Dilemmas of the Week - GW 30 (25/26)

 

Although it was a dismal week in Europe for the English clubs, at least we seem to have come through the ordeal with no new injuries. And last weekend's FA Cup ties were mercifully free of casualties too. And some teams who'd exited the Cup early and aren't involved in Europe were able to take brief warm-weather breaks this past week. Touch wood, despite the ongoing dismal weather in England, it looks as though the peak of the inevitable midwinter injury crisis may now be passing.

I am trying to streamline these weekly round-ups a bit from last year, restricting myself for the most part to just the injuries etc. affecting players that are likely to have a major significance in FPL; and also, of course, only to new injuries - I figure everyone should be aware of players who've already been ruled out for some time!  

[For some years, I have found the 'Injuries & Bans' summary on Fantasy Football Scout the most reliable resource for this kind of information; although this site, Premier League Injuries, is a very good alternative (often a little quicker to update, I think - though it did go through a bit of a glitchy period for a while last year).  Go check these out for more comprehensive coverage. 

I see the Fantasy Premier League site has added an improved 'Player Availability' page this year (though hidden under 'The Scout' tab?!). That also seems to be reasonably comprehensive and up-to-date, but god knows how it's supposed to be 'organised' - maybe by 'date of injury'? Obviously, arranging it by club and alphabetical order would be more sensible; but the denizens of FPL Towers seem to have a deep aversion to the sensible.]

So, what are the conundrums we face ahead of Gameweek 30?

Does anybody need to be moved out because of injury?

Leandro Trossard came off early in the Cup game against Mansfield with a muscle problem, and wasn't involved against Leverkusen midweek.

Matty Cash had to come off at half-time against Chelsea in GW29 with a calf problem, but it looks as though he should be available again this weekend.

Rico Henry, only recently reintroduced after a long lay-off, has picked up a serious hamstring strain which looks as though it might keep him out for the rest of the season.

Kaoru Mitoma came off at half-time against Arsenal in GW29 with an ankle problem. Scans reveal nothing serious, but he has been struggling with pain and hasn't trained much since.

Daniel Munoz had to come off against Spurs in GW29 with a shoulder injury, and is still looking doubtful to return this week.

Leeds are suddenly missing their two preferred forward options, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffering with a knee problem and Noah Okafor missing training this week with a hip issue. Presumably Lukas Nmecha, and perhaps also Joel Piroe, will get more of a chance while they're out.

Alisson missed the trip to Galatasary this week after feeling a muscle problem in training; Slot is hopeful he might be back this weekend.

Forest winger Dan Ndoye missed the European game on Thursday because of a training knock.

Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha suffered a clash of heads in Tuesday's game against Atletico Madrid, and will both have to miss this week. Conor Gallagher is also a doubt, having missed training with an illness this week.

Recently in-form winger Crysencio Summerville suffered a calf-strain in Monday night's Cup win over Brentford, and looks likely to miss out this weekend.

Jose Sa has been troubled by a persistent ankle injury, which led to him being omitted in the FA Cup game against Liverpool last weekend.

Do we have any players who are dropped, or not looking likely to get the starts we hoped for?

Pedro Neto is still suspended, having received an additional one-match bna from the FA for failing to leave the pitch promptly after being sent off for a second yellow-card offence against Arsenal at the start of the month.

Micky Van de Ven is suspended this week after being sent off for a 'denial of a goalscoring opportunity' against Palace in GW29.

Jadon Sancho is, remarkably, still a Manchester United player, and is thus ineligible to play against them for Villa this week.

Raul Jimenez will be missing for Fulham as his father has recently died.

Did anyone give other cause to consider dropping them?

Spurs, of course, have been FPL poison for months; but I rather fear Liverpool are getting there as well - they have been absolutely awful in the last few league games. Villa have also been in a very bad run - but at least Onana is back to give them a bit more steel in the middle of the park, McGinn should be close to a return, and Ollie Watkins managed to get on the scoresheet against Lille on Thursday, so... maybe things are about to turn around for them? (Just as Morgan Rogers became the week's most transferred-out player.....)

Did anyone play so well, you have to consider bringing them in immediately?

Marcus Tavernier - not Joao Pedro! - produced the 'Performance of the Gameweek' last time: he was absolutely magnificent, and very, very unlucky not to come away with a 20-point haul. This was a classic example of how the FPL points returns are often no guide at all to how well someone has played. Against Burnley this time, I'd seriously fancy him as a captaincy option. James Tarkowski and Marcos Senesi also recommended themselves as top defensive options - but they've actually been decent picks for most of the season, and many managers will have kept them since Gameweek 1.

BEST OF LUCK, EVERYONE!