Team News

Team news, injury updates and predicted line-ups for FPL Gameweek 4

Gameweek 4 is upon us and we’ve got all the important team news information in our weekly press conference summary below.

Following the pressers there was news that players from Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay and Chile will be available to play this weekend, with the threat of FIFA sanctions seemingly lifted.

For more detailed information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed plus Joe and Neale’s video below:

MANCHESTER UNITED V NEWCASTLE UNITED

Cristiano Ronaldo is set for his second Manchester United debut but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wouldn’t be drawn on whether the Portuguese international would start this weekend.

“He’ll definitely be on the pitch at some point, that’s for sure.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Cristiano Ronaldo

Alex Telles (ankle), Phil Jones (knee) and Marcus Rashford (shoulder) are all definitely out, while Scott McTominay (groin) and Dean Henderson (illness) have returned to training but their involvement is still in some doubt.

Jadon Sancho (knock) has been passed fit, however.

Martin Dubravka (foot) and Jonjo Shelvey (calf) have been joined on the sidelines by Callum Wilson (thigh) and Ryan Fraser (ankle) but Karl Darlow could make a return to the matchday squad after his struggles with Covid-19, with Steve Bruce saying that he would “make the decision in the next 24 hours or so” as to whether the goalkeeper would be ready to start ahead of Freddie Woodman.

We’re not going to put a timescale on it. It’s really frustrating for Callum and for us. He’s got two goals in three games as well. It’s unfortunate that he’s picked up this thigh injury. We’ll just give it as long as we can.” – Steve Bruce on Callum Wilson

While Paul Dummett (calf/match fitness) wasn’t sighted in the midweek training ground photos, Isaac Hayden (knee) was involved with his teammates and looks set to be available for the trip to Old Trafford.

CRYSTAL PALACE V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso and Davinson Sanchez will definitely miss the trip to Crystal Palace as they quarantine following involvement in South America, while the international break has proved costly elsewhere for Spurs with Oliver Skipp, Steven Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon all picking up minor fitness issues.

Even worse than that, Son Heung-min is thought to be a major doubt with a calf problem; Nuno Espirito Santo told reporters on Friday that the South Korean was “not so well” and that he was waiting on the club’s doctors to “make a proper diagnosis”.

The Spurs boss later went on to confirm “the absence of some players who arrived with problems from the international break”, without naming names, but media reports suggest that Skipp is confident of overcoming tightness in his groin to feature.

Eberechi Eze (Achilles) and Nathan Ferguson (Achilles) have been joined on the sidelines by Jeffrey Schlupp (hamstring) but Michael Olise (back) and Luka Milivojevic (match fitness) are back in contention, have rejoined training over the international break.

Also coming into Patrick Vieira’s thoughts are Odsonne Edouard and Will Hughes, the late-summer captures who the Palace boss confirmed were available for selection.

LEICESTER CITY V MANCHESTER CITY

Zach Steffen (illness) will miss the trip to Leicester City but Kevin De Bruyne (ankle) and Phil Foden (foot) have returned to training.

“Yesterday, Phil [Foden] made his first training session. Kevin [De Bruyne] trained good the last week, part alone, part with the three/four other players who were here plus the under-18s. They feel much better.” – Pep Guardiola

Leicester’s injury situation is clearing up, with James Justin (knee) and Wesley Fofana (leg) the only two players definitely on the sidelines this weekend – along with the suspended Ayoze Perez.

Ryan Bertrand has been passed fit after his recent stint in isolation, while Ricardo Pereira (hamstring) “came through a session on Thursday and looked very good”, according to his manager, so could also be available.

Jannik Vestergaard (knee) and Jonny Evans (foot) have been back in training after their respective problems and featured in a behind-closed-doors match over the last fortnight, although Brendan Rodgers still urged caution with the pair when saying that “they’re not going to be 100%” and that the Foxes would “have to be as sure as possible in terms of how long the players can last”.

LEEDS UNITED V LIVERPOOL

Roberto Firmino will miss out despite the decision over Brazil internationals and their availability in Gameweek 4, with the striker sidelined with a hamstring injury and set to be replaced by Diogo Jota at Elland Road.

Takumi Minamino (muscle) and Neco Williams (unspecified) were casualties of the last week but Liverpool’s other internationals seemingly made it home unscathed, with Virgil van Dijk and Harvey Elliott passed fit by their manager despite picking up knocks while representing their countries

Robin Koch (pelvis) remains out but Leeds are otherwise in good shape heading into Sunday’s clash with Liverpool, with new signing Daniel James available for selection and the previously sidelined Junior Firpo and Mateusz Klich now recovered from their Covid-19 infections.

Marcelo Bielsa also confirmed in Friday’s press conference that Stuart Dallas was available for selection, with the Northern Irishman having previously exited his country’s national team squad for “personal reasons”.

CHELSEA V ASTON VILLA

Romelu Lukaku has been passed fit to start after complaining of a thigh strain while on international duty but Christian Pulisic (ankle), N’Golo Kante (ankle) and Reece James (suspended) will miss the visit of Aston Villa.

“Maybe he [previously] had some problems. He came back two days ago: yesterday he trained with us, today he trained full – no problems at all.” – Thomas Tuchel on Romelu Lukaku

Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia are both unavailable after their international commitments in a red-list country, while Carney Chukwuemeka and Jaden Philogene-Bidace both picked up injuries while away with England’s youth teams over the last week and look set to join Trezeguet (knee) and Keinan Davis (unspecified) on the sidelines.

There was better news from Dean Smith elsewhere, however, with Leon Bailey, John McGinn, Morgan Sanson, Jacob Ramsey and Bertrand Traore all declared fit and available for selection, albeit with Sanson only ready for substitute duty. 

There has been no fresh word on Ezri Konsa’s fitness, suggesting the stopper is fine; Smith indeed had previously said he “thinks [Konsa] will be all right” and the defender has since been pictured in training, although did have strapping on his knee.

EVERTON V BURNLEY

Fabian Delph (shoulder) is the only confirmed absentee for Everton ahead of the clash with Burnley, although there is some doubt over whether James Rodriguez will be involved as Rafael Benitez again repeated that the out-of-favour Colombian was behind the rest of the squad in terms of match fitness.

Seamus Coleman (hamstring) is expected to feature and Tom Davies is “very close” to a return after missing the win over Brighton, while Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey are available after a fortnight of training over the international break.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (muscle/toe) was omitted from Rafaeml Benitez’s list of injury doubts but the Everton boss did say that the striker had been been “training with pain” and has previously not been “fully fit” this season. The striker was pictured in training on Thursday, at least, so it could be another evening of playing through the pain barrier against the Clarets.

“He was not fully fit, he was making an effort to be on the pitch, he has been training with pain, so I’m really happy to see him trying in the training sessions even when he’s not fully fit. And that is why I’m expecting even more [from him].”  – Rafael Benitez on Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Richarlison is available for selection, meanwhile, having escaped the mayhem that surrounds the other current Brazil internationals based in the Premier League.

Kevin Long (Achilles), Connor Roberts (groin) and Dale Stephens (ankle) remain unavailable for Burnley, while Nathan Collins (unspecified) is a doubt, having only been training with the physios as of Thursday following a withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland squad over the international break.

Maxwell Cornet also picked up a dead leg while away with the Ivory Coast but Sean Dyche said he didn’t think the winger’s issue was serious, with the Clarets set to give “a couple of standard tests” to their £15m wide-man.

SOUTHAMPTON V WEST HAM UNITED

Stuart Armstrong (calf) and Theo Walcott (unspecified) will miss the visit of West Ham, while Shane Long (illness) looks poised to join them on the sidelines after returning a positive Covid-19 test while on duty with the Republic of Ireland.

The game will also come too soon for Will Smallbone, who was set to rejoin team training on Thursday after eight months out with a knee injury.

David Moyes didn’t report any fitness concerns in his pre-match press conference, telling reporters that it was “the first time since pre-season we’ve probably felt we’ve got everybody back”.

WATFORD V WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Long-term injury victims Jonny (knee) and Pedro Neto (knee) remain sidelined for Wolves but there are no other known fitness issues ahead of the trip to Watford.

Bruno Lage was also handed a massive boost on Friday, with Raul Jimenez declared available for selection after the Mexican FA withdrew their request to FIFA to impose sanctions on Wolves for refusing to let their striker embark on national team duty. 

Ben Foster (hamstring) and Kiko Femenia (match fitness) have been ruled out of Watford’s clash with Wolves, with the former expected back in training next week and the latter still working with the medical team after niggling groin issues.

Joao Pedro (knee) could be involved for the first time this season, however, with the striker returning to training this week after a three-month absence.

Ozan Tufan might also make his 2021/22 bow, having joined up with his new teammates for the first time on Wednesday.

Like Jimenez, Francisco Sierralta has been given the all-clear to feature.

ARSENAL V NORWICH CITY

Granit Xhaka is suspended and Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) will be sidelined for two to three weeks but the international break has given Mikel Arteta the opportunity to get some key bodies back to fitness, with Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel and Ben White all declared available for selection.

There were some fresh casualties over the last fortnight, however, with Emile Smith Rowe (illness) “not feeling good” and Sead Kolasinac (knock) described by his manager as “one of the doubts that we have”.

“He’s carrying an illness, he’s not been feeling good. The England national team was really positive about letting him go because everybody could see he wasn’t available. Let’s see how he is in the next couple of days.” – Mikel Arteta on Emile Smith Rowe

With Arteta delivering his pre-match press conference relatively early in the week, and with a number of his returning internationals yet to be assessed, there is the possibility of more names being added to the injury list or, alternatively, the likes of Smith Rowe making a full recovery.

Dimitrios Giannoulis (back) and Christoph Zimmermann (ankle) will miss out for Norwich although likely wouldn’t have troubled the starting XI anyway.

Josh Sargent will be assessed for hamstring tightness and fatigue after a late return from international duty with the USA but Kenny McLean looks to be winning his battle for fitness after withdrawing from the Scotland squad with knee trouble.

BRENTFORD V BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Tariq Lamptey (hamstring) and Dan Burn (knee) remain sidelined for Brighton, although the former is nearing a return and is pencilled in for a competitive playing comeback in the EFL Cup after Gameweek 5.

Solly March (hamstring) is available, meanwhile, but Graham Potter admitted that he still had to “make a decision about the amount of time he can play”, adding that “whether he’s ready to start is another thing”.

Aaron Connolly is back in light training as of Thursday following a glute problem.

Brentford’s Frank Onyeka was passed fit by Thomas Frank on Thursday, having missed Gameweek 3 following a positive Covid-19 test. 

NOMINATED FOR ‘BEST IN FANTASY FOOTBALL’ AT THE FOOTBALL CONTENT AWARDS 2021

2021 Finalists Announced - Football Content Awards

VOTE FOR FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT BY
CLICKING HERE

1,265 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Daniyal
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Coady or Marcal ?

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Coady

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      C

  2. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Son and Kane to Jota and Ronaldo -4? How does Son being out effect Kane’s output?

    Had planned on saving… Kane to Ron for -4 sideways?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Selling Kane for a hit v’s Palace is very brave. He’s a nice differential captain option this week, even without Son.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I wasn’t planning on making any transfer only for Son being out. Concern is that when he drops deep to play it forward he won’t have Som to target.

  3. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Best combo for next few weeks

    A: Toney + Jota
    B: Sarr + DCL

    1. It’s A Joke
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. magpiesfan765
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

  4. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I was planning on wildcarding next week.. 1 FT 0.4 any idea with what I should do?

    Sanchez
    Webster TAA Shaw Tsmi
    Son Bruno Salah Greenwood
    Toney Antonio.

    4.0,Brownhill,Ayling,Scarlett.

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Drop Tsimi, for one.

  5. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I don't see a single reason for Ole not to start Ron, but who the hell knows at this point. Feels like a "start, but not captain" type of situation. Thinking armband on Salah then or should I go out of left field and hand it to Greenwood?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Salah from those two. I’m on Ronaldo

    2. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      "He has had a good week with us here and he will definitely be on the pitch at some point that is for sure." Sounds like he'll come off the bench or am I reading too much from it?

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Greenwood could be shrewd
      Newcastle will have Ronnie double marked, giving plenty of space for Greenwood to mop up the points 😉

      1. It’s A Joke
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Newcastle double marking Ron is just too funny. Good luck with that. Brucey will bend over for a United shagging as usual.

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I’ve had armband on Greenwood for 2 weeks! Wait to see how cr7 does first and see how many minutes he gets

  6. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    -4 team G2G?

    Sanchez
    TAA. Shaw. White
    Salah. Jota. Raph. Sarr
    Ronaldo(C). Antonio. Ings
    (Foster, Livramento, Gilmour, Ayling)

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Great team considering not on a WC

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate

  7. Footieboot
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A) Bruno + Tsimi + Ings --> Ronaldo + Jota + Livramento -4
    B) Bruno + Ings --> Sarr/Traore/Raphinha + Ronaldo no hit

  8. davidmcnamara
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on:

    Toney, Son, Bruno to CR7, Jota, Torres (-8)

    Crazy?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  9. Dannyb
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    How's she looking?
    De Gea
    Reguilon, Rudiger, Matip
    Salah, Sarr, Torres, Gray
    Lukaku, Ronaldo, Antonio
    Steele, Williams, Gilmour, Livramento

    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Needs TAA somewhere with his easy fixtures

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Not digging the De Gea pick at all. He’s overpriced for a ‘2pt or 6pt’ guy. Rest looks decent and spoiled for captaincy options

  10. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    last one for my WC:

    A torres and dier/ayling
    B sarr and shaw

    1. It’s A Joke
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

  11. It’s A Joke
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    In case you ask:

    4.5 = Gilmour, Allan or Sissoko
    5.5 = Gray
    6.0 = Fornals, Sarr, Traore
    6.5 = Raphina
    7.0+ = Jota, Greenwood, Torres

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Gray is 5.6

      1. It’s A Joke
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        There or there abouts. 5.5 in my team though, lol

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks v helpful

  12. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A. Bruno/DCL
    B. Torres/Ronaldo
    C. Jota/Ronaldo (-4)

    1. It’s A Joke
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      C and captain Ron

  13. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who to give armband to out of

    Salah
    Lukaku

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. It’s A Joke
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Lukaku

    2. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I think Salah. It just feels like a week he'll remind everyone he's still the top FPL asset. He's rested, he's a mid so extra points for a goal, he's definitely on pens.

  14. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Please play JLingz over Ronaldo Ole

    1. Khark
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      haha

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Imagine he actually did this

      What would Fergie say? What would the fans do?

      It’s an impossibility, unless Ronnie picks up a late knock or injured in a freak bathroom accident tomorrow morning

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        JLingz will moonwalk whilst cupping his ears in their general direction

  15. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which ones?

    1) Dier
    2) Tanganga
    3) Digne
    4) Dias

    A) Jota
    B) Torres

  16. Oscar Slater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Do Scouts need to grow testicles,?

  17. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Just a quick yes or no required here troops.

    Son Toney Barnes OUT
    Torres Jota Calvert-Lewin IN

    ???

    1. It’s A Joke
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Hell yeah

      1. Khark
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        ye

        1. Khark
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          thats the quickest i got

    2. Old Boots
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      YES!

  18. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which is best for long term
    A- Shaw & Christensen
    B- Alonso & Reguilón

    1. It’s A Joke
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A cos of Chilwell. James & Reg better

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  19. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Play Raphinha or Duffy??

    1. It’s A Joke
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Raph with Duffy on bench as if Raph doesn’t start he won’t play at all

  20. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Folks, anyone going Greenwood captain ?

    I’ve just brought in Ronaldo as well, but still think Greenwood is a better option for some reason

  21. fearpack
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Traore or Sarr? Thanks

    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Traore

    2. It’s A Joke
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Prefer Sarr myself. Traore is a ‘mare.

    3. M2.0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Sarr

  22. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Choose one:
    Arsenal defender
    Leeds defender
    Wolves defender

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves

    2. It’s A Joke
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves

    3. Old Boots
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves defender, although I have have Semedo and Tierney at the mo.

    4. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Wolves all day

    5. Energetics
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      White Ayling Semedo

      1. Energetics
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        If money is no option obv Tierney over White just think hes great value

    6. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks Everyone

    7. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Arsenal

  23. PaulParker
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    So, what’s the template now?

  24. Jaws
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Does anyone know who publishes the most accurate line ups?

  25. Old Boots
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Last piece of the puzzle for me...

    A Harrison, Greenwood, Lukaku (c)
    B Raphina, Sarr, Ronaldo (c)

    Will probs have the Leeds man first sub for this week, so the Brazil factor isn't an issue.

    1. Energetics
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

  26. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    ESr to Allan ?

  27. Felix Navidad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Would you play:
    A) Veltman
    B) A. Armstrong

    Cheers

    1. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Veltman

    2. Khark
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      always the attacker

  28. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Better combo on wc:
    A) Dcl Torres
    B) Bamford Greenwood

    1. fricky_
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  29. M2.0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/09/10/premier-league-clubs-discuss-ignoring-fifas-ban-brazilian-players/

    “ Premier League clubs ready to defy Fifa's ban on Brazilian players
    Telegraph Sport understands agreement is close after intense talks on Friday evening”

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Can't read the article, but I guess it's about other PL clubs just not reporting opposition for fielding "banned" players? If they unanimously agreed that they shouldn't go, I can't see why not make same agreement now.

  30. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Whats the best option here?

    A) Bruno & Toney --> CR7 & Gray (free, no backup for Son)
    or
    B) Bruno & Obefemi --> Lukaku & Sissoko (free, Sissoko comes in if Son doesnt play)

    (2FTs & 0.0itb)
    Sanchez
    TAA - Taylor - White
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Greenwood - Benrahma
    Toney - Antonio

    (Steele - Tsimikas - D.Sanchez - Obefemi)