Team News

Klopp’s update on Liverpool centre-back situation and other FPL team news

Fantasy Premier League managers may be considering late transfers in their Double Gameweek 19 teams after Pep Guardiola talked about the competition for places in his Manchester City squad

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp also said one of his centre-halves could make a timely return for their key match with Manchester United.

Find out the latest injury and team news news in this Double Gameweek 19 round-up.

Manchester City

Pep first confirmed Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m), Nathan Aké (£5.4m) and Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) are all ruled out for Man City ahead of Crystal Palace’s visit to the Etihad.

“Today is (a day) off, tomorrow is training session. I’d love to update you. Eric (Garcia) will be back, the guys from the academy will be back. Aymeric (Laporte) and Nathan (Aké) won’t be fit. Sergio Aguero won’t be either.”

Pep Guardiola

Eric Garcia (£4.7m) returns to offer Guardiola another option at centre-half, though the Spaniard will likely have to settle for a place on the bench.

The City manager also had some words of warning for Joao Cancelo (£5.8m) owners.

Signing Cancelo a week before fixture swing can give FPL owners the edge

“Every player has competition with his team-mates. Even the manager, if we’re not playing good I have competition. To get the best out of ourselves, we have to feel our seat is not safe. Even Joao Cancelo.”

Pep Guardiola

And on Raheem Sterling (£11.4m), the City chief added:

“He’s an incredibly important player for us. Without him what we have done in the past wouldn’t be possible. In all departments he can help us. I’m more than delighted he is with us.”

Pep Guardiola

Liverpool

Joel Matip (£5.4m) could return for the top-of-the-table clash with Man United, Jurgen Klopp confirmed.

“Joel Matip is close. Does it make sense now to throw him in after one or two sessions he’s not done yet? I don’t know. We have to see how he looks in training.”

Jurgen Klopp

Asked if Jordan Henderson (£5.4m) could deputise once more at centre-half should Matip not return, Klopp responded:

“We have still different solutions. Hendo is, for us, very important in midfield, as well. We just have to see. It’s not decided yet. Why should I?”

Jurgen Klopp

One player that will definitely not feature at Anfield is Naby Keita (£5.2m).

“Naby is not ready for involvement. Not a big thing. But it’s a bit like when other players have come back from injuries they have to play and little injury again. Now we have to put on the brakes and settle it properly.”

Jurgen Klopp

Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was coy as ever in his pre-Liverpool briefing, with Anthony Martial (£8.8m) owners set to sweat ahead of Sunday’s kick-off.

“I will give everyone tomorrow to prove their fitness. There are a couple of knocks we got at Burnley that I’m not sure about. I am going to give everyone a chance. Anthony Martial is not out of it. Only ones certainly out are Brandon Williams and Phil Jones. They are the two who definitely can’t make the game. Others, maybe doubts, but fingers crossed.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Tottenham Hotspur

Steven Bergwijn (£7.0m) should be available for Spurs after illness, while Giovanni Lo Celso (£6.9m) remains out.

“Gio [Lo Celso] is not [available]. We still have two training sessions before the game but I believe no more problems in principle.”

Jose Mourinho

Jose also provided this update on Gareth Bale (£9.3m).

“He arrived injured for the first month and the Europa League group phase is a different intensity, so in the Premier League didn’t play a lot of minutes. Then an injury against Stoke where he was having a good first half. Not an easy process.”

Jose Mourinho

West Ham

David Moyes, frustratingly, did not provide a specific update on Michail Antonio (£6.2m) in his pre-match press conference.

The West Ham boss did offer information on Fabian Balbuena (£4.4m) and Lukasz Fabianski (£5.1m), however.

“We’ve only had two players missing; Fabian Balbuena is isolating – he came in contact with somebody – but basically we’re just about okay. We’re waiting on Lukasz Fabianski to see how he is, we’re not sure yet and Arthur Masuaku’s probably a couple of months away from being involved again.”

David Moyes

Burnley

Charlie Taylor (£4.5m) owners may not get two games out of the Clarets defender in Double Gameweek 19.

“Charlie Taylor is a doubt, he is a maybe. Everyone else is fine. There are a couple searching for true fitness as in high-level Premier League fitness but the squad is coming back together now.”

Sean Dyche

Wolves

Nuno Espirito Santo delivered a surprisingly lengthy team news update ahead of West Brom’s visit to Molineux.

“Let’s see. We have Adama (Traoré) and (Willy) Boly coming and joining (training). Let’s see how they are for tomorrow. We still have Daniel out. We have work to do. Jonny, Podence, Marcal are out.”

Nuno Espirito Santo

On Pedro Neto (£6.0m), he added:

“He’s inside all the players we have to assess, realising we still have a lot in front of us. At the same time, Pedro is doing well, so we’ll decide. He had a big knock but is improving. Better today, and hopefully better tomorrow.”

Nuno Espirito Santo

A reversion to the tried-and-trusted back three could also be on the cards at Wolves.

“We (have) made big mistakes, especially in defence. We must be compact and from there can grow positives. We have to go back to our main foundation; a clean sheet.”

Nuno Espirito Santo

Sheffield United

Chris Wilder has injury issues, though exactly which players remains unclear. The Blades boss said:

“We’ve got a few out. I think we’ve got seven out for the weekend. We’re hopeful we’ll get a couple back but we might lose one and we’ve got a doubt about one.”

Chris Wilder

On striker Oli McBurnie (£5.6m), Wilder added:

“He’s working away – he’s been out on the grass today. Difficult one because of the nature of the injury. “Still got another day to go but he’s a doubt.”

Chris Wilder
Brewster not immediately drafted into Sheffield United starting line-up

Leicester

Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) and James Maddison (£7.1m) are available for the Foxes’ home clash with Southampton on Saturday.

Leicester play at the King Power again on Tuesday, hosting Chelsea in their second tie of Double Gameweek 19. On the pair, Brendan Rodgers said:

“Both those players are available. It wasn’t so much a rest [for the FA Cup]. They couldn’t play or if they did play, there was going to be a huge risk for them. They’ve had ongoing issues throughout the season unfortunately and [Stoke] was a game where we saw a window to get some medical work done with them knowing we’ve got other players who can play. That’s worked well for us. They’ve re-joined the group so they’ll be available this weekend.”

Brendan Rodgers

Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) will not be rushed back into action again, having returned to team training.

“Cengiz Under should be back this weekend, Ricardo Pereira too. A bit like (Caglar) Söyüncü, it will be step by step. We don’t need to rush (Pereira), especially having him broken down before. He’s worked very hard and has gone through all of the tests. We are able to get him close to the squad now, and step by step (we are) getting him back.”

Brendan Rodgers

Dennis Praet (£5.2m), meanwhile, is set for an extended spell on the sidelines. Rodgers explained:

“Dennis will be out for up to three months, which is a huge blow for us. It was an awkward one, he overstretched. It was a tendon in the hamstring.”

Brendan Rodgers

Southampton

For the Saints, Ralph Hassenhuttl confirmed the news that Danny Ings (£8.3m) had tested positive for COVID-19 last week and will miss the trip to Leicester.

.

“We’ve had one positive test since the Liverpool game; Danny Ings. So he’s been out for the past 10 days. When you stick to the protocols, you minimise the risks and that’s what we’re continuing to do. I don’t know if Danny can come back [to training] tomorrow but it looks like he’s out for the weekend.”

Alex McCarthy (£4.7m) and Che Adams (£6.0m) are back in the Southampton fold, while Hasenhuttl has a mix of short and long-term injuries to deal with.

“Alex McCarthy and Che Adams have come back in, so they will both be available. [Nathan] Redmond, [Jannik] Vestergaard and [Moussa] Djenepo are all longer-term injuries. [Michael] Obafemi has had surgery and [Nathan] Tella has problems with his muscle. We have a few problems in the moment which gives me a bit of a headache.”

Ralph Hassenhuttl

Leeds

Marcelo Bielsa has suddenly got some strength in depth at centre-half, with Liam Cooper (£4.3m) and Diego Llorente (£4.4m) both passed fit by the Leeds boss.

“Diego Llorente, Tyler Roberts and Liam Cooper are all available. No (other players are unavailable), just Kalvin Phillips (suspended).”

Marcelo Bielsa

Owners of defenders Luke Ayling (£4.5m), Stuart Dallas (£4.8m) and Ezjgan Alioski (£4.5m) will be scanning the Leeds teamsheet on Saturday to see how Bielsa decides to set up his defence and midfield.

Brighton

Brighton boss Graham Potter has not faced the press but the club’s medical update ruled out Tariq Lamptey (£4.7m), Danny Welbeck (£5.5m), Adam Lallana (£6.2m), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (£5.4m), Aaron Connolly (£5.2m) and new signing Jakub Moder (£5.0m).

Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic (£5.5m) could return for Fulham after missing the midweek 1-1 draw at Spurs. Scott Parker said on Thursday:

“Aleksandar Mitrovic is possible to return for the weekend. He trained lightly today. Mario Lemina and Tom Cairney are not available at the moment. We’ll see where we are in the coming days. Tom has an issue with his knee.”

Scott Parker

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.9m) is ineligible to face his parent club.

Chelsea

Chelsea should be set to welcome Reece James (£5.1m) back to action, after the right-back missed the club’s last two Premier League games.

Frank Lampard declined to name specific players in his team news update on Thursday, saying:

“We’re all good. N’Golo Kante is suspended but he’s back in training tomorrow. So we’re all good.”

Frank Lampard

Arsenal

Following the Gunners’ 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday, Mikel Arteta said of the missing Kieran Tierney (£5.4m):

“I don’t know (if I’ll have him back for the next game). It depends on how he evolves. He’s going to have an MRI scan tomorrow and we’ll see how he is.”

Mikel Arteta
Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19: The key player and team stats
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On further injury news, Arteta added:

“[Pablo Mari] had a calf injury in training [on Wednesday]. I think he will miss a few matches. He’s another one we will lose but we’ve got Gabriel [Magalhaes] back after Cocid, which is good news, we’ve got Thomas [Partey] back as well. Let’s focus on the positives.”

Mikel Arteta

Newcastle

On team news, Steve Bruce told the media:

“Jamal Lewis could come back in. Jamaal Lascelles too. We’ve got a problem with Federico Fernandez. Allan Saint-Maximin is maybe training today or tomorrow, which is good news. But he’s been out for around seven weeks so we’ll have to monitor him. Fatigue is the biggest thing.”

Steve Bruce

Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson used his press conference to praise his team’s latest defensive performances

On Palace’s trip to Arsenal, the manager stated:

“We were playing a team in excellent form and we go away with a deserved 0-0. I thought the game was end-to-end and we are happy we took something away from the game. Two clean sheets in a row now. If you don’t defend well, it is going to be hard to win games.”

Roy Hodgson

And Hodgson added on the visit to the Etihad:

“If they [Man City] are not conceding goals, they’re always likely to score with the quality of players they have to choose from. It’s going to be a very, very tough ask for us. Am I looking forward to going there? Well, not really, because I know it’s going to be a very hard ask for us. You have to show every bit as much discipline, energy and effort that we put into tonight’s game.”

Roy Hodgson

West Brom

Sam Allardyce did not provide anything in the way of team news during his press conference on Thursday.

1,398 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys thoughts on this -8? Am playing the BB and hopefully this would set me up nicely!

    Son, Kane and Tierney to Salah, Antonio and Chilwell?

    1. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice moves

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

  2. bitars
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gonna bench boost, anything here worth a hit?

    De Gea (Martinez)

    Dias, Cancelo, Bissaka, (Dallas, Coufal)

    KDB, Salah, Bruno, Soucek, (Saka)

    Bamford, Antonio, Wood

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

      Gtg no hit necessary

  3. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Ziyech and Zouma
    B) Grealish and Chillwell

    Which one?

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

      A

  4. chelseabrad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you BB? Considering a -4 or -8 even to change Taylor, Adams and maybe KWP? Got 1FT 0.8 ITB

    Mendy Meslier
    Robbo Taylor Stones KWP Mitchell
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish Neto
    Wilson Bamford Adams

    Cheers

  5. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain
    a) Bruno
    b) Salah

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B for sure

      1. Jdpz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        why?>

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          The yellow card risk probably.

    2. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  6. ABCDEFC
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Johnstone
    Justin - Robbo - Coufal - Balbuena
    Bruno - Salah - Son - Soucek
    Kane - Bamford

    McCarthy - Adams - Dallas - Raphinha

    Worth it to BB? Going to do Kane, Son and Balbuena to Antonio, KDB and Stones (-8)

    How many of these are worth a -4 for BB?
    A) McCarthy to Martinez
    B) Adams to Watkins
    C) Raphinha to Foden

    1. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      maybe c if you think he ll play both games

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've been looking at shipping McCarthy for a -4, but I can't find a DGW keeper likely to repay the points for the money. Villa are still a risk imo.
      C is worth considering.

      1. ABCDEFC
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I feel like Martinez pays of long term also, with good fixtures coming up.

  7. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    own kdb and vardy which to cap?

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

      Kevin

  8. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed. Help me here lads.

    Would you rather get KdB for -4 (selling Kane) or

    getting Stones and Vardy for -4 and benching Dallas, and go without KdB, but double City defence.

    ?

  9. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    RP
    Any press conference pending ??

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think we might be done.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate 🙂

  10. Romford Pele - Don't w…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you bench boost this if you had all your chips left or hope you can do a wildcard/bench boost full house in a future DGW?

    Forster, Tierney (NEW), Dallas (BHA), Brewster (TOT)

    1. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably not.
      Tierney a doubt and Brew 1 pointer

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That's a poor bench tbh

    3. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Save for BB 26.

    4. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1 won't play
      1 might play
      1 might play, but not a full game
      1 will play and return points.
      I would gamble that there's a better opportunity to come.

  11. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which move has the more upside?

    A. Kane > Vardy
    B. Raphinha > Soucek
    C. Do both for a -4

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Coufal Konsa
    Salah KDB Bruno Raphinha*
    Kane* Bamford*
    Meslier Adams Anguissa Taylor

    1 FT 0.1 ITB

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

    3. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    4. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks all

  12. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL to Antonio for free?

    Or

    DCL and Grealish to Vardy and Soucek for -4?

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  13. dillydally1982
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which pair to choose (I already own KDB and a City defender)?:

    a) Sterling & Kane
    b) Salah & Jesus

  14. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BB this?
    Johnstone,Bamford,Dallas,Soucek

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hell yeah

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I’ll be on this for -8.
        Martinez
        Chilwell, Dias,Cancelo,Coufal
        Salah,KDB,Grealish, Fernandes
        Antonio,Watkins

        Johnstone, Bamford, Dallas,Soucek 1m itb

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Just Do It !

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

    3. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would

  15. southcoastbeast
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Considering using bb thhis gw, but i need to take a hit to do bissouma to soucek.
    Would u use the bb ?

    Johnstone- dier- dallas - soucek

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes I would

    2. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  16. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cresswell or Antonio??

    Who to score more this week.

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio

  17. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Raph to Foden worth a hit?

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ha, exact same question. I'm leaning towards yes

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sure

  18. chelseabrad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will C.Taylor play? (bur)

  19. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Raphina to foden worth it for - 4?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Get him while he is hot

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope. He will play one game probably.

    3. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hmmm, just seeen that Leeds still may play Southampton lol. And tbh Raph could still do decent against Brighton

  20. Shultan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts (1FT) 0.6 ITB
    Martinez
    Dias/coufal/Dallas
    KDB/Bruno/Rash/Son
    Kane/Wilson/bamford
    Subs: lowton/holding/reideweld
    Have all chips & I'm very tempted to FH as my rank is low

  21. Pinturicchio10
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Settled, after much thought.

      Fabianski
      Dias-Konsa-Zouma
      Barnes-Salah-De Bruyne-Fernandes-Soucek
      Bamford-Vardy

      PF-Ayling-Brewster-Webster

      No hit. De Bruyne (TC).

      Good luck all.

    • chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is Jesus likely to get a recall for the doubles?

      Might be worth a punt when not many forwards have 2 games?

    • IamthenextTeemuPukki
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinez (Steer)
      Reguilon, Dias, Chillwell (Mitchell, Taylor)
      Bruno, Salah, Grealish, Raphinha (Burke)
      DCL, Bamford, Vardy

      Not Bench Boosting but want to get in more DGW players....

      Which is better?
      a.) Taylor/DCL/Grealish to DeBruyne(c)/Coufal/4.3 forward (-8)
      or
      b.) DCL/Mitchell to Antonio/Cancelo (-4 and captain Salah)
      or
      c.) Grealish/DCL/Raphinha to Soucek/DeBruyne(c)/4.3 forward (-8)

    • Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      TC KDB let's go

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Don’t cry if he hasn’t scored after 30 minutes.

        1. The Train Driver
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          30 min, usually takes 5...

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        GL though.

        1. Fudgy
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks

    • Knowsnothingaboutnothing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinez
      Cancelo Coufal Dier
      KDB Bruno Sterling Grealish Soucek
      Antonio Martial

      Meslier Tierney Holding Bamford

      Do I take a -12 and play BB ?

      Dier - Robbo
      Tierney - James
      Martial - Watkins

      1. liner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No

    • Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would you rather have KdB and 1 City defender or just 2 City defenders without KdB

      1. aleksaa2
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Kdb+1

    • wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What are the latest news on Balbuena?He was in isolation but he is almost ok means what?

      1. HugoSimpson2
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        he is gone to red now

    • Tosa86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      My actual WC draft for DGW19:

      Martinez - forster
      dallas - cancelo - WalkerPeters - cresswell - struijk
      kdb - fernando - son - soucek - smith rowe
      vardy - kane - bamford

      any feedback for a long term plan?

    • FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Johnstone, McCarthy
      Stones, Cancelo, Maguire, Coufal,
      Salah, Bruno, Son, Raphinha, Soucek
      Kane, Bamford, Wood
      1 ft, 0 itb.

      Any tips? Willing to take a hit to get KdB.

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Kane and Son to KdB and cheaper striker. Maybe Antonio ? not his fan tbf

        1. Tosa86
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          why out spurs?

    • yanky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Im just short of Son > KDB.

      a) Son TAA > KDB Chilwell -4 pts
      b) Son Adams > KDB Decordova-Reid-4 pts
      c) Son > Sterling for free
      d) Raphinha > Maddison for free