Fantasy Premier League

Fantasy Gameweek 1 team news

By The Scout 10 Aug 2017
Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho and last season's top FPL points scorer among absentees managers should be aware of

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Liverpool blow

Fantasy Premier League managers were put on alert after Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho (£9.0m) was ruled out of a weekend visit to Watford.

Sitting in 10% of FPL squads, the Brazilian joins team-mate Adam Lallana (£7.5m) on the sidelines.

The pair’s absence could allow James Milner (£6.5m), who is classfied as a defender, to move into midfield at Vicarage Road.

Sadio Mane (£9.5m) and Mo Salah (£9.0m) are expected to take the wide roles on either side of Roberto Firmino (£8.5m).

No Sanchez

Last season’s top scoring FPL player Alexis Sanchez (£12.0m) will miss Arsenal’s home encounter with Leicester City.

However, playmaker Mesut Ozil (£9.5m) could be in contention and may partner Alex Iwobi (£5.5m) in the central support roles in the Gunners’ 3-4-2-1 formation.

Boasting a 3% ownership, Iwobi has started three of his side’s final four summer friendlies.

McAuley missing

West Bromwich Albion will be without the influential Gareth McAuley (£5.0m) for a home encounter with AFC Bournemouth.

Scorer of six goals last season, the centre-back's absence looks set to hand new arrival Ahmed Hegazi (£4.5m) his first Premier League start.

The Egyptian offers the cheapest route into head coach Tony Pulis’ back four. 

Trippier out

Tottenham Hotspur will be without both first-choice full-backs Kieran Trippier (£5.5m) and Danny Rose (£6.5m) for the visit to Newcastle United.

But Son Heung-min (£8.0m) could be available.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino may start the South Korean in a wide role in a 4-2-3-1 set-up or switch to wing-backs with Ben Davies (£5.5m) and Moussa Sissoko (£5.5) on the flanks.

Chelsea hazard

Injured Chelsea wingers Eden Hazard (£10.5m) and Pedro (£8.0m) are ruled out of Saturday’s home meeting with Burnley.

This could allow new arrival Alvaro Morata (£10.0m) a place in the front three along with in-form pair Michy Batshuayi (£8.5m) and Willian (£7.0m).

Mendy delay

Manchester City’s summer signing Benjamin Mendy (£6.5m) sits out the weekend trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

But fellow new arrivals Kyle Walker (£6.5m) and Danilo (£5.5m) look set to be unleashed as wing-backs against the Seagulls.

Owned by 21.7% of FPL managers, Walker is the fourth-most popular defender after supplying six assists in 2016/17.

Danilo has also impressed in pre-season and, with an ownership of just 4.1%, looks to be an effective Gameweek 1 differential.

See: The Scout's Gameweek 1 selection

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