

The 9% of FPL managers who own Luke Shaw (£5.1m) have had a rollercoaster week with one media report contradicting the other regarding his recovery from a concussion, and Friday was no different.

Jose Mourinho had effectively given Shaw the all-clear in his press conference earlier today, stating that the Manchester United medical department had declared him available for selection.

Mourinho himself, however, said that he “didn’t know” whether he would pick Shaw for the trip to Vicarage Road tomorrow and reports in the press this afternoon suggested the England full-back was not with the travelling party heading to Watford.

Those FPL bosses sitting on Ryan Fraser (£5.6m), Theo Walcott (£6.7m) and Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m) also face a nervous wait once the Gameweek 5 deadline passes, with little clear-cut information being offered by their respective club managers in the press gatherings today and yesterday.

Fraser picked up a hamstring injury while on duty with the Scottish national team over the international break and wasn’t pictured in training as of Wednesday this week.

Eddie Howe said Fraser was a concern for Saturday, though had been working with the club’s medical team in a bid to recover. Charlie Daniels (£4.5m) meanwhile hasn’t trained with the Cherries all week and is a big doubt for the visit of Leicester City.

Walcott and Zaha, at least, have been training with their respective clubs, though Roy Hodgson and Marco Silva stopped short of declaring their players 100% fit ahead of the weekend.

Silva claimed Walcott was “in contention” to play, while Hodgson said on Thursday that he would make a late decision on whether Zaha and James Tomkins (£4.4m) would feature against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Everton’s injury crisis at least shows signs of abating, with Bernard (£5.9m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.4m) now available for selection – though Seamus Coleman (£5.4m) will be out for “one or two weeks”.

There was mixed news for three other England players injured before or during the international break, with Raheem Sterling (£11.0m) declared fit by Pep Guardiola earlier today but Dele Alli (£9.1m) and Adam Lallana (£6.9m) ruled out by their respective managers.

Mauricio Pochettino also confirmed that Hugo Lloris (£5.5m) would be out for “several weeks” with a thigh injury.

There was little to report concerning Chelsea’s likely starting XI against Cardiff City tomorrow, though Maurizio Sarri did suggest that Cesc Fabregas (£6.3m) may be fit enough for a place on the bench at Stamford Bridge.

Unai Emery’s press conference on Thursday was also thin on injury updates, though the Arsenal manager was quick to rubbish any rumours of a tiff with Mesut Ozil (£8.3m) – speculation that owners of Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£7.2m) might have hoped was true.

Arsenal are up against Newcastle United tomorrow, whose manager Rafael Benitez confirmed that Jonjo Shelvey (£5.4m) and Matt Ritchie (£5.9m) have recovered from their respective injuries to come back into contention.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.9m) and Stephen Ward (£4.9m) were declared fit to play against Wolves by Sean Dyche today, while his counterpart in the opposite dugout on Sunday – Nuno Espirito Santo – asserted that his returning international players were all “healthy”: good news for those worried about Raul Jimenez (£5.5m).

Jack Wilshere (£4.9m) was ruled out of West Ham’s trip to Everton with an ankle injury, meanwhile.

Neil Warnock was his usual loquacious self, effectively confirming that Danny Ward (a £4.5m-rated midfielder in FPL) and Bobby Reid (£5.4m) were his first-choice strike pairing for the time being.

Tom Cairney (£4.9m) remains out for Fulham, while Adama Diakhaby (£4.9m) is a minor doubt for Huddersfield. The Terriers’ goalkeeper Ben Hamer (£4.0m), however, appears to be back in contention to compete for Jonas Lossl‘s (£4.5m) starting spot.

Charlie Austin (£5.8m) and Shane Long (£4.9m) are minor doubts for Southampton, though Mark Hughes was more upbeat when discussing Danny Ings‘ (£5.6m) blister problems.

The Saints’ opponents on Monday night, Brighton, might have Florin Andone (£5.0m) – a potential threat to Glenn Murray (£6.5m) in the medium term – available for selection for the first time this season. There was no update provided by Chris Hughton about the knock picked up by Pascal Gross (£6.9m) in Gameweek 4, however.

There was little to report from Javi Gracia and Claude Puel’s pressers, though Caglar Soyuncu (£5.0m) is now fit and available for selection at centre-back for the Foxes.

More in-depth injury updates and predicted line-ups can be found in our Team News tab.

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4,274 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Play VVD or W-Bissaka?

    1. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      You don’t spend 6m on a defender and not start them imo

      1. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        this

      2. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        You'd start VVD. Would you start TAA?

        1. How I met your Mata
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          No

      3. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        What about if the cheaper alternative has a better fixture for that one gameweek?

      4. Chris_White
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Why not if the alternative looks more tempting? I've benched expensive defenders on numerous occasions, and more often than not benefited from it.

        1. How I met your Mata
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          I think VVD has the potential to score a goal in any big game

    2. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      WB for me.

    3. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      WB

    4. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Awb

    5. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      VVD goal and surprise clapean sheet coming

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Clapean??? Sound horrid. * clean sheet coming

  2. Henning
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Best two to own? A and B right?

    A. D Silva
    B. Pedro
    C. Maddison

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      For now I'd still say A+B

    2. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      AC for the long haul

    3. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      AC

    4. dr.No88
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A and C

  3. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Have that feeling that this GW is going to be a train wreck for me...

    1. Castiel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I'm reasonably happy with my team and not making any transfers. It can only go wrong

  4. Manani
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    walcott>pedro
    or
    save FT?

    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Save.

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      If nothing else I would. I'm thinking of doing the same...

      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        I got quite a few that I want to get rid as well, like Tosun.

        so I am not sure if I should wait and do a combo transfer or do it now

  5. Sting
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Sterling + Wilson
    B) Fraser + Lukaku

    (if Fraser were not injured)

    1. Goalosaurus
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A

  6. Frogman
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Having always tried to pick nailed on players, are there instances where a rotation risk is acceptable/even preferable?

    - A rotated player would be fresher than one forced to play every week
    - healthy competition for the position gives extra motivation
    - shared responsibility for European games could mean more PL minutes.

    Or is this just wishful thinking on behalf of Moura/Pedro/Mikh owners?

    1. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Wishful

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

      There is no nailed players except Lukaku and goalkeepers.

    3. MTPockets
        5 years, 6 months ago

        If a rotated 6.5m Pedro can achieve say 2/3 of 10.5m Hazard pts then I think that's more than acceptable.
        But doesn't preclude also having Hazard.

    4. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Mitrovic+Maddison -> Vardy+sub 6.2 mid (thinking Gudmundsson)

      1. Blame it on Traore
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        No

      2. TeddiPonza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        A by a countrymile!

        1. TeddiPonza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Misread. The former option is much better. Keep

      3. Jolly Good
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Wow ok thank you. I currently have A on a WC and think Vardy is gong to be gold.... but no good way to get him 🙁

    5. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Really hope no injuries/suspensions hit my team next 2 weeks so I can do my Salah to Kane switch. While Salah has che MCY, Kane has hud CAR. Very juicy punt!

    6. theodosios
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Play one:

      A) Pereira vs BOU
      B) Hojbjerg vs BHI

      1. Chris_White
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        A for sure

      2. Jamin
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        A

      3. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        A, sir.

    7. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Hello guys. What would you do with this lot?

      Patricio
      Mendy, VvD, Alonso
      Walcott, Salah, Mane, Bilva
      Ings, King, Aguero

      Subs: Foster, Wan-Bissaka, Gunnarsson --- 1 FT, 0 itb

      A) Save FT
      B) Walcott -> Maddison
      C) Walcott & King -> Pedro & Wilson (-4)
      D) Walcott & Tomkins -> Pedro & Bennett (-4)

      1. Farteta
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        A and then get Walcott --> Richarlinson

      2. Castiel
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        I'd be saving it. Wan Bissaka ain't terrible to be coming off the bench if someone doesn't make an appearance

    8. Abaddon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Evening

      A) Salah to Haz
      B) Salah and Jota to Haz and Silva
      C) Mane and Zaha to Haz and Wilson/King

      Not sure what to do. 2 ft

      1. Chris_White
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        I like B

        1. Jamin
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          +1

      2. sully29
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        B probably

    9. Jamin
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Foster
      Mendy, Robo, AWB
      Mane, Salah, Mhki, Neves
      Kun, King, Mitro
      Subs: Fab, Peltier, Coleman*, Rich*
      2 FT, 0.5itb, holding WC

      •1 week late: Mo & Coleman > Haz & Alonso +1.4itb
      •2 boring: Coleman & Peltier > Pereira & Rico
      •3 big def: Coleman & Mhki > Alonso & Gray
      •4 pt hit: Mo, Mhki & Coleman > Haz, Dilva & Alonso (exact £!!!)

      1, 2, 3 or 4? Cheers.

      1. Abaddon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        1 very good run for Chelsea

      2. Frogman
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        3. Sorts out 2 main issues.

        But maybe consider Danny Ward for Cardiff- OOp at 4.5 instead of gray and bank the difference.

    10. Gassemannen
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Current team:
      Ederson (Hamer)
      Cook - Cedric - Bennett (AWB - Coleman*)
      Salah - Mane - Walcott* - Gundogan - Mkhitaryan
      Aguero - Aubameyang (Madine)

      Possible WC team:
      Patricio (Hamer).
      Mendy - Pereira - Bennett - Cook - AWB
      Hazard - Sanchez - D. Silva - Gray (Ward)
      Aguero - Aubameyang - Wilson

      0 FT. Stick with it or WC?

      1. Cojiro
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        No Liverpool mid?

    11. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A) Sell Mkhi
      B) Sell Bilva

      1. Teomi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Both

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

        But mikhi first prio

    12. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      what was that scoutcast about? started off ok then descended into complete farce. did we need a prolonged discussion about luck? the quiz was beyond ridiculous. need to sort it out and get the tried and tested group back on!

      1. Goalosaurus
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Watched upto 50min which is the majority of it and thought it was alright.

      2. Castiel
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        The quiz wasn't the greatest but don't think it was bad otherwise. No harm trying something different every now and again to keep it fresh but think its popular because it largely works fine already

    13. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Start Milner or Will Hughes?

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Milner... set pieces

    14. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      If people would bring in Robertson so I can make 0.1 off him I would really appreciate it 🙂

    15. Uncle John from Jamaica
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Chaps

      Mikh to Pogba for free?

      Thoughts?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        He has to go, but not to Pogba.

        1. Uncle John from Jamaica
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Who then?

          Ta

          1. Begbie.
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Can you afford David Silva?

            1. Uncle John from Jamaica
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Not without a hit

    16. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Nice that Walcott has an extra day to make the West Ham game.

    17. Ber2k
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Robertson + Mitrovic or Rico + Vardy?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Hell no.

      2. How I met your Mata
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Rob and Mitrovic

      3. Manani
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        first

    18. thomas19390
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Ederson,Stekelenburg
      Shaw,Mendy,Cedric,Wan-Bissaka,TAA
      Salah,Mane,Mkhitaryan,Walcott,Hudson-odoi
      Ings,Zaha,Aguero

      1,5 m and 1 FT

      First time playing FPL and i need some help.
      I'm thinking about using my wildcard but i 'm not sure.Any thoughts?

      1. Teomi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        I would do mikhi to dilva for now - not worth wasting a wc

    19. Chilli2k
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Ditch Mkhi for...

      a) Maddison

      OR...

      b) Richarlison (I don't need him to play this week)

      1. Farteta
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        B - he's on fire and plays for an attacking-minded manager.

    20. Mr_Barbs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A) Arnautovic, Shaw & Tomkins > Ings, Alonso & Bennet (-4)

      B) Arnautovic, Zaha & Tomkins > Ings, Wilson & Alonso

    21. GalacticosFC
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Patricio - Hamer
      Alonso - Robertson - Mendy - AWB - Peltier
      Salah - Mane - Mkhi - Bilva - Walcott
      Ings - Aguero - Kamara

      I have some midfield issues, should I just do Walcott to Pedro or Mane+ Walcott to Hazard + Fraser

    22. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      On a WC - team is

      Patricio (Hamer)
      Mendy,Alonso,Robertson (AWB, Bennet)
      Hazard, Mane, D Silva, Maddison (4.4)
      Aguero, Mitrovic, Wilson

      2mio ITB, no idea how to spend it... any thoughts?

    23. Kippers
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Eriksen, Salah and king for Alonso, Hazard and vardy?

      1. sully29
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Sure.

    24. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Start Robertson or AWB?

      1. Rider on the Storm
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Both

    25. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I'm not totally happy with my goolkeeper combo of Foster (MUN) and Fabiansky (eve).
      Fab out for Hennesey or Begovic is worth a free transfer?

    26. Scotty B
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Two extremely difficult choices to make by 1130 tomorrow morning...

      1) Start AWB, TAA or Cook?
      2) Captain Hazard or Aguero?

      1. Goalosaurus
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        I'd go AWB and Aguero

      2. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        AWB
        Aguero

    27. Arron Wan Bissaka Nil
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Option A:
      Begovic, Hamer
      Alonso, Mendy, Robertson, Wan-Bissaka, Bennett
      Hazard, Mane, Pedro, Kenedy, Billing
      Aguero, Lukaku, Wilson

      Option B:
      Begovic, Hamer
      Alonso, Mendy, Cedric, Wan-Bissaka, Bennett
      Hazard, Mane, Pedro, Maddison, Billing
      Aguero, Lukaku, Mitrovic

      Option C:
      Begovic, Hamer
      Alonso, Mendy, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Bennett
      Hazard, Mane, David Silva, Pedro, Billing
      Aguero, Vardy, Wilson