Team News

The FPL Gameweek 27 team news: what we know so far

While we’ll be bringing you the usual team news video and article write-up on Friday, the earlier-than-usual Gameweek 27 deadline has prompted this initial summary of the press conferences and medical bulletins that have happened already.

Things We’ve Learned

The headline news came from Mauricio Pochettino’s presser, with talk of Harry Kane‘s (ankle) return dominating proceedings.

The Spurs boss said of his star striker:

He’s very good. I think we need to assess him one training session tomorrow and then decide but I think he’s doing well. I am happy with him and maybe he’s going to be available to be part of the squad.

He’s not ahead of schedule but everyone knows that Harry is an animal, he wants to be ready as soon as possible. He made everything to try to recover and, of course, the injury that he suffered is tough to recover but it’s more the possibility that when you push, you push. In some injuries, you cannot push too much, because always you need to be careful. When it’s a massive injury it’s completely different.

But of course, we’re so happy that in the last ten days he was fantastic, back in training again, and he can be available again. It’s going to be a massive impact for everyone.

I don’t care if he feels ready or wants to play or not, like another player. I’ll decide myself, with my coaching staff, with the doctor and the medical staff and the sports science staff. Always with every player that came from an injury or illness, always it’s about the structure, when it’s possible to play or not. Of course, if you ask him ten days ago, he was ready to play. But in the end, the last word is always myself. I take the risk, the decision and everything that is going on in the team. 

Ben Davies (groin) has also returned to training this week, though Danny Rose (illness) is a minor doubt for the trip to Burnley.

One Spurs player who won’t feature this weekend is Dele Alli (hamstring), with Pochettino providing this update on the injured midfielder:

His progression is good, we are happy. This is the last part of the period of his recovery. Difficult to say: maybe one week, maybe ten days, maybe two weeks. We are going to assess him day by day.

Burnley will again be without Steven Defour (calf), Aaron Lennon (knee) and Jonathan Walters (Achilles), though Sean Dyche confirmed on Thursday that Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady are fit to feature.

Leicester’s fixtures are about to take a turn for the better but those Fantasy managers who were interested in James Maddison and Ben Chilwell might have been slightly deterred by Claude Puel’s comments on Thursday.

The Foxes’ boss said:

We have an issue with Chilwell and Maddison and we will make a point in tomorrow’s training session. It’s not serious but we will see tomorrow.

Manuel Pellegrini delivered his press conference on Wednesday and brought news that Manuel Lanzini (knee) and Samir Nasri (calf) have returned to training.

The West Ham United boss said the pair “maybe” have a chance of featuring against Fulham, though there was no update forthcoming on Fabian Balbuena (knee).

Pellegrini said:

For this game, we have the squad which played most of the games and we will have the squad list on Thursday, and maybe Lanzini and Nasri can be included on that squad list.

They worked not only today but they worked the complete week. We will talk to the medical staff about whether we can use them.

All four playmakers in our squad were injured, which is always difficult, so the return of both of them injects more quality into the squad.

We will analyse Jack Wilshere next week, then we will be more clear about his future.

Claudio Ranieri meanwhile declared that, Alfie Mawson (knee) aside, Fulham have no injury worries – meaning that new signings Lazar Markovic and Havard Nordtveit could be match-fit enough to feature.

Kiko Femenia (hamstring) is Javi Gracia’s only injury-related absentee going into Friday’s game at Cardiff, though Jose Holebas begins a two-match ban for accruing ten yellow cards.

Gracia said:

Roberto [Pereyra] and Isaac [Success] are both ready to compete. Roberto is a very important player, making the difference in a lot of games, scoring goals and assisting. Isaac hasn’t played the same minutes as other players, but the time he played, he played with quality and is helping the team. He’s a good option for us in attack with his power and pace. He is something different for us to help us manage different games.

Prödl is another option for us at centre-back where the players are playing well. It’s always good to have a player of his quality.

Kiko is feeling very well in all the training sessions. For the next game, it’s impossible [for him to play] but I think for the game after, he will be ready.

Sean Morrison (appendix) is back in training for the Bluebirds, but Neil Warnock cast doubt on whether the club captain would feature against the Hornets and provided an update on Victor Camarasa.

On Morrison, Warnock said:

He’s training, he had another tough session yesterday. He’s just got to have a bit of football in his locker. We’ve got three games in a week so it’s pointless rushing him. I’m hoping he’s going to be involved at some stage this week.

On Camarasa:

He has a medical team from Spain that look after him. Sometimes we don’t agree. It’s difficult for Victor because he’s got so many people talking to him. It’s [an ongoing] calf injury. He’s doing most things really well.

Huddersfield have been given a boost by the return of Jonas Lossl and Chris Lowe from illness, while Elias Kachunga has had a less-serious dose of the flu ahead of the trip to Newcastle.

Danny Williams (knee) won’t be ready to play despite a return to training, though Abdelhamid Sabiri (knee) featured for the under-23s last week and may come back into contention. 

Managers Yet to Deliver a Press Conference

Unai Emery (Arsenal)
Eddie Howe (Bournemouth)
Roy Hodgson (Crystal Palace)
Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United)
Rafael Benitez (Newcastle United)
Ralph Hasenhuttl (Southampton)
Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Injury News That May Be Updated on Friday

  • Laurent Koscielny came off with a muscular injury in Arsenal’s win over BATE on Thursday night, with Unai Emery describing the defender’s substitution as “precautionary”. Ainsley Maitland-Niles missed out through illness.
  • Callum Wilson (knee) and David Brooks (ankle) are thought to be medium-term absentees for Bournemouth and are not currently scheduled to return till March.
  • Jurgen Klopp earlier in the week declared Dejan Lovren (muscle) a major doubt for the trip to Manchester United.
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ruled Anthony Martial (groin) and Jesse Lingard (hamstring) out for “two to three weeks” last Friday but reports in the media suggest the pair could possibly recover for the visit of Liverpool – this has yet to be confirmed by Manchester United, however.
  • Jonjo Shelvey (thigh) has returned to training for Newcastle United.
  • Danny Ings (hamstring) hasn’t been sighted in training this week, though Stuart Armstrong (calf) has been involved.
  • Matt Doherty came off with a knock in the FA Cup win over Bristol City last weekend, though Nuno Espirito Santo appeared to downplay the severity of the injury. Diogo Jota missed out on that victory with a dead leg.

Predicted line-ups and in-depth team news on the eight teams who have held press conferences already can be found here.

1,431 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Darkest Knight
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Building team for Blank GWs...

    King and Barnes shortlisted to get in...

    I really tempted with King but what if Wilson is back???

    1. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      King certainly the main man when Wilson out but even if Wilson was it he’d still be nailed in a team that scores more goals than Burnley. Barnes still a decent option though and probably cheaper?

      1. Dave Bauer
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        It’s a tough call, both are good options IMO.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Go Barnes

      Is either Fraser or Brooks an option in midfield? Bournemouth have tasty looking fixtures but one should be enough - they’re hotmrribly unreliable and blew a similarly great fixture run this time last year

  2. Park the bus
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one:

    A. Robertson
    B. Bennett
    C. AWB

    1. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nice problem to have this week. Probably Robbo, but a tough call and any of them could bite you.

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Space Cadete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B by a country mile

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

      Robbo and AWB can pick up baps w/o clean sheets

    5. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

  3. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A.Start Camarasa and risk a 20 min sub appearance .

    B. Go Jota and Jonny - a triple Wolves with Jiminez I don’t fancy at all really

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B even Camarara to play full 90

    2. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bmouth is not a weak side...

    3. Hillbilly
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

  4. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play Patricio (Bou) or Guita (Lei)?

    1. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If no other Wolves defence, Patrício.

  5. cuppatea78
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Not sure who to play:

    A) Alisson Vs Man Utd
    B) Guaita Vs Leicester

    What do you reckon?

    1. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B surely

  6. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all, Couple of quick questions:

    1) Arnie or Fanderson for the coming few weeks

    2) If you had to keep one of Alonso or Rich for next few gw’s, which of the lesser evils would you keep?

    3A) Maguire + Rondón or
    3B) Yedlin + Arnie

    1. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Arnie for a punt, Anderson for a more solid choice.

      Ugh, neither. But I guess Richarlison of the two.

      A - and get Anderson for your West Ham attacker.

    2. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Anderson as I don't trust Arnautovic fitness.

      Alonso is probably easier to bench this week I'd say.

      3A

      1. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Can’t afford Maguire, Anderson and Rondón. The Anderson would be Harvey Barnes

        1. mikess
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I'm not so sure about Barnes personally. He could be great but he can easily be subbed off early if they struggle to get a goal

  7. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Fabianski
    Robertson, VVD, Doherty, Schindler
    Salah, Son, Pogba, Puncheon
    Rashford, Jimenez

    Patricio, Richarlison, Kun, Digne

    In a bit of a pickle. I can field 11 but there's some dross in there. 6 for gw31 with the Huddersfield guys.

    1ft with 1.6m ITB

    A) Richarlison > Antonio/Anderson/Maddison

    B) Digne > Pereira/Rice

    C) Both - 4

  8. DaniCT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Firminho to Lacazette for Free.

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ok move, but remember Firmino plays all the other blanks.

  9. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hi Guys, Which option is best guys???

    A) Firminho to Auba
    B) Rich to Anderson
    C) Save FT

    Patricio(Hamer)
    AWB, Robertson, Kola, Bennett
    Pogba, Son, Salah (Hojberg, Rich)
    Rashford, Firminho, Jimenez..

    1. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B I think

  10. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is Camarasa expected to start this gw?

  11. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one:
    A) TAA
    B) Robbo
    C) Bennett
    D) AWB

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C

  12. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all, captain:

    A) Pogba (LIV)
    B) Son (bur)

    Bench

    1) AWB (lei)
    2) JWP (ars)

    Thanks

    1. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B 2

    2. Sweetboi
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A2

  13. fridge
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Foster
    AWB. Robbo. Doherty. Bednarek
    Salah. Pogba. Son
    Rashford. Jiminez

    Speroni** Hazard** Digne** Kamara ** Rich**

    2 FT, 2.3 ITB

    A) Rich > Fanderson & save a FT
    B) Rich & Kamara > Fanderson & Laca
    C) Rich & Digne > Fanderson & Pereira

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

      B and bench Bednarek looks good tbh.

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Can you afford B?

  14. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play one:
    1. WB
    2. Shaw

    (C) one:
    A. Auba
    B. Son

    Thanks 😉

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      1A

    2. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      1 and A

    3. Sweetboi
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      1A

    4. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      On 1A now

  15. Sweetboi
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which one?

    a) F Anderson + Rondon

    b) Almiron + Arnautovic

    c) H Barnes + Arnautovic/Rondon

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C. Not thinking about Maddison?

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

        Slight doubt for Saturday...should start but still. Also, he flatters to deceive a lot. Barnes looks more direct from what I've seen recently.

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          He looks like one of those lad who can’t finish his dinner though.

  16. Ronin13
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Why FAnderson over Antonio who has the better form?

  17. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    There’s a spike in Salah sales

    Puzzled. Where are they going? Son? Mane?

  18. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    No replies last page 🙁

    Bench Robertson or AWB?

    1. Miro
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      AWB imo

    2. Sweetboi
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Tough...AWB imo. Robbo could always get an assist if they concede.

    3. ♤TeddyBear♤
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Never bench robbo. Look at his City away score.... that’s the tough fixture on the calendar

    4. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all

  19. Miro
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A) Keep Aguero for the run in after gw27

    B) Sell for Auba/Laca for 2 gws, then reassess

    cheers

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

      If you're using the Free Hit chip in 31, I'd go B. If not, A.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

  20. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Morning chaps. Save or take -4 (Kamara > Auba)? 7m ITB. Thanks.

    Fab
    Robbo - AWB - Pereira - Bennett
    Mane - Pogba - Salah - Son
    Jimenez - Rashford

    Punch - Digne - Kamara

    1. PepTalk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If only you'd gone for 'morning all' as then a female enthusiast like myself could've offered some sage advice. (Take the hit, bench Bennett).

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I apologise for the misused word. That will be changed going forward. Cheers for the reply.

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think everyone in that 11 is capable of getting points this week so you may need two attacking returns to make up for the hit. It also seems Laca is the preference (on here) in the Arsenal attack this week.

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I think laca is for minutes but in terms of potential explosiveness it has to be Auba. Thanks for reply.

  21. ♤TeddyBear♤
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Am having a total brain fart here?

    Thinking of taking out Rashford for Arnie (bought rash for 7.0)

    The reasons are Arnie plays the blanks.... has great fixtures and can Rashford really start 4 games in 10 days anyway?

    Food for thought but let me know your opinions

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If chasing, maybe. If not I think it's a big gamble.

    2. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Could pay off but I think Rashford has an OK record vs Liverpool

    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I am tempted with Arnie too but I wouldn’t sell Rashford for him

  22. Scotty Dog
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Current team:-
    Ether
    Bed TAA AWB Doh
    Son Pog Dendon Salah
    Jimen Rash
    Subs:- Boruc Simps Kun Richarlson
    Bank 2.1

    Not sure whether to leave my team for this gw or make some moves?

    Currently considering:-
    Son > Sterling
    Rich > Almiron

    I like son to sterling but would need to sell rich also and will only have 6.3 left in the bank is almiron worth the punt at 6?

    1. Scotty Dog
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      In fact cancel last sterling draws blank gw looks like I'm holding for now

  23. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Looks about right, right?

    Lloris
    Robbo, Doherty, Pereira
    Salah, Mané, Pogba, Son
    Rashford, Laca, Jimenez

    Fraser, AWB (Button, Holebas)

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      what r u doing with lloris from next GW

      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Undecied. Might ship him for Fab. Decent run on paper (except the MCI fixture) and plays the blanks.

  24. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Chances of Arnie starting this week?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      100%

  25. Jonty Rhodes
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    2 Transfers (-4) worth the risk as I might not have 11 playing team?:

    Saiss to Peltier and Kiko to Kolasinac

    Rest of team:
    Lloris (Button)
    Doherty (Doubt), Robertson, Kiko (Injured) [Saiss (May miss out again), Bednarek]
    Pogba, Salah, Mane, Son [Camrasa (may miss out again)]
    Rashford, Jimenez (Aguero - Blank)

    0.6 m in bank and 1 FT
    Position: 44k

  26. John3.16
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    For those with all three chips & WC is there a consensus yet as to how to navigate the B/DGWs?

    Haven’t really looked until this morning and my personal view right now is that;

    31 - build with free transfers
    32 - FH
    33- good team fielded since reverts to 31
    34/35 - WC

    Question - what do I do with my TC?!!

    Discuss

    Psalm5.3

  27. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Can't decide between Fanderson(C) or Son(C).
    Who would you pick?

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Son

  28. Powerplay
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    what to do....

    i have Doherty and Jota possible outs and Kun in my starting line up....I can cover one of the three with WB...
    .should i swap Kun to
    A: Auba
    B: Arnie (Building to GW 31)
    C: Do nothing and take a couple of potential hits
    D: Trade and take up to -8 points

  29. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Currently playing Robertson and Doherty, who should be my third defender:

    1. VVD (mun)
    2. AWB (lei)

    Thanks

  30. Game&Watch
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best combo of def + mid for 9.3m or less?

    - Peltier + Moutinho
    - Chilwell + Hayden

    Other??

    Kinda lame question but I'm saving money to do Sterling + Kun for GW28 😉