Late Fitness Check - Week 9
The Premier League boasts a log of injury intrigue this week. Diego Costa appears to be a constant threat to be held out due to balky hamstrings (seriously, how much running can one do within the opposing penalty area that their hamstrings are this big a mess at such a young age?). Angel Di Maria came off against West Brom with a dead leg and his health could hold the key to United having a chance against Chelsea on Sunday. Finally, Theo Walcott is nearing his long-awaited return but we're never really sure when Arsene Wenger is going to be overly cautious or overly aggressive in bringing someone back into the line-up from injury. Dive in and you'll get as clear answers as are available and more before you set your fantasy line-ups for Week 9.
Be sure to check out the rest of our Rotoworld PL Week 9 analysis: Player Picks | Bargain Hunter | By The Numbers
West Ham United – vs – Manchester City
The fourth placed Hammers face their sternest test to date when current champions Manchester City visit the Boleyn Ground in Saturdays’ early kick-off however West Ham will be confident of a result on the back of two straight wins. With pace & power throughout their team Sam Allardyces' side are a different proposition these days while Enner Valencia & Diafra Sakho are capable of upsetting any defence. Cheikhou Kouyate [groin] and James Tomkins [thigh] has been passed fit but both could start from the bench while Andy Carroll is back in full training [November]. Guy Demel and Mauro Zarate missed out last weekend & the pair are considered doubtful.
City return from Russia following a disappointing midweek draw against CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League but their form has been excellent & Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping for another three points this weekend as the Citizens look to stay in touch with leaders Chelsea. Samir Nasri [groin] returned to training on Wednesday & should be back for the derby [GW10] while Frank Lampard [thigh] is also sidelined after his first half withdrawal against Spurs. Sergio Aguero is back up to speed now & looks set to start his third game within a week although City may revert back to a 4-4-2 with Dzeko or Jovetic supporting to help ease his workload.
Liverpool – vs – Hull City
No fresh injury concerns for Brendan Rodgers who will be hoping his Liverpool side can recapture some of the form that took them to a second place finish last season. Mario Balotelli could be sacrificed with Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini waiting patiently but the Reds boss also has the attacking option of Raheem Sterling at his disposal. Adam Lallana impressed after coming on against Real Madrid which should guarantee a start but competition is fierce in midfield with Emre Can, Philippe Coutinho, Joe Allen, Lazar Markovic and forgotten man Lucas Leiva all vying for a place. Suso & Jon Flanagan remain out long-term but Daniel Sturridge & Mamadou Sakho are not far away.
Steve Bruce is expected to ring the changes after last weekends’ draw at the Emirates; the Tigers were undone in the dying moments by a Danny Welbeck injury time equaliser. However the point did come at a cost with Nikica Jelavic [knee] & Michael Dawson [ankle] both expecting to miss around six weeks with stand-in goalkeeper Steve Harper suffering a bicep tear which is still being assessed. Tom Huddlestone & Andrew Robertson have also emerged as doubts. First choice keeper Allan McGregor [shoulder] is closing on a return but Saturday is likely to come at least a week too soon.
Southampton – vs – Stoke City
Don’t expect too much rotation at Southampton as Ronald Koeman could easily go with the same side that demolished Sunderland 8-0 at St Marys’. No fresh injury concerns which means Ward-Prowse & Jay Rodriguez remain out but Sam Gallagher [knee] is very close. Maya Yoshida returned to the squad last weekend while Lloyd Isgrove has featured for the under-21s following a knee injury. Gardos, Mane & Wanyama could start from the bench once again.
Stoke will be without experienced midfielder Glenn Whelan after Mark Hughes confirmed the Republic of Ireland international fractured his leg recently. Geoff Cameron is in line for a recall [and could slot into the centre] but with defender Phil Bardsley doubtful due to a back problem & Andy Wilkinson joining Millwall on loan this week the US international may adopt his more familiar full-back role. Victor Moses [thigh] has returned to training – the winger limped off against Swansea – but tests following the game revealed no serious damage. Marko Arnautovic [hip] and Robert Huth [calf] will both face a late fitness test. Peter Odemwingie [ACL] is ruled out.
Sunderland – vs – Arsenal
Gus Poyet will be hoping his side can bounce back after their humiliating loss at St Mays’ but don’t expect wholesale change with the Argentine prepared to allow those involved the opportunity to right their wrongs. Vito Mannone is a confirmed starter after his car crash of a performance but the goalkeeper is in the last chance saloon with Pantilimon waiting in the wings. Wes Brown should return to the centre of defence after Poyet gambled with Liam Bridcutt during the second half – a move which didn’t exactly go to plan. Emanuele Giaccherini [ankle] & Billy Jones [hamstring] were hoping to be close but it now looks like the pair will return after the international break. Alvarez will be the next returner but the Black Cats will have to wait another two weeks. Sebastian Coates remains out & new-signing Anthony Reveillere is awaiting international clearance.
Arsenal returned victorious from Belgium but their dramatic finish against Anderlecht is merely papering over the cracks as the Gunners are yet to hit top form. As is nearly always the case Wenger has to deal with a number of injury concerns – this week being no different – with the latest body to grace the treatment room being Abou Diaby [calf] [some things never change]. David Ospina, Giroud, Ozil & Debuchy are all out for an extended period with Yaya Sanogo still lacking match-fitness. Theo Walcott could make his long awaited return despite the FA announcing the England international would play for the under-21s at Stoke – he did travel with the squad to Wearside - Serge Gnabry is in a similar position. French central defender Laurent Koscielny [Achilles] might be back after the international break although admittedly Wenger was unable give a definitive timeline.
West Brom – vs – Crystal Palace
Ben Foster has returned to training following a minor calf problem and Alan Irvine must decide to whether to continue with Boaz Myhill or recall his number one keeper. Jonas Olsson will miss the game due to an ongoing Achilles problem – the defender had a rather painful injection this week to help minimise the pain – Dawson & Lescott are expected to continue in the heart of the defence. Claudio Yacob [compassionate leave] is still unavailable with Porto loanee Silvestre Varela [groin] struggling post-Op although “he's getting closer."
Scott Dann has started running but Neil Warnock is unlikely to risk his defender with a full 10 days rest up after the Baggies game – although he hasn’t been ruled out yet! James McArthur [hip] is a big doubt following his injury against Chelsea & Damien Delaney is suspended following his sending off during the same match.
Swansea City – vs – Leicester City
Swansea [winless in three] will be looking to capitalise on Leicester’s recent dip after last weekends’ controversial loss at the Britannia. Jonjo Shelvey returns from a one game domestic ban, his appearance will add steel to the centre of the field while Angel Rangel is likely to retain his place at right-back with Jazz Richards [knee] and Dwight Tiendalli [groin] both ruled out. Rory Donnelly and Jordi Amat are progressing which should see them available within the 7-14 days. Leon Britton [bruised patella] is closing in on a return but we may have to wait until after the international break.
Leicester have been unfortunate since their win over Manchester United & results have not reflected their performances but goals win games & the Foxes have failed to score in 50% of their matches so far. Jamie Vardy was a late introduction at St James’ Park last weekend with Nigel Pearson preferring to go with a 4-5-1 formation which was used to accommodate Marc Albrighton - however I wouldn’t be surprised to see a move back to 4-4-2 with his summer signing making way. No fresh injury concerns with long-term absentees Matthew Upson [foot] and Zoumana Bakayoko [ACL] still out.
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Burnley – vs – Everton
Last seasons’ top scorer Danny Ings has returned from injury and the Clarets will be hoping it won’t be too long before the striker is back amongst the goals after finding the net just four times this term. Dean Marney [hamstring] trained on Friday and Sean Dyche will make a late decision but Michael Keane could miss out again. Sam Vokes [ACL] will return in December while Matty Taylor underwent surgery to cure his troublesome Achilles – the midfielder is hoping he can return within “weeks rather months.” Steven Reid [groin] is ruled out.
Everton left France with a point on Thursday night in the Europa League after a “great start to the group” but Roberto Martinez is expected to ring the changes for the trip to Turf Moor. Antolin Alcaraz could come back into the heart of the defence with Sylvain Distin making way while the marauding Seamus Coleman will replace Tony Hibbert. Steven Naismith and Leon Osman didn’t travel with the squad so they will be fresh while it remains to be seen whether Ross Barkley will start the game after completing 90 minutes in the Stade Lille-Metropole. Arouna Kone & Bryan Oviedo [minor surgery] are out; they join John Stones [ankle] & Kevin Mirallas [hamstring] who should return after the international break.
Tottenham Hotspur – vs – Newcastle United
Eric Dier looks set to retain his right-back spot by default as both Kyle Naughton & Kyle Walker continue their recovery from injury. The extra days rest could help Bentaleb [ankle] but Fazio will miss out through suspension. Pochettino will have a choice to make with Harry Kane scoring a hat-trick in the Europa on Thursday night – Emmanuel Adebayor failed to get on the score sheet with Roberto Soldado another option for consideration. Hugo Lloris is available despite his sending off against Asteras Tripolis.
A number of fitness concerns for Newcastle who travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday with Cheick Tiote, Emmanuel Riviere and Papiss Cisse all facing a late assessment. However options on the bench could be boosted with Sammy Ameobi and Mike Williamson expected to recover from their respective injuries after missing the win over Leicester City. The big news though is that full-back Ryan Taylor will be included in the squad after more than two years out – Paul Dummett is also fit following his precautionary withdrawal last weekend. Rolando Aarons may join the squad next week but Siem de Jong has now been ruled out until early 2015. Davide Santon, Jonas Gutierrez, Curtis Good & Adam Campbell are all long-term absentees.
Manchester United – vs – Chelsea
Record signing Angel Di Maria limped out of Monday nights’ draw at the Hawthorns [dead leg] but the Argentine has responded well to treatment and will be available along with Ander Herrera who aggravated a rib injury. Michael Carrick has been selected to play for the under-21s on Friday and after five months out is unlikely to face Chelsea although there may be a place on the bench. Antonio Valencia, Paddy McNair and Jonny Evans are close to a return but Sunday will come too soon. Marouane Fellaini is pushing for a start after impressing from the bench against West Brom – the Belgium scored a stunning goal – and his aerial ability could be utilised to counter the threat of the Chelsea attack. Wayne Rooney serves the last game of his domestic ban.
Diego Costa has missed the last two games and all the talk is regarding his potential return – if you choose to believe Mourinho then the Spanish international has a “little chance” following injury and illness – physically Costa will NOT be 100% but he did train individually on Friday. With Loic Remy out due to a groin problem Didier Drogba could lead the line although Mourinho was reluctant to confirm if the Ivorian would start. Andre Schurrle, John Obi Mikel and Ramires have all returned to training and have a chance of making the squad. Cesar Azpilicueta serves a one game domestic ban which means Felipe Luis gets his chance to shine.
Queens Park Rangers – vs – Aston Villa
Lots of problems for QPR coach Harry Redknapp who could have up to nine first team players missing for the visit of Aston Villa on Monday night. Rio Ferdinand – who hinted he may retire at the end of the season – is receiving injections to help manage a groin problem while Nedum Onuoha & Joey Barton [both hamstring] will be assessed. Game week nine is likely to be too soon for Jordon Mutch [hamstring] with Sandro [groin] is rated as 50/50. Adel Taarabt is somewhere between zero and forty-two pounds overweight but there is talk of the midfielder returning this weekend. Rob Green is expected to replace Alex McCarthy is goal after recovering from tonsillitis with Faurlin & Jenas [both ACL] out for the foreseeable.
The return of the mighty Ron Vlaar last weekend was not enough to halt Villa’s alarming slide – after a win at Anfield in September – the Clarets & Blues have lost four straight games conceding 11 and scoring none in the process although Paul Lamberts’ men have faced Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal & Everton so a trip to Loftus Road is just what the doctor ordered. Nathan Baker [hamstring] who limped off against Everton last weekend will be assessed while the extra days will help defender Philippe Senderos who is closing in on a return after suffering a thigh strain in the recent Euro qualifiers. Christian Benteke started for the first time since his comeback at Goodison in game week eight & the big Belgium is hoping for more minutes as he continues to impress in training. Fabian Delph [dislocated shoulder] is ruled out along with Libor Kozak [broken leg].
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