NMA – EPL GW-17 Pre-Deadline Talk, Christmas Edition
If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you’re not on Santa’s naughty list this year (I’m looking at you, Ken).
As you pass the time opening presents and enjoying food and family today, be sure to take a moment to review the team news I’ve put together for you so your fantasy teams aren’t stuck with a lump of coal tomorrow.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out our GW-17 FPL Player Picksour Best GW-17 FPL Differentialsand ours GW-17 Fantrax Players Picks articles and then rate Kin’s FPL and Fantrax teams.
Good luck and happy holidays! I’ll be looking for you in the live chat morning!
Monday, Boxing Day
brentford vs. tottenham
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has announced the return and availability of club captain Pontus Jansson and Christian Norgaard for this match. Jansson has been out since the goalless draw against Bournemouth in early October. He also revealed that while the duo of Aaron Hickey and Kristoffer Ajer are close, this meeting is still too early for them.
Antonio Conte revealed in his press conference on Thursday that Richarlison suffered a hamstring injury at the World Cup that will keep him out for the next three to four weeks. He also confirmed the expected return of Ben Davies for this clash. Lucas Moura is doubtful due to a tendon problem, and Betancur will be lost due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Ivan Perisic, Hugo Lloris and Christian Romero should all be available after returning from Qatar, but Conte suggested Lloris will start on the bench.
This is the only deadline match for Fantrax managers looking to see confirmed lineups. If that’s you, tune in in the comments below at 11:30 GMT on Monday.
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crystal palace v fulham
Patrick Viera will have an almost fully fit team when his team takes the field on Boxing Day. Jordan Ayew and Joachim Andersen returned from the World Cup in good shape. The only absentees for this match are James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson, who will miss out due to health problems, and Marc Guehi, who will miss out due to yellow card accumulation.
The biggest news emanating from Fulham is the doubt surrounding star Mitrovic for this clash. He returned from international duty with a bruised ankle from which he has not fully recovered. Manor Solomon and Neeskens Kebano are ruled out, while Antonee Robinson and Layvin Kurzawa will face late fitness tests.
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Everton v Wolves
Dominic Calvert Lewin is back in training for the Toffees but is unlikely to show up against Wolves due to a lack of fitness. Andros Townsend is still a bit behind on his recovery journey.
The wolves are without Jonny Otto, Sasa Kalajdzic, Pedro Neto and Francisco Oliviera, while Traore is doubtful.
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Leicester will be hoping to start the second half of the season on a bright note after a very disappointing first half. However, the Foxes will have to do it without James Justin, Ricardo Perreira, Jonny Evans or Ryan Bertrand, while James Maddison remains a doubt.
While Newcastle had an excellent first half of the season, there were also injury problems. Alexander Isak, Emil Krafth and Paul Dummet are out with injuries.
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southampton against brighton
World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister will be one of Brighton’s absentees against Southampton. While he is uninjured, his late return from international duty means he won’t be around. Other absent for the Gulls are Jakub Moder, Danny Welbeck and Adam Webster.
Valentino Livramento, Juan Larios and Theo Walcott are left out for Southampton while Romeo Lavia is a doubt.
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When consulted by Emiliano Martínez, the coach Unai Emery said “He will return next week, I want him to rest after the great emotions and hard work he did.” Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen have returned to training, but it is unclear if they will be fit enough to show up on Boxing Day. Diego Carlos is a long-term absentee. Jacob Ramsey has returned to training but the Liverpool game comes too soon.
The World Cup break did little to reduce Liverpool’s long injury list. Luis Díaz, Arthur Melo, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Roberto Firmino and James Milner are ruled out, while TAA is doubtful due to illness. Konate will have a break after reaching the World Cup final with France.
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Mikel Arteta will have to deal with a depleted squad when the Gunners take on the Hammers on Boxing Day. They are without Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Jesus. Fullbacks Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko are injury doubts, as is midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, and Arteta also revealed that he is uncertain about Saliba’s participation due to his late return from international duty.
David Moyes revealed on Thursday that Gianluca Scamacca and Michail Antonio are doubtfuls for this match, joining Aguerd, Cornet, Cresswell and Zouma.
Tuesday
chelsea against Bournemouth
The biggest news to come out of Stamford Bridge is the return of talisman Reece James from injury. While his return is a huge boost, the Blues still have a long injury list. Ben Chilwell, Robert Loftus-Cheek and Kepa Arrizabalaga are all doubts; Armando Broja, Carney Chukwuemeka, N’Golo Kante and Wesley Fofana are out. Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech will be excused after their World Cup service. Mason Mount is a slight doubt with a calf strain, but he’s back in training.
David Brooks and Norbeto Neto are ruled out for Bournemouth. Jefferson Lerma, Marcus Tavernier, Lloyd Kelly and Ryan Fredericks are all doubts.
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united man against nottingham forest
When asked about the availability of World Cup winner Martinez, Ten Hag said: “He’s still celebrating now in Bueros Aires, now going around in the touring car!” He also revealed that Raphael Varane will not be available as he is still reeling from the disappointment of the World Cup final loss to France. Jadon Sancho is not available while he continues with his “individual fitness plan”. Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot face late aptitude tests.
Nottingham Forest are without Omar Richards, Dean Henderson (cannot face parent club), Giulian Biancone, Cheikhou Kouyate, Moussa Niakhate, while Serge Aurier, Morgan Gibbs-White and Wayne Hennessey all face late fitness tests.
Wednesday
Leeds and Man City complete the Premier League restart week. The mother of all international breaks has done well for Leeds, many players have recovered or are about to return to matchday action. Patrick Bamford, Crysencio Summerville, Rodrigo Moreno Liam Cooper, Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison and Illan Meslier will have final aptitude tests. Only Archie Gray, Stuart Dallas and Luis Sinisterra have been ruled out, while Tyler Adams is suspended.
World Cup winner Julián Álvarez is unavailable for Pep Guarliola after the player’s belated return from celebrations in faraway Argentina. Ruben Dias and Kalvin Philips are also out for the Citizens.
Who are you going to captain? Are you concerned about the impact of the World Cup on player performance? Join us in the comments and share your thoughts!
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