Late Fitness Check: Injuries and Suspension Impact for Fantasy EPL Week 9

At least as of this writing, SoccerNet has yet to publish its usual consolidated Team News list. As a result we'll cobble things together from the individual previews available from the BBC. Here goes:

Stoke vs. Sunderland - Nothing of particular note that would impact your fantasy selections.

Southampton vs. Tottenham - Gaston Ramirez continues to be out for the Saints which is good for Spurs defense if you're so inclined. Gareth Bale will return from paternity duty which is a nice bit of certainty to have. K2, Dembele, and Dawson should be available. The big question here is whether K2 will have a potential impact on Jermain Defoe. I don't think he will, but there's always a chance if you're on the fence between Defoe and someone else at a similar price.

Newcastle vs. West Brom - Not much of note really. Tiote is suspended (zzzz). Chris Brunt "may" be back. That's about all from here. Did I mention not much of note really?

Chelsea vs. Manchester United - The absences here - Frank Lampard, John Terry, and Shinji Kagawa - actually help fantasy managers as they very much cut through the rotation worries. It should mean that Oscar, David Luiz, and Gary Cahill are all guaranteed starters for Chelsea. Whether you want any of them is another story but at least you should rest assured that they will play. Kagawa presumably means that the Rooney, RvP, and Welbeck attacking troika will continue.

Everton vs. Liverpool - There is some non-zero chance that Marouane Fellaini will be back which will help make up for the absence of Steven Pienaar who is suspended. Pepe Reina is also a possibility. I'm not expecting much fantasy action on Everton or Liverpool players for this match given the potential for far more yellow cards than goals. If you are thinking of dipping in, I'd favor Everton if Fellaini is back and Liverpool if he isn't.

Wigan vs. West Ham - Not much of note but Matt Taylor and Guy Demel are both definitely out. Not too much else that would cause you to click on the link to learn more.

Arsenal vs. QPR - The usual aggravating list of names on the Arsenal injury list which includes uncertainty over Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere which torpedoes the value of both players PLUS the players (Carl Jenkinson and presumably Aaron Ramsey) that they would replace. Elsewhere, Walcott, Gibbs, Szcz, Diaby, and Sicky are all out and the Ox is a doubt. The only think that this news REALLY helps with is that it seems pretty certain that Podolski, Giroud and Gervinho will continue in attack with Cazorla behind them and Arteta holding. Nothing of interest for QPR.

Reading vs. Fulham - Damien Duff and Bryan Ruiz should both be back which should improve the potency of Fulham's attack. Not too much else here of note.

Manchester City vs. Swansea - David Silva, Pablo Zabaleta, Maicon, Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell, and James Milner (suspended) are all out for City. City's attack could be significantly impacted with the loss of Silva who has been present over the last two seasons when they've been at their best. The injuries at the back mean Micah Richards is a definite starter at right back which is nice. You also have to assume Samir Nasri is a guaranteed starter in the absence of Silva and Milner. I'm still not terribly bullish on City players given their prices but the additional certainty helps a little bit at least.

Aston Villa vs. Norwich - Cairan Clark and Nathan Baker are both likely absentees and Richard Dunne is definitely out which means Matt Lowton and Eric Lichaj are the likely starters. Lowton had a very nice weekend last weekend but he's a bit more expensive than I'm ready for from a Villa defender. Lichaj could be strong value though but obviously the hedging on Clark and Baker (struggling to overcome injuries vs. out) creates at least a little risk with Lichaj.