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. Wetdream
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Vardy or Arnie for a -4 ?

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

      Vardy

    2. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Vardy beyond doubt

    3. JurgenRocks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Vardy

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

    Talk to me about Fulham's fullbacks... which flank is most likely to be overwhelmed by Mane/Salah?

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

      Right side of the defense.
      So Mane

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

        Members data says different 😉

  3. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    For 31 and 33 Higuain or rondon??

    1. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Huguain

  4. TokyoRed 東京赤
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Ake or Daniels? For this week and 33 only.

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

      Ake

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Ake, safer, more goals scored.

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

      Newcastle concede a lot of headed goal attempts and Ake has scored 3 goals this season against equally poor defences.

  5. FlashG
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Building for 31/33. Got 10 and too much money tied up in Pog & Jimi.

    Will only sell a defender - do I take a -4 to bring another in and play 11?

    Got Fab, Azpi, Robo, Periera. Double up on West Ham even though they’ve got Chelsea in 33?

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

      Not worth it

    2. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Most people taking at least 1 hit, if not using FH. So probably worth it. Can't afford Luiz presumably?

      1. FlashG
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Unfortunately not mate however can Emerson - gamble I know...

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

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

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      If no Fabianski, try Rice...

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

        Got fab

  7. SM001
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Is it worth selling Gonzo(illness) for Wilson (-4)?

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      No, Higuain is going to be fine.

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

        This

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

      Higuain is fit

  8. MaRooney 5
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Would u Free Hit:

    Flappy
    TAA, Pereira, Shaw*
    Hayden, F Anderson, Salah, Son*
    Jimi*, King, Kun*

    Pat, AWB, Pog, Bednarek

    1 FT, 0.9m ITB
    No WC left

    Thanks in advance!

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

      No just take a -4 or -8

  9. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    G2G? I am very tempted to TC this week since when Liverpool play Hud later on they may be rotating for the CL. Unfortunately I have no idea who to pick from Mane and Salah...

    Fab
    Robbo, Keane, Chilwell
    Salah(?), Mane(?), Andseron, Brooks, Richarlison
    Higuain, Vardy

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

      Mané is the no brainer

      1. Comment removed. Please refer to our terms and conditions on posting comments and provide a source.

    2. BooYaKasha
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Same boat here
      Fortune favors the brave

  10. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Im sure its been asked but any word o Higs?

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Not since team news article on here... He'll be fine. Sarri said he is letting him recover for the next game following illness.

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Ok cool thanks

  11. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Anyone do me a huge favour and list the teams who have a game GW33 along with the teams who may have a game?

    Thanks in advance

  12. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Folks, what is the predicted amount of extra double fixtures for 32?

    I dot know whether I should use my free hit this week or save it. Will have 8 this week after a -4

    1. Weasel51
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      I’d say save it. 8 not too bad

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      also have 8 players on a -4....keeping it that way myself.

  13. bigwig
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    apologies for the rookie comment. Will there be a bunch of more double gameweeks scheduled before the end of the season?

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

      Yep
      Just wait for Monday 🙂

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

        Do we have any idea of when?

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

          Gw 32 & gw 35

    2. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      You've had an account on here for 8 years? No such a rookie! Yes, they will after all of the FA cup ties.

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

        Not a Rookie just a rookie question, embarassed to ask

    3. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      FA cup games this weekend will be a factor. GW32 and 35 will have more doubles

  14. Jay_
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Just scrolled through LFC training pictures from today. No sign of Sadio Mane in them.

      https://twitter.com/stehoare/status/1106622650384900098?s=19

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

        Could be given rest after knock & away day right ??
        The match is on Sunday so I'm hopeful.

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Scaremongering

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

        Not a good sign after the he was seen grimacing and holding his foot at the end of the Munich game

        Now it looks as if he’s missed training as well, hmmm.

      4. Rojo's Modern Life
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Mane rested 100%

    • New Post
    • Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Does the free hit affect team value after the team is reset again in gameweek 32?

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

        The squad you have PRIOR to using the free hit chip, will return in gw32 if the chip was used for gw31.
        Your original squad(prior to fh chip) can increase or decrease in value as normal during gw31 i.e if a player from THAT squad increases or decreases in value. If you have a player in your non fh squad, he will still be there in gw32 no matter the squad value changes

    • Dammed Utd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Was going do -4 and take hazard out for sterling but I think Chelsea struggle to beat Everton at home and Eden not really in form

      1. Dammed Utd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Sorry that should read the other way around sterling for hazard opps

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

      Digne and Doherty out;
      a) Azpilicueta and Chilwell
      b) Luiz and Pereira

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

        Until leicester show up with a solid ability to gain clean sheets ,it is a a risk having a def as you are banking on assists and hopefully a goal. But nevertheless id say azpi and chilwell
        Pereira has a higher rate of yellows and seems to have dropped back to rb , azpi over luiz mainly i say due to potebtial for assists

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

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

    • HD7
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      For us with all chips

      Better play Tc?
      Fulham Liverpool tomorrow or Liverpool Hudds (though its before CL semi-final)

      Can we hope for another DGW not 32 and 35?

    • Goonermeister
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Triple West Ham or triple Bournemouth on FH?

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

        Newcastle are gonna be pushing for a win to get them even closer to safety, so im expecting no bourn clean sheet, based on that either wh triple or bourn triple of brooks+/fraser and wilson+/king

    • Henning
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Hmmm.
      Can't decide Should i

      1. Take a hit to get rid of Lascelles or Camarasa (who to get in? 2.1 m in the bank).

      2. Take no hit

      Allison

      Robertson Luiz Pereira

      Hazard Salah Brooks Tielemand

      Vardy Rondon

      Guaita Agüero Bednarek Camarasa Lascelles

    • HD7
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Any chance about another DGW?
      excluding GW32 and 35

      Not sure Liverpool vs Hudds is best placr for TC chip (its before CL Semi final)

    • 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 thoughts?

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

        Brooks/Fraser as a fourth mid is of better use of a FT. King at home looks good.

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

          Already got 3 bournemouth.

    • Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      People confident of Fraser playing? Brought him in on a -12 and would be a disaster if he didn't turn out

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

        Yes.

      2. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Looks likely after Howes comments

    • tbeans22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Any defenders worth another -4 (really a -2 as I have 10 going for this week)? Thinking solid CS potential worth it for Doherty to field 11 but man, a West Ham defender scares me,..

      Currently sitting on -4 with this bunch:

      Dubravka
      Robertson TAA Pereira
      Hazard Salah Richarlison Tielemans
      Vardy King

      Doherty / WanB/ Pogba

      1.6 ITB

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

        Not worth

        1. tbeans22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Thanks much.

      2. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        10 players seems enough to me with a minus 4

        1. tbeans22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Thanks for the feedback.

    • FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      TC Salah.

      Getting bored now of being boring.

    • Techy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      If I use a Free Hit this week will my 1 free transfer carry over to next GW?

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        No

      2. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Just 1FT for gw32

      3. Techy
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Ok cheers guys.

        Might as well use a free transfer before using the Free Hit then...

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          The Freehit cancels out any transfers made in the same gw

          1. Techy
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Really? Damn. I thought I could have 'confirmed' the free transfer, then used the Free Hit...

            Ah well, thanks for the info

    • THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      2 quick Friday night questions,

      1. Schär to any 5m or below defender worth a hit?

      2. Salah TC?

      Cheers, good luck and enjoy your evening

      1. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        1. Depends on how many players you have
        2. In present form rather risky, but worth a go

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          10 players but Mane could be injured I’ve read on here and F.Anderson is useless so......

          1. Free Hat
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Felipe can come good vs HUD and I think Mane will be fine. So dont think its necessary to take a hit for a defender