Team News

FPL Gameweek 18 team news and injury updates

Ahead of the Gameweek 18 deadline on Saturday, we round up the headline injury news from around the grounds.

Fantasy managers could see Sergio Aguero (groin) back in Premier League action soon, with Pep Guardiola providing positive comments in his pre-match press conference.

The Manchester City boss said of Aguero, John Stones (muscle) and David Silva (knock):

Both [Aguero and Stones] had training sessions, they made two training sessions with the team. David Silva, no.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed that he has no fresh injuries in his squad ahead of the trip to the Etihad, with Matty James back in training but not match-fit.

Frank Lampard has a near-fully fit squad ahead of Chelsea’s visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Speaking on Friday, Lampard said:

[Loftus-Cheek] is making good progress but nowhere near contention for match-play yet.

Other than that we’re all pretty good, we’ve got a fit squad. Ross [Barkley] is fine. Tomori is fine. Giroud is fine. They’re all fine, I think.

Spurs report that Tanguy Ndombele (groin) and Michel Vorm (calf) are back in training with the rest of the squad.

Ben Davies (ankle), Erik Lamela (hamstring) and Hugo Lloris (elbow) are continuing rehabilitation and remain out, however.

Already without Joel Ward (knee), Jeffrey Schlupp (muscle), Mamadou Sakho (suspended), Andros Townsend (unspecified) and Gary Cahill (unspecified) for the match against Newcastle, Roy Hodgson was dealt a further blow on Friday when Scott Dann sustained an injury in training.

Patrick van Aanholt (hamstring) could make a swift return, at least, having returned to training.

Hodgson said in his pre-match presser:

Patrick van Aanholt has started training with us again, so that’s very positive. We will see if he can play tomorrow. But if he can that will be a major boost because that’s been a problem position for us during the time he has been out.

We suffered a setback in training this morning with Scott Dann, who is going to have a scan this afternoon. It might just be a little scare that you sometimes get in training sessions.

Hodgson’s opposite number on Saturday, Steve Bruce, said of Newcastle’s fitness latest:

Almiron and Shelvey have a chance. They trained yesterday, so as we speak we haven’t seen them [today] but they both seemed OK yesterday. The risk would have been last week, so I let them recover. We think they’ve done enough to make sure they are OK.

Matt Ritchie (ankle), Jamaal Lascelles (leg), Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring), Ciaran Clark (calf) and Ki Sung-yueng (unknown) remain unavailable, however.

Manchester United look likely to be without Paul Pogba (ankle) again this Sunday, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer providing the latest on the Frenchman earlier today:

He’s training but he’s not been training with us for long. That’s a step forward for us. I hope [he will play before the end of the year]. Let’s see how he feels. I’m not going to push him. We need him to be 100% fit.

Eric Bailly (knee) and Timothy Fosu-Mensah (knee) remain sidelined despite a return to training, while Diogo Dalot will continue to build up match fitness with a run-out for the under-19s on Friday.

Nigel Pearson commented on Watford’s fitness situation yesterday:

Masina and Pereyra have trained, been out on the field. We’ll assess them as we go. Holebas won’t be available.

And then the long-termers (Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck, Sebastian Prödl, Daryl Janmaat) there is no change there. They are making good progress, so we are pleased with how that’s developing.

Eddie Howe has fresh concerns over Josh King (ankle) and Andrew Surman (calf) ahead of the visit of Burnley.

The Bournemouth boss said:

We have got concerns on a few players and we’ll make very late calls on them. Have we got anyone returning from injury from the previous weeks? No, I don’t think so, we’re pretty much as we were.

Josh King went off last week with a twisted ankle so we’ll see how he is. Andrew Surman picked up a calf problem from the game, so we’ll see how he is.

Sean Dyche said of Burnley’s injury situation, meanwhile:

Woody has been carrying a bit of a knock on his Achilles, so we’ll see how he is. He wasn’t on the grass today so we’ll see. Westy wasn’t on the grass today either, with a tight groin, so we’ll see.

Charlie Taylor has trained all week, Kevin Long has trained all week.

Gibbo had a niggly groin last Friday, we had to pull him out of the game in the warm-up. We’ve got to make sure that’s settled. Although I don’t think it’s a serious one, I doubt he’ll be fit for the weekend.

Johann got through 60 minutes on his recovery in a reserve game. Fortunately, we have got an under-23 game on Saturday, so he’ll get more minutes in that – hopefully, 90 if that goes well.

Graham Potter welcomes Dale Stephens back from suspension ahead of Brighton’s match against Sheffield United.

The Seagulls manager also had positive news on Aaron Connolly (dead leg), saying on Thursday:

He should be [fit], he’s trained this week, so he’s available.

We have no further problems from the game against Crystal Palace, so pretty much the same squad, but obviously Aaron is available for selection.

It’s only Solly March and Jose Izquierdo that are out at the moment.

Chris Wilder didn’t report any fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to the Amex but John Fleck will miss out through suspension.

The Sheffield United manager said on Thursday:

We’re in good nick, we’re fit, we’re healthy. Yeah we’ve got a couple of players that are close to suspension but hasn’t everyone else?

Obviously missing John Fleck is a blow for us on Saturday but we’ve got options, we can go through two or three ways.

Interim Everton boss Duncan Ferguson didn’t name names in his media gathering but said of Everton’s injury situation:

There’s one or two been training lightly, there’s still some sickness in the camp. I’m hopeful that there’ll be a few added to the squad.

Lucas Digne suffered a recurrence of his groin injury last weekend, while Djibril Sidibe and Gyfli Sigurdsson missed out through illness.

Arsenal appointed Mikel Arteta as manager on Friday but the former Manchester City number two won’t be in charge of the Gunners this weekend.

Arsenal earlier confirmed that Hector Bellerin (hamstring), Rob Holding (knee) and Mesut Ozil (foot) are all being assessed ahead of the trip to Goodison Park.

Dani Ceballos (hamstring) is aiming to return to training next week, while Sead Kolasinac (ankle) and Kieran Tierney (shoulder) are out.

Granit Xhaka is available after a head injury, however.

When asked if everyone was fit for the trip to Norwich, Nuno Espirito Santo said:

With the exception of Boly, Morgan [Gibbs-White] and Bruno Jordao, yes.

Santo said of Adama Traore‘s shoulder, meanwhile:

It was dislocated [against Spurs], fortunately the medic was able to put it [right] again, and he’s recovering and improving.

Tim Godfrey (ACL) has joined Josip Drmic (muscle) and Timm Klose (knee) on Norwich’s long-term injury list, with the centre-half out until February.

Grant Hanley (groin) has been back in training and could feature, however.

Ralph Hasenhüttl ruled Moussa Djenepo (hamstring) and Yan Valery (virus) out of Gameweek 18 in his Thursday press conference, while Sofiane Boufal continues to struggle with his toe injury.

The Saints are up against Aston Villa this weekend, with Villans boss Dean Smith reporting on Friday:

Jed Steer has just come out a [protective] boot. Keinan Davis is back running, probably not 100% yet but he should be soon. Tyrone Mings is pain-free and running as well but only at 50% at the moment.


Predicted line-ups and more detailed information are found in the Team News tab, which is being updated this evening.

Our YouTube/podcast round-up can be viewed by clicking here.

768 Comments Post a Comment
  1. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any other Danny caps?

    1. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would if I had him. I don’t however.

  2. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mousset/Mane>Rash/Ali for free seem ok? Anything better in your opinion?

    Pope
    Kelly, Lund, Rico
    Dendo, Maddy, KDB, Son
    Vardy, Jimmy, Mousset
    Gazza, Robby, Mane, Soyu

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sounds good!

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

    Who scores more this GW:

    A) Alli vs Chelsea defence
    B) Richarlison vs Arsenal defence

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

      1. Kun, Ayew Nigerian?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        L

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. Pass
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Richarlison

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Feel like helping out mate? If you, see my post below

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

      Rich

  4. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    chances of Martinelli to start?
    looking for cheap forward who will play this week

    1. Velin
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Greenwood i think has a bigger chance for start, however Martineli is a good punt for that price too!

  5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Quick one

    Salah -> Sterling (C)?

    A) Yes, do it
    B) Make the transfer, keep C on Kev
    C) Don't do it, play Cantwell

    1FT 0itb

    Gaz
    Lord Soy Rico
    KDB(C) Son Alli Cantwell
    Vardy Abra Mousset

    (Salah Trent Robbo)

    Votes are currently:
    A) two
    B) zero
    C) two

    Thank you

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure about Sterling as a captin this GW. Feels like feast of famine but maybe this GW of split captains it's a risk worth taking.

      Prob worth making a move to have someone playing over Cantwell/Mousset

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you!

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      dont think Sterling has been doing very well at home

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Gotta turn around at some point tho 😉 Cheers.

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

      C

    4. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B though captain Son over KDB

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        This

      2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I just feel very confident in KDB in this game. Will consider it though. Thanks mate.

        1. JoeSoap
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          If he plays in same position he could do well though won't get the same room as against Arsenal and after that game he will be well marked you would guess. It is a toss of the coin week for captain.

    5. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

  6. bench boost for every gamew…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Every experts i´ve heard, both english and norwegian fpl podcaster, is saying Liverpool fixtures are bad from gw19-24. OK, Leicester away granted, tough one. But Liverpool are fully capable of beating Leicester, and Leicester plays open games which suits Liverpool. Then SHU home, followed by Wolves home, firstly, two HOME games in a tight schedule where both opponents have thin squads and Wolves plays one da later so one less to recover, that sound like two very NICE fixtures. Spurs away, well, are Spurs the best defensive team, no. Liverpool usually plays well vs United home. To me, having at least one attacker in those games seems a must. Defender is a bit more tricky not that i think there going to do badly but i think cheaper option will keep track, but it´s not all wrong imo.

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They are facing difficult oppositions but come on, it's Liverpool. Look at their form. Incredibly strong against anyone.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I sold Mané this GW as I see these games as tricky, rotation is probable and more points potentially available elsewhere.

      For me, i saw Richarlison and Kane as having the potential to score more than Mané and Jimenez over the Xmas fixtures.

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Could work out, and nor

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Nor

        2. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Not

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

          Am going all in on the Spurs fixtures (BHA, nor, sot) with Kane/Alli/Son and the captaincy on one of them in each.

      2. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yes but you want them out and that is 4 point used. Klopp did not rotate in Christmas last year and 3 games in one week is ok when two are home. Triple spurs Will not be smart investment. Banking on 3 goalsevery game and your three player involved is not going to be fruitful. Last game they got 5 points combined Even with 2 goalsscored.

  7. DanLFC1
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking of Kane (c) over KDB....

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Seems safer. Kdb most sold before last week because of inconsistant returns, and he’s not playing ARS def in shambles this week

  8. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hey guys, WC still intact and 1 FT with 3.1 ITB. Any thoughts on which GW I should WC and which transfer looks best for this week:

    A Ings > Rash
    B Mount > Alli
    C Pulisic > Son
    Other?

    Heaton
    AWB / Rico / Lund / Kelly
    KDB / Pulisic / Cantwell
    Tammy / Vardy / Ings

    Pope / Mount / Pereira / Mane

  9. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Will Arsenal have a new manager bounce minus the new manager or will Big Duncan's fired up toffees put Ljungberg's Arsenal to the sword easily tomorrow?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      think they will start scoring more and be better to watch, but will concede like they have 9 men

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

      I think Arteta's first order of business will be to chain Guendozi to Sokratis to make sure he isn't leaving the back four exposed so much. So I think they will see improvement defensively.

  10. Subzero (-4)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Maddison to Alli (-4) for next 2 gameweeks a good shout? Have a canny bit of value in maddison but can't seem to make a case to keep him when I can get alli. Am I being to harsh?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Maddison looks like a mini season keeper you know

      1. Subzero (-4)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        What do you mean by 'mini season' sorry?

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          new on the scene, first season he has been eligble (potenitally). I wouldnt lose him, basically. He ticks along

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            get both

          2. Subzero (-4)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            He does tick along nicely. Your right! Just feel like I'm missing a trick by holding for next 2 gameweeks but I suppose he could grab an attacking return over the next 2

            1. have you seen cyan
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              out of all Leicester players I think Maddison has best chance of scoring vs City. Alli is a good pick, but I dont think Maddison is bad. Who in your team has doen bad for like 2/3+ weeks? Move them on for someone you can afford

              1. Subzero (-4)
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Current team (2 million itb):

                Henderson
                Aurier Lund Perreria

                Son KDB Maddison traore

                Vardy jimmy tammy

                Cantwell, robbo, TAA.

                Team doing really well recently. Any thoughts?

                1. have you seen cyan
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  its good this week, but you need to find a way to get Salah sooner rather than later. Ditch Robbo to facilitate it, (TAA is much higher owned so you have to keep him).
                  Pereira is over-priced compared to Soy, but that isnt urgent, you could play 4 at the back easily most weeks

  11. Boofsteino
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mane -> Son, Maddisson -> Lucas or hold? (already have Alli)