Dream Team

ANTONIN KINSKY (£2.8m) has made an instant impact in the world of Dream Team.The Czech goalkeeper has banked 21 points from his first two outings since signing for Tottenham earlier this month.Kinsky has wasted no time collecting points since being added to Dream TeamCredit: Dream TeamKinsky was tossed in at the deep end in Gameweek 18 when he made his debut for Spurs against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.And he rose to the occasion with a mature performance, making six saves to keep the Reds at bay in a 1-0 victory for the hosts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.He then followed that up with another clean sheet, albeit against non-league opposition in the form of Tamworth.The 21-year-old earned three bonus points as part of an 11-point haul that made him the weekend’s top-performing asset in his position.Strong startCredit: PAIf Kinsky can complete a hat-trick of clean sheets on Wednesday night then Ange Postecoglou will be delighted as that would mean his side denied rivals Arsenal a goal at the Emirates in the highly-anticipated North London derby.Barring a clanger against the Gunners, the former Slavia Prague custodian is likely to be a popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 20 among gaffers in need of a fresh face between the sticks.Spurs are due to face low-scoring Everton in the league before a trip to Hoffenheim in the Europa League – the German outfit are 15th in the Bundesliga at present.All things considered, the North Londoners will fancy their chances of keeping at least one clean sheet across that double header.Most read in FootballJanuary is a busy month for SpursCredit: GettyLooking further ahead, Spurs will play Leicester and Elfsborg in Gameweek 21, which should also be considered a favourable prospect.Then in Gameweek 22, Postecoglou’s troops will be in action against Bournemouth and Liverpool as one of just four teams set to pull double duty (because of the Carabao Cup semi-final second legs).Spurs are far from impenetrable in defence, especially amid an injury crisis, but the schedule appears to favour Kinsky.However, Dream Team bosses keen on this strategy should be aware that the clock is already ticking.Guglielmo Vicario (£3.4m) has been pictured on the road to recovery and is expected to return in late February.Nothing is certain but one assumes the Italy international will reclaim his place in the starting line-up once he’s available for selection.Vicario is targeting a return in late FebruaryCredit: ReutersThe truth is that the goalkeeper is the least important position in Dream Team and so it’s understandable if gaffers are reluctant to use their precious transfers changing personnel every few Gameweeks.There’s plenty to be said for a set-and-forget keeper who will last until the end of the season.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat being said, Kinsky seems to be a smart selection all the while Vicario is sidelined and it shouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience to replace him six or seven Gameweeks down the line.Kinsky is currently the fifth-most popular recruit this week.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

MORGAN ROGERS (£3.5m) marked his return to Aston Villa’s starting line-up with a goal against West Ham on Friday night.Resplendent in the Villains’ special all-black kit, the 22-year-old scored the hosts’ winner at Villa Park to remind Dream Team managers of his credentials.Rogers should be a popular recruit this weekCredit: Dream TeamRogers missed Villa’s favourable Gameweek 18 match-up against out-of-form Leicester but a nine-point haul against the Hammers will urge many gaffers to bring the midfielder back into the fold.The ex-Middlesbrough man has been among the most popular value-for-money options in Dream Team this season and with good reason.Having been a second-string alternative for Unai Emery in 2023/24 following his January transfer, Rogers has firmly established himself as a first-team regular this campaign.Now one of the most trusted favourites, only Youri Tielemans (£3.7m) has played more minutes among the squad’s outfield players in 2024/25.Rogers is now one of Emery’s favouritesCredit: GettyRogers quickly made a mockery of his £2.5m starting price and even now he’s relatively affordable at £3.5m.The goal that condemned Graham Potter to his first defeat as West Ham boss was his seventh of the season in all competitions, to go with his five assists.His total of 144 points puts him 12th among midfielders at present but of those above him in the rankings, Alejandro Garnacho (£2.9m) is the only man available for a cheaper price.Away from the stats, Rogers passes the eye test with flying colours too, mostly because of his silky dribbling.Most read in FootballMOST SUCCESSFUL DRIBBLES AMONG DREAM TEAM ASSETS THIS SEASON (ALL COMPS):66 – Morgan Rogers55 – Iliman Ndiaye55 – Savinho52 – Jeremy Doku45 – Mohammed Kudus44 – Bukayo Saka43 – Antoine Semenyo40 – Kaoru Mitoma39 – Matheus Cunha39 – Dejan KulusevskiThe return of the Champions League should favour Rogers this monthCredit: GettyHaving been the most transferred-out player prior to Gameweek 18 (because of his suspension) Rogers was among the most popular recruits for Gameweek 19 and he’s currently among the early selections for Gameweek 20 as well.Villa travel to Goodison Park on Wednesday night to complete the first of three consecutive double Gameweeks.The imminent return of the Champions League means Emery’s men will also face Arsenal, Monaco, West Ham (again) and Celtic before the end of the month.Given that Rogers averages 5.5 points-per-game this season, there’s every chance he adds another 20 points to his tally by the end of January.Fixtures, form, price… he ticks a lot of boxes.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news for Gameweek 19 in one convenient location.After Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Arsenal, Eddie Howe expressed some concern over Alexander Isak, citing a hamstring niggle.Thankfully, the Magpies’ head coach has provided a positive update on his star striker, telling reporters: “We think he’s in a good place and he’ll report back tomorrow. Initial assessments, fingers crossed he’ll be okay.”Isak probably won’t feature this weekend but should be ready for midweekCredit: Dream TeamThat being said, Howe essentially ruled Isak out of this weekend’s FA Cup meeting with Bromley, with a view to ensuring the club’s top scorer this season is able to start against Wolves in midweek.The Sweden international is currently the fifth-most popular player in Dream Team with an ownership of 32.7%.Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar are available again having served suspensions while Sven Botman is likely to be rested having started two consecutive games upon his comeback from a ten-month layoff.Dominik Szoboszlai trained with Liverpool’s Under-21s on Thursday but it’s unclear whether the Hungarian midfielder will make Liverpool’s squad to face Accrington Stanley on Saturday.Arne Slot expects Jarell Quansah to be available now the centre-back has got over his recent illness – the 21-year-old was replaced after half an hour against Tottenham on Wednesday night.Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a concussion in the same game and has been ruled out for two weeks.Bentancur was stretchered off against LiverpoolCredit: REXKiernan Dewsbury-Hall would have been in line to start against Morecambe this weekend but the Chelsea midfielder will miss out with injury, as per Enzo Maresca.Most read in FootballThe Italian tactician also said: “[Ben] Chilwell is thinking about leaving, so it is better to avoid using him and avoid injuries and these types of things.”John McGinn is likely to be sidelined until February but Unai Emery will be able to call upon Morgan Rogers in Gameweek 19 now the 22 year-old has served his domestic suspension.Jhon Duran will be available for Aston Villa’s trip to Goodison Park in midweek.Danilo has been sidelined since AugustCredit: ReutersBarring any late setbacks, Danilo will be involved in Nottingham Forest’s squad for the first time since the opening weekend of the season.There were initial fears the Brazilian midfielder would miss the entire campaign but he has made good progress and may get some minutes off the bench against Luton on Saturday.Brentford will also be able to call upon a long-term absentee with Rico Henry in line to start against Championship strugglers Plymouth.Marcus Rashford is available for Manchester United’s trip to Arsenal in what is the most high-profile FA Cup tie of the third round.Ruben Amorim declared his intention to rotate his line-up to some degree in North London.Joao Pedro twisted his ankle in training this week and is therefore a doubt for Brighton’s visit to Norwich on Saturday.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWARSENALInjuries: Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Ethan NwaneriSuspensions: NoneASTON VILLAInjuries: Pau Torres, Jaden Philogene, Diego Carlos, John McGinnSuspensions: Jhon DuranBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Luis Sinisterra, Alex Scott, Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier, Adam Smith, Evanilson, Enes UnalSuspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Gustavo Nunes, Kristoffer Ajer, Fabio Carvalho, Ben Mee, Ethan Pinnock, Igor ThiagoSuspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood, Danny Welbeck (doubt), Evan Ferguson, Mats Wieffer, Diego Gomez, Igor Julio (doubt), Joao Pedro, Lewis DunkSuspensions: NoneCHELSEAInjuries: Wesley Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Benoit BadiashileSuspensions: NoneCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Matheus Franca, Franco Umeh-Chibueze, Adam Wharton, Will Hughes, Dean Henderson (doubt)Suspensions: NoneEVERTONInjuries: Seamus Coleman, Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner, Dwight McNeil, Youssef Chermiti, Armando Broja, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (doubt)Suspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: Rodrigo Muniz, Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson, Sander BergeSuspensions: NoneIPSWICHInjuries: George Hirst (doubt), Chiedozie Ogbene, Axel Tuanzebe, Conor Chaplin, Massimo Luongo (doubt), Janoi Donacien, Omari Hutchinson, Sammie SzmodicsSuspensions: NoneLEICESTERInjuries: Ricardo Pereira, Abdul Fatawu, Mads Hermansen, Wilfred Ndidi, Kasey McAteer (doubt), Victor Kristiansen, Jannick Vestergaard (doubt)Suspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Dominik Szoboszlai (doubt), Joe GomezSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Oscar Bobb, Rodri, John Stones, Ruben DiasSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Mason MountSuspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth, Alexander Isak (doubt), Nick Pope, Callum WilsonSuspensions: NoneNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Ibrahim SangareSuspensions: NoneSOUTHAMPTONInjuries: Gavin Bazunu, Ross Stewart, Will Smallbone (doubt), Jack Stephens, Flynn Downes (doubt), Joe Aribo (doubt)Suspensions: NoneTOTTENHAMInjuries: Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Guglielmo Vicario, Mikey Moore, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur, Fraser Forster (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, Lukasz Fabianski (doubt), Emerson (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWOLVESREAD MORE SUN STORIESInjuries: Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Boubacar Traore, Yerson Mosquera, Pablo Sarabia, Toti Gomes, Nelson Semedo, Craig DawsonSuspensions: Matheus Cunha More

WHISPER it quietly but Phil Foden (£6m) is on the rise in Dream Team.Make no mistake, the Manchester City midfielder has been a disappointment for Dream Team managers for most of the season.In fact, it could be argued that he has been the biggest flop compared to what he achieved last time around.Last season, Foden outperformed Bukayo Saka (£6.6m), Cole Palmer (£6.1m), Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m) and every other midfielder as his 27-goal campaign (all competitions) resulted in a haul of prestigious individual awards.A player to watch closelyCredit: Dream TeamSo far in 2024/25, he’s mustered five goals and three assists from 22 appearances, with just two goals coming in the Premier League.In terms of Dream Team points, he’s miles off the pace of the frontrunners, 99 shy of Saka and 82 short of Palmer.However, Dream Team bosses should monitor Foden closely as few players are able to hoover up points at such a rapid rate when everything clicks.The England international’s current ownership of 8.4% is a far cry from the immense popularity he experienced last term but might that number increase ahead of Gameweek 19?Foden has earned 36 points across the last three Gameweeks, making him one of the most in-form players in his position.This fruitful burst has featured two goals, an assist and five bonus points.Most read in FootballIt’s taken a while but Foden is climbing the rankings slowlyCredit: ReutersHis ability to consistently pick up bonus points was a feature of his incredible 203/24 campaign and he ranks tenth among midfielders in the metric this season.Only four players have registered more accurate crosses than Foden and he wins plenty of fouls without giving many away – add in a pass completion rate of 88% plus some successful dribbles and it’s reliable recipe for bonus points.Many gaffers will want to see a greater upturn in form before they are tempted to recruit the 24 year-old, which is rational given he’s still the joint-sixth most expensive player in the game.But it’s a logical time to implement such a switch for those tempted.Foden averages a goal involvement every 93 minutes in the Champions League this seasonCredit: ReutersMan City are one of just six teams with six fixtures to fulfil across the next three Gameweeks.UPCOMING MANCHESTER CITY FIXTURESGW19: Salford (h), Brentford (a)GW20: Ipswich (a), PSG (a)GW21: Chelsea (h), Club Brugge (h)If Foden is able to maintain his current form then it would be reasonable to expect an influx of approximately 40-50 points before the end of the month, accounting for Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy.Whether he is able to sustain his recent returns is unknowable but he should be considered a viable option at this juncture.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More