Week 14: Injury news and Pre Deadline

Countdown to week 14 starts with the key injury news.

Manchester City V Chelsea

Conte confirmed 1 or 2 players need assessment before being passed fit for the weekend's big game but wouldn't name those players.  Of course the 1^st thought is that those players are key so say Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Kante or Courtois rather than players with equal squad coverage like Pedro, Cahill or perhaps Moses.  But it simply may be mind games from the Italian manager.   Regardless owners of Chelsea talent won't rest east until the team sheets come out.

For City it is always a guessing game but expect to see David Silva and KDB back into the line-up.

Stoke City v Burnley

With Jack Butland playing for the under 23's tonight, Lee Grant will take the prize keeper spot in a game where owners will smell a clean sheet.  Wilfred Bony's January temptations may see Jonathan Walters start as the lead forward once again.

Bournemouth v Liverpool

Adam Smith comes back in at right back for the visit of the red while Jack Wilshere will also return.  For Liverpool Phillipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge are out, while Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino need assessment.  Firmino looks likely to make it, Lallana less so.  Origi with two goals in two games may start and is a great one week gamble if you are short of money.

West Ham v Arsenal

The Gunners have been dealt a big blow with Santi Cazorla ruled out for three months.  Santi Claus isn't coming to town this year then booooooo.  In addition Olivier Giroud and Hector Bellerin will be absent.  Alexis Sanchez will continue his forward role.  Theo Walcotts toe seems ok.

Sahko is out so Andy Carroll could come in.  Aaron Cresswell and Michael Antonio also miss out after coming off early in the league cup QF.  Edimilson Fernandes and Arthur Masuaku will come in.  In Fantrax Fernandes at 2.19m could be a value.

Everton v Manchester United

Jose has a nice problem coming into this week.  Juan Mata, Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera have all played quite well in the last few but Jose now has Henrikh Mkhitaryan fresh off his back to back man of the match awards pushing for a starting place.  Utd have looked a far more effective attacking side in those games and the pressure on Jose to give Micki an EPL start is there from the fans.  Meanwhile a very sharp midweek performance from Antony Martial may see him get the start over Marcus Rashford who has looked a little flat.

The Toffees could have midfield ball winner James McCarthy back and top goalscorer Lukaku is fit.

Crystal Palace v Southampton

With Alan Pardew under increasing pressure his lucks doesn't change as Connor Wickham will miss the rest of the season.  That may see Andros Townsend regain his 1^st team spot.  The biggest blow may be the suspension of Yohan Cabaye.  The Frenchman is their best player and against such a difficult opponent it's not the week the Eagles wanted him missing.  Joe Ledley should take the spot.

The saints have played plenty of games already this season and rotation cannot be ruled out.  Dusan Tadic is still out and the spot will be filled by either Josh Sims or Boufal.  Star forward Charlie Austin is fit.

Sunderland v Leicester City

As every week the biggest news for Sunderland is the fitness of Jemain Defoe.  With the champs giving up goals and chances too often he will fancy his chances again this week.  Papy Djilobodji is back from suspension and may take the role alongside Kone.

The Foxes still cannot get going this season and the manager will need to decide between Musa, Gray Okasaki and Slimani in attack.  Danny Drinkwater is still out and that really does effect the Foxes performance therefore their fantasy returns.

Middlebrough v Hull City

Dieumerci Mbokani was never in your thoughts but his suspension ends any late filler ideas anyhow.  Ryan Mason has been ill and is a doubt. The big news for Hull could be the return of left back Andrew Robertson.

George Friend is still out for Boro so Fabio should hold the left back spot.

Tottenham v Swansea

Apart from Siggy starting I won't try and guess Bob Bradleys selection this week.

For Spurs Danny Rose is back and so also maybe Tony Alderweireld.

The Premier League continues to see player move in and out of hot streaks and it seems Harry Kane, Siggy, Sanchez and Ku are riding high in your thoughts going into this week.

I have to decide what to do with Coutinho in FPL and just the one free transfer.  I still would like Kane but can only therefore do so with a hit which I have avoided all season so far.  Further I can only really do it by selling Kun.  As I want to increase my Chelsea coverage from next week selling Kun may be the move I have to make anyhow.

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