Injuries and Suspensions - Week 5

Premier League team news - Barclays Premier League - ESPN Soccernet

Not much of consequence from either Liverpool or Citeh's matches in Europa Cup on Thursday as far as injuries go.  Here are the bits of news that you should be focused on as you make the final adjustments to your rosters for the weekend:



Out

• Frank Lampard - Still not recovered from his groin injury/surgery.  This increases the chances that Ramires will start and that Essien will continue to feature in a more attacking role.  At his current price, I'm not sure I'd go in for Essien but if you got him on the BD last weekend I think you'd definitely want to stay with him. #opportunity
  
• Antonio Valencia - Just a reminder that he's out and that Nani is probably a pretty solid option for the next few months as United will have fewer pure attacking players to choose from - especially in weeks when they want to rest Giggs (although vs. LIV isn't one of those weeks). #starter
  
• Abou Diaby - With strikers injured and Diaby out, your choices at Arsenal are getting easier with the real question being which two of Nasri, Denilson, Rosicky, and Wilshere will play alongside ChamWow, Arshavin, Cesc, and Song.  My guess is that Nasri and Wilshere continue but honestly, no combination would surprise me nor would an Eboue start on the road against more rugged competition. #dilemma
  
• Thomas Vermaelen - So, Koscielny and Squillaci it is again at the back for the Gunners - the certainty increases the value of both newcomers. #certainty
  
• Sunderland - I'm not sure why you'd be considering any/many SUN players for Saturday's late match but just as a reminder - Cattermole (suspended), Turner, Gordon, Campbell, and Meyler are all out. #whocares?
  
• Spurs - Just a reminder on Gomes, Defoe, Dawson, O'Hara, and Woody. #depth?
  
• Christophe Berra - Suspended and Stearman will likely come in (zzzzzzzzzzzzzz). #irrelevant
  
• Zamora - With AJ still out you have to figure that Dempsey will partner Dembele @Rovers. #therules (midfielder playing as a forward)
  
• Ben-Haim - No idea why you'd be thinking about playing him but he's out for Yom Kippur so if you were, don't.  Can this possibly make the Hammers' defense worse?  Saw on Opta this morning that their best defender so far has been the post which has denied a Premier League high 5 goals in 4 matches. #couldbeworse
• Louis Saha - With Saha out it is likely that Moyes will continue to use his 4-6-0 line-up with Cahill and Fellaini deputizing as forwards.  Fellaini is particularly reasonable at 8.03 if you need a midfielder.  #value
  

Uncertain

• K2 - Mancini is said to be "sweating on the fitness" of Adebayor so probably not a good idea to spend your money here (or on Jo as K2 isn't entirely ruled out nor is RSC out of the question). #toomanyoptions
  
• Jerome Boateng - What is it with these new Citeh defenders and their health?  Neither injury was described as particularly bad early on but we've seen a grand total of 45 competitive minutes between Kolarov and Boateng thus far and Boateng is "not thought to be in contention". #fragile
  
• Hleb/Beausejour - Both are technically healthy but not necessarily match fit so starting either seems a big risk. #waituntilnextweek
  
• Modric/van der Vaart - Both are questionable and my read of the team report was that they were both unlikely to start so I'd look for alternatives. #lookelsewhere
  
• Ledley King - Very likely to be rotated with the best bet being Gallas/Kaboul partnering in the middle. #handlewithcare
  
• Kevin Davies - Uncertain to start meaning that Elmander and Klasnic are likely to partner @Villa. #concussion
• Carew/Ireland/Albrighton - No health worries here but that's the story, one of these three will likely be rotated with all of them healthy.  It is impossible to guess at this point since the manager hasn't had all three healthy yet so we don't have any track record to judge based on. #whoknows?
• Michel Salgado - He's been a nice fantasy pick-up for a reasonable price but he's questionable this weekend so I'd stay away.  #surprising

Good luck with your final decisions and we'll be back with a live chat tomorrow starting with the early game.  We hope you join us then.

Cheers - Neal