Team News

FPL Team News and Injury Round-up – Gameweek 29

With 17 press conferences being held on a busier-than-usual Friday, there is plenty to recap in our regular team news round-up article.

There was a headline-grabbing revelation from Pep Guardiola, who dropped the bombshell that Gabriel Jesus (hamstring) was fit and available for selection for Manchester City’s trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Brazilian’s recovery from injury could have a direct impact on Sergio Aguero‘s pitch-time in Gameweek 29, with the Argentinean striker having played 120 minutes of the EFL Cup final last Sunday and the bulk of the 1-0 win over West Ham United in midweek.

Guardiola, indeed, had previously said that Aguero was “exhausted” after his latest outing on Wednesday night.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Guardiola said:

Gabriel is back. John [Stones] is coming back too, like Gabriel.

The City head coach also provided an update on Fernandinho and Aymeric Laporte (both muscular injuries) and Fabian Delph:

I think after the international break they will be fit, especially Fernandinho. Maybe a few days later Aymeric.

[Delph] was injured and he made his first training session today. He’s not in the squad but he can play.

Across Manchester, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provided positive news for owners of Marcus Rashford – though expressed doubt that Anthony Martial (groin) would recover:

Rashford is fully fit now. I’ll probably start him.

I don’t think there will be many changes. It’s the last session today, but we’re not going to take any risks, so maybe Anthony [Martial], but it might just be even a few more days before he’s ready, so probably the squad will look similar to what it did on Wednesday.

Maybe one third of them will be Academy kids – maybe even more – so that’s a good point to take out of it.

Jurgen Klopp provided an update on Roberto Firmino (ankle) ahead of the Merseyside derby, meanwhile:

He was out there running yesterday but we will have to see how he reacts. He is very positive. It looks really good but if he will be ready for tomorrow, I don’t know.

Liverpool look set to be without Dejan Lovren (hamstring) and Joe Gomez (leg) again, while Everton only have a doubt over Leighton Baines (back).

The Merseyside derby is not the only clash between two fierce local rivals this weekend.

Except for his long-term absentees, Unai Emery has a fully-fit squad for the trip to Wembley on Saturday lunchtime.

Dele Alli (hamstring) and Eric Dier (tonsillitis) will miss out for Spurs, while Jan Vertonghen and Harry Winks (both hip) require assessment.

Maurizio Sarri also has no injury worries for Chelsea’s short journey across west London on Sunday but suggested that he will make a handful of changes to his starting XI anyway, following his team’s exertions over the last seven days.

The Blues’ head coach said:

I need to value the recovery of every single player. Then we have to decide. But I think we need to change three or four players, I don’t know how many. But we need to change some.

Sarri also had some words to say on Kepa Arrizabalaga’s chances of an instant recall:

The Kepa situation now is closed. Kepa is our first-choice goalkeeper. But we are very happy for Willy. Because now we know very well that he’s able to play in a very difficult match. I’m sure that in one of the next two matches, Kepa will be on the pitch.

Nuno Espirito Santo reported that he too has no fitness concerns ahead of Gameweek 29 but sprang a surprise in announcing that John Ruddy would start ahead of Rui Patricio on Saturday:

John Ruddy is going to play tomorrow because we consider it’s the right moment to prepare him for what’s coming in front of us. In two weeks’ time we’re going to play the FA Cup, and John Ruddy is going to be in goal. We consider this the right moment to get some game competition and to be stronger.

Wolves are up against Cardiff City, who may have Victor Camarasa (calf) back in the starting XI for the first time since Gameweek 23.

Neil Warnock said:

We’ve still got a couple of knocks. One or two doubts. I’ll have a chat with Victor today [about whether he can start].

Callum Wilson (knee) is nearing a return for Bournemouth, who could have David Brooks back in the starting XI after the Wales international’s recent lay-off.

Eddie Howe said:

Wilson’s getting closer so we’ll make a late call on him. Injury-wise he’s fine, it’s just building up his fitness.

[Brooks is] fit to be involved. He’s done very limited training with us. The injury itself is fine, so we need to make a call as to whether he can function in the way that he wants to.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is back from a hamstring injury for Crystal Palace, though Mamadou Sakho remains sidelined after surgery.

Roy Hodgson commented:

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is fit again now which is a boost for us. Pape Souare is close to returning.

Mamadou Sakho had his operation in Paris. The operation was completed successfully and we hope to get him back as soon as we can.

Burnley will have Ashley Westwood (illness) back for that meeting with the Eagles, though are still missing Steven Defour (calf).

Manuel Pellegrini implied that Marko Arnautovic has recovered from illness ahead of the visit of Newcastle, though offered no update on
Aaron Cresswell (broken toe), Arthur Masuaku (unknown injury) or Ben Johnson (calf).

The West Ham boss said:

I think in this moment, we have our four strikers without any injuries – Andy Carroll, Marko Arnuatovic, Javier Hernandez and Lucas Perez – and we are recovering midfielders also, with Manuel Lanzini and Samir Nasri. 

We made some changes against City to have the players older than 30 fresh for Saturday and I always say as a manager that the problem is not to have too many players. The problem is when you don’t have players and you don’t have chances to change things with players coming from the bench.

Rob Elliot (back) and Ciaran Clark (knock) are Rafael Benitez’s only two injury-enforced absentees for the trip to West Ham, though Jonjo Shelvey looks very unlikely to feature having asked to play for the under-23s on Friday evening.

Brendan Rodgers has just Marc Albrighton (hamstring) and Daniel Amartey (leg) unavailable to him for his first match in charge of Leicester, while Sunday’s opponents Watford only have a worry over Kiko Femenia (illness).

Scott Parker also makes his bow as Fulham boss this weekend, with the Cottagers sweating on the availability of Andre Schurrle (virus).

Pascal Gross (hamstring) has joined Leon Balogun (knock) on the sidelines ahead of Brighton’s match against Huddersfield, who will make a late check on young full-back Demeaco Duhaney (thigh). Adama Diakhaby (hamstring) and Isaac Mbenza (calf) remain out.

Danny Ings (hamstring) and Mario Lemina (abdomen) are still missing for Southampton, meanwhile.

We have more detailed injury information and predicted line-ups in our Team News tab and in the podcast/YouTube video below:



4,239 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ChuckN
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Is either 1 of:

    Son to Hazard or Kola to Luiz/Alonso worth a -4?

    Have Sterling, Pogba, Aguero, Mane, Jimenez, Arnie attack.

    1. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      The latter potentially is

  2. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Play etheridge or Guaita?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Etheridge

  3. Teomi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Gtg?
    Bench order correct?

    Boruc
    TAA Diop AWB
    Salah son Pogba haz (c)
    Rash jimi higuain

    Button, yedlin, höjbjerg bednarek

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      gtg - bench order fine

  4. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Madness to captain Higuain over Sterling, Salah and Pogba?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Yes - i would say it is a punt

    2. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Yes

    3. Party time
        5 years, 28 days ago

        I don't think it is if you feel he will score

      • Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Not madness, just risky. In a random one off game could work . Would only do if chasing big though.

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          That said , meant if captaining over Sterling. Even between the rest

      • mookie
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Not madness, just very brave.

      • Gimli son of Gloin
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Good. Fulham are bad. I'm captaining Has on the same belief. Pogba VC.

        1. Gimli son of Gloin
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Zzzzzzzzzz

      • J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Not madness, a calculated punt.

        Could easily pay off.

    4. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Best son replacement with 31 in mind?

      And I can't do pool as I have 3 already

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Hazard if you can afford, Maddison if you can't

        1. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Not enough for has. Dis contemplate taking out TAA and putting mane in

    5. fenixri
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Choose one

      A) Son -> Sterling/Hazard
      B) Auba -> Higuain

      1. barcaa7
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        A with Hazard

    6. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Captain:
      A) sterling
      B) salah
      C) pogba

      1. barcaa7
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        A

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        A

      3. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        A

      4. Champione
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        A

    7. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Etheridge (wol) or Fabianski (NEW) this GW?

      1. barcaa7
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        b

      2. Champione
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Fabianski

    8. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      All set. Good lucky everybody for GW29.

      Fabianski
      TAA - Bennett - Shaw
      Hazard(c) - Mane (vc) - Pogba - Anderson
      Aguero - Higuain - Rondon

      Button - Digne - Pereira - Hayden
      3.7m ITB
      0FT & 4 chips left

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        You think Kun would start ?

    9. Benditlike
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Looking good?

      Fab
      TAA, Doherty, Kola
      Salah, Son, Anderson, Jota, Pogba (C)
      Rashford, Aguero

      Hamer, AWB, Digne, Niasse

      1FT 0.9 ITB

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        sehr gut

    10. Champions united
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Play only 1 Rondon /mout/awb

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        mout

      2. balint84
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        in that order

      3. Champione
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Rondon

      4. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Rondon. West ham suck

    11. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Thought on this WC team? Playing for a strong March with using FH for GW 32

      Lossl/Boruc
      Shaw, TAA, Rice
      Hazard, Pogba, Mané, Barnes
      Aguero, Vardy, Higuain

      Boruc, Schindler, Evans, Billing

      Thoughts on who to cap? Leaning to Higuain.

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Interesting is the best way i can describe it

        1. kysersosa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Lol, it’s different from the norm.

      2. frenchfries
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Decent team

        Would cap Pogba

      3. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Too much Hudders .With no fh in 31 you going to have very few players there. Aguero at risk this week so a dodgy time to WC imo.

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Same problem in gw 33

          1. kysersosa
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 28 days ago

            Going for March MoM in my ML

        2. kysersosa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          In 31 I’ll have 2ft. Before a transfer I will have 2 LIV, 2 CHE, 2 LEI, 1 WHU, 1 BOU and 2 HUD. There is some room for manoeuvre.

      4. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Lacks any Burnley and 3 hudds players, you have seen them play right?

        1. kysersosa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Yeah I have, don’t disagree with this, but they have the best run of fixtures they are going to get this season.

    12. balint84
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      bench awb or lascelles?

      1. Benditlike
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Awb

    13. Claudio555
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Transfer Mitro>Barnes or hold (and start AWB, benching Mitro)?

      1. mojoindojo
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Hold

      2. frenchfries
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Doing it regardless before gw31?

      3. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Mitro could sneak a goal in any premier match. Right delivery or defensive mistake and he’s scored. Fancy 1-3 Chelsea, Mitrovic, Hazard p, Higuain and Alonso goals

    14. Party time
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Who are the likely blank candidates this gameweek

        1. FPL Forward Thinker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Foden

        2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Whats a blank candidate?

        3. noquarternt
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Hudon-Odoi

      • jaywills
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Who would you start: King or AWB?

        1. frenchfries
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          AWB

        2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          The one who takes penalties

      • frenchfries
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Alisson
        Robertson Doherty Pereira
        Salah Pogba(c) Son Anderson
        Aguero Rashford Barnes

        Boruc Hayden Bennett AWB

        1FT 2.2itb

        A) Son -> Hazard
        B) Save

        1. Benditlike
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          B

      • Champione
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Play
        A) Diop
        B) Lascelles

        1. balint84
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          same situation, play both

        2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          No clean sheets in forever V 2 cleans in last two

          Tough choice

      • Gimli son of Gloin
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Start Pereira (wat) or AWB (bur) .. ?

        1. mojoindojo
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Pereira

        2. mookie
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          I have AWB ahead of Pereira on my bench.

        3. Benditlike
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Pereira

        4. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Pereyra

      • mojoindojo
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        What strategy to follow if you have all chips?
        I have 6 gw31 players and 1 ft in hand. Couple of hits will get me 11 players. Or should I FH?

        1. fr3d
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Idk, no strategy like that has been mentioned on here

        2. OptimusBlack
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Hits

        3. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Just play the fixtures up to and including 31. No point planning when to use chips when you don't know the fixture rearrangements

      • Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        5 changes expected for Wolves today according some ITKs on Wolves fan forums.

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          I got the keeper news yesterday.

          Real kick in the teeth for my team that one -8

        2. Eytexi
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Doherty or Jimi benching would turn this week on its head for many.

        3. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          *up to

        4. Dosh
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Jota probably definitely getting benched then...

          1. Get up ya bum
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 28 days ago

            It's a certainty, maybe.

      • THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        I thought there was a consensus on here that Kun gets rested this week.

        Still in a lot of rate my teams!

        1. fr3d
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          I’m confident he starts

          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 28 days ago

            Wow! Fair enough.

        2. mookie
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          The consensus here means very little tbh.
          3 days ago he didn't make the bench, now he's ready to start?

          1. mookie
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 28 days ago

            As in Jesus

          2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 28 days ago

            You mean Jesus, yes?

          3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 28 days ago

            I did the swap for this week. 🙂

      • Ycfc
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Fabs
        TAA Robbo Doherty
        Flanders Salah Pogba(c) Son
        Arnie Jimenez Vardy

        Hamer AWB Rich Trippier

        Gtg? Planning on fielding 10/11 for GW31, then FH32, get through 33, WC34, BB35

        Thanks!

      • LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Which to start: TAA or Firmino?
        thx

        1. jaywills
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Firmino

        2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          I thought Firm was crocked!

          I'm not paying attention, obviously.

        3. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Both

        4. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          TAA chance of returns both ends

      • denzrule
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Leading by 20, 1 FT

        Currently with
        Pickford
        Kola, Robertson, Doherty
        Richarlison, Son, Salah, Pogs
        Jime, Rash, Aguero

        Subs - Foster, Holebas, Peltier, Hojb

        A - Sit tight
        B - Kola to Luiz, Aguero to Vardy (-4, no City rep in team at this point)
        C - Kola to Luiz, Son to Sterline, Vardy to Barnes (-8 yikes)
        D - ?

        Help!!!

      • b91jh
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Who would you get first for next week?

        A) vardy vs ful
        B) king vs hud

        1. Eytexi
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          See how Leicester perform tomorrow.

        2. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          A. Monitor Arnie too though

        3. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Good question I was all in for rash > king but now maybe vaedy

      • IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Anyone captaining Mo? Rare differential

        1. Eytexi
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Nope but agree he could be a very good pick.

        2. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          I am

      • barcaa7
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Start Kola or Periera?

      • LordEllison
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        G2G for this GW or use my 1FT? 1.2 itb

        Fabianski
        Doherty - Robertson - TAA
        Son - Pogba(C) - Salah - Jota
        Aguero - Vardy - Jimenez

        Subs: Guaita - Kolasinac - Hojbjerg - Wan bissaka.

      • Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        What % chance of Palace CS?

        1. Party time
            5 years, 28 days ago

            68%

            1. Fitzy.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 28 days ago

              That's more like the chance of conceding I'd say.

          • IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 28 days ago

            Check bookies odds in HT