Team News

FPL Team News and Injury Round-up – Blank Gameweek 31

Only half of the Premier League teams are in top-flight action this weekend due to the clash with the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Friday afternoon hasn’t quite been as frenetic on the press conference front as a result, though there is plenty to recap in our usual round-up.

We’ve watched all ten pre-match press conferences ahead of Blank Gameweek 31, with our updated Team News tab containing detailed injury news from each club and predicted line-ups for this weekend’s fixtures.

Our video round-up of the Premier League pressers held on Thursday and Friday, meanwhile, can be viewed at the bottom of this article.

Fulham v Liverpool

Liverpool look set to be without Jordan Henderson (ankle) for the trip to west London, although the prospects of Naby Keita (muscle) recovering in time for Sunday’s match appear more positive.

Speaking on Friday, Jurgen Klopp said:

With Hendo we made further assessment. It’s serious enough, probably I would say, to rule him out for the weekend. The international break will be long enough, hopefully, to bring him back. It’s a little one with the ankle.

We have to see if [Naby] can train today. The boys come in a bit later today, we will make a couple of checks. [He] was positive – we have to see if that stays positive when he goes outside.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (match fitness/hamstring) and Joe Gomez (leg) are aiming to return after the international break.

Klopp meanwhile highlighted the fine margins between Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in front of goal at the moment.

The Liverpool boss said:

I think [Salah] is in outstanding shape. The situation he had, when in the last second Sule came… that’s a goal. Mo did everything right and nobody can know that Sule is still there and put the foot in. That’s the situation he has.

For Sadio, it’s different. The first goal he scored in Munich, probably if you didn’t score for five or six games you will not score that goal. It was just world class from Sadio.

Andre Schurrle (virus) has returned to training for the Cottagers but Alfie Mawson (knee) and Marcus Bettinelli (knee) remain out.

Bournemouth v Newcastle United

Eddie Howe appeared positive on the prospect of Ryan Fraser (knock) featuring against Newcastle this weekend.

Speaking on Friday, Howe said:

I think [Ryan Fraser] had a few knocks after the [Huddersfield] game. He missed the early part of training but should be fine.

We’re as we were, really. None of the longer-term injuries are back, so pretty much the same squad as last week.

Adam Smith (hamstring) is ruled out until after the international break, while the Cherries’ boss provided updates on some of his other sidelined players:

Dan Gosling is improving but he won’t make this game. Hopefully, the international break will see him in much better shape.

Junior [Stanislas] is doing well but is not quite ready yet. He hasn’t trained but he is improving.

Howe also had positive words to say on Callum Wilson after his comeback from injury against Huddersfield:

Callum’s good. He did incredibly well physically, played the whole 90 minutes and didn’t look tired or fatigued at any point. He has trained well this week, so he’s in a good place.

Ciaran Clark returns for the Magpies but Fabian Schar is suspended and Jamaal Lascelles (knee) will not feature on the south coast.

Rafael Benitez said of his skipper:

Lascelles is still feeling a little bit on his knee so we will not take any risk and we will wait two or three days to see how he reacts.

Everton v Chelsea

Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman are fit to play for Everton on Sunday, although Phil Jagielka (minor injury) and Kurt Zouma (ineligible) are unavailable.

Yerry Mina looks set to deputise at centre-half.

Davide Zappacosta (muscle) limped out of Chelsea’s win over Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday, a match that Gonzalo Higuain (illness) missed after suffering a fever and stomach ache earlier in the week.

The Argentinean striker is anticipated to recover ahead of the trip to Goodison Park, with quotes expected from Maurizio Sarri once the embargo is lifted on his press conference later.

West Ham United v Huddersfield Town

Andy Carroll (ankle) joins Andriy Yarmolenko (Achilles), Carlos Sanchez (knee) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) on the sidelines for the visit of Huddersfield, with Manuel Pellegrini providing the following vague update on Carroll on Thursday:

We don’t know at this moment, I cannot tell you. We need to wait for some medical examination.

Far more pertinent for Fantasy managers were Pellegrini’s quotes on Marko Arnautovic:

Marko was out of the team for several reasons. First, because his mind was out when he has the option to go to China. After that he returns, then he didn’t work for about one week. After that he was sick. He was going to play against Manchester City but was ill, so there are lots of reasons why he is on the bench. If he’s ready, I think that he will return to his position.

Demeaco Duhaney (hip), Adama Diakhaby (hamstring), Isaac Mbenza (calf), Jonathan Hogg (rib), Danny Williams (knee) and Laurent Depoitre (illness/foot) remain sidelined for Huddersfield this weekend, while Terence Kongolo (hip) is also a doubt having not trained as of Thursday.

Erik Durm (muscle) picked up a minor strain in midweek but was expected to train on Friday.

Burnley v Leicester City

Not much injury news to report ahead of Saturday’s meeting at Turf Moor, with only long-term absentees unavailable to Sean Dyche and Brendan Rodgers.

Marc Albrighton (hamstring) and Daniel Amartey (leg) again miss out for the Foxes, while Steven Defour (calf), Aaron Lennon (knee) and Jon Walters (Achilles) remain sidelined for Burnley.

Lennon could be back after the international break, however.

Rodgers had more positive words to say about Jamie Vardy in his pre-match presser:

As a footballer, he’s tactically very, very good. He’s not just a boy that scores goals. He will really be the focus of when we press the game.

653 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Stevie B
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Is this team good to go?

    Fabianski (Speroni)
    Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Azpilicueta, Digne (Wan-Bissaka)
    Salah (C), Hazard, Richarlison, Hayden (Pogba)
    Vardy, Rondon (Jimenez)

    Thank you!

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Looks solid

  2. DenDanskeDuo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Son + Rash + Kun --> Haz + Wilson + Vardy (-4) - Worth it?

    Leaves me with 10 (11) players:

    Fab
    Robertson, TAA, Pereira, Luiz
    Salah, Haz, Fraser, (Masuaku)
    Vardy, Wilson

    (Speroni, WB, Pogba, Jiménez), 1.5m itb

    1. DenDanskeDuo
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Free hitting GW32 btw

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      perfect

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      If a set of transfers was ever worth a -4 it's this one.
      Why not go all out and get King/Arnie in for Jimenez as well?

      1. DenDanskeDuo
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Thanks - I will definitely consider it. Don't really like -8 hits though.

        1. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          All that matters is whether you make a profit in points from it over the next few weeks. In this case it seems likely that you would.

    4. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Oh yes

  3. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Aguero/Danilo/Bennett
    To
    Vardy/Azpili/Ake/defender up to 5.7? (-4)
    If yes, which defender? 3 liverpool slots filled

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      prefer luiz+rudiger to azpi+5.7, if possible

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Both nailed to start? Would mean no Vardy

  4. The Darkest Knight
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Guys when to use Triple captain???
    Is it sensible to use this week with Salah TC?

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      if you do FH32 BB35, then imo now it's one of the better occasions to use it

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      asked this earlier. this week is an option but salah's form is a concern for some. huddersfield at home is another option but liverpool likely to have a CL semi a few days later, so salah minutes could easily be managed if he isn't rested entirely. city also likely to progress in CL.

      i'm not really sure what to do.

    3. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Thinking abot it too...

  5. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    RP: Last mid spot:

    H. Barnes/ Maddison or Fraser? (Essentially for gw31 and 33 only, will FH 32)

    Have Wilson and no Vardy.

  6. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Evening all. After some advice on filling the gaps please? 16.8m to speand and using FH32. Haz & Brooks? Thanks all.

    Fab
    Pereira - Robertson - Digne
    Salah - ____ - Mane - _____
    Vardy - Wilson

    1. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Yeah

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      I think so, yep.

  7. Redranger
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Which BGW defender to get for Lacelles? Up to 5 million.

    1. Ahmed Adam
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Pariera

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      just for 31 Rice or Diop, for 31&33 probably Chilwell

      1. Redranger
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Almost got Pereira and do not trust Leicester’s defence at the moment

    3. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Rice . Solid and a goal threat on set pieces

  8. Ahmed Adam
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Mane in his Current Form is a Good Fantasy Option specially This Game week Blank

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      thanks ahmed

      1. Ahmed Adam
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        U/Welcome Embolofan

    2. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Thanks Ahmed

    3. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Why you write like that?

      1. Ahmed Adam
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        What do u think?

  9. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Pedro or Lanzini or Maddison?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      c

    2. Ahmed Adam
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      do you Have Fraser

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Yes will get him too

    3. GertJan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Antonio....

      You heard it here first. 😛

  10. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Salah to mane?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      lol no

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Vvd to robbo?

    2. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Very risky sideways move

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Yes, I want to extend my lead.

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Ha, I’m just messing - just wanted to see if anyone was doing it

    4. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Why not based on the last 8 game weeks points

  11. waitinginthelonggrass
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Why are people going Salah over Mane as captain? Or are you pinning your hopes on “he is due a haul”

    1. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Because i don't own Manè

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        This

    2. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      He’s the top point scorer in the game. Especially in a week where budget is no issue - I don’t get why people are going Mane.

      1. waitinginthelonggrass
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        You genuinely don’t know why people are going Mane? Noting his consistent returns as of late. Really?

        1. Pras (FPL)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Recency bias maybe? A bit like Fraser is being talked about like Messi this week.

          Going with consistency over a longer period than just couple of weeks for Mane.

          1. Yoshioka
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Recency bias or just plain form? Form is one of the few solid principles at play in FPL, plus you can't credibly compare the situation to that of Fraser who's coming into teams off the back of his first haul in 8 weeks.

            Mane has scored 9, 8, 8, 3, 13, 3,14 in that time, whilst Salah has scored 2, 2, 8, 3, 3, 3, 5 over the same period.

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      I'm 'pinning my hopes' on him being the highest scoring player in the game, this season and last season...

      1. waitinginthelonggrass
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        And going through an extended period of poor returns

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Pops in the odd 20 pointer.

        2. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          But still with reasonable stats. Mane is a good pick as well but I'd rather have the one who consistently performed better over the last 68 games.

  12. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Any thoughts on tieleman over Barnes and Fraser??

    Not many people talking about him atm

    I already have Brooks and vardy so not sure which to do

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Well the Fraser knock news is a little alarming- hopefully he’ll be all good tho

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        He said he's fine

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          He’s lied before

    2. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Tielemans is a good pick

  13. altan8797
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    whats wrong with fraser? been busy today, trying to catch up. should i remove him? im on FH

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      He should play. Would probs just have McNeill or someone else as first sub in case.

    2. barcaa7
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Should be ok

    3. altan8797
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      got brooks as first sub. thanks both

  14. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    thoughts on a King, Wilson double up.
    I already have king and thinking of transfering rashford out. Onky have 6.6 mil for the transfer so its him or barnes

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Better Wilson than Barnes

  15. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Got 10 out for 31 so far (taken a -4 to get Hazard and Wilson in):

    Fabs
    Pereira Robbo
    Salah Mane Hazard Brooks
    Wilson Vardy Barnes

    (Doh, Bennett, AWB, Pog)

    Worth transferring out Doherty for Emerson or Bennett for Clyne for an extra -4? Tempted to leave it as it is, especially with the potential for AWB to play in 33.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Leave

      1. Teror
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Leave means leave!

        1. Hart-ake
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Lol. Cheers.

  16. onceuponatyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Any more info on Higuain???

    1. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      He's apparently good to start.

      1. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Cheers. Bloody hope so.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Check last page.
      He's fit

  17. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Which mid

    A) Felipe Anderson
    B) Sigurdsson or richarlison
    C) fraser

    1. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      A

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      C

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      C

  18. jjandellis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Fabianksi
    TAA/ Azpi/ Rice
    Salah / Mane / Hazard / Antonio
    Vardy / Wilson / Perez

    Subs: Hamer, Brooks, Daniels, Stankovic

    Thoughts on better alternatives for Perez or Antonio please? Got 0.2 ITB (its a free hit chip)

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Looks perfect

  19. ScottyMaz12
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Who would you prioritise bringing in this week folks?

    a) Hazard
    b) Mane
    c) Both, selling Pogba and losing £0.5m in the process

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      C

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      A

    3. Saint Steve-O (@EliteFPL)
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      B

    4. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      B

    5. jaywills
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      C

    6. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      C, you could easily make that back

    7. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      C

    8. ScottyMaz12
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Interesting, thanks all!

  20. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    A) Pogba>Fraser
    B) Pogba+Doherty>Diop+Haz - 4

  21. Lionel Ronaldo
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Any good FH32 team to copy, assuming the big teams have a DGW?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Have to wait for fixtures announcement

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      I reckon one or two FH RMTs might be floating around this place next week.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        One or two thousands*
        😛

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Copy? Lazy!

      1. Lionel Ronaldo
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        It's not as if we won't have same/similar teams by then.

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Agreed, although I do think that’s the opportunity to get that differential that pays off and moves you up the ranks

    4. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      You will see one every other post next week.

  22. Saint Steve-O (@EliteFPL)
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    If you'd like to join in on a live podcast discussing all things GW31 then head over to youtube.com/elitefplpodcast at 630pm

    Cheers for the support

  23. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Best midfielder ubder 6.5 outside of fraser (tielemens/ barnes?)

    1. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Snodgrass ?

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Pedro? Brooks is also fine

      1. jaywills
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Ive git wilson and king already. Plus ive got anderson

  24. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    If you have Kola would you sell him but arsenal have match GW 33 ?

  25. nach248
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    I have 2 FTs, if I use 1 FT this week and Free Hit next week, will my spare FT carry over to the week after playing the Free Hit (i.e. do I get to keep my FT)?

    1. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      No, you will be back to one

  26. BlzE_94
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Any news on Fraser?

  27. Teror
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Should I do my transfers tonight or wait until the morning?

    1. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      lol

  28. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Higuain, Arni or Rondon for the last striker spot on FH? Currently have Higuain, vardy and Wilson.

    1. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Arni to me

  29. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Got a transfer to burn on this starting 11 due to no WC left and FH32 plans.

    Boruc.
    TAA, Robbo, Clyne, Chilwell.
    Mané, Hazard, Barnes.
    Vardy, King, Arnie.

    Personally think King to Wilson would be a good use of it, but what are your thoughts?

  30. barcaa7
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Fraser or Brooks?