Absolutely nobody wanted an international break, especially since it feels like we just had one. Well, we’re getting one anyway, following Gameweek 11. Oh, and we’ve got a round of European games before that.
The rule, as ever, is to be very cautious with your transfers right now. We’ve already seen plenty of injuries recently from the usual non-stop combo of league and cup action. The international break always brings a few more incidents along with it.
Without further ado, here’s your Gameweek 11 FPL news round-up.
League Cup Round-Up
In his full FPL Gameweek 11 preview, James ran through all of the League Cup games featuring Premier League teams. Here’s a quick roundup:
- Arsenal rested Saka, Odegaard, Saliba, and Martinelli. Odegaard came on and scored.
- Bowen started up top for West Ham, and scored as usual. Kudus also scored, and will be pushing for a start in the Prem
- Gakpo and Darwin scored. Trent got an assist. Salah played a full 90, annoyingly… but probably starts anyway this weekend
- Badiashile and Sterling scored. Palmer got an assist. Chelsea attack is still rubbish until further notice
- Reece James did play an hour for Chelsea, and is obviously more appealing
- Everton kept another clean sheet
- Fulham won 3-1 against Ipswich. Wouldn’t read too much into this
- Man U are rubbish. They just don’t score, and got shut out here by Newcastle. At least Bruno, Rashford, and Hojlund all rested 60 minutes
- Newcastle are good. Almiron, Hall and Willock scored. Lascelles kept his starting spot. Gordon started up top. Wilson only played 15 minutes or so, but will start this week with Isak injured
Injuries, Suspensions, and Other
We actually have quite a lot of important injury updates this week, including both good and bad news. In addition, we’ve obviously had a couple of other high-profile stories which will, or might, see players missing time.
- Gabriel Jesus will likely be out until late November. Nketiah automatically becomes a good short-term punt, but obviously you’re only getting a couple of starts out of him. Saka and Odegaard remain good shouts, but Martinelli usually suffers when Jesus is out
- Diaz… well, obviously we all know about this horrible situation. Speaking purely from an FPL perspective, he’s a no-go right now, even if Klopp has left it up to him whether he wants to play or not
- Neto will be out for ‘a few weeks’, which is a shame – he’d been one of the breakout stars this season. I’d be tempted to bin him, with so many other good, cheap midfield options (including Hwang)
- Udogie is still injured. Ange didn’t really give us any idea whether or not he’ll be starting this week, after missing out last week
- On a related note, Baldock is apparently fit and could start this week, in a decent fixture against Wolves. If you’ve got him as an enabler, and also have Udogie, arrange your bench accordingly
- Reece James played an hour in the League Cup, so seems fully back from injury now… until the next one
- Isak will probably be back after the international break. Like Nketiah therefore, Wilson is a high-upside but short-term punt.
- Estupinan is back in training, but won’t start this week. He becomes an appealing option again after the internationals
- Lamptey remains out – we still don’t really have specifics on his injury
- Moreno is back in training, which is a big one. Obviously that puts Digne‘s place under threat. Don’t sell him yet, but don’t buy him either
- Eze and Olise are both on the verge of returning. Roy said both will be back before the break, and both will be interesting targets following the internationals
- Botman is still injured, and might be having surgery. Get rid, if you haven’t already. Lascelles looks relatively nailed back there now
- Tonali’s 10 month ban has begun. Willock scored in the League Cup, and could be an interesting option
- Akanji returns from suspension this week, just to add yet another option to the Man City defensive mix
- Paqueta is suspended after picking up five yellows
Other Upcoming Fixtures
European football returns this week. So, that means…
- Newcastle
- Man City
- Arsenal
- Man U
- Brighton
- Liverpool
- West Ham
- Aston Villa
… will all be in action.
The week after that, we have an international break.
All the best teams, with all our best FPL players, playing twice a week every week? What could go wrong?!