Dugout Discussion

Ricardo Pereira continues in midfield for Leicester as Saka, Aubameyang on Arsenal bench

After starting at right-midfield in Gameweek 25 as Leicester beat Aston Villa 2-1, Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) is again playing ‘out of position’ in the first of Leicester City’s Double Gameweek 26 fixtures.

With James Maddison (£7.3m) sidelined for this weekend at least, Brendan Rodgers has possibly gone for a slight change of shape as Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.6m) looks set to partner Jamie Vardy (£10.2m) up front.

Over one million FPL managers paid out for the services of Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) ahead of DGW26. The England hopeful starts in his customary left-wing position.

With Pereira playing further forward, Luke Thomas (£4.2m) earns a second consecutive league start at left-back.

The defender will not be facing Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) from the first whistle, however. After admitting on Thursday that the winger is fatigued, Mikel Arteta has duly handed Saka a rest.

He drops to the Gunners’ bench alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m), Hector Bellerin (£5.1m) and Thomas Partey (£4.9m).

“We’ve had some problems in the last 48 hours to recover players – players with some muscular issues. We had to freshen up. The reality is that there are other players who are fighting for chances and they deserve the chance to play.” – Mikel Arteta

They are also joined by Rob Holding (£4.4m), who makes his return to the squad after suffering a concussion in the Gameweek 25 defeat to Manchester City.

Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) continues at left-back after making his injury return in the Europa League this week.

Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m) is the major absentee from an FPL perspective as Crystal Palace welcome Fulham to Selhurst Park.

Having started in Gameweek 25, the left-back drops to the bench with Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) favoured by Roy Hodgson for the Eagles’ first DGW26 tie.

Scott Parker is also fond of a full-back switch, with right-sided defender Kenny Tete (£4.3m) returning to the Cottagers’ XI. That leaves Antonee Robinson (£4.4m) on the bench, as the versatile Ola Aina (£4.5m) switches to left-back.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (£5.5m) returns to the Fulham matchday squad but has not displaced Josh Maja (£5.5m) up front. Parker’s men also have another match this gameweek, with Spurs visiting Craven Cottage on Thursday.

Leicester City XI (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Thomas, Soyuncu, Evans, Castagne; Barnes, Ndidi, Tielemans, R Pereira; Iheanacho, Vardy.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tierney, Mari, David Luiz, Cedric; Xhaka, Elneny; Willian, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Lacazette.

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita; Van Aanholt, Cahill, Kouyaté, Ward; Eze, Riedewald, Milivojevic, Townsend; Ayew, Benteke.

Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Tete; Reed, Anguissa; Lookman, Loftus-Cheek, De Cordova-Reid; Maja.

1,370 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Give Pope a chance

  2. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Hands up, who sold Son to Bales to get Bale?

    I know your out there.

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      son to barnes I mean

  3. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Son is back 🙂

  4. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    That wasn't Lowton.

  5. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Mee looking lively?

  6. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Lol. So.. which one of your crazy bastards actually got on Bale?

    Kudos to you.

  7. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Burnley collapse inbound.

  8. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    God damn

  9. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Well done Bale owners

  10. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Long way to go with Bruno to Son , but we have hope

  11. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Luke must be in dreamland - he triple captained him!

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Bale or Son?

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        B

        1. Hybrid.power
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          The balls

  12. MoSalad
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Got no Spurs players this is going to be a joyful watch!

  13. Life_Ban
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Let the goals see the balls !!!

  14. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Damn, went Kane (TC) over Son (TC) without remembering that Son defies underlying stats. Season over, massive fail, just end the gameweek already 😥

    1. Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      how many points did Kane finish on?

      1. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        5, would've been 2 but Mark owns him so that's the 3 baps locked in.

  15. HaveYassineChikhaoui
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Son assist, I'll take that, that's enough involvement tyvm

  16. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Why is scout still on this LEI-ARS article?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Busy daze...

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Mods are all down the betting shop....

    3. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Having a nap

  17. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Perfect start for Son.
    Spurs.

    And Kane to come?

  18. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Lucas you clown

  19. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Son blocks Kane "goalbound" shot. Good lad.

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Son blocks Bales 2 nd

    1. Party time
        3 years, 29 days ago

        + baps

    2. Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Lucas Moura with the coordination of a drunk toddler there

    3. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Son only 62% EO - nice. Thought it was around 80%

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        turning into a mini differential

      2. HaveYassineChikhaoui
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Was surprised it was that low, especially in top 10k

    4. Drogo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      As a triple captain owner of Kane, I feel that this could be one of those games in witch Spurs win with 6-7 goals, and Kane will have non of that.

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        As a non-owner, I'd be okay with that

    5. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      This is gone off to a good start....

    6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Kane c fail

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        😛

      2. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Oh harry

      3. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        TC*

      4. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Kane will score 25 points don't worry

      5. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Rhymes with Anchor

    7. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Kane close

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        very close, I don't own him

    8. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Kane SOT

    9. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      What happened to Smith-Rowe ? injured ?

      1. MoSalad
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Injured calf yeah

    10. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Kane will smash it

    11. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      SO CLOSE KANE