‘Tis truly the most wonderful time of the year!
Amazon Prime satisfied our need for copious amounts of football on TV in midweek and there’s even more of the good stuff on its way this weekend.
But before any of that, there’s a plethora of injury concerns and doubts to take care of.
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Definitely Out
Sergio Aguero
Aguero is still sidelined by the thigh injury he sustained against Chelsea in Game Week 13.
Pep’s man is a few weeks away from full fitness, which makes finding a replacement for him in your Dream Team absolutely crucial.
Gabriel Jesus has stepped up in the absence of his Argentine team-mate and scored twice against Burnley in Game Week 14. Snap him up if you haven’t already.
Patrick van Aanholt
Van Aanholt has largely gone under the radar this season but his absence will be felt by the 4% of managers who have selected him.
The marauding full-back injured his thigh in the win over Bournemouth in Game Week 14 and the full extent of the problem is not yet known.
Roy Hodgson has confirmed Van Aanholt is still being assessed but will definitely miss the trip to Watford on Saturday.
Josh King
Bournemouth will have to go without King this weekend as he’s forced to watch on from the sidelines for a third game in a row.
The forward suffered a hamstring injury on international duty a couple of game weeks ago and will miss the clash with Liverpool this weekend.
King has been one of the Cherries’ most regular sources of goals in recent years and they tend to struggle to find the net without him.
Doubts
Ashley Barnes
Barnes is still working his way back to full fitness following a groin injury that curtailed his good early season form.
Sean Dyche might have to make do without his star striker when the Clarets travel to north London to face Spurs on Saturday.
If passed fit, Barnes will fancy his chances against a Spurs defence yet to keep a clean sheet since Jose Mourinho took charge.
Suspended
Mamadou Sakho
Sakho’s reintroduction to the Crystal Palace starting XI ended prematurely on Wednesday night with a straight red card.
The Frenchman saw red for a high challenge on Bournemouth’s Adam Smith and will miss the next three games as a result.