Fantasy Football Scout

Check out our predicted XIs for the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 8 clash between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.

The match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium kicks off at 12:30 BST on Saturday 19 October.

PREDICTED FPL GAMEWEEK 8 LINE-UPS

More in-depth team news is available here, updated with the latest press conference information.

TOTTENHAM

WEST HAM

RECENT FORM

Over the last six Gameweeks, these are both sides’ best players for expected goal involvement (xGI):

Get set for a busy two days of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news as the pre-match press conferences for Gameweek 8 take place.

After international breaks, there are always plenty of injury concerns for the Premier League managers to address. There’ll be question marks over long-haul flights and late returns, too.

Six head coaches fulfil their media duties on Thursday, including Fabian Hurzeler.

We’ve even got bonus team news updates from Oliver Glasner and Ange Postecoglou, who gave interviews to Sky Sports and Tottenham Hotspur’s in-house media respectively.

We’ll be bringing you the latest key quotes and injury updates in the ‘live’ article below. We’ll gradually add these as and when they become available.

We expect the other 12 top-flight managers (plus Glasner and Postecoglou) to hold press conferences on Friday. For the latest on those clubs, check out our early team news summary.

GAMEWEEK 8 TEAM NEWS: THURSDAY INJURY UPDATES

Tottenham Hotspur: Son + Richarlison back in training, Ange implies Johnson is fine

Brighton and Hove Albion: Pedro still out but Rutter, Adingra + van Hecke return

Brentford: Wissa back on the grass ahead of schedule

Crystal Palace: Glasner expects Munoz + Wharton to be okay

Everton: Mykolenko, Branthwaite + Coleman latest, Patterson “not quite there”

West Ham United: Fullkrug still out, Lopetegui thinks everyone else is fit

Southampton: Stewart sidelined but avoids serious injury

Leicester City: No fresh concerns, Daka among three still out

GAMEWEEK 8 TEAM NEWS: THURSDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Son Heung-min (hamstring) and Richarlison (calf) have returned to training this week and could come back into the squad this weekend.

“Sonny and Richy have done some good work and trained with the group, which is a real positive for us. Sonny was always, hopefully, going to get through this international break really well and be ready, and Richy’s done some good work, so hopefully both available for the weekend.” – Ange Postecoglou

There was good news from Ange Postecoglou on Lucas Bergvall, too. The young midfielder exited the Sweden camp without kicking a ball, a “minor injury” putting paid to his involvement against Estonia on Monday.

The Spurs boss is hoping he will be fine for Gameweek 8.

“The international guys, I think just about all of them got through okay. We’re still waiting on a couple to come back into the building. Lucas was the only one who had a slight niggle but again we’re hoping that he’ll be okay.” – Ange Postecoglou

Postecoglou’s quote above also implies that Brennan Johnson, the second-most-bought player of Gameweek 8, is fit. He was withdrawn at half-time of Wales’ clash with Iceland last Friday “as a precaution”, only failing to feature against Montenegro on Monday due to suspension.

All of that leaves only Wilson Odobert (hamstring) on the injury list.

“Wilson has also done some good work the last couple of weeks and hopefully joins the main group at some point next week.” – Ange Postecoglou

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Simon Adingra (unknown), Jan Paul van Hecke (groin) and Georginio Rutter (unknown) have all returned to training for Brighton and are available.

“[van Hecke] will be an option.” – Fabian Hurzeler

Adam Webster (hamstring) has joined James Milner (hamstring), Joao Pedro (ankle) and Matt O’Riley (ankle) on the injury list, however.

“Of course, the injuries for Matt [O’Riley] and Joao [Pedro] will still take a little bit more time. Also with James Milner we have to be more patient, takes also a little bit more time. I think the rest will be available for the squad. Adam Webster is another player who will miss the game against Newcastle but the rest will be available.” – Fabian Hurzeler

The quotes above and below suggest Carlos Baleba is fine. There were fears of a lengthy lay-off after he was stretchered off in Cameroon’s win over Kenya last week but his national team boss said it was only a “light injury”. There was some confusion in Monday’s rematch when he was named on the bench on Cameroon’s social media graphic but not on the official teamsheet.

“Hopefully, everyone will come healthy back from their international games. We haven’t seen everyone yet. I don’t know exactly about Julio [Enciso] and Pervis [Estupinan], they are the latest arrivals. We will see them today and then we will know more.” – Fabian Hurzeler

Solly March (knee) is injury free and has had game-time with the under-21s as he bids to build fitness after a very long lay-off.

“We need to give him a lot of time because being back after such a long injury, it’s not a comeback which will go like linear, it’s more like a comeback with waves – there will be up and downs. You need to accept the up and downs, not only we as a staff or we as a coaching team, also Solly as a player. He has to accept these up and downs because they are normal after a long injury.

“But he’s doing quite good mentally and physically and he is in a good way. He has the right mindset. He’s a positive guy and we have to be patient with him but I’m sure we’re on the right way.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Solly March

BRENTFORD

Yoane Wissa (ankle) is ahead of schedule and is training, with Thomas Frank not even ruling out the prospect of him featuring at Old Trafford.

“Wissa is training on the grass with the team, so that’s positive. I just need to find out if it is too soon to involve him or not.” – Thomas Frank

It’s too soon for Mathias Jensen (calf), Igor Thiago (knee), Gustavo Nunes (back) and Rico Henry (knee) to be involved, however, even though they’re also back on the grass.

Henry even featured in a behind-closed-doors game earlier this week.

Longer-term absentees Aaron Hickey (hamstring) and Josh Dasilva (knee) also remain out.

Christian Norgaard and Mikkel Damsgaard both withdrew from the Denmark squad last week but are fit.

There are no fresh worries elsewhere.

“Touch wood, everyone is fit and healthy. Everyone who was available for the last game should be available for this game as well.” – Thomas Frank

CRYSTAL PALACE

Speaking to Sky Sports at the Palace training ground, Oliver Glasner provided positive news about Daniel Munoz and Adam Wharton.

Both players have had groin injuries. Munoz was forced off early in the defeat to Liverpool and couldn’t join up with Colombia, while Wharton withdrew from England under-21 duty with a niggling issue that has plagued him for some time.

“I think so.

“Daniel Munoz, this is the first day where he does parts of the training session with us but it looks pretty good.

“Adam Wharton, as well, we have managed his issues quite well. The medical team is doing a really great job.

“I think both will be available.” – Oliver Glasner on whether he expects Daniel Munoz and Adam Wharton to be fit

Chadi Riad (knee), Matt Turner (ineligible) and Matheus Franca (groin) are definitely out for Palace, while the absence of Chris Richards (hamstring) from the USA camp suggests he won’t be back either.

Glasner did however previously express hope that Cheick Doucoure (toe) could return to training over the break.

We may get further updates on Doucoure, Richards et al on Friday.

EVERTON

It was a mixed bag of updates from Sean Dyche on Thursday.

Youssef Chermiti (foot) and Armando Broja (foot) will definitely remain out.

James Garner (back) and Tim Iroegbunam (foot) have been added to the injury list, too.

“Tim, unfortunately, has got a stress response from a bone in his foot, so he’s going to be weeks, not days unfortunately. We’re disappointed, he’s had a good start to the season, a good pre-season. He’ll come back through it but we’re not sure on the timescales.

“Jimmy is similar. Jimmy has got a back situation that we’re just monitoring at the moment. It’s settling down but we’re not going to have anything too concrete until probably about the next week or so when we’ll know more, see how he responds to the treatment.” – Sean Dyche

It sounds like Nathan Patterson (hamstring) isn’t match-fit enough, either, despite featuring three times for the under-21s as he recovers from a long lay-off.

“He’s just on his longer-term plan to get him back, he’s looking fitter and sharper all the time. Not quite there yet but he’s training all the time. So far, he’s coming through it clean.” – Sean Dyche on Nathan Patterson

The clash with Ipswich Town may also come too soon for Jarrad Branthwaite (quad) but Vitalli Mykolenko (calf) and Seamus Coleman (ankle) seem to be closer.

“First of all, Mykolenko is looking good so that’s a good step in the right direction. Seamus is back in the group and he’s had more or less the week.

“Jarrad is a bit behind them but he’s been on the grass with us, a little bit behind them.

“We’ll have to made a decision on [Branthwaite] because he’s only really had a couple of days training with us. Last time [he returned] he got through the game and then got a minor injury but it still cost him a few weeks, so we’ve got to be careful with that one. We’ll have to make a call probably over the next 24 hours.

“His injury is fine at the moment, it’s just his training schedule.” – Sean Dyche

Illiman Ndiaye shrugged off a mid-break injury to feature in Senegal’s clash with Malawi on Tuesday. He has also trained with the Toffees since.

WEST HAM UNITED

Julen Lopetegui confirmed on Thursday that Niclas Fullkrug (Achilles) remains out.

The West Ham boss thinks that his squad are otherwise injury free, although he hasn’t seen some of his returning internationals yet.

“It is true that we have a lot of players in a lot of countries and right now we don’t have all the players here. I’m going to see the last players today, and tomorrow Edson [Alvarez]. Until the last moment we are not going to be together. Always this is difficult to prepare the matches but it’s one thing that happens to a lot of teams and not only with us, so we have to manage this and to handle [it] to be able to be ready for the next match.

“I think that Fullkrug is out, he continues with his injury. But the rest, I repeat: this afternoon I am going to meet with them. But we don’t have bad news about them.” – Julen Lopetegui

“In the start he had one non-important injury, but he has had little complications with this injury and we are waiting to recover him.

“It is true we were thinking he would be out for two weeks, maximum.

“Right now he is out. I don’t know, I prefer to say nothing [about long he will be out]. Let’s see.” – Julen Lopetegui on Niclas Fullkrug

SOUTHAMPTON

Ross Stewart (hamstring) has been added to the injury list but the budget FPL forward has at least avoided serious injury.

“Ross Stewart came off against Arsenal and won’t be available.

“It’s not going to be long-term injury, I think the international breaks have come at a good time for him, which means he won’t miss a huge amount of games.” – Russell Martin on Ross Stewart

Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) also remains out and Jack Stephens serves the second match of a two-game ban.

Will Smallbone (hamstring) and Kamaldeen Sulemana (ankle) are available, however.

There was no mention – at least in the broadcast section of Russell Martin’s presser – of Tyler Dibling, who withdrew from the England under-19 squad over the last week.

However, Martin did say that “everyone is pretty much as is”.

LEICESTER CITY

Steve Cooper didn’t report any fresh injury concerns in Thursday’s presser.

Jannik Vestergaard (ankle) played 180 minutes for Denmark over the break after recovering just before the October internationals.

“No, nothing’s changed. Jannik Vestergaard has played a couple of games for the national team. He was just about getting fit before the Bournemouth game. He’s obviously in a better place now in terms of fitness and recovery from his ankle injury.

“We’re waiting for a quite a few players to come back but everybody is as they were, really, before the break.” – Steve Cooper

Patson Daka (ankle), Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle) and Hamza Choudhury (shoulder) are on the sidelines for the Foxes.

“He’s definitely making good progress. It was quite a serious injury and an operation he ended up having to have. Such an unfortunate time as well, a week before the season was about to start.

“He’s coming to not far off the final stages of rehab. You will see him on the grass now a little bit, very much still with the medical team, and building his way towards being closer to being with us. His rehab is on course and going to plan. It was quite a serious injury which he needed a bit of time to recover from so he’s still in that process.” – Steve Cooper on Patson Daka

The final fixture of Gameweek 7 takes place at 16:30 BST, as Brighton and Hove Albion welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Amex Stadium.

Fabian Hurzeler makes two changes from the side that lost 4-2 at Chelsea last week, as Joel Veltman and Yankuba Minteh come in for Pervis Estupinan and Mats Wieffer.

It should lead to a tactical reshuffle, with Ferdi Kadıoglu moving over to left-back.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are unchanged.

That means Destiny Udogie is fit to start despite coming off at Manchester United.

Son Heung-min misses out as expected, with Ange Postecoglou saying on Friday he was “unlikely” to recover in time due to a hamstring injury.

LINE-UPS

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Verbruggen, Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Kadioglu, Minteh, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Mitoma, Rutter, Welbeck

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Estupinan, Igor, Ayari, Enciso, Gruda, Wieffer, Ferguson

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson, Werner, Solanke

Subs: Forster, Dragusin, Gray, Spence, Sarr, Bissouma, Bergvall, Moore, Lankshear

Check out our predicted XIs for the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 5 clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford.

The match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday 21 September.

RECENT FORM

Over the last six Gameweeks, these are both sides’ best players for expected goal involvement (xGI):

PREDICTED FPL GAMEWEEK 5 LINE-UPS

More in-depth team news is available here.

TOTTENHAM

BRENTFORD

Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal on Sunday in the first north London derby of the season.

Kick-off is at 14:00 BST.

Ange Postecoglou makes four changes to his Spurs starting XI, with Dominic Solanke back fit to lead the line.

Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson also come into the side.

Radu Dragusin, Pape Sarr and Wilson Odobert drop to the bench, but Yves Bissouma misses out after returning from international duty with a minor injury.

As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta is without the suspended Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, who picked up an ankle injury playing for Norway.

Jorginho and Gabriel Martinelli replace them.

New signing Raheem Sterling is named among the substitutes, as is Gabriel Jesus.

LINE-UPS

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson, Son, Solanke

Subs: Forster, Spence, Davies, Dragusin, Gray, Sarr, Bergvall, Odobert, Werner

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Jorginho, Partey, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli, Trossard

Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Kacurri, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly, Sterling, Nwaneri, Jesus, Kabia

Alongside team form, check out our predicted XIs for the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 4 clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

The match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium kicks off at 14:00 GMT on Sunday 15 August.

RECENT FORM

Over the last six Gameweeks, these are both sides’ best players for expected goal involvement (xGI):

PREDICTED FPL GAMEWEEK 4 LINE-UPS

TOTTENHAM

ARSENAL

See our Team News tab for more details

It’s derby time! With the north London derby on Sunday, Spurs fan Sam from FPLFamily previews the match and explains what it might mean for FPL.

Obviously I am hoping for a huge Spurs win this Sunday – it’s the hope that kills you, right? But before I don my uniform (the new home shirt) and prepare for battle, there are the implications on FPL to consider.

And if you know your history…

Historically home advantage has played a big part in the result of the north London derby.

Spurs have won five of the last nine Premier League matches at home. There have been two draws in that time with Arsenal winning twice, including a win last season where Spurs were unlucky not to salvage the draw, especially when Micky van de Ven‘s (£4.5m) late goal was judged to be offside.

Above: North London derbies at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (and Old White Hart Lane)

The last few seasons have seen some standout FPL picks in these fixtures. Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) returned 25 points against Spurs across both games last season. This was more than he returned against any other club. Kai Havertz (£8.1m) also enjoyed his last visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a goal and an assist in the 2-3 victory.

Likewise, Spurs captain Son Heung-min (£10.0m) has registered three goals and an assist in the last four matches between these sides at Spurs. This rises to six goals and an assist in home and away fixtures in the last three seasons. Of course, the now-departed Harry Kane’s legacy in north London derbies will always be remembered fondly by Spurs fans.

Current state of play

Arsenal

Arsenal have started the 2024/25 campaign with two wins and a draw. Meanwhile Spurs have recorded a win, a draw and a defeat. Although they, like I am, will still be wondering how they haven’t won all three of their opening fixtures!

Saka and Havertz have begun the season in excellent form. Havertz has registered two goals and an assist in the opening three fixtures, picking up 22 points. Meanwhile, Saka has returned in all three Premier League matches so far. The Englishman has a goal and three assists to his name and is currently averaging eight points- per match. His 24 points is the fourth-best tally by a midfielder over the opening weeks.

However, Saka is also the most highly sold Arsenal asset heading into the weekend. The Gunners have back-to-back away matches against Spurs and then Manchester City. Mostly as a result of that, over 330,000 managers have offloaded him; he is currently the most-sold midfielder in the game. Over 105,000 of those sellers have moved the midfielder on in favour of Mohamed Salah (£12.7).

The defence have also started the season well with two clean sheets in the opening three. They were looking comfortable defensively until Declan Rice‘s (£6.4m) red card against Brighton and Hove Albion. Were it not for that, they looked set to join Liverpool on three consecutive clean sheets.

Injuries

Martin Odegaard (£8.4m) picked up an ankle injury on international duty for Norway on Monday evening. Pictures of him boarding a private jet back to the UK on crutches have sparked fear.

As such, he is currently the most transferred-out player since the injury. Over 214,000 managers have sold the Arsenal captain since the Gameweek 3 deadline passed. This is ahead of word from Arsenal over the seriousness of the injury and his availability for the weekend.

Odegaard has been vital to Arsenal since the start of last season and would be a big loss to the Gunners.

Above: Odegaard stats since the start of the 2023/24 season

One player we do know will definitely be missing for Arsenal is Rice. The Englishman picked up his first ever Premier League red card in Gameweek 3 and is now suspended for the derby at the weekend. If Odegaard does miss out alongside Rice, this will have ramifications for both Arsenal and FPL managers. It could mean that we see Havertz drop back into midfield, which would displease the 18% of managers who are enjoying owning Havertz as the Arsenal number nine. It could also see Raheem Sterling (£6.8m) get his first start for Arsenal since his summer move from Chelsea.

For the home team, Dominic Solanke (£7.5m) and Van de Ven are expected to be available for Postecoglou to select this weekend. This will be music to the ears of both FPL managers and Spurs fans alike. Just under 8% of managers have held Solanke throughout his injury and will have been disappointed to see him miss out in the last two matches.

Spurs

Spurs have created 36 chances so far this season but with Solanke missing the last two games, they have been wasteful in front of goal.

Spurs are also tied second for attempts on goal this season (48) but their goal conversion rate is down at just 12.5%. Spurs have scored on six occasions but four of those came against Everton in Gameweek 2.

Spurs have also boasted one of the best defences in terms of shots conceded. However, they have still proved leaky with against-the-run-of-play goals against both Newcastle and Leicester.

The positive thing for managers who own one of the Spurs defenders is that we have already had attacking returns for van de Ven, Cristian Romero (£5.0m) and Pedro Porro (£5.5m) this season. This means that even if the clean sheet goes, which always looks likely, there’s always an opportunity for an attacking return with their style of play.

Bench? Hold? Sell?

Many managers may find themselves invested on both sides of north London. When that happens it is difficult to decide what to do with assets. Do you play them against each other? Do you play some and bench others? Or do you look to offload some to remove the headache all together?

The Gunners have six players who are currently owned by over 10% of managers.

Meanwhile, Spurs have just one in Porro.

Both sides are scoring goals, so if you have an attacking player from either side, I’d still be in favour of playing them. The defenders are more contentious. With Porro, Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.0m) and Ben White‘s (£6.5m) attacking threat, I would start them. I personally will be starting Porro on Sunday.

My Arsenal defender is William Saliba (£6.0m). The Frenchman has less of an attacking threat and therefore if the clean sheet goes, he will likely register just two points. So, I will have a decision to make as to whether I start him over Antonee Robinson (£4.6m), who is at home to West Ham United this weekend.

Generally speaking, my view on premium players is that they are in your squad to be played. It feels wrong to bench Saliba, even against my own team, in a game I back us to score in.

I will be playing Saka and Porro and would also be starting the likes of Havertz and Solanke (unless he is ruled out) if I had them. Whilst I understand that it is a desire for the likes of Salah and Erling Haaland (£15.2m) that are driving managers to sell Saka and Havertz, I do think they could punish sellers this weekend.

Three Premier League games take place on Sunday with a double-header up first at 13:30 BST. Chelsea host Crystal Palace in west London, while Newcastle United meet Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park.

Enzo Maresca makes just one change from the 6-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Pedro Neto handed his first Premier League start for the club.

He gets the nod over Mykhailo Mudryk, who drops to the bench.

Noni Madueke keeps his place in the starting XI.

Oliver Glasner makes three changes to his side, with Nathaniel Clyne, Will Hughes and Daichi Kamada drafted in to replace Chadi Riad, Jefferson Lerma and Odsonne Edouard.

Newcastle make just one alteration from Gameweek 2, as Harvey Barnes comes in for Jacob Murphy.

Tino Livramento and Lloyd Kelly continue in the full-back spots, keeping Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall on the bench.

Micky van de Ven is not in the Tottenham squad this afternoon. He is replaced by Radu Dragusin.

The only other change from the 4-0 win over Everton is Pape Sarr coming in for Brennan Johnson.

Spurs are without Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, so Son Heung-min will start up front again.

LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson

Subs: Jorgensen, Disasi, Tosin, Mudryk, Felix, Nkunku, Dewsbury-Hall, Casadei, Veiga

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Clyne, Guehi, Richards, Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Kamada, Eze, Mateta

Subs: Matthews, Ward, Sarr, Schlupp, Doucoure, Rodney, Umeh, Devenny, Agbinone

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly, B Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton, Gordon, Barnes, Isak

Subs: Dubravka, Trippier, A Murphy, Targett, Osula, Hall, Tonali, J Murphy, Almiron

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison, Kulusevski, Odobert, Son

Subs: Forster, Davies, Bentancur, Spence, Devine, Bergvall, Gray, Johnson, Werner

Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) concludes this evening at the King Power Stadium.

Kick-off for Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur is at 20:00 BST.

The Monday night game is a tale of two strikers: one making his Spurs debut, the other back from injury to bolster Leicester’s goal-shy frontline.

The Foxes didn’t score in any of their last three pre-season friendlies but they were without Jamie Vardy for all of them.

He returns to the squad this evening and is a surprise starter – but a surprise only if you take Steve Cooper’s team news at face value.

Summer recruits Bobby Decordova–Reid and Facundo Buonanotte make their competitive Leicester debuts.

And making his Spurs bow is £65m signing Dominic Solanke.

He leads the line for the Lilywhites but it is Dejan Kulusevski, who has looked good in pre-season, and not Brennan Johnson who makes way to accommodate him.

Spurs are pretty much at full strength, although Yves Bissouma is not considered for selection tonight after his off-the-field antics.

Richarlison is among the substitutes after recovering from injury.

Leicester’s backline contains £4.0m defenders Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard. Harry Winks, Fantasy Premier League’s most-owned £4.5m midfielder by some distance, faces his former club.

LINE-UPS

Leicester City XI: Hermansen, Kristiansen, Faes, Vestergaard, Justin, Winks, Ndidi, Buonanotte, Decordova-Reid, Fatawu, Vardy.

Subs: Ward, Ricardo, Nelson, Choudhury, Soumare, McAteer, Mavididi, Cannon, Okoli.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Maddison, Sarr, Johnson, Solanke, Son.

Subs: Dragusin; Richarlison, Gray, Bergvall, Werner, Spence, Kulusevski, Davies, Austin.

Are there any team news shocks awaiting us in the pre-match press conferences for Gameweek 1?

The first pressers for 2024/25 got underway on Wednesday, with Marco Silva facing reporters.

Seven more Premier League bosses fulfil their media duties on Thursday, including Ange Postecoglou and Erik ten Hag.

And we’ll be bringing you the latest key quotes and injury updates in the ‘live’ article below. Quotes will be gradually added as and when they become available.

The other dozen top-flight managers look set to hold press conferences on Friday. For the latest on their clubs, there’s our team news summary from earlier this week.

GAMEWEEK 1 TEAM NEWS: WEDNESDAY + THURSDAY UPDATES

Tottenham Hotspur: Fully fit squad, Bissouma suspended, Ange on Solanke

Brighton and Hove Albion: Estupinan, Lamptey + Ferguson back in training

Manchester United: Mazraoui and de Ligt in the squad, Shaw out

Everton: Branthwaite among five set to miss out

West Ham United: Late decision to be made on Wan-Bissaka, no injury issues reported

Nottingham Forest: No “big” issues reported by Nuno

Southampton: Kamaldeen, Stewart + Lallana all getting closer

Fulham: No known fitness concerns for the Cottagers

THURSDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Ange Postecoglou says that Spurs have virtually a fully fit squad for Monday’s game.

That includes Richarlison (calf) and Fraser Forster (foot), who haven’t played any part in pre-season friendlies.

“Knock on wood – at the moment, everyone’s training. Obviously guys like Richy and Fraser, they have been the last two into the training group. They have had a good week of training but no game time. They are training, which is the main thing, and everyone else seems to be in good condition.” – Ange Postecoglou, speaking to club media

“Richie is good. Obviously, he hasn’t played at all so that’s match minutes – we’re going to have to try and get that into him over the next few weeks. But he’s trained fully, he doesn’t feel any effects of the injury, which is really positive for us.” – Ange Postecoglou, speaking in his press conference

Postecoglou did confirm, however, that the Lilywhites have suspended Yves Bissouma for the clash with Leicester. This came after footage emerged of the midfielder appearing to inhale laughing gas.

“He won’t be available for Monday. We have suspended him for Monday’s game. Beyond that, there is also some trust-building that needs to happen between Biss and me, and Biss and the group.” – Ange Postecoglou

As for Dominic Solanke, the question we Fantasy managers want an answer to is if he’s ready to start against the Foxes.

Postecoglou was asked that question, not quite giving an unequivocal response.

“Thankfully, it’s what we expected. He’s a top pro, a good guy, has settled into the dressing room really well. Footballing-wise, you can see that he has the attributes that fit into what we’re trying to do.

“There’s still an adjustment period there, obviously, because we play a little bit differently, we train differently. We’ve seen that with every new signing that comes in.

“So far he’s fitted in really well with the group and with training. We’ve still got a couple of sessions to go but so far, so good.

“Yeah he should be [good to go on Monday].” – Ange Postecoglou on Dominic Solanke

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Look away now, Valentin Barco owners: as well as the Seagulls potentially moving for Ferdi Kadioglu, they also have Pervis Estupinan (ankle) back in training.

The last we heard from Roberto De Zerbi, the Ecuadorian left-back wasn’t expected to be fit until the autumn. That was also the case with Evan Ferguson (ankle) but both players are now back on the grass, if still a doubt for Gameweek 1.

Tariq Lamptey, who hasn’t featured since the pre-season friendly against Kashima Antlers three weeks ago, is also in training.

“There are quite a few players who came back this week. I can’t say if they’re already ready for the first game at Everton.

“Pervis is back on the pitch, Tariq is back on the pitch, Ferguson will be back on the pitch. So it’s great news but I’m not sure if they’re ready for the first match.” – Fabian Hurzeler

Solly March (knee), who like Estupinan and Ferguson has been out since last season, remains sidelined.

A brand-new signing, attacking midfielder Brajan Gruda, could be involved at Goodison Park, however.

“He took part in the pre-season at Mainz so he is completely in training. Let’s see if he’s ready for Everton because in the end, he’s also a young player. It’s a new land here, everything is like a little bit stressful for him so we have to take care of him but I will have a talk with him and if he feels ready, I’m also [ready].” – Fabian Hurzeler

There was no fresh update on Bart Verbruggen or Julio Enciso, however.

It was confirmed in mid-July that Verbruggen had suffered an unspecified injury and would be a doubt for the start of the campaign.

Enciso suffered a knee injury while playing for Paraguay at the Olympics at the beginning of August. He was only expected to be out for a couple of weeks, with Hurzeler confirming last weekend that he wouldn’t be sidelined for much longer.

No one involved in the final friendly against Villarreal is a concern.

“I think that the squad who played against Villarreal, all of them should be ready for Everton.” – Fabian Hurzeler

MANCHESTER UNITED

Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui could be set to make their debuts in Friday’s clash with Fulham.

Erik ten Hag said in his pre-match presser that Manchester United’s two new signings will be available for the Premier League curtain-raiser.

“They will be in the squad.” – Erik ten Hag on whether his two new defensive recruits will be ready to start on Friday

The Dutchman also confirmed that Harry Maguire is fit to feature despite picking up a knock last weekend.

Luke Shaw (calf) was added to the injury list earlier this week and looks set to remain out until after the September international break.

“I think he will return in the short term, it doesn’t take long. We are looking forward [to him recovering], of course, Luke Shaw is a very important player for our team.

“He is massively important so we want to get him back as soon as possible but we can’t force this process.” – Erik ten Hag on Luke Shaw

United have three other players red-flagged.

New signing Leny Yoro will be sidelined for three months after he sustained a foot injury in the pre-season friendly against Arsenal. He later underwent surgery.

Rasmus Hojlund suffered a hamstring injury in that same game in late July, subsequently being ruled out for six weeks.

Tyrell Malacia will also remain absent for the first two months of 2024/25 as he recovers from a long-term knee issue.

EVERTON

Everton look set to be without several players in Gameweek 1.

Jarrad Branthwaite is still recovering from groin surgery, while Seamus Coleman suffered a calf injury in the final pre-season friendly against Roma.

Meanwhile, James Garner (calf) hasn’t featured since late July Nathan Patterson (hamstring) hasn’t been seen since April, and Youssef Chermiti (foot) will miss the start of the season.

“They’re a little bit behind. There’s Seamus as well. Jimmy Garner was unfortunate, not too serious. Should be joining pretty soon. Patto is making good progress.

“Youssef, he had a minor operation but that’s going to be weeks rather than days.

“They’re making good progress but they’re not there yet.” – Sean Dyche when asked about Jarrad Branthwaite and other injury concerns

Michael Keane has returned to training this week and is fit.

WEST HAM UNITED

Julen Lopetegui will make a late decision on whether midweek signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka will feature against Aston Villa.

“Let’s see, it’s tomorrow we are going to have this answer. He has played in pre-season with Manchester United enough minutes… but it’s true that his first training session was yesterday. We will see tomorrow.” – Julen Lopetegui on Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s prospects of featuring in Gameweek 1

Lopetegui added that there was “no bad news” on the injury front. Whether that includes Edson Alvarez is doubtful.

The club website, indeed, states that there is “potentially only Edson Álvarez absent after the Mexico captain suffered a hamstring injury while in action for his country at the Copa América”.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Never the most open with sharing information on injuries, Nuno Espirito Santo gave a vaguely positive response to the season’s opening team news question.

“We always have issues but no, not big ones, fortunately. We are okay.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

As it happens, we weren’t aware of any injury issues affecting Forest after pre-season.

Taiwo Awoniyi marked his return to fitness with substitute appearances in the Tricky Trees’ latest two friendlies.

SOUTHAMPTON

Russell Martin almost has a fully fit squad for the trip to Tyneside.

Kamaldeen Sulemana (ankle), who was ruled out for three to four weeks with an ankle injury at the beginning of August, is close to recovery.

So too are Adam Lallana and Ross Stewart, who didn’t get any pre-season minutes. Lallana hasn’t featured since joining the club, while Stewart has been blighted by injury for the last two seasons.

“Kamaldeen is nearly fit, Ross Stewart is nearly in contention and Adam Lallana is nearly back, so the squad is in a good way.” – Russell Martin

Juan Larios has recently featured for the under-21s after his own lengthy spell on the sidelines.

FULHAM

Team news was in short supply in Marco Silva’s press conference.

Despite the broadcast section of the presser lasting half an hour, there were no questions asked about injuries.