Team News

FPL Team News and Injury Round-up – Blank Gameweek 33

Our regular round-up of the Premier League team news returns ahead of the FPL Gameweek 33 deadline, which is at an earlier-than-usual time of 19:00 BST this evening because of the Friday night fixture between Southampton and Liverpool at St. Mary’s Stadium.

We’ve watched all 12 pre-match press conferences and will bring you the headline updates on any stand-out medical bulletins in our game-by-game recap below.

Southampton v Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp appeared to give Virgil van Dijk (ankle) the all-clear to face his former club on Friday night.

The Dutch centre-back was pictured with an ice pack on his ankle after the win over Spurs but Klopp told a press gathering on Wednesday:

Virg – he trained normal, everything OK. Yesterday we only had the second recovery session but he was involved in that and I had heard nothing different that he could maybe not train today. No, looks all OK.

There was little else in the way of team news from Klopp but media reports on Thursday suggested that Joe Gomez (leg) could be back in the squad – likely on the bench, at best – for the Gameweek 33 curtain-raiser.

Danny Ings is ineligible to face his parent club, while Ralph Hasenhuttl said of the Saints’ fitness issues:

Longy is back in training, he is an option. Jannik Vestergaard trained this week, maybe an option. Lemina, it’s a pity that he’s not in training again as he’s had problems this week.

Hasenhuttl also discussed his options regarding formation:

The flexibility of our game is rising. We surprised [Brighton] a little bit because we come in a 4-2-2-2 and I must say I like this shape. It is an option to stay in a 4-2-2-2 but it is also an option to switch back to a 5-3-2.

Chelsea v West Ham United

There was no update on Pedro (groin) or Marcos Alonso (hamstring) in Maurizio Sarri’s press conference on Friday but the Chelsea boss did provide a quote on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who limped off with a minor hamstring strain in midweek but whose recurring back problem is the main cause of concern.

Sarri said:

We need to check every day the condition of his back. This morning, he had only a recovery session because he needs time to recover. Probably he is not able to play 90 minutes.

The Blues’ head coach was also asked if Callum Hudson-Odoi would get a second successive start but replied:

I don’t know, I have to decide who is going to play against West Ham and who is going to play against Slavia [on Thursday].

I have to consider that in this moment of the season, we have to change. We have played 51 matches.

Sarri faces a dilemma up front, with Olivier Giroud having started on Wednesday and having scored his side’s opening goal.

Speaking first of Gonzalo Higuain, Sarri said:

I think that he has to improve physically, mentally but I think also that he will able to be very useful for us in the last part of the season.

In the meantime [while Higuain is improving], we are lucky because we have Giroud. Giroud at the moment is in a very good mental and physical condition. Of course, we have to play every three days and so we need both.

Felipe Anderson (ankle) and Ryan Fredericks (knock) are fit to feature against the Blues on Monday night, while Samir Nasri (calf) has returned to training and may come into contention too.

There was no mention of Marko Arnautovic‘s knee problem in Manuel Pellegrini’s press conference, however, with the Hammers’ boss only discussing the Austrian striker in relation to his form and attitude:

It happens to some players at moments of a season that they are not in the best moment, and maybe they need our support [rather] than to punish them. I was talking to Marko and he wants to do things better, he is absolutely involved in our team.

Everton v Arsenal

Marco Silva’s pre-match press conference was a fairly unremarkable affair and short on injury news but Yerry Mina (hamstring) remains out.

Silva did say that there was “no problem” with Jordan Pickford‘s state of mind following his involvement in a fracas outside a Sunderland bar last weekend and that the Everton goalkeeper is available for selection.

There was more to report from Unai Emery’s presser, which started with a round-up of Arsenal’s injury situation:

We are waiting for tomorrow’s training because some players – Xhaka, Koscielny – didn’t train with us today. They are working alone with the physio. Aaron Ramsey started training normally today and the other players are well.

Emery also offered some fairly non-committal comments on Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, saying:

We need every player, every striker, Lacazette and Aubameyang. Sometimes they can both play, sometimes with one on the bench. It depends in the 90 minutes how we can respond tactically with one or two.

Speaking of Mesut Ozil, Emery added:

He’s working very well, playing very well, he’s helping us. I’m very happy with him. I think the team has a good atmosphere, good spirit with each player helping us. That’s the spirit I want, they are doing that, and Mesut is like the others.

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson reported a near-fully fit squad on Friday, with Mamadou Sakho (knee) his only absentee.

The Palace boss also confirmed that Andros Townsend was fit to feature, having started on the bench at Spurs after sustaining a hand injury while punching a dugout wall.

Hodgson said:

It’s not an important injury and it’s not one that stops him playing.

Fabian Schar is available for Newcastle after suspension but Rafael Benitez said that Isaac Hayden, Mohamed Diame and DeAndre Yedlin all had “little problems” and will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s game.

Bournemouth v Burnley

Eddie Howe has issues at left-back ahead of the visit of Burnley.

Charlie Daniels – who wasn’t mentioned by name in Howe’s presser – is a doubt with an ankle injury, while Adam Smith is still recovering from a hamstring strain.

Howe said:

We’ve got Adam Smith improving, I don’t know whether he’s still fit enough to return. With hamstring injuries, you have to be very careful.

Peter Crouch joins Steven Defour (calf) and Aaron Lennon (knee) on the sidelines for Burnley after having surgery on his appendix.

Huddersfield Town v Leicester City

Brendan Rodgers will welcome Harry Maguire back from suspension for the trip to Huddersfield and, as of his press conference on Thursday, had only Marc Albrighton (hamstring) and Daniel Amartey (leg) unavailable for Saturday’s match.

The relegated Terriers have plenty of fitness concerns, however.

Speaking on Thursday, Jan Siewert said:

Lolo [Depoitre] is back in training, he’s not fully in training at the moment. Which means not two proper weeks. The foot made problems. I’m not sure [if he could be involved at Leicester]. Mbenza is in training, he could also be an option.

Duhaney is just back in training, we have to take care for his hamstring because his injury is more serious than we thought. But he’s in training, he’s performing. Hamid Sabiri is training but is not yet fit.

TK [Kongolo] had a small problem because there was a hit on his knee so he couldn’t finish training properly. Phil Billing had a back problem, but just at the end, so hopefully not that serious. Matty Daly has a kind of illness so couldn’t train properly.

Siewert also explained why Denmark internationals Jonas Lossl, Zanka and Phillip Billing missed out in Gameweek 32:

I looked at the players who were in my training during the week. I think it’s quite normal for a manager [after an international break].


We have more detailed injury information and predicted line-ups in our Team News tab, while our regular podcast/video round-up can be accessed below:

602 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Start

    A) Fab (che)
    B) Hamer (LEI)

    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Boz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Toss a coin. Both likely to get 2pts

    3. Óró Sé…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    4. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      In same predicament.
      I'm leaning towards B.
      But is there a better gk option this week..4.7 or less
      I'd like to know

    5. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Fabianski
      Either he or Hazard will haul imo 😉

    6. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Surely Lossl is the no. 1 keeper at Huddersfield, and was rested after internationals like last time.

    7. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Start Fabianski.
      West Ham always show up to the big games. Even if there's no clean sheet potential, Fab will still get a glut of saves.

      No way Huddersfield shut out Leicester

    8. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks all

      Will stick with Fab

  2. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Vardy mane haz for the armband ?

    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Vardy

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      mane

    3. Óró Sé…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I’m on Vardy.

      33.3% certain he’s the better of the 3

  3. Robe Wan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    errrrrrrr lads. Just helped everyone on the previous page. Now

    A) get a keeper for this week

    B) ship Felipe Anderson our to Siggy?

    Thanks!

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      You'll get two appearance points from Anderson

      And probably two appearance points from the keeper as well

      A is safer

    2. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      a

    4. Óró Sé…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I’d do B but could see a nice six for Kepa if you decide to go that way.

    5. Adsequor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Get a keeper, maybe Kepa.

      Not too sure on Siggy.

      1. Robe Wan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks lads

  4. Adsequor
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on Alonso?

    Will he start?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      i dont think so imo

    2. Óró Sé…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn’t bring him in, wouldn’t ship him out either

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      He is pony

      Reckon he won't start

  5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Tarkowski -> Kolasinac worth a hit?
    Would be for the rest of the season. No WC left.

    A) Yes
    B) No

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No

    3. Óró Sé…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Nah, not for a hit. Get him later tho

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks all

  6. Dannyb
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Higuian to Vardy or Lacazette? For free

    1. The Fed
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      If you have WC, then Vardy, if not then Laca I would say

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        agreed

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Vardy for this week. Laca next if you've got WC.

    3. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah planning on wildcard next week. Vardy it is, cheers guys.

    4. Óró Sé…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I shipped Higgy out. Really hope he doesn’t start or if he does he blanks!

      Wouldn’t be surprised to see him start but he’s been such a let down. Just prepare yourself for the inevitable ff regret!

    5. Óró Sé…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Vardy by the way the better shout for me. He’s my cap

  7. Gubbins94.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Arnie to Wilson for free or take a hit to get Haz and Quaner for Arnie and Anderson?

    Would have exactly 11 either way. Wc next week

    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Not hit

    2. Óró Sé…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Arnie for Wilson is a good move

      1. Óró Sé…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Wilson for Arnie even!

  8. Gearoid
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Triple Hammers, 12 players available, WC next week, 1FT, 0.2 ITB

    Schmeichel
    TAA Tarkowski Balbuena Rice
    Salah Mane Hazard FAnderson
    Rondon King

    Steele, Bednarek, Camarasa, Aguero

    1. FAnderson to Maddison
    2. FAnderson and Aguero to Maddison and Auba (-4) and drop Balbuena
    3. Suggestions

    Thanks. Tick tock!

    1. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      2. Although Vardy instead of Aub perhaps?

  9. tm370
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Is hazard (to be my captain) worth a -4 hit? I have 12 for this GW but having watched West Ham get ripped apart by Everton, I'm tempted. Salah will be the alternative.

    1. The Fed
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Hold C on Salah Imo, he is due

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers man - Salah could be great for sure but I'm not sure about the he is due logic as he looks a bit off. Both him and Hazard have been underwhelming of late so I'm looking at the opposition too

  10. Starky22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Any chance Boruc gets his place back after missing out last week?

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yup. The coach believes he has "two number 1's in the squad"

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      50 50 call

  11. StiftpleisterFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Play Kolasinac (eve) or Brooks (BUR) ?

    1. jbasma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Brooks for me

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Kol.

    3. Starky22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Kola

  12. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Barnes to Zaha or Brooks to Tielemans?

    1. jbasma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Barnes to Zaha imho

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Neither. Don't fix what isn't broken

      Improve other aspects of the team. Most likely your keeper to Leno/Kepa/Schmeichel

  13. DanLynch
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Mane or hazard for captain

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Haz.

  14. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Think I might do Aguero > Vardy and just keep and play Higuain.
    Am wildcarding next week and looks like I won't want Kun anyways now.

    1. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Good decision

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Laca on WC a good choice ??
      You think he'll start matches ??

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I can see him playing. He was getting a lot of praise from Arsenal fans the other night. I had him up to a few weeks ago and regret selling him big time. Am getting him back on my wildcard for sure.

  15. jbasma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Aubameyang or Lacazette? Boruc or Begovic? Thoughts?

  16. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Tielemans or Maddison?

    1. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Mad

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      madidison

    3. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Mads

  17. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Higuain on FH:
    yes or no?

    1. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

      1. Pariße
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Over Vardy?

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      50 50 callno

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        dunno how the 1st part appeared.

        no

    3. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No

    4. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No.

  18. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Seeing alot of Haz, Vardy or Salah (C) but not many Mane (C). Any reason why?

    1. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      African Cup of Nations

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Lol is he there now or something?

    2. jbasma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Underlaying stats

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        His away stats ain't too bad are they?

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Mane didn't score last gw.
      So no love for him i guess

  19. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Fab, (Button)
    Robbo, Pereira, Schar (Digne, Bednarek)
    Hazard, Salah, Mane, McNeil (Pogba)
    Vardy, Barnes, Wilson

    2.3 ITB, 1FT to use before WC. Whos worth a one week punt?

    A) Tielsman / Maddison
    B) Calvin-Lewin
    C) Ozil / Ramsey
    D) Kepa
    E) Other?

  20. PMz
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    FAnderson > Siggy?

    Fabianski

    TAA VVD Clyde AWB

    Haz (c) Salah FAnderson Brooks

    Wilson Vardy

    Subs: Pog Jimenez Chambers

    1. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

  21. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Boruc to -

    A Schmeichel (double up on Leicester defence)
    B Kepa

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      b

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers.

        Anyone else? Looking for a few votes...

  22. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Should i play Arnie ahead of brooks?

    1. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No

    2. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No. Play brooks. Arnie might be benched.

  23. Big Al Stankovic
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Can do a punt this gw before pushing the wc buttpn. Which transfer looks the best?
    (Already have Wilson)

    A) Anderson —> Fraser
    B) Arnie —> King
    C) Arnie&pogba —> Vardy&Fraser (-4)

    Captain whom?

    1) Haz (WHAM)
    2) Mane (sou)
    3) Salah (sou)
    4) Vardy (hud)
    5) Wilson (BUR)

    1. jdogg
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Im tempted by c with teilemans x

  24. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    1) Cap Vardy
    2) Cap Salah

    fwiw -- ML rival likely to cap Mané.

    1. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      1

  25. grooveymatt65
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Fabianski Boruc
    Robertson Bednarek Digne Bennett Wan Bissaka
    Salah Hazard Mane Fraser Hojberg
    Arnautovic King Vardy
    5.0 itb and 0ft

    What do people recommend from the following?

    1. Arnie to Wilson for -4
    2. Hojberg to Tielmans for -4
    3. Leave it

    Also who to captain?

    A. Mane (if i bring him in)
    B. Salah
    C. Hazard
    D. Vardy

    Thanks alot for your input guys!!!!!!!!

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      3, then captain Mane or Salah

  26. Alli
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    G2G?

    Hamer
    Robertson - Luiz - TAA - Pereira
    Salah(vc) - Hazard(c) - Maddison
    Vardy - Rondón - Wilson

    Etheridge - AWB - Pogba - Stephens

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yep. Gtg

  27. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A. Play Fab
    B. Play Hamer
    C. Bring in (4.7m max) gk for this week...and whom

    Thanks

  28. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    play Yedlin with AWB on bench or get Pierrera for a -4?

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I would stick.

    2. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Stick

    3. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      cheers

  29. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Play Brooks or AWB?

    Captain Salah, Mane or Vardy party?

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Brooks. Vardy

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Salah c. if not chasing

  30. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling to hazard -4? WC next week and losing 0.1

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah I would

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Do it