Team News
16 March 2023 509 comments
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We’re rounding up what we know on the team news front ahead of Blank Gameweek 28 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

Summaries of the pre-match press conferences on Thursday and Friday will supersede this piece and help finalise our predicted line-ups but in the meantime, this article takes an early look at the injury situation across the top flight.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V NEWCASTLE UNITED

We’ve actually already had one pre-match press conference as of Wednesday evening, and that was held by Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper.

The Forest boss said that Brennan Johnson (groin) was “unlikely” to face Newcastle on Friday, although he didn’t completely rule out the prospect of that happening and we know from experience that Cooper can be economical with the truth.

“He had his scan. It’s unlikely that he will be involved at the weekend but he has a small chance. 

“We’re not completely ruling him out, but when you walk off with a muscle injury it can take a bit longer than a week to recover.” – Steve Cooper on Brennan Johnson, speaking on Wednesday

Loanee Chris Wood is ineligible to face his parent club, while Willy Boly (hamstring), Scott McKenna (hamstring), Dean Henderson (thigh), Giulian Biancone (ACL) and Omar Richards (leg) remain unavailable. Wayne Hennessey (knee) will also have a fresh problem assessed but Cheikhou Kouyate (hamstring) and Taiwo Awoniyi (groin) should be much closer to involvement after recent returns to training.

Joelinton completes a two-match ban, while Anthony Gordon (ankle) will now be out until April and joins Emil Krafth (knee) and Harrison Ashby (hamstring) on the sidelines.

ASTON VILLA V BOURNEMOUTH

Philippe Coutinho (hamstring) and Boubacar Kamara (ankle) are still out, while it remains to be seen if Leander Dendoncker is any nearer to recovery after he sustained a hand injury in a recent domestic incident.

Illia Zabarnyi (ankle) has been back in training as he awaits his first appearance since joining in January, while Junior Stanislas (knock) and Marcus Tavernier (hamstring) were both hoping to recover before the March international break so may feature.

Hamed Traore‘s (muscle) availability is unknown at the time of writing, while Adam Smith may need assessing after appearing to struggle with injury before being replaced in the win over Liverpool. Jordan Zemura was left out of the squad last weekend amid an ongoing contract stand-off. 

BRENTFORD V LEICESTER CITY

Vitaly Janelt came off with a knee injury in the first half of Brentford’s 2-0 win over Southampton and will be assessed in the next few days, while Mads Roerslev missed both of the Bees’ Double Gameweek 27 fixtures with a “slight” hamstring issue.

Thomas Strakosha (ankle) and Keane Lewis-Potter (knee) are the only other Brentford players on the sidelines.

Victor Kristiansen (ankle), Youri Tielemans (ankle), James Justin (Achilles) and Sammy Braybrooke (knee) remain out for the Foxes, while Wout Faes serves a one-match ban after his dismissal last weekend.

SOUTHAMPTON V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Tino Livramento (knee) and Juan Larios (muscle) are the only definite Southampton absentees for the visit of Spurs but the Saints will have to check on Kyle Walker-Peters, who got a “kick” on his hamstring in the midweek defeat to Brentford.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles missed both Double Gameweek 27 fixtures with an unspecified issue but was at the “late fitness test” stage in midweek so might not be far away.

Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Hugo Lloris (knee) and Yves Bissouma (ankle) all remain on the medium-to-long-term injury list but Emerson Royal (knock) could return after missing last Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest; he was spotted back in training this week.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS V LEEDS UNITED

Diego Costa (knee), Hugo Bueno (hamstring), Chiquinho (knee) and Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) are still on the injury list, while it remains to be seen if the “little problem” that forced Pablo Sarabia to miss the Newcastle game still keeps him out.

Boubacar Traore (groin) could be back after a return to training.

Adam Forshaw (hip) and Stuart Dallas (knee) are still out, while it’s been a month since Liam Cooper (muscle) was in a matchday squad as the club captain’s availability remains in question. 

Tyler Adams is the newest addition to the injury list with a hamstring problem that will keep him out until after the international break.

CHELSEA V EVERTON

Reece James should be back after returning to training, while Mason Mount (abdomen) was also sighted on the grass this week so could return alongside his compatriot.

Edouard Mendy (finger), Cesar Azpilicueta (head) and N’Golo Kante (hamstring) have all been back in training of some variety; Kante, indeed, has been pencilled in for a return this weekend.

That only leaves the availability of Raheem Sterling (hamstring) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (back) in question, after they were named big doubts for the win over Leicester and ultimately missed out.

Thiago Silva (knee) and Armando Broja (ACL) are the only players definitely on the sidelines at the time of writing.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) should be a lot closer to featuring after a positive-sounding update from Sean Dyche ahead of the Brentford game, while only match fitness is between Nathan Patterson (knee) and a competitive playing comeback.

Andros Townsend (ACL) remains unavailable.

ARSENAL V CRYSTAL PALACE

Mohamed Elneny (knee) is out long term, while Eddie Nketiah (ankle) will miss Gameweek 28 as he remains a “few weeks away” from a return.

“He’s getting better. He’s still in the boot so still a few weeks away. We need to be patient – it was a nasty injury. It’s a challenge that Eddie’s got ahead of him, but thank God he could have been worse so he’s not in a bad place.” – Mikel Arteta on Eddie Nketiah, speaking on Wednesday

Will Hughes and James McArthur missed all of Palace’s Double Gameweek 27 due to illness, while Vicente Guaita (hamstring) sat out the midweek clash with Brighton.

Guaita’s absence, plus that of medium-term absentee Sam Johnstone (calf), saw teenage goalkeeper Joe Whitworth line up to face the Seagulls.

Loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga is ineligible to face his parent club, meanwhile.

UCL Fantasy unlimited transfer team reveals

509 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Help needed....

    Would you use FH chip for this team for BGW28???

    Kepa
    Henry, Trippier, White (Estu & Akanji)
    Saka (Salah, Rash, Mitoma, Andreas)
    Kane, Toney (Haaland)

    or just do a - 4 hit?

    Cheers

    1. shaymoose17
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      FH

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’d free hit

    3. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Take a hit or two. FH gonna give you more returns in GW29.

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks for reply. I’ve Got 9 DGW players for GW29 with current team.

  2. Cahill17
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What are your thoughts on Iheanacho instead Watkins? He has a better double in 29 and has good fixtures all the til GW36.

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Daka a minutes threat to him.

    2. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Explosive and arguably the best 29 fixtures. Good differential

    3. Cahill17
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I chicken out and went Watkins lol. Just another Sheep 🙁

    4. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Could work

    5. DavvaMC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Thinking he same, but nervous about him starting.

  3. STONEROSES
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Why hadn’t the game updated?
    What are they smoking at FPL HQ?

    1. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      uh oh someone forgot to run something before they left for the night

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      They’re taking away more March points

  4. Take on the Scout Picks
    TopMarx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Fancy taking on the Scout Picks?

    I'm after challengers from the Community to take on the Scout Picks in GW28 and beyond. If you are interested, email me at will@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk with the subject heading “Community Picks”. Please include your FFS username and FPL Team ID.

    You need to pick 11 players to challenge the Scout Picks in a one-off head-to-head match.

    If chosen, you will have a budget of £83m to select 11 players (no subs) but outside of that standard FPL rules apply - you need to use a normal FPL formation with a limit of three players from a team.

    And remember to pick a captain and a vice-captain.

    There was a dramatic conclusion to GW27 with an assist from Toney in the seventh minute of stoppage time handing the Scout Picks a narrow two-point victory! Commiserations to TBos83, a valiant effort.

    That win ends a run of four successive defeats for the Scout Picks and levels the scores at 13-13.

    Our community winners so far are: Boleyn Boy, Could get Messi, Pirlos Pen, Rupert the Horse, Fpl_Jaafar, TMC91, Merlin Magic, circusmonkey, Camzy, NateDog, Badgevilla, Jazz! and Eh, just one more thing …

    But the aim is not just to beat the Scout Picks but to do so in style. The Community Member who has the largest winning margin takes home a £100 Amazon voucher and entry to our Mods and Cons League for next season.

    Boleyn Boy remains the current leader having set an impressive 27-point target in GW6. Can anyone do better?

    1. Jafalad
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’m sitting nicely to give the mods a good pasting.

    2. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Entry into the Mods and Cons league? Has FPL Virgin read the fine print? He'll be all over this...

    3. _Make
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Can I make a suggestion for next season which is that the winner of the prize be selected via a lucky dip from all the managers who have beaten the Scout, or else that a smaller prize be given for every time a member beats you?

      The reason I say this is that members are incentivised to take big risks with their team selections, knowing that just beating you isn't enough to actually win the prize - they need the biggest possible margin. This makes your head-to-head vs the community champion record pretty meaningless since you need only occupy the sensible squad selection middle ground and we need to take big risks.

      It would be a useful comparison between you and the community if the playing ground were levelled, and it might actually provide interesting side-by-side metrics to form the basis of future articles.

      1. fusen
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        This is a great suggestion.

        I took part in this quite a few years ago and didn't really think about it properly, so although I chose one or two different players compared to the Scout Squad, as you say, realistically I basically should have gone with a 11 differentials, but it then makes it much harder to actually beat the Scout Squad doing so.

        1. fusen
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Added onto this whole topic. Whoever from the community gets to play during a big double gameweek has a huge advantage, as the differentials they need to pick have twice the chance of coming good.

          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Pretty sure that only the first game counts for dgw players.

            1. Charlie Price
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              The Scout picks are always for the whole game week even if it's a DGW. So the challenger from the community will in say week 29 will have all games counting not just the first match for any particular club.

          2. _Make
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah I only ever volunteer in a DGW! lol

    4. Dunster
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would love to have a go at this before the end of the season

  5. Smart to sell Haaland?
    Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone still selling Haaland? My plan with 2FT was to transfer him out for Watkins or Iheanacho but I don't feel very certain about that after his reminder of his prowess in the CL... not sure what else to do so I don't burn a FT though. Would you move Saka on to Maddison?

    1. FPL Bond @ Twitter
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Exactly same situation for me. That is the only move possible though. In order to BB in 29.

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah it's grim. Honestly Liverpool at home could be a great fixture for Haaland...

    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Sold him on WC but was looking to get him back in for GW29, Salah out. Wouldn't read a whole pile into CL game. City were brilliant but Leipzig completely abysmal. Haaland will remain brilliant if City supply him as well as Tuesday night.

    3. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Sold Haaland. Taking the risk.

    4. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not sure why anything's changed - nobody was selling him because they thought he was a donkey, it was a short term move based on his lack of fixtures compared to other options. Doubt anyone is not planning to get him straight back in soon after the DGW.

    5. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      If I knew that Haaland would get a few goals and an assist against Liverpool, I'd rethink it. That's just not the case though.

    6. _Make
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I think the difference-maker is whether you are using a wildcard to get him out.

      Fine to get him out as part of unlimited free transfers and bring him back with one, probably not wise to spend two FTs getting him out and then putting him straight back in.

      Things like the international break and setting up for a 29 BB make free transfers too valuable to be using two of them to produce an outcome which could easily end up scoring less than doing nothing.

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

    Haaland to
    A. Kane
    B. Havertz
    C. Felix
    D. Someone else

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Kane

    3. mojoindojo
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Doesn't has double though.

      1. RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        and

    4. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Im going havertz for the double

  7. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone else (apart from maybe Potter & me) hoping Chilwell doesn't get an England call-up this international break?

    1. zøphar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      pretty much all chelsea fans but the only way he doesn't get called up imo is if he is carrying some sort of injury

    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Why would he not do, though?

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        He hasn't been back from long term injury all that long - but yeah probably long enough unfortunately.

  8. Ne0
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    2fts. Go ahead with the planned Haaland to Watkins move (and bring back for gw30)?
    a) Yes
    b) No, stick with Haaland

    1. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

  9. No Salah
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    New rule suggestions:

    If the FPL points table is not updated within one hour after the game, it will no longer be updated.

    1. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It's now updated!

  10. Lucky Z
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A.

    GW28 Haaland => Watkins
    GW29 JWP => Maddison

    B.

    GW28 Estupinan => Chilwell
    GW29 JWP => McAllister

    1. Lucky Z
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Enough money to straight back Haaland in 30 with A

    2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B. That’s what I’m going for

  11. Lucky Z
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    GW and OR are updated finally

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Still waiting on leagues and cups here

  12. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on this? I have 2 FTs.

    Kepa Raya
    Zinchenko Trippier Schar Henry Estupinan
    Saka Martinelli Rashford March Mitoma
    Haaland Kane Toney

    GW28 - Estupinan & Haaland to Chilwell & Watkins for free. Will be able to field 11 players then.

    GW29 - Henry to Estupinan

    GW30 - Toney to Haaland

    1. Lucky Z
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would get Shaw over Estupinan for 29 if there are funds. Awful fixtures after that nad might play inly 1 in 29. Can bring him back for another DGW

    2. Abra Dubravka
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      This is my exact squad and planning the exact same moves except will wait to hear after international break for Estupinian’s likely minutes.
      If I don’t do that in GW29, I will likely do Martinelli to Maddison.

  13. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Triple Brighton mids is great for dgw29 (BRE bou)

    But will you be confident starting all 3 for the following 3 gw's? (tot che MCI)

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That (MCI) could become a blank, but equally (new) could be added in 30 or 31.

  14. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Gw32 how many games are we seeing to be blank?

  15. Eleven Hag
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    G2g? Bench order ok?

    Kepa
    Chilwell Trippier Schar Cash
    Saka Martinelli Maddison
    Toney Watkins Kane (c)
    - Raya Rashford March Espu

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Lovely. Bench order should be espu march rashford

      1. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        😆

  16. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Looking at fixtures, wish there was a proper Chelsea forward.
    Still Watkins over Havertz right?

  17. orangepeel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Need to do March to cheap midfielder (under 4.7) to allow chillwell move.

    Any suggestions or is back to Pereira?

    1. Lucky Z
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Depends if you have XI for 28 and your plans for 29

  18. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    This fh team good to go?
    Almiron or harrison?

    Pope
    Trippier chilwell gabriel
    Saka maddison son almiron
    Havertz kane watkins

    Subs ward mee wober bailey

    1. Heavy Cream
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Toney over Havertz
      Martinelli over Son
      Play Mee

  19. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Estupian haaland > chilwell havertz for free? 2fts, 6.7m itb. FH and TC chips left.

    Any other suggestions? Thanks

    kepa
    Trippier schar zinchenko mee ESTU
    saka odegaard
    watkins toney HAALAND

    raya mitoma mach rashford

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'd rather get Kane in. Depends on chips and bank balance

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        6.7m itb. FH and TC left. Leaning towards havertz purely for the dgw

  20. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mbeumo was my differential this week that didn’t pay off. Has a fixture in 28 then a double, should I stick with him or cut my losses?

    A - Stick
    B - Mbeumo -> Watkins
    C - Mbeumo -> Havertz
    D - Mbeumo -> Felix

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. tokara
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  21. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    6.7m itb. FH and TC left. Leaning towards havertz purely for the dgw.

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      RF

  22. HellasLEAF
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Martinelli, Trossard or Odagaard this GW

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      If just for one week I’d probably go Martinelli. If longer term it’d be between him and Ødegaard, probably still Marti

  23. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    After Haaland getting those 5 goals it has made me reconside for my BB29. Who scores the least that week?

    A) Saka v Leeds
    B) Haaland v Liv

  24. GE
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    1) Saka -> Maddison
    2) Martinelli -> Maddison
    3) Save and play 10 players

    (1FT, 7.5 itb)

    Raya
    Trippier/Chilwell/Cash/Pinnock
    Saka/Martinelli
    Kane/Toney/Watkins

    Bench/not playing: Ward, Estu, Rashford, MacAllister, Mitoma

    1. tokara
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      3

    2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      3

    3. GE
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Or MacAllister/Mitoma -> Maddison?

      1. Bruno Commando
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Better move this

  25. BusbySwede
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Some help to decide please:

    Kepa, Raya
    Trippier, Gabriel, Mee, Mings
    Saka, Odegaard
    Kane, Toney, Watkins

    Have Rashford, Mitoma, March and Estupinan who blanks.
    I have 2FT, what should i do with one transfer? Estupinan to Chilwell or March to Maddison, or other option?

    1. Bruno Commando
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      FWIW I did March to Maddison myself

  26. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which approach seems better?

    A: FH29, WC30, BB 34
    B: BB 29, WC 30, FH 34/37

    *will dead end my team for a BB if I do B, but it'll still have Neco as a part of the bench there.

  27. Jengkreng
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kepa ward
    Shaw trippier mee james white
    Saka martinelli mitoma maddy rashford
    Toney halland kane

    Do u think this team still ok for gw28 and 29?

    Still have WC...when the best time u think i should use it?

  28. Under my Cucurella
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Start one (also starting Henry, Maddison, Toney)

    A: Raya
    B: Ward

    1. DavvaMC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Raya.

    2. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Prefer as many eggs in one basket as possible rather than hedging when the two sides meet in BRE v lei.

  29. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    GTG? Can only field 10 with no hit.

    Raya
    Trippier Pinnock Mings Chilwell
    Maddison Saka Martinelli
    Toney Watkins

    1. dshv
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      You good

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers, still debating on playing Kepa or Raya.

        1. yeahbuddy
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Personally I'd bank on Kepa and double Che but understand hedging the safer bet by playing Raya in case Maddison (and Lei) blanks

        2. Sheffield Wednesday
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Everton have scored 20 goals. Leicester have scored 37 goals.

  30. sentagoda
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    HELP!

    1m in the bank
    Have 2 FT, need to offload Bruno F??? to who ?

    9 playing gameweek 28 before transfer

    Keepa ( Ward )

    Mee Trippier White Shaw Estupinan

    Rashford Maddison Martinelli Mitoma Bruno

    Toney Kane Haaland

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

      Estu & Haaland >
      Chilwell & Watkins

    2. Jafalad
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Shaw+Bruno -> Chill + Saka