Fantasy Premier League

Valencia blow to force Young switch?

By The Scout 22 Dec 2017
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United - Antonio Valencia

FPL's top-scoring defender misses Gameweek 19 as The Scout reviews the big team news for Fantasy managers

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Antonio Valencia (£6.9m) has been ruled out of Fantasy Premier League line-ups for Gameweek 19.

The Manchester United full-back has failed to recover from a hamstring injury in time to face Leicester City on Saturday.

Valencia played every minute of the season prior to limping off at West Bromwich Albion.

He is FPL’s top-scoring defender on 94 points, although more than 131,000 managers have already moved him out ahead of tonight’s 18.45 GMT deadline.

Young goes right?

The versatile Ashley Young (£5.1m) could now switch to the right as Jose Mourinho’s side seek an 11th clean sheet of the season. That could mean a left-back role for Marcos Rojo (£5.4m).

Elsewhere for United, midfielder Paul Pogba (£7.9m) will return to contention for the first time since Gameweek 15 after a three-match ban.

Silva doubt

David Silva (£8.2m) remains a doubt for Manchester City’s home encounter with AFC Bournemouth.

The playmaker missed the Gameweek 18 win over Tottenham Hotspur for personal reasons and is the most sold player in the Gameweek, with over 274,000 parting company.

If Silva remains absent, Ilkay Gundogan (£5.3m) is set to step into midfield once more and could prove a canny short-term differential.

The German is part of just 0.6% of squads, despite a goal and an assist in the 4-1 victory over Spurs. 

Morata movement by managers

Alvaro Morata (£10.7m) will serve a one-match ban for Chelsea’s trip to Everton after earning his fifth yellow card in the midweek Carabao Cup win over AFC Bournemouth.

Head coach Antonio Conte is expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation in the striker's absence.

This would allow Eden Hazard (£10.9m) to lead the line at Goodison Park, with Willian (£6.7m) and Pedro (£7.7m) in support.

Morata was the most sold player in Gameweek 18 and sales have accelerated after his suspension, with another 266,000+ shipping out the Spaniard.

Boost for Kane

Harry Kane’s (£12.8m) prospects of returning to the scoresheet have been boosted ahead of a trip to Burnley.

The Clarets have conceded just three goals at home this season – no side have allowed fewer – but could be without two of their first-choice back four.

James Tarkowski (£4.8m) serves the first of a three-match suspension, while left-back Stephen Ward (£5.0m) is unlikely to recover from a knee problem.

The top-ranked defender for points per million (14.9), Ward has suffered over 181,000 sales.

Chicharito returns?

Chicharito (£6.7m) is set for a first start since Gameweek 11 for West Ham United’s home encounter with Newcastle United.

West Ham playmaker Manuel Lanzini (£6.8m) will serve the second of a two-match ban, while Michail Antonio (£7.4m) is a concern with a calf problem.

David Moyes could hand Chicharito a role up front in a 3-4-2-1 as the Hammers prepare for a very favourable upcoming schedule.

Ten of their next 12 matches score just two in the Fixture Difficulty Rankings (FDR).

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