Team News

The FPL Gameweek 1 team news and injury updates

After rounding up Thursday’s nine press conferences in an article posted yesterday evening, we now turn our attention to the 11 remaining pressers that were held on Friday.

Pep Guardiola confirmed that Leroy Sane (knee) would be missing for up to seven months, with the German winger having limped off in the Community Shield last weekend.

Guardiola said:

Normally this kind of injury, six or seven months. Hopefully in February or March, he can come back with us.

The city boss also ruled out Joao Cancelo (match fitness) but Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez look set to feature.

Cancelo’s arrival may affect Kyle Walker‘s security of starts at right-back, although Guardiola also sounded a warning about the new signing’s versatility:

I think for Kyle it’s important to have good competition. Both have to fight for the same position. Cancelo can play on the left as well.

Across Manchester, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer passed Paul Pogba (back) fit.

The Norwegian said:

Paul joined in, actually, the day after [the AC Milan match]. I wasn’t going to risk him, travelling down with the flight, but he joined in the game against Blackburn the day after, behind closed doors here. He is available.

All of the boys are fit. It was always our aim to get to the starting line with as many players as fit as possible. Of course, Eric’s injury is bad news but the rest of them are available.

On the subject of Mason Greenwood, Solskjaer added:

I believe that Mason’s going to be playing and involved a lot, and, when he is, he’ll score goals.

United face Chelsea this weekend, with Frank Lampard providing the following update:

We have Kante fit as in he’s fit – is he match-fit is a question I will have to decide. Willian is working to be fit, it’s probably come slightly too soon for him. Possibly Rudiger the same but he has been training with us for a few days.

A Spurs injury bulletin earlier today confirmed that Dele Alli (hamstring) is unavailable for the visit of Aston Villa and joins Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Son Heung-min (suspended) and Juan Foyth (suspended/injured) on the sidelines.

Ben Davies looks unlikely to feature having only just returned to training following a groin problem but Serge Aurier (hand), Victor Wanyama (knee) and Eric Dier (unspecified) are all back in training.

Arsenal issued their own medical update, stating Nicolas Pepe (match fitness), Alexandre Lacazette (ankle) and Mohamed Elneny (match fitness) would require a fitness test ahead of Sunday’s trip to Newcastle.

Emery said:

We are going to start Sunday with players who I am very convinced can perform now at 100 per cent. For some, that’s impossible for them to achieve that performance for us because they arrived later or started training with us after injuries.

Lacazette for example trained yesterday and today but I don’t know now about Sunday. Tomorrow we are going to check whether he can play or not. The same is with Pepe, he’s been working with us for one week.

New signing Kieran Tierney (groin) is out for four to six weeks but David Luiz has trained and could make his debut on Tyneside.

Andy Carroll (match fitness) won’t be ready to feature against the Gunners and is set to remain sidelined for at least two or three weeks, while Florian Lejeune (knee) and DeAndre Yedlin (groin) are long-term absentees.

Steve Bruce also reported “one or two little injuries” in Friday’s presser, which could include Matt Ritchie (hamstring).

Eddie Howe said of Bournemouth’s injury situation:

The long-termers are still out and obviously the fresh ones we have: David Brooks, Lloyd Kelly and Dan Gosling.

On Kelly, Howe added:

Hopefully it’s not long term and he’ll be back in weeks, not months.

Howe also passed Charlie Daniels and Steve Cook fit, saying:

I’d say they’re fully fit, I’d have no problem with playing either player. They’ve been out for a long period of time but have come back very, very good.

James Tomkins (groin), Mamadou Sakho (match fitness) and Jeffrey Schlupp (unspecified) will all miss Crystal Palace’s match against Everton but Roy Hodgson said the late-returning contingent from the Africa Cup of Nations – notably Wilfried Zaha – are all available for selection.

Zaha, indeed, will be considered for a start.

Fabian Delph (groin) will miss out for the Toffees but Leighton Baines (unspecified) has returned to training and a late decision will be made on his involvement.

Marco Silva said of new recruit Alex Iwobi, meanwhile:

The position we are looking to him is clear, coming from the left, he can play behind the striker really well. If you need to play him on the right he can do also, but we are looking for him coming from the left and behind the striker.

Brendan Rodgers didn’t report any significant fitness concerns in his pre-match press conference on Friday and said that Wilfred Ndidi will be in the squad this weekend, following a late return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

On new signing Dennis Praet, Rodgers said:

I felt that we had a lot of defensive midfield players. In terms of offensive midfielders we probably only had one of those, in Youri Tielemans. I always felt at the end of last season that we needed two.

Rodgers suggested that Praet may need some adjustment time, however.

Matt Doherty and Raul Jimenez returned from injury in the Europa League last night, leaving Morgan Gibbs-White (knock) as Wolves’ only reported injury concern.

Full team information and predicted line-ups are available via our Team News tab.

A video round-up can be viewed below:


1,834 Comments Post a Comment
  1. PepSala
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone done a good analysis on Pope vs Heaton? I'm a sucker for starting strong the first week so having a hard time going Heaton (spurs) over Pope's easy fixture this week..even though Heaton's fixtures are better in the first 10

    1. chonks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      get them both

  2. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Leaving 1.0m on the bench with Jota instead of going for Jimenez.

    May bite, but so many moves I can make with that 1m.

    1. PepSala
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      could be genius

    2. Fingonfin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota is as good as Jimenez

  3. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    1) VVD, King & Vardy (have Perez in mid)
    2) TAA, Wilson & Jota

  4. Agamenmon
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    1) Martial
    2) Fraser

    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1

  5. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which combo to have??

    A. Jota & Wilson
    B. Wilson & King
    C. King & Jota

    1. Fingonfin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Somehow I fancy B because of fixtures

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I have all 3

    3. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      C

      1. FPL ElasticO
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I' m considering A.

  6. Fingonfin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Please, which one?

    A)
    TAA
    Sigg, Dendoncker
    Wood

    B)
    VD
    Barkley, Martial
    Murray

    1. chonks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      VD
      mcginn martial
      Woods

      1. Fingonfin
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Tks

  7. Stevie B
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Murray or Adams?

    1. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sorry man, I didn't mean to put a seed of doubt in your mind. Sure Murray will be fine.

  8. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG?

    Heaton
    Dunk/Montoya Digne Robertson VVD
    Fraseer Sigurdsson Salah Sterling
    Wilson Deulofeu

    McGovern Greenwood Stephens Lundstram

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good to go

  9. Gunners n' Roses
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wood good for a solid 1 week point haul or King/Jota essential?

    My team is a bit punty overall

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’ve gone Wood but I only have Rico in the starting 11 that’s another punt.

  10. as33
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Greenwood nailed for this GW?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

    2. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Off the bench at best

    3. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      not nailed for any GW, but Ole says he'll get a lot of minutes.

  11. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Jota, Siggy
    B) KdB, Montoya

  12. RossoneriHammer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best 5M defender for the first few weeks?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      KWP

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      None

      Camarassa if pushed

      if 5th mf go a 4.5

      1. Clintymints
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Oops def...

        Zouma

    3. _nod
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Zouma

  13. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    With the latest news on Martial getting the #9 shirt, should I make the Siggy -> Martial switch?

    1. Paulie Walnuts
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have

    2. Z
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I took Matrial 5 mins ago

  14. timmmuh
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kola and Ozil out of squad for "security reasons" per BBC Sport

    1. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ozil owned by 2.2%; Kola by 2.0% so shouldn't impact too many

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        not directly, but it does clarify some things in the Arsenal attack...now if we only knew if Lacazette would start...

  15. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gtg?

    Ryan
    TAA - Robertson - Digne
    Salah (C) - Sterling - Moura - Martial - Perez
    Wood - King

    (Button, Rico, Lundstram, Greenwood)

    1. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Very similar to mine, so I'd say yes 🙂

  16. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Last 3 spots, mates... help will be appreciated! 🙂

    Ryan
    Digne VVD TAA -
    Salah Sterling Perez -
    Jota -

    Subs: Button, Dendonker, Rico , Dendonker

    A) Laporte, 7M midfielder, Wilson
    B) AWB, Martial, Wilson
    C) Laporte, Martial, King

  17. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone punting on arsenal back?
    Leno, MNiles or sokratis are nailed 5.0m top team. I mean KWP is not very nailed nor Zouma for example

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fancy Newcastle to score against them this weekend.

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

      Too early to go for Arsenal defender. Wait till defence settles in and Holding and Bellerina are back fit.

    3. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal D makes me wince

    4. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Leno for me

    5. semiconductor
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good points from both. I'm tempted for Leno to be honest. Very cheap for a top side keeper

    6. YuvalFPL
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’ve gone for AMN. Attacking threat and signings could make us more solid, who knows.

      1. semiconductor
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Might to the same actually

  18. B-LFC91
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Siggy a good choice early on?

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Personally went Fraser over him

  19. BOOM XHAKALACA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG here?
    Pope
    Robbo TAA Digne Laporte
    Salah KdB Martial Moura
    King Jota

    Heaton Barkley Martinelli Lundstram

    1. almen
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      i like

  20. Hairy Potter
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Not sure whether to go 4-4-2 or 3-5-2. Which would you go for?

    A) AWB

    B) Barkley

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wan b

    2. Horlicks esq.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      starting? I would take the home fixture

      1. Hairy Potter
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Only one can go in my squad, but they would be the 11th man in my starting lineup.

  21. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which combo to go with??

    A. Wilson& Fraser
    B. Wilson & Lucas

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A if you think Bou will thrive early on. B, if not.

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  22. NotoriousDRE
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Trossard or Barkley long term?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tough to say, Im starting with Trossard

    2. Z
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Plz stop with Tross....Barkley ofc

  23. Razmataz
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best 4.0m defender?

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rico

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

      Kelly

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ive gone Hanley

    4. robt
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kelly

    5. NotoriousDRE
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kelly, Rico,Lundstram….same diff

    6. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rico

  24. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Help is really needed please and appreciated

    Hi

    Struggling with this last piece of tinkering

    In your opinion who is the best 5.0 DF to have for this team

    Leno Button

    Van Dijk Robertson Montoya Soyuncu xxxxxxx

    Salah Sterling Perez Martial Dendoncker

    Wilson Ings King

    Any ideas would be welcomed and appreciated

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe Ake?
      Most will say Zouma, but I'm not convinced Chelsea will keep clean sheets

  25. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Help please!

    A) Laporte, 7M midfielder, Wilson
    B) AWB, Martial, Wilson
    C) Laporte, Martial, King

    1. L S P
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      a

  26. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Siggy and Matip

    Or

    VvD and Zaha

  27. slasken
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Shaw or wanBisaka?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ive chosen Wan B. Think he will still be a BAPS magnet

  28. Razmataz
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Kelly (4.0)

    Or

    B) Rico (4.0)

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      flip a coin

  29. Tsssst
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    its all come down to...

    A.

    Ederson
    TAA
    KDB

    or

    B.

    Fabianski
    Zinchenko
    Sterling

    anyone?

    1. almen
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B brother

    2. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A more nailed on

    3. Lokako
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Both

    4. robt
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B. Got to have Sterling!

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        And Arnold. Work it out.

  30. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any non Brighton fans have Trossard in your team and if so what’s the pull over others?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I do. Nice stats last season and in Europa League. On set pieces. Plays in front 3. Worth a shot.

    2. Sleno
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He wants to set up a team to attack, and the front 3 will interchange, so will even end up through the middle at time and set plays prob on his docket too. fix are good to start, everyone needs a punt or two, and one you have never seen play, he might be the pick of the bunch!

    3. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks guys. Just wanted a non biased opinion that was not through blue and white tinted specs.