Team News

FPL Team News and Injury Round-up: Gameweek 22

There were a busier-than-usual two days of press conferences to wade through ahead of Gameweek 22, with some Premier League clubs counting the cost a frantic festive period but many others welcoming back some big names.

Paul Pogba (knock) was one of the countless Fantasy assets with a “yellow flag” attached to their name in Fantasy Premier League but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delivered positive news on that front in his press conference on Thursday night:

He looked okay towards the end [of the training camp], so he’ll be fit. He did have some problems but he came through the last couple of sessions well, so he should be okay.

Chris Smalling (foot) could also feature against Spurs on Sunday after returning to training but Marcos Rojo has been sent back to Argentina as he recuperates from an unspecified injury.

There was no update forthcoming on Alexis Sanchez (hamstring), however.

Spurs will make late a fitness check on Lucas Moura (knee) for that encounter, while Jan Vertonghen (thigh) is back in training and may come into contention.

Across Manchester, Pep Guardiola provided an update on the availability of Sergio Aguero (illness) and Vincent Kompany (unspecified injury):

Sergio, right after the game against Liverpool, was sick. He’s a little bit better. Yesterday was his first training session. So he’s getting better but was out the last few days.

Vincent is recovering well. The rest I think, they are fit.

Chelsea welcomed back Olivier Giroud, Pedro and Willian in midweek and may also have Alvaro Morata (hamstring) available for the visit of Newcastle, with Maurizio Sarri reporting that the player has returned to training and will be assessed ahead of Saturday.

Sarri also had plenty to say on a number of his other players, including Callum Hudson-Odoi and Andreas Christensen:

I am really happy with [Hudson-Odoi], the player is improving a lot in the defensive phase. Now he needs to improve in some movements without the ball but he is working very well at the moment.

I don’t know [if Christensen can play] tomorrow because he played two matches in three days for the first time this season, like Callum. Callum recovered very well from the first match, yesterday he was a little bit tired.

The Blues’ opponents at Stamford Bridge have a number of availability issues, with Jonjo Shelvey (thigh) and Paul Dummett (hamstring) injured, Kenedy ineligible and Ki Sung-yueng away on international duty.

Arsenal’s injury picture looks rosier for their match against West Ham, with Unai Emery providing the following update:

This week they are working with us with: Mustafi, Monreal and Bellerin. We need to do tomorrow the last training before the match against West Ham. Mesut Ozil is training with us. Also training the last ten days, Dinos Mavropanos.

The Hammers will be without Fabian Balbuena (knee) for six to eight weeks but gave the all-clear to Marko Arnautovic (back).

The Austrian has been the focus of much transfer speculation this week, however, with West Ham moved to issue a statement regarding their standpoint on the supposedly wantaway striker:

Marko Arnautovic has a contract and we fully expect him to honour it. He is not for sale.

Dejan Lovren (hamstring) has been ruled out until Gameweek 24 and despite Joel Matip‘s (collarbone) return to training, Jurgen Klopp talked up the prospect of Fabinho featuring at centre-half for the trip to Brighton:

If Fabinho has to play at centre-half, he has played there before. We do that on the training pitch. If you are a holding six at centre-half, with the ball it’s easier, without the ball it’s different. We try to make it not more complicated than it is.

The Seagulls will be without Bernardo (hamstring) and Jose Izquierdo (knee).

Ryan Fraser (hamstring), Josh King (illness) and Callum Wilson (hamstring) all face late fitness tests ahead of the match against Everton on Sunday, though Fraser was sighted in training on Wednesday and boss Eddie Howe said all three were “certainly up for playing”.

Nuno Espirito Santo and Marco Silva didn’t report any fresh injury concerns in their press conferences, while Roy Hodgson also has a clean bill of health now that Christian Benteke has returned to full training.

The Palace boss was still doubtful about whether the Belgian would feature, however:

Yes I guess he is [available], but obviously he’s short of match practice and the sharpness you get from playing. It would be a risk putting him in to some extent but he’s come through training very well so there’s no reason to write him off.

Sebastian Prodl is Watford’s only confirmed absentee for that fixture at Selhurst Park.

Jonny Evans‘ broken toe will keep him out of Leicester’s clash with Southampton, who have serious problems up front with Danny Ings (hamstring), Michael Obafemi (tendon) and Charlie Austin (suspended) all unavailable.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (thigh) is a doubt for Burnley’s match against Fulham, who look set to have Alfie Mawson (knee) unavailable.

Victor Camarasa (knock), Danny Ward (cheekbone) and Kadeem Harris (shoulder) are among the players Neil Warnock needs to assess ahead of the visit of Huddersfield Town, who may have Tommy Smith back from a hamstring injury.

Our regular injury video round-up can be viewed below, while our Team News tab will have more detailed write-ups on all 20 Premier League sides.

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512 Comments Post a Comment
  1. eyezil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think Rashford continues to start with Lukaku and Alexis in the mix? Granted, I think it's his spot to lose, but could easily be rotated.

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      His spot to lose. But lose it he could. Equally applies to martial too

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Should Rashford lose it, he is probably worth ditching in fpl also because of bad returns, so no problem for me.

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah. Sanchez is past it and Lukaku is ... well Lukaku.

      1. zotter
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Lukaku is a threat. Think Sanchez they may try and offload

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Alexis injured atm and probably "passé" anyway...

  2. JIC
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Stick or 2/3 transfers?

    Fab/Pickford Alonso/Doherty/Digne/AWB/Kiko Has/McArthur/Rich/Son/Fraser Ings/Kane/Auba

    Stick or Son and Auba out to get in Salah, Trent and Rashford/Jiminez? 2.2 in bank and TV of 105.4

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Stick. But don’t like the keeper combo

      1. JIC
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        What would you do with the keepers?

  3. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Evening everyone. I have a good feeling about this weekend. After 8 red arrows out of the last 9 gws I reckon this could be where it all turns around.

    Good luck to everyone, I hope your weeekend is as lucrative as mine.

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck and bounce back!!

  4. Zlat-man
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    play
    Guiata or Ederson?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Ederson easy

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Is that even a question?

  5. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    New article my dudes

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Whoop whoop!

  6. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Wood or Barnes seems to be the consensus for Ings. WOuld Leave me with:

    Fabianski
    AWB / TAA / Digne
    Salah / Hazard (c) / Richarlison / Martial
    Aubameyang / Jimenez / Wood

    Subs: Hamer / Shaw / Doherty / McTominay

    Subs right?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Barnes over wood

  7. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What to do with 2Fts and 0 ITB?

    Fab
    Robertson WB Digne Doherty
    Salah Sane Pogba Son
    Kane Rashford
    Steele Ings* Bednarek Maskuku

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Fab and Son to Alisson and xxxxx

  8. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fab Ryan
    Kola VVD Doc Digne WanB
    Hazard Salah Martial Pereyra Snod
    Kane Jimi Kamara

    2ft. 0.7itb.

    A) Snod, Kola, Martial to Camarasa, TAA, Bilva (-4)
    B) first two plus Pereyra to Richarlision (-4)
    C) Ryan to Guaita, Snod to Camarasa, Pereyra to Silva
    D) something else

    Thanks

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Or E) Snod to Redmond and Kola to TAA

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Dont take a hit

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A and keep martial

    4. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Actually -> Kola -> TAA and Peyreyra -> rich if possible

  9. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How is Deulofeu as an option folks?

    1. The Sun'll Come Out To…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Overrated.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Good enabler

  10. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Pls RMT, 1FT, 0.0 itb

    Fab, Speroni
    Robertson, TAA, Digne, Doherty, WBissaka
    Hazard Son Pogba FAnderson Richarlison
    Kane Rashford Jimenez

    My plan is save this week then Hazard + Son to Salah + 6.4mid (Fraser/Pereyra) next week.

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Makes sense Captain hazard ?

  11. Webbinho
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Start Brooks or Jiménez?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        ..not J

  12. Carefree Crew
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski, (Patricio)
    Robertson, Alonso, Digne, AWB, (Peltier)
    Hazard, Sane, Richarlson, Snodgrass, (Hodjberg)
    Kane, Aubameyang,(C). (Jiminez)

    2 FTs & £0 ITB, Conscious of Snodgrass risk of game time with Nasri & West ham fixtures. Was thinking Delefeou & Puncheon / Hudson Odoi (balance funds) for Snodgrass & Hodjberg. Although if I want Salah maybe can't afford anything other than cheapest 4th MF. Planned to alternate captaincy between Aubameyang & Kane. Any help appreciated?

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

    2ft 0itb. Any suggestions guys? Thanks and good luck this week.

    Fab
    Robertson, Digne, WB
    Salah(c), Haz, Pogba, Rich, Anderson
    Jimenez, Kane
    (Speroni, Doherty, Kamara, Lovren)

    1. Mr_Barbs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Almost same team! Have TAA/Button instead of Robertson/Speroni. I’m struggling know what to do. Maybe downgrade Lovren

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Lovren -> Peltier
      Fabs -> Allison

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Or Lloris

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

        Not sure I want to go with an expensive keeper. Thinking I might do Fab to Etheridge. Or tempted to do Fab to Guaita to free up 0.4 cash and roll the other transfer. what do you think?

    3. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Fab lovren to lloris and someone

  14. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which GK transfer is best?

    A) Ederson —> Allison

    B) Ederson —> Etheridge

    Bare in mind I own VVD and option b would bank loads of cash

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A especially if you have a fodder second keeper

  15. RussWells89
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who to play, who to bench?

    AWB
    Deulofeu

    Any advice appreciated

  16. Blens
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking Son to either
    1) Bilva
    2) Dilva
    3) leave alone

    what do you reckon guys?

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      If no other City, I'd say Dilva. I'd do the same but I have Sane and don't fancy the double up. Only thing is if you plan to get Son back in for the player you bring in? Both ilvas are rotation risk with KDB back now, so maybe only worth doing if you plan to hold longer term.

  17. CHARLIE HULL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Still mulling this one over, decided I need Salah this week, can do for free with 2 FT's. Best option:

    A) Lose Auba
    B) Lose Kane
    C) Hokey cokey - keep Auba for WHU, potential to switch to Kane GW 23 onwards

    Anderson out, Barnes in are the other players involved.

    Cheers!

  18. CHARLIE HULL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Mulling this one over still, decided I need Salah this week, can do for free with 2 FT's. Best option:

    A) Lose Auba
    B) Lose Kane
    C) Hokey cokey - keep Auba for WHU, potential to switch to Kane GW 23 onwards

    Anderson out, Barnes in are the other players involved.

    Cheers!