Team News
16 May 2025 395 comments
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We’ll be getting team news from 13 more Premier League managers on Friday ahead of the early Gameweek 37 deadline.

Two of them, Pep Guardiola and Oliver Glasner, are facing the media ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final. Their Gameweek 37 matches are next Tuesday.

All the injury updates will appear in this ‘live’ article, which will be regularly refreshed during the day.

For the headline news from the five pressers held on Thursday, check out this piece here.

That leaves two Premier League bosses remaining: Andoni Iraola and Vitor Pereira. Unfortunately for Fantasy managers, we won’t be hearing from those two before the deadline. Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers are not in action till next midweek, so we’re expecting those two to fulfil their media commitments on Monday.

GAMEWEEK 37: FRIDAY’S KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES

GAMEWEEK 37: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES

ARSENAL

Mikel Arteta says he will make a late call on Kai Havertz‘s involvement ahead of Sunday’s clash with Newcastle United.

The German has been absent since Gameweek 24 with a hamstring injury but has trained this week.

“We’re going to decide that tomorrow. So, he’s done certain parts of the sessions in the last two days. He looks in great shape but I think it’s more a shout of first of all, the medical staff, the doctors especially, giving the clearance and then how Kai actually feels to contribute if he’s required.” – Mikel Arteta on if Kai Havertz is ready to feature on Sunday

Also spotted in open training this week were Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice. The former seemed to be holding his hamstring when limping out of the draw with Liverpool, while the latter missed the game entirely with a hamstring issue of his own.

A Gabriel Martinelli scare appears to have amounted to nothing: he hobbled out of training but then returned soon after.

Jurrien Timber was not involved, however.

“Again, they’ve done parts of the session, not a complete session so we’re going to have to wait and see tomorrow if they can deal with things that they haven’t done because they weren’t ready to do that earlier in the week.” – Mikel Arteta on Messrs Rice, Trossard, Martinelli and Timber

The Gunners will definitely be without one of their regulars: Mikel Merino is banned following his Gameweek 36 dismissal.

The seasons of Gabriel Jesus (knee), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are over, meanwhile.

LIVERPOOL

Arne Slot was asked if Trent Alexander-Arnold would feature against Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday, having been jeered by a section of Liverpool’s support in Gameweek 36.

Having only just returned from some early summer holidays, Slot couldn’t give us an answer.

“It’s the first day we train after a few days off so it’s quite early for me now to say what the team would look like and what the squad would look like for Monday.” – Arne Slot

Slot admitted that motivation may be an issue post-title win.

“I think the honest answer is yes, yeah, although I cannot look in all of their heads but I think it’s clear to everyone if we would still compete for the Premier League then there would have been few days off as well but probably we wouldn’t have gone [abroad].

“I think the honest answer is that there is a difference but if I look at the way we played the Arsenal game, I saw a team that wanted to compete against Arsenal from the first second till the last, even when we were having some problems in the second half. They were able to come back into the game.

“So, that tells you the mentality is still very good but it was a home game and what is the main thing for us is, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve won the league, if you play Chelsea away, Arsenal at home and Brighton away, these are difficult games to play.” – Arne Slot on if motivation is an issue

MANCHESTER CITY

City have no fresh concerns ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wembley.

Rodri (knee), Nathan Ake (foot) and Oscar Bobb (unspecified) were all on the grass last week, with Ake and Bobb “partially” training with the squad. None of them were available for selection against Southampton.

Pep Guardiola was asked again about Rodri’s availability ahead of the FA Cup final.

“He is much, much better.

“I am waiting on the doctors [to give Rodri the green light to play]. When they tell me he is ready, he is going to start. We don’t want to take a risk and make setbacks now.” – Pep Guardiola on Rodri

John Stones (adductor) remains out.

Asked about Kevin De Bruyne‘s minutes in both the final and his last-ever home match for City, Guardiola was predictably non-committal.

“I’m thinking just about tomorrow’s game.” – Pep Guardiola on Kevin De Bruyne’s minutes on Saturday and Tuesday

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Kieran Trippier looks set to miss out again this weekend with a minor calf problem.

Joelinton (knee) is unlikely to feature, too, with Eddie Howe saying the betting money would be on the midfielder not featuring again this season.

Another Gameweek 36 absentee, Joe Willock (thigh), has a “slight chance” of featuring at the Emirates.

“Kieran, I don’t think so for this weekend but again, not a big injury, a very minor calf problem. Joe Willock, probably again, we’ll leave the door open for him, I think there’s a slight chance.” – Eddie Howe

“He’s working away behind the scenes. Typical Joe, he’s absolutely foot to the floor to try and get back fit because that’s his nature, he wants to be involved. But he’s not close yet, he’s still working his way back.

“I think the biggest possibility is that we don’t see him again this season and we’ll get him ready for next year.” – Eddie Howe on Joelinton

Sven Botman (knee) is the newest concern after coming off last weekend, with his manager saying he is “not sure” the Dutchman will be available.

“It was a knock, actually, so I think he got a bang on his knee but it was sore. So, we’re not sure about Sven’s availability for the weekend, we’ll give him every chance to be fit. Don’t think it’s a serious injury.” – Eddie Howe on Sven Botman

Lewis Hall (foot) and Matt Targett (hamstring) are still out. 

Jamaal Lascelles returned to the matchday squad last weekend but isn’t likely to start, even if Botman misses out.

“I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily ready to start a game in the Premier League at the moment. I think probably ready to contribute from the bench is probably where he’s at at the moment.” – Eddie Howe on Jamaal Lascelles

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

As widely reported elsewhere, Taiwo Awoniyi needed emergency abdominal surgery this week after colliding with the post in Gameweek 36. Reports suggested he had been placed in an induced coma at one point.

Nuno Espirito Santo at least had relatively positive news to report on Friday.

“Surgery went well, thank God. He’s on observation now but I think he’s recovering. We still have to wait for the doctors to allow visits, his family are there. We are concerned but we are positive.” – Nuno Espirito Santo on Taiwo Awoniyi

We didn’t get an update on Murillo (hamstring) or Callum Hudson-Odoi (hamstring) but the former had been in partial training ahead of the Leicester City game before missing out.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Adam Wharton (ankle) is back for the FA Cup final, which comes three days before Tuesday’s Gameweek 37 fixture.

Other than Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure, who are out for the season with knee injuries, the Eagles have no concerns.

“Everybody is fit. Adam trained the whole week and is available, all the others as well. Some tough decisions to take but good decisions to take.” – Oliver Glasner

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Joao Pedro is available again following the completion of his three-match ban.

Lewis Dunk and Joel Veltman return, too, having missed out in Gameweek 36 with slight injuries.

“Lewis will be back in the squad, Joel will be back in the squad.” – Fabian Hurzeler

Fabian Hurzeler is also hopeful about the availability of Kaoru Mitoma, who has been affected by some “minor issues” this week.

“Kaoru had some small, minor issues, so hopefully he will also be a possibility for us in the squad.” – Fabian Hurzeler

As for the long-term absentees, Georginio Rutter (ankle) is “close” and has an outside chance of featuring on the final day.

James Milner (hamstring) is less likely to recover: he is still only doing individual rehab work.

“James is doing rehab on the pitch, so he’s getting closer. I’m not sure if we will see him this season.

“Georginio Rutter is also very close, so hopefully he will be back next week with the team. There’s a small chance, like I said from the beginning, that he can be an option for the end of the season, for the last game.” – Fabian Hurzeler

Ferdi Kadioglu (toe) and Solly March (knee) remain out.

FULHAM

Marco Silva will assess Sasa Lukic and Antonee Robinson ahead of Sunday’s short trip to Brentford.

Lukic sat out last weekend’s defeat to Everton with a minor issue, while Robinson was unexpectedly absent.

Robinson returned to training on Thursday, with Lukic involved on Friday.

“We have to keep working with them and assessing to see how they are going to be tomorrow. They have not been working all week with the team. Sasa, some moments this morning, like Robinson had yesterday. We have to look to see how they are going to come tomorrow and after to take a decision.” – Marco Silva on Antonee Robinson and Sasa Lukic

Harrison Reed (calf), Timothy Castagne (ankle), Rodrigo Muniz (Achilles) and Reiss Nelson (hamstring) are all out.

EVERTON

Jake O’Brien (knee) is fit again, having missed out last weekend with a minor issue.

James Tarkowski (hamstring), Orel Mangala (knee) and Jesper Lindstrom (hernia) remain out for the Toffees.

WEST HAM UNITED

Graham Potter says it’s a case of “as we were” with regards to the West Ham United team news.

“No injury problems from the game [last week]. Everybody’s been training so, yeah, pretty much as we were.” – Graham Potter

The Hammers are still without Crysencio Summerville (hamstring) and Michail Antonio (leg).

LEICESTER CITY

Mads Hermansen (groin), Bobby De Cordova-Reid (muscle), Abdul Fatawu (knee) and Stephy Mavididi (muscle) remain out but Ricardo Pereira (muscle) could return to the squad this weekend. He’ll be assessed in training before a decision is made.

The Foxes have no fresh fitness concerns.

“There’s no news on last week’s squad and team news. It’s the same.

“Ricardo is actually one that, today and tomorrow, we can have the final view on him to take him into Sunday’s game.” – Ruud van Nistelrooy

This is, of course, Jamie Vardy‘s final match as a Leicester player.

IPSWICH TOWN

Leif Davis is back from suspension this week, while Nathan Broadhead (thigh) has resumed training.

Other than that, though, Kieran McKenna says the Ipswich team news is pretty much unchaged.

Conor Townsend (hamstring) and Sammie Szmodics (ankle) are getting closer to recovery but remain out.

Kalvin Phillips (gashed foot) also isn’t ready to feature and may additionally miss Gameweek 38.

Ari Muric (shoulder), Wes Burns (knee), Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) and Jaden Philogene (knee) are sidelined for the rest of 2024/25, too.

Conor Chaplin came off early in Gameweek 36 but only with sickness. 

SOUTHAMPTON

Kyle Walker-Peters (illness) may miss out again, with Simon Rusk saying the full-back has not trained much this week.

Saints have no other known concerns.

“Kyle had the illness last week. He hasn’t trained much this week, so there’ll be a decision to be made on that. But, other than that, we’ve generally got a fit squad to pick from.” – Simon Rusk



395 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Play Raya or Areola?

    1. isthoralive
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      Same boat, leaning Raya but really could’ve used those Areola points last week

  2. grooveymatt65
    • 12 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Hi guys, just wondered what to do with my team below, looks ok but I've got no Villa cover.

    Raya

    Konsa Gvardiol Munoz
    Bowen Salah (c) KDB Eze Mbeumo
    Mateta Marmoush
    Areola Wood Kiwior AWB

    0.4 itb 1ft

    1. Mateta to Beto for free
    2. Eze to Rogers/Neto for free
    3. Mateta and Marmoush to Watkins and Beto for -4
    4. Salah and Mateta to Palmer and Watkins for -4
    5. Eze and Mateta to Rogers and Watkins for -4
    6. Save
    7. Other?

    thanks guys!

    1. isthoralive
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      Like the Watkins + Beto shout

  3. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Thoughts? 1ft
    A bench mateta, play Sarr, roll ft

    B Isak to Watkins

    C mateta to Vardy(no gw 38)

    D Sarr and mateta to schade and Watkins-4

    Short of mateta to Watkins

    Cheers

  4. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Best option here?

    A) Mbeumo -> Palmer
    B) Mbeumo -> Saka
    C) Wood -> Watkins
    D) Marmoush -> Watkins
    E) Save FT

    Ederson
    Gvardiol, Saliba, Munoz
    Salah, Mbeumo, Rogers, Sarr
    Isak, Wood, Marmoush

    Raya, Murphy, Neco, Livra
    Bank 3.1m, 1FT, no chips

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      D imo

    2. Waylander
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      D

    3. isthoralive
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      D

  5. FootballRookie
    • 3 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Play Raya or Martinez

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      Martinez

    2. isthoralive
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      Martinez

  6. Bad Kompany
    • 7 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Best last gw punt?

    A. Martinelli (sou)
    B. Gordon (EVE)

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      A

    2. isthoralive
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      Martinelli

  7. Waylander
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Play Isak or Eze?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      Isak

  8. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Play Marmoush or Odegard?

  9. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    TC on who??

    A) Watkins GW37
    B) Saka GW38
    C) Salah GW38

    1. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      C home game and lifting the trophy !

    2. isthoralive
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      B, Arsenal will draw vs Newcastle and have to win final week

    3. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 1 hour ago

      Has to be someone in GW38 for the hell of it

  10. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Fine margins - 2 pts behind in my ML with main differences being he has Pickford/OBrien/Bowen/Cunha instead of Raya/Cucu/Sarr/Mateta

    Raya (Verbrug)
    Gvardiol Munoz Cucu (Konsa Burn)
    Salah Mbeumbo (C) KDB Rogers Sarr
    Wissa Isak (mateta)

    A Roll
    B Mateta to Watkins
    C Sarr to Bowen

    1. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      B

    2. Odikostar
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      B for sure

  11. FootballRookie
    • 3 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Who to bench

    A) Konsa
    B) Munoz
    C) N Williams

    1. Odikostar
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      Williams

    2. isthoralive
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      C, Forest D has fallen off

    3. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 1 hour ago

      C

  12. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    1 FT and 1.7 ITB

    A - Isak > Watkins (c)
    B - Roll and get Evanilson & Saka next week
    C - Other option?

    Raya
    Gvardiol - Munoz - Milenkovic
    Salah - Mbeumo - Rogers - KDB
    Cunha - Isak - Wissa

    Sels - Sarr - RAN - Livra 

    1. Odikostar
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      A

    2. Old Gregg
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 1 hour ago

      Same dilemma.

      What will be your move in 38?

      KDB > Saka?

  13. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    FFFix pre-deadline captaincy reveal - a nice spread (top 1 million):

    1) Watkins 46% capped 119% EO
    2) Mbeumo 16% capped 107% EO
    3) Salah 16% capped, 100% EO
    4) Palmer 6% capped, 25% EO
    5) KDB 4% capped, 55% EO

  14. David De HEY YA
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Bench one:
    A - Schade
    B - Wood
    C - Eze

    1. Waylander
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 2 hours ago

      Maybe Eze as we don’t know what happened with palace after the fa cup?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        7 months, 2 hours ago

        C

    2. DunDunFather
      • 2 Years
      7 months, 8 mins ago

      B

  15. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Do we think Foden plays this GW?

  16. spillachio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Which 2 to bench? I've already changed about 10 times!!

    Bradley Saliba Livra

    My other 2 defenders are Guardiol and N. Williams.

    1. Triple Free Bench Hit Boost
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 1 hour ago

      Bench Bradley and Livra

  17. Sfowl123
    • 3 Years
    7 months, 2 hours ago

    Starting XI
    Raya
    Munoz, Gvardiol, O'Brien
    Salah, Saka, Mbuemo, Rogers
    Wood, Wissa, Isak

    Bench
    Areola, Sarr, Milenkovic, Ait-Nouri

    1) Who would you captain?
    2) Any changes off the bench?

  18. Dreaming of glory
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 1 hour ago

    Cunha or mateta to Watkins

    1. Bruno Commando
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 1 hour ago

      M

  19. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 months, 1 hour ago

    Do we expect Liverpool to actually do anything as been partying in Dubai all week and slot in ibiza

  20. FPLAnon
      7 months, 1 hour ago

      Sarr to Rogers worth a -4 over the next two?

      Option A : GW37 Sarr (Wol H), GW38 Murphy (Eve H)
      Option B: GW37 Rogers (Tot H), GW38 Rogers (Mun A) -4

      1. DunDunFather
        • 2 Years
        7 months, 1 hour ago

        I'd say yes, two good fixtures and something to play for.

    • dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 1 hour ago

      play two of:

      1. Saliba
      2. Neco Williams
      3. Livra
      4. Kiwor

      1. Triple Free Bench Hit Boost
        • 3 Years
        7 months, 1 hour ago

        Are you chasing / defending a lead? I'd go for Saliba & Kiwior if want to play it safe, but mix it up if need to take a risk (and probably play Saliba + Neco)

      2. DunDunFather
        • 2 Years
        7 months, 1 hour ago

        I'd agree with this, play the Arsenal double up this week.

    • DunDunFather
      • 2 Years
      7 months, 1 hour ago

      My team is almost set, but not sure who which two to start out of O'Reilly, Kiwor, J Murphy, Sessengon or RAI? Currently on Sessengon and RAI

      1. Triple Free Bench Hit Boost
        • 3 Years
        7 months, 1 hour ago

        I think you've got the right choice so far. Also kind of depends on if you're chasing a ML leader or not. I think Kiwior is a better bet for a clean sheet defensive 6 points, but RAN is a better bet for a 7+ point attacking return.

        1. DunDunFather
          • 2 Years
          7 months, 1 hour ago

          Yes, 3rd in my ML ~30pts behind 2nd and ~60 behind 1st. I am playing BB in GW38 and will have 3FT.

    • PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 1 hour ago

      The club have said they have "pre and post-match plans to celebrate the legacy of our greatest ever player."

      It will be Vardy's 500th game for Leicester and he will be looking to score his 200th goal for the team in all competitions.

      So Vardy(C) locked in

      Source: ESPN

      1. Triple Free Bench Hit Boost
        • 3 Years
        7 months, 1 hour ago

        Do you have Watkins as well? Would you prefer Vardy to Watkins? Am undecided on this currently.

        1. PartyTime
          • 4 Years
          7 months, 1 hour ago

          Yes, Vardy over Watkins even though I'm biased

      2. DunDunFather
        • 2 Years
        7 months, 1 hour ago

        I've done the same, I brought him in on a WC in GW35 and captained him against Southampton at home and he got 9pts so hoping for more of the same again this week ...

    • Triple Free Bench Hit Boost
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 1 hour ago

      Current team is:

      Raya (Areola)
      Saliba, Gvardiol, Munoz (TAA, Livra)
      Salah, KDB, Sarr, Enzo (Murphy)
      Mateta, Marmoush, Isak

      1FT 2.5m ITB. Should I:
      A: Mateta to Vardy
      B: Marmoush to Watkins
      C: Both for a -4

      1. DunDunFather
        • 2 Years
        7 months, 1 hour ago

        Defo do B
        A is a tricky one, will depend on what happens in the FA Cup final tomorrow. Do it if you're chasing

      2. Odikostar
        • 10 Years
        7 months, 1 hour ago

        C, live a little

    • Marvel Captain
        7 months, 1 hour ago

        Which keeper to play:

        A. Sels vs WHA (a)
        B. Raya vs NEW (h)

        Currently have Raya, J.Murphy, Saliba and Liveramento on the bench.....should I be playing any of them?

        1. DunDunFather
          • 2 Years
          7 months, 1 hour ago

          Not convinced by Forest recently, seem to have run out of steam. B is a safer option IMO.

          1. Marvel Captain
              7 months, 1 hour ago

              That means I pull Sels off, Raya on, Milenković off and Saliba on?

              Arsenal haven't been convincing recently either and seem leaky in defence without Gabriel?

              Thank you for your reply

          2. Odikostar
            • 10 Years
            7 months, 1 hour ago

            Raya. Both teams happy with a 0-0

        2. Kevinw82
          • 9 Years
          7 months, 1 hour ago

          Sessegnon or Livaramento first Defender on bench?

          1. Odikostar
            • 10 Years
            7 months, 46 mins ago

            Sess

          2. DunDunFather
            • 2 Years
            7 months, 44 mins ago

            Tough call, I'd go Sessengon (just)

        3. GoonerGirl
          • 6 Years
          7 months, 1 hour ago

          Still can't decide if to get Watkins (Safe pick) or Beto (fun pick).

          1. Odikostar
            • 10 Years
            7 months, 54 mins ago

            Wakins for sure

          2. DunDunFather
            • 2 Years
            7 months, 45 mins ago

            Beto is a great differential if you're chasing

            1. GoonerGirl
              • 6 Years
              7 months, 39 mins ago

              Thanks guys