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We have less than 24 hours before the start of the new Premier League season, so it is time to make those final changes to our lineups. As we adjust to three different formats--two of which do not involve a bench--it is essential that every player chosen not only plays, but hopefully starts their match this weekend. One wrong selection can be the difference between a great week and scrolling a long time to find your team in the lower end of the standings.
Let's take a look around the league for the latest news. Below is a breakdown of what each of the categories means:
Out: Fantasy-relevant players who have been confirmed out for the week, either through injury or suspension
Doubt: Players facing the dreaded late fitness test, rotation concerns and those who are out of form/favor
In: The likeliest replacements for the Outs & Doubts
Win: Fantasy player to watch / my hunch pick of the week
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Arsenal
Out: Tomas Rosicky (knee injury), Alexis Sánchez (extended break due to Copa America), Danny Welbeck (knee injury), Jack Wilshere (ankle injury, 6-8 weeks)
Doubt: Mathieu Flamini, Olivier Giroud (selection)
In: Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey
Win: Theo Walcott
With Welbeck and Alexis both out, Walcott's pace provides the Gunners with a valuable weapon against West Ham
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Aston Villa
Out: Jores Okore (knee surgery), Carles Gil (knock), Jack Grealish (hamstring), Chris Herd (knee)
Doubt: Gabriel Agbonlahor (foot), Jose Angel Crespo (knee)
In: Scott Sinclair, Leandro Bacuna, Alan Hutton, Jordan Ayew, Libor Kozak
Win: Scott Sinclair
Sinclair looks to be in solid form after scoring a hat-trick in their final pre-season friendly
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AFC Bournemouth
Out: Harry Arter (groin)
Doubt: Christian Atsu (knock), Yann Kermorgant (foot)
In: Dan Gosling, Max Gradel, Lee Tomlin
Win: Matt Ritchie
If Bournemouth are going to win, he will be a key reason why. This match should see lots of goals, especially with an Aston Villa side that likely will have only four regulars from last season, and Ritchie should benefit.
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Chelsea
Out: N/A
Doubt: Diego Costa (hamstring, missed Community Shield)
In: Radamel Falcao (maybe), Loic Remy (maybe)
Win: Eden Hazard
Really? You need me to give you a reason to pick Eden Hazard? If so, this game might not be the right one for you.
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Crystal Palace
Out: Marouane Chamakh (knock), Julian Speroni (hand), Kwesi Appiah (knee), Frazier Campbell (hamstring)
Doubt: Connor Wickham (recent transfer)
In: Wayne Hennessey (maybe), Alex McCarthy (maybe)
Win: Yohan Cabaye
With Yannick Bolasie and Wilifried Zaha in front of him, expect Cabaye to not only rack up some solid passing numbers, but he's a set-piece specialist and may bag a goal as well.
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Everton
Out: Muhamed Besic (ankle), Darron Gibson (foot), Aiden McGeady (hamstring), Tony Hibbert (knee), Steven Pienaar (knee)
Doubt: Gerard Deulofeu (hamstring), Kevin Mirallas, John Stones
In: Romelu Lukaku (looks to be fit from hamstring injury)
Win: Seamus Coleman
Lukaku could have a good match, but he can't be trusted with the hamstring. Coleman, on the other hand, is always a great option, especially in a matchup like this one.
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Leicester City
Out: Matty James (knee injury), Ben Hamer
Doubt: Yohan Benalouane, N'Golo Kante (recent transfers)
In: Shinji Okazaki (maybe), Christian Fuchs (maybe)
Win: Kasper Schmeichel
Facing a team that isn't the best offensively, Schmeichel is a good bet for a clean sheet. Leicester posted five shutouts in their final seven matches last season, and I like that trend to continue with their opening match this season.
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Liverpool
Out: Daniel Sturridge (hip, out until October), Jon Flanagan (knee), Joe Allen (hamstrin)g
Doubt: Roberto Firmino (fitness), Alberto Moreno (manager's decision)
In: Jordon Ibe, Joe Gomez
Win: Philippe Coutinho
This is not the Stoke City of old. They are not as physical as years past, which should open up space for Coutinho to make plays. With Benteke in front of him, look for the Brazillian playmaker to have a solid match
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Manchester City
Out: Fabian Delph (hamstring), Gael Clichy (foot)
Doubt: Fernandinho (Copa America), Pablo Zabaleta (Copa America), Martin Demichelis (Copa America)
In: Sergio Agüero / David Silva / Samir Nasri (all three came down with illness, but likely to play), Aleksandar Klarov
Win: David Silva
Toss up between he and Aguero, but Silva should get lots of room to operate and will benefit from the pace of Aguero and Sterling
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Manchester United
Out: David De Gea (manager decision), Bastian Schweinsteiger (fitness), Marouane Fellaini (suspended), Javier Hernandez (collarbone), Marcos Rojo (Copa America),
Doubt: Ander Herrera (selection)
In: Sergio Romero
Win: Wayne Rooney
While he might not be the scoring machine he once was, he loves to play Tottenham (10 goals in 15 league matches) and he has more goals on the opening weekend (six) than any other player in the Premier League
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Newcastle
Out: Cheikh Tiote, Sylvain Marveaux (hernia), Paul Dummett (hamstring), Emmanuel Riviere (knee)
Doubt: Remy Cabella (thigh), Fabricio Coloccini (Achilles), Curtis Good (hip)
In: Mike Williamson, Vurnon Anita
Win: Darryl Janmaat
While it's tempting to go with one of the new signings, this is one of the few players in the side who can be counted on. With a system that favors wide players, it's the smart pick.
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Norwich City
Out: Youssuf Mulumbu (foot)
Doubt: Martin Olsson (shoulder), Kyle Lafferty (knee), Graham Dorrans (selection)
In: Robbie Brady
Win: Nathan Redmond
The pacey winger has the ability to break down Palace's defense and create for striker Cameron Jerome.
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Southampton
Out: Fraser Forster (knee, may miss entire season), Florin Gardos (knee, out until 2016)
Doubt: Ryan Bertrand (knee), Jordy Clasie (hamstring), Gaston Ramirez (knock), Shane Long (illness)
In: Maarten Stekelenburg, Cedric Soares, Matt Targett, Steven Caulker (maybe)
Win: Jose Fonte
He is one of the top scoring defenders in fantasy BPL, and when facing a team that has struggled as much as Newcastle has, he's almost a must-have.
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Stoke City
Out: Ryan Shawcross (back surgery, out two months)
Doubt: Marko Arnautovic (thigh), Marc Wilson (knee), Ibrahim Afellay (fitness)
In: Bojan Krkic (maybe), Joselu (maybe), Glen Johnson, Jack Butland, Marco van Ginkel
Win: Bojan Krkic
One of the few players who can create on his own for Stoke, they will be glad to have him back from injury. Liverpool has been vulnerable out wide, and Bojan should be good value against their defense.
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Sunderland
Out: Jordi Gomez (knee), Yann M'Vila (recent transfer)
Doubt: Wes Brown (knock), Steven Fletcher (knock)
In: Younes Kaboul
Win: Costel Pantilimon
A solid goalkeeper who will likely see plenty of chances. While a shutout may not happen, I would be shock to not see him register 6+ saves and register a solid score.
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Swansea City
Out: N/A
Doubt: Jordi Amat, Neil Taylor (rotation)
In: Andre Ayew, Frank Tabanou (maybe)
Win: Ashley Williams
Yes, I know they're playing Chelsea. Which means there are points to be had for a terrific defender in a well-organized defense, and he is always a threat on corners to snare a goal.
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Tottenham Hotspur
Out: Alex Pritchard (ankle)
Doubt: Roberto Soldado (back), Andros Townsend (shoulder), Hugo Lloris (wrist), Ryan Mason (knock)
In: Michel Vorm (maybe), Toby Alderweireld
Win: Harry Kane
There might not be anybody happier that DDG will miss than Kane. He will be facing a goalkeeper who speaks very little English--and a back line that speaks very little Spanish. As if the defense for United wasn't shaky enough to begin with.
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Watford FC
Out: Giedrius Arlauskis (suspended), Miguel Britos (suspended), Lloyd Doyley (neck surgery), Joel Ekstrand (knee surgery)
Doubt: Almen Abdi (knee), Steven Berghuis (leg)
In: Ikechi Anya (maybe)
Win: Troy Deeney
No club has allowed more BPL opening-match goals than Everton (35 of them). And Deeney is a scorer in great form, at a very good value. That's a win-win.
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West Bromwich Albion
Out: Ben Foster (knee, out until Oct)
Doubt: Gareth McAuley (calf), Joleon Lescott (knock)
In: James Chester (maybe), Rickie Lambert
Win: Saido Berahino
An agile talented attacker going up against a City defense that struggled most of last year with agile talented attackers. If West Brom are to steal points from this one, he will most likely be the reason why.
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West Ham United
Out: Carl Jenkinson (cannot play against parent club Arsenal), Andy Carroll (knee, out until Sept), Enner Valencia (knee/ankle, out until Nov)
Doubt: Pedro Obiang (knock), Winson Reid (knock), Joey O'Brien (knock)
In: Dimitri Payet, Mauro Zarate
Win: Cheikhou Kouyaté
Against an Arsenal side that will look to maintain possession, Kouyate will have plenty of chances for tackles and link-up play, and should be a very busy man on the stat sheet.
Has any of this news affected your team selection for this weekend? How will you make adjustments?
Be sure to let us know of any breaking injury news we may have missed, as well. Good luck!