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THE Dream Team gods can be so cruel.James Maddison (£4.2m) was the most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 21 but the best laid plans of almost 20% of managers were left in tatters when the midfielder was missing from Tottenham’s matchday squad against Leicester on Sunday.A maddening weekend for many Dream Team bossesCredit: Dream TeamRumours of a disagreement between Maddison and Ange Postecoglou started to circle social media after the team was announced but the Australian tactician explained that the playmaker was merely a fitness concern following Thursday night’s win over Hoffenheim, the latest availability headache in a long list for Spurs this season.”He’s still a bit sore from the other night,” Postecoglou revealed prior to kick-off. “It took a fair bit out of the group and he just wasn’t 100%.”It’s up to the 59-year-old coach to reveal or conceal availability news as he sees fit but Dream Team bosses certainly would have appreciated a word or two on Maddison’s condition prior to the Gameweek 21 deadline.Postecoglou gave no indication that the England international was a doubt in his Friday press conference.Postecoglou was without Maddison as he watched his side lose 2-1 to the FoxesCredit: PAWith Spurs due to face Leicester and Elfsborg in Gameweek 21, it’s easy to see why Maddison was such a popular option when he was assumed fully fit.The 28 year-old playmaker scored one goal and assisted another in Germany last Thursday to help boost his side’s chances of automatic qualification for the Europa League round of 16.A 14-point haul took Maddison’s overall total to 197 for the season, a tally only bettered by four midfielders at the time of writing.He’s scored nine goals, registered nine assists, and his total of 35 bonus points is second only to Youri Tielemans (£3.8m).Most read in FootballSpurs have desperately struggled in the league this term but Maddison has thrived in Dream Team, as have several of his team-mates.On paper, he was a strong option for Gameweek 21, which makes his unexpected absence even more painful.Postecoglou said Maddison should return “next week”Credit: GettyIt’s all eyes on Thursday night when Spurs host Elfsborg in their final league phase fixture of this Europa League campaign.If Maddison is fit enough to play against the Swedish outfit then he may be able to offset his weekend blank to some degree.Looking further ahead, Spurs also have two fixtures in Gameweek 22 but it’s a comparatively difficult double header in the form of back-to-back away days to Brentford (Premier League) and Liverpool (Carabao Cup).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 21 in one convenient location.Pep Guardiola has confirmed that January signings Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov will all be included in Manchester City’s squad this weekend.However, Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku will not feature against Chelsea on Saturday.As for the Blues, Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill could return but Romeo Lavia will be unavailable for a little while longer.Cole Palmer is said to be feeling “better” after playing through ankle pain against Wolves on Monday night.Marmoush is in line to make his debut for Man City this weekendCredit: GettyNoussair Mazraoui skipped Manchester United’s Europa League game against Rangers as a precaution after picking up a knock against Brighton last weekend.The Morocco international is the eighth-most popular defender in Dream Team at the time of writing – it’s not clear whether he’ll be involved against Fulham on Sunday night.Red Devils’ centre-backs Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt will also be assessed having been forced off on Thursday night.Rodrigo Bentancur returned for Tottenham against Hoffenheim in midway but striker Dominic Solanke will be sidelined for approximately six weeks.Pape Matar Sarr, Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma are all considered doubts at this stage as Spurs’ injury crisis continues but Ange Postecoglou said the latter “should be right” for Leicester’s visit to North London.Most read in FootballMikel Arteta told journalists he is confident William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly will be available for Arsenal’s clash with Man City on February 2nd, the assumption being this weekend comes too soon for the pair.Mazraoui is a popular selection in Dream TeamCredit: GettyCurtis Jones won’t be involved when Liverpool welcome Ipswich to Anfield on Saturday but the midfielder may travel to PSV in midweek.Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez remain sidelined for the Reds.Both Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen have a chance of making West Ham’s squad at Villa Park on Sunday but remain doubts at this stage.David Moyes explained to reporters that Dwight McNeil will see a specialist regarding his troublesome knee injury and may even require surgery.Callum Hudson-Odoi is due to be assessed before a final decision is made ahead of Nottingham Forest’s trip to Bournemouth on Saturday – the winger has a groin issue.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, Gabriel Jesus, Myles Lewis-Skelley (doubt), William SalibaSuspensions: NoneASTON VILLAInjuries: Pau Torres, Amadou Onana, John McGinn (doubt), Ross BarkleySuspensions: NoneBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Luis Sinisterra, Alex Scott, Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier, Adam Smith, Evanilson, Enes Unal, James HillSuspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Gustavo Nunes, Ethan Pinnock, Igor ThiagoSuspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jason Steele, Jack Hinshelwood (doubt), Evan Ferguson (doubt), Mats Wieffer, Igor Julio, Matt O’Riley (doubt), Lewis Dunk (doubt)Suspensions: NoneCHELSEAInjuries: Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Enzo Fernandez (doubt), Romeo Lavia, Levi Colwill (doubt)Suspensions: Mykhailo MudrykCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Matheus Franca, Cheick Doucoure, Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Chadi RiadSuspensions: NoneEVERTONInjuries: Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner (doubt), Dwight McNeil, Youssef Chermiti, Armando Broja, Seamus ColemanSuspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: Kenny Tete, Reiss NelsonSuspensions: NoneIPSWICHInjuries: Chiedozie Ogbene, Conor Chaplin, Sammie SzmodicsSuspensions: NoneLEICESTERInjuries: Ricardo Pereira, Abdul Fatawu, Mads Hermansen, Wilfred NdidiSuspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota, Curtis JonesSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Oscar Bobb, Rodri, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Jeremy DokuSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof (doubt), Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, Noussair Mazraoui (doubt), Matthijs de Ligt (doubt), Leny Yoro (doubt)Suspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Jamaal Lascelles, Nick Pope, (doubt), Callum Wilson, Harvey BarnesSuspensions: NoneNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Ibrahim Sangare, Callum Hudson-Odoi (doubt)Suspensions: NoneSOUTHAMPTONInjuries: Ross Stewart, Juan Larios, Jack Stephens, Tyler Dibling, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Aaron Ramsdale (doubt)Suspensions: NoneTOTTENHAMInjuries: Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Wilson Odobert, Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Timo Werner, Yves Bissouma (doubt), Dominic Solanke, Djed Spence (doubt), Brennan Johnson, Pape Matar Sarr (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen (doubt), Jean-Clair Todibo, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville (doubt)Suspensions: Konstantinos MavropanosWOLVESInjuries: Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Boubacar Traore (doubt), Yerson Mosquera, Toti Gomes (doubt), Mario LeminaREAD MORE SUN STORIESSuspensions: None More

DREAM TEAM are once again putting up £250 in cash for Score Predictor Matchweek 20.As usual, it’s completely free to play and, if you opt for sheer gut instinct, it takes mere seconds to submit your entry.Play now!Credit: Dream TeamSimply enter your predictions for the five selected Premier League games and earn points for the accuracy of your forecast as the action unfolds.If you amass the most points then you’ll claim the weekly cash prize!Allow us to present some key stats and facts for each relevant fixture to help inform your decisions.Liverpool v IpswichThe Tractor Boys were battered 6-0 by Manchester City last weekend and won’t be relishing a trip to the lair of the league leaders this Saturday.Kieran McKenna’s side have looked better than fellow promoted teams Southampton and Leicester but the brutal truth is that they’ve mustered just 16 points upon their return to the top flight.Only Saints and Everton have scored fewer goals than Ipswich at this stage.In contrast, Arne Slot’s troops are the league’s top scorers having reached a half century of goals away to Brentford last weekend.It might be a long afternoon for Ipswich…Most read in FootballOur Prediction: 4-0 to LiverpoolSalah and company could run riot against IpswichCredit: GettyManchester City v ChelseaPep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in ten against the Blues, having won eight of those contests.However, they have suffered late capitulations against Brentford and PSG this month and still don’t look back to their best.City have recruited reinforcements during the transfer window and it will be interesting to see if new forward Omar Marmoush, one of Europe’s most in-form players, is thrown straight into the action on Saturday.As for Chelsea, they are in the midst of a downturn in form, even accounting for their win over Wolves on Monday night.Enzo Maresca’s side sit 13th in the form table, just below West Ham, but remain fourth in the table that matters most.Cole Palmer will be hopeful of haunting his old team given City’s problems in deep midfield and defence of late but whether the visitors have enough resolve to resist Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland is another conversation entirely.Our Prediction: 2-2 drawCity’s new weapon in attackCredit: GettyCrystal Palace v BrentfordBryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa gave the Bees victory over the Eagles in the reverse fixture but the recent history of this match-up has been littered with draws, five in the last seven meetings to be precise.Palace have enjoyed an upturn of late and only five teams have earned more points from their last ten league outings.Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta have reestablished their profitable connection in recent weeks as Oliver Glasner’s side have moved away from the relegation scrap and into the safety of mid-table.Just one point separates these two teams but the hosts will feel this is an excellent opportunity to leapfrog their London rivals – Brentford’s only win in their last nine games came against Southampton.Thomas Frank’s injury-blighted side have scraped just five points on the road this season.Our Prediction: 2-1 to Crystal PalacePalace have looked much better in recent weeksCredit: PAAston Villa v West HamGraham Potter is still in the embryonic stage of his tenure as Hammers boss and will be fully aware of the size of the task after defeat to Palace last time out.The East Londoners failed to register a single shot on target against the Eagles last weekend.The Villains lost to Monaco in midweek and have struggled in the league after Champions League excursions this season but a recent win over West Ham in the FA Cup will give them hope of a positive result this time around.Unai Emery’s side boast the fourth best home record in the top flight and will start as favourites on Sunday, especially as the visitors have several injuries to key attackers.Our Prediction: 2-0 to Aston VillaPotter has a big job on his handsCredit: AFPFulham v Manchester UnitedThe Cottagers are seven points ahead of the Red Devils in the table and head into Sunday’s game having had a full week to prepare, whereas Ruben Amorim’s men faced Rangers on Thursday night.Man United have mustered just ten points from ten away days in the league this term having scored ten goals on the road – only Everton and Southampton have scored fewer goals away from home.A Joshua Zirkzee winner ensured his side took three points off Fulham at Old Trafford back in August but 40% of Score Predictor users have opted for a 2-1 win for the hosts at Craven Cottage as it stands.READ MORE SUN STORIESOur Prediction: 1-0 to FulhamShow us how it’s really done by entering your predictions for Matchweek 20 now!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

MANCHESTER CITY have confirmed the signing of Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt.The acquisition of the highly-rated Egypt forward represents a significant reaction from the defending champions following a downturn in results.Marmoush is officially a Manchester City playerCredit: Dream TeamPep Guardiola’s side are fifth in the Premier League table and 25th in the Champions League, needing a win next week to scrape a spot in the play-offs.Marmoush’s transfer will satisfy calls for fresh blood in attack and the 25-year-old arrives at the Etihad in sparkling form having scored 20 goals (plus 14 assists) from 26 appearances in all competitions this season.That works out at a goal involvement every 60.9 minutes!15 of Marmoush’s goals have come in the Bundesliga, hence why Frankfurt are flying high in third right now.Only Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane has scored more goals in the German top flight in 2024/25.One of Europe’s best players this seasonCredit: GettyMarmoush generally plays as a centre forward but he’s not an out-and-out poacher in the same mould as Erling Haaland (£7.9m).He likes to drop into deeper positions and has occasionally operated as a second striker or left winger.It wouldn’t be incorrect to think of him as a replacement for Julian Alvarez.Most read in FootballThat’s all well and good but what does this mean for Dream Team?Marmoush is averaging a goal or assist every hour this seasonCredit: GettyMan City have reportedly forked out £59million to acquire Marmoush’s services but Dream Team managers can add him to their XI in exchange for £4.5m of their budget.This puts him level with Kai Havertz, a tad cheaper than Matheus Cunha (£4.7m) and marginally more expensive than Diogo Jota (£4.4m).Whether this proves to be good value remains to be seen.Gaffers would probably be wise to wait and see how Guardiola deploys his new forward before making a firm decision on his viability.Will he be integrated slowly or thrown straight in at the deep end?Guardiola must be tempted to give Marmoush substantial minutes from the get-goCredit: AlamyMarmoush is available for selection in Dream Team right now.Man City have previously confirmed the signings of defenders Abdukodir Khusanov (£3.5m) and Vitor Reis (£2.5m) from Lens and Palmeiras respectively.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

IN his own special way, Luis Diaz (£3.7m) has been Dream Team’s main character this season.The Liverpool winger has amassed 173 points at an average of six per game so far, a total that puts him joint-eighth among midfielders.Many gaffers have gone back and forth with Diaz since the start of the seasonCredit: Dream TeamWith 12 goals and four assists to his name in all competitions, Diaz has been a very useful asset for the majority of the campaign.And yet Dream Team managers can’t make up their minds about him.Incredibly, the Colombia international has been among the top five most transferred-out players for seven of the 21 Gameweeks.Conversely, he’s also been among the five most popular recruits NINE times.THE LUIS DIAZ HOKEY COKEYGW2: n/aGW3: n/aGW4: 1st most transferred IN GW5: 4th most transferred INGW6: 1st most transferred INGW7: n/aGW8: 4th most transferred OUTGW9: 3rd most transferred OUTGW10: 5th most transferred INGW11: 2nd most transferred INGW12: 3rd most transferred INGW13: 3rd most transferred OUTGW14: 2nd most transferred OUTGW15: n/aGW16: 5th most transferred OUTGW17: 3rd most transferred INGW18: 1st most transferred INGW19: 3rd most transferred OUTGW20: 3rd most transferred OUTGW21: 4th most transferred IN (currently)Diaz is often a central figure one way or the otherCredit: ReutersDiaz’s current ownership of 40.5% makes him the fourth most selected player in the game, second among players in his position.But it’s extraordinary how his popularity has fluctuated throughout the season.Most read in Dream TeamOne reason for this is that Mohamed Salah (£8m) is the only guaranteed starter among Liverpool’s attacking assets.Elsewhere in the forward line, Diaz faces competition from Cody Gakpo (£4.8m), Darwin Nunez (£4.3m), Diogo Jota (£4.4m) and Federico Chiesa (£4.2m).As a result, the 28-year-old has completed 90 minutes just seven times out of his 29 appearances.Furthermore, he’s sat out four games entirely and played less than an hour on eight occasions.Gakpo has 12 more points than Diaz ahead of Gameweek 21Credit: ReutersThere are plenty of other midfielders in the same bracket who are more assured of playing time, hence why Diaz has frequently featured among the most transferred-out players.On the plus side, he’s generally made the most of his time on the pitch, averaging a goal involvement every 115.4 minutes – a very healthy rate for someone in his position.At the time of writing, Diaz is once again among the most popular recruits ahead of the Reds’ double header against Ipswich and PSV in Gameweek 21.Arne Slot’s side need just one point against the Eredivisie outfit to ensure they finish top of the Champions League (league phase) table.Liverpool have plenty of fixtures to fulfil in the coming weeksCredit: GettyIn fact, it’s generally a good time to stock up on Liverpool players as they are the only team with SIX fixtures to fulfil across the next three Gameweeks at present.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat being said, it could be argued that Gakpo is now the best accomplice for Salah for gaffers keen on a double up in attack.All together now: you put Diaz in, Diaz out, in, out, in, out, shake it all about…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

JUSTIN KLUIVERT (£3.3m) is currently the second-most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 21.This may seem logical given the Dutchman is the most in-form player in Dream Team right now but are the gaffers in question making a rookie mistake?Chasing points is often a futile endeavourKluivert produced a sensational performance at St James’ Park on Saturday.The Bournemouth midfielder bagged a hat-trick and provided an assist as the Cherries registered one of their most impressive away victories in the top flight.Come the final whistle, with Newcastle vanquished 4-1, Kluivert left the scene with the match ball under his arm and 25 Dream Team points richer.At the time of writing, he is Gameweek 20’s top performer.More broadly, he’s plundered 49 points across his last three outings having also scored against West Brom and Chelsea.Hat-trick heroCredit: GettyIt’s also worth noting his masterclass against the Magpies was his second hat-trick of the campaign – he converted three penalties against Wolves back in November.Kluivert’s tally of 11 goals is only bettered by four other midfielders at this stage of the season.The 25-year-old deserves plenty of praise for his efforts but Dream Team bosses rushing to recruit him this week are probably chasing lost points.Most read in FootballTransferring him into your XI ahead of Gameweek 19 would have been a masterstroke of sheer genius but what’s done is done.If you use a transfer to enlist Kluivert this week then you’re backing him to provide plentiful points throughout the upcoming Gameweeks.And while he certainly has form on his side, the schedule paints a more pessimistic picture.Bournemouth face tough opponents in their next two outingsCredit: RexBournemouth are due to host high-flying Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 21 before they welcome league-leaders Liverpool to the Vitality Stadium in Gameweek 22.Andoni Iraola’s side have proved themselves capable of stunning upsets but recruiting a player just before they face two of the Premier League’s top three is likely to be counterproductive.Not only will Kluivert be up against two parsimonious defences in the next two Gameweeks, he’ll be on the wrong side of a fixture deficit as well.Come the end of Gameweek 22, Bournemouth would have played twice in the same time Manchester City, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Manchester United would have fulfilled three fixtures; while Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham would have played FOUR times.Kluivert’s best returns may be behind himCredit: GettySimply put, Kluivert will have to produce something extraordinary to satisfy the gaffers recruiting him this week – it’s a low-percentage strategy.For those keen on the second-generation star, he might be a smart differential option ahead of Gameweek 24, when the Cherries travel to lowly Southampton, before Gameweek 25 brings a rare double header against Wolves and Brighton.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