Dugout Discussion

2pm team news: Starts for Gabriel, Saka + Gvardiol

26 October 2025 750 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
Share:

Four more matches get underway at 14:00 BST, with Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers particularly interested in the team news of Arsenal, Manchester City and Bournemouth.

TEAM NEWS

Starting with Arsenal, where there were strong doubts about Gabriel Magalhaes‘ (£6.4m) ability to start. Yet he and Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) are in the lineup, as both the Gunners and opponents Crystal Palace are unchanged from Gameweek 8.

Over at the Vitality Stadium, the first league match of Sean Dyche’s tenure sees four Nottingham Forest alterations. Igor Jesus (£5.8m) gets the nod over Taiwo Awoniyi (£5.2m), with hurt Chris Wood (£7.2m) sidelined.

Ollie Watkins (£8.5m) and Emiliano Buendia (£5.3m) replace Donyell Malen (£5.1m) and Evann Guessand (£6.3m), as Aston Villa host Manchester City. The visitors have recalled Josko Gvardiol (£5.9m) to their XI after last week’s rest.

FPL favourites like Erling Haaland (£14.7m), Antoine Semenyo (£8.1m), Viktor Gyokeres (£9.0m), Jurrien Timber (£6.0m), David Raya (£5.7m), Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.6m), Ismaila Sarr (£6.5m), Marcos Senesi (£5.0m) and Tijjani Reijnders (£5.7m) all start. However, the latter could be deployed in a deeper midfield role than usual.

Meanwhile, ultra-cheap forward Eli Junior Kroupi (£4.6m) plays again for Bournemouth, hoping to replicate last week’s brace. That’s because teammate Evanilson (£7.0m) has a calf problem.

GAMEWEEK 9 LINE-UPS

ARSENAL XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Norgaard, Merino, Lewis-Skelly, Martinelli, Nwaneri

CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Yeremy; Mateta

Subs: Benitez, Clyne, Canvot Sosa, Lerma, Hughes, Uche, Nketiah, Devenny

ASTON VILLA XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne; Onana, Kamara, McGinn; Buendia, Watkins, Rogers

Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen, Bogarde, Barkley, Sancho, Guessand, Malen

MANCHESTER CITY XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Stones, Ruben, Gvardiol; Reijnders, Bernardo; Bobb, Foden, Savinho; Haaland

Subs: Trafford, Ake, O’Reilly, Lewis, Kovacic, Marmoush, Nico, Cherki, Doku

BOURNEMOUTH XI: Petrovic; Jimenez, Milosavljevic, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Adams; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo; Kroupi Jr

Subs: Dennis, Diakite, Cook, Brooks, Christie, Gannon-Doak, Unal, Adli, Soler

NOTTINGHAM FOREST XI: Sels; Savona, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Douglas Luiz, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Igor Jesus

Subs: John, Morato, Sangare, Yates, Dominguez, Hutchinson, Awoniyi, Jair Cunha, Kalimuendo

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI: Johnstone; Hoever, S Bueno, Krejci, H Bueno; Andre, Munetsi, Bellegarde; Arias, Strand Larsen, R Gomes

Subs: Sa, Wolfe, Toti, Tchatchoua, J Gomes, Agbadou, Arokodare, Hwang, Fer Lopez

BURNLEY XI: Dubravka; Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Hartman; Ugochukwu, Florentino, Cullen; Anthony, Flemming, Bruun Larsen

Subs: Weiss, Ekdal, Pires, Broja, Foster, Edwards, Hannibal, Laurent, Tchaouna

LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

New to Fantasy Football Scout is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DC) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

750 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. JBG
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 25 days ago

    Speaking of Gerorge Graham

    Open Controls
  2. L'Aeroplanino
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 25 days ago

    Get out of my team Phil

    Open Controls
    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Lol. So patient

      Open Controls
  3. el polako
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 25 days ago

    No penalty means no points for Saka.
    He’s too short to score in a team which is relying on set pieces only.

    Open Controls
    1. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      He can assist and get defcons

      Open Controls
  4. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 25 days ago

    No one can deliver the ball in to Gyokeres that's the problem

    Open Controls
    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      They do, he's just too slow to get to then

      Open Controls
      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        *them

        Open Controls
  5. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 months, 25 days ago

    2 nil Arsenal

    Open Controls
    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      No wide lol

      Open Controls
    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      What

      Open Controls
    3. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Lol

      Open Controls
    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      My bad

      Side netting

      Fooled SofaScore too

      Open Controls
    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Go to specsavers 😛

      Open Controls
      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        It was the notification that got me

        Open Controls
  6. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 25 days ago

    Gabriel is really the most dangerous Arsenal player
    He just missed another huge chance

    Open Controls
    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      yeah. Gyokeres is so poor as a striker. I guess he's just there as a battering ram.

      Open Controls
      1. Shark Team
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        I guess Gyokeres will be better against easier sides where Arsenal are already in front by 2 goals

        Open Controls
  7. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 25 days ago

    Saka's been really ineffective since he's returned from injury. He looked good initially, but has struggled the past two game weeks. I was going to bring him in, but the defence look more like scoring than the attack.

    Open Controls
  8. JBG
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 25 days ago

    Gabriel down

    Open Controls
    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Hit the post, with his post

      Open Controls
      1. Moon Dog
          5 months, 25 days ago

          The Nutcracker came early this year

          Open Controls
    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Gabs clatters post

      Open Controls
    3. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Gabs crocked in the jewels

      Open Controls
      1. jacob1989
        • 4 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Oh dear

        Open Controls
    4. pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Saka didn’t look 100% today

      Could be carrying a slight niggle

      Open Controls
      1. Hughes Your Daddy
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Yep, need to get rid of Saka as well. So many fires to put out 🙁

        Open Controls
    5. Pedersen
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Gab going childless

      Open Controls
      1. el polako
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Easier that way than wait on vasectomy through NHS.

        Open Controls
      2. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Lol

        Open Controls
    6. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Saka j pedro bowen doku gakpo.. lot of garbage players i need to boot out but no WC available or saved transfers.. who goes first?
      J pedro to mateta?
      Doku to mbuemo?

      Open Controls
      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Both transfers I like

        Open Controls
        1. Bluetiger1
          • 3 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          Doku to mbuemo-first

          Open Controls
    7. L'Aeroplanino
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Willy down

      Open Controls
    8. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Gabriel future offspring at the stake

      Open Controls
    9. Gudjohnsen
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Could have done Saliba to Gabriel 2 gws ago

      Would have gained 12.points

      stupid in hindsight

      Open Controls
      1. jacob1989
        • 4 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Saliba is worst choice of arsenal defenders

        Open Controls
        1. Gudjohnsen
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          In my defence I got in gw 2

          Open Controls
    10. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Just as well I didn't activate BB despite Rodon on the bench

      Open Controls
    11. Capocannonieri
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Pedro is worthless. He's lost in this formation.

      7.5M but even Kroopi Jr can score more goals.

      I feel trapped with Trash. Am I wrong?

      Open Controls
      1. thegaffer82
        • 14 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Definitely something not right. He is a very good player and he looked good at the start of the season, but it’s gone downhill quick.
        I’m selling

        Open Controls
      2. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        50/50 - some good fixtures coming & after International break heard Delap back in training
        I might hold at the moment

        Open Controls
      3. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Playing through an injury

        Open Controls
    12. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Didn't think my Longstaff assist was going to be the highlight of my gameweek.

      Open Controls
      1. Capocannonieri
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        I don't even have an assist! Just straight blanks.

        All my players became Reijders-Level losers this week.

        Open Controls
        1. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          Ouch, I've got a few of those.

          Open Controls
      2. The Big Fella
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        I had Rodon to save mine but have Isidor first in the bench

        Open Controls
    13. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Mbappe G

      Open Controls
      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Inevitable

        Open Controls
        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          Offside, VAR

          Open Controls
    14. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      The Gyoke wasnt expecting to come up against world beaters such as Lacroix weekly when he went to the PL. Hes a few numbers too small for this league

      Open Controls
      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Hre’s blanked against worse defences

        Open Controls
    15. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Kroupi Jr subbed

      Open Controls
    16. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      Which option?

      A) Reijnders and Pedro to Mbeumo and Foster/Guiu
      B) Mateta and max 5.5 mid
      C) Enzo and Pedro to Mbeumo and Thiago

      2 FTs, have Sarr

      Open Controls
    17. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 25 days ago

      The match hasnt finished yet but I think I am going to get rid of Gyokeres for Mateta and buy Timber for Virgil and use the cash to upgrade Reijnders to Mbeumo. Then I will give Saka another 2GW to do something against Burnley and Sunderland and if not sell him for Gakpo and buy Calafiori and just have triple Arsenal defence

      Open Controls
      1. Moon Dog
          5 months, 25 days ago

          Sounds like a good plan. Wait for Pool v Palace midweek if you can.

          Open Controls
        • WVA
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          Mateta has had one game good game week where he got pens, other than that he’s been the worst finisher in the league

          Open Controls
      2. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        NEW ARTICLE:

        https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2025/10/26/everton-v-tottenham-team-news-grealish-returns-to-xi

        Open Controls
      3. el polako
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Arsenal must be the most boring title contender in years.

        Open Controls
        1. Sun God Nika
          • 5 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          They a deserve a win nonetheless

          Been consistent for so long

          Open Controls
      4. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Rather than switching Gyokeres to Saka, I'm tempted to go with triple Arsenal defence - Raya, Gabriel and Timber

        Open Controls
        1. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          I'd be tempted too if I had a WC

          Open Controls
          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            5 months, 25 days ago

            Already have 2/3 and 5FTs rolled

            Open Controls
        2. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          Welcome to the club!

          Open Controls
        3. Bluetiger1
          • 3 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          Good call

          Arsenal last season or so gone like old Arsenal (one-nil) to the Arsenal
          scoring a lot of set play pieces

          Open Controls
      5. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        6 point bb, lol

        Open Controls
        1. The Philosopher
          • 5 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          Shouldn't have BBed, mate

          Open Controls
        2. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          8 so far with Kudus yet to play

          Open Controls
      6. Capocannonieri
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Just a question:

        Is Kroupi Jr a nailed starter?

        Kid scores goals

        Open Controls
        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          We won't know until Evanilson is back

          Open Controls
        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 months, 25 days ago

          Nah

          Doesn't do the defensive work yet according to the manager

          Open Controls
      7. Limbo
        • 15 Years
        5 months, 25 days ago

        Seen enough of Reijnders. YC last straw. Rage transferred. He looked a bargain but is too deep and can't hold simply because he's good value.

        Done 2 FT

        Reijnders > Mbeumo
        Pedro > Thiago

        Open Controls

      You need to be logged in to post a comment.