Dugout Discussion
26 October 2025 750 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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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
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Speaking of Gerorge Graham

  2. L'Aeroplanino
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Get out of my team Phil

    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Lol. So patient

  3. el polako
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 24 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.

    1. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      He can assist and get defcons

  4. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

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

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

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

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 24 days ago

        *them

  5. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    2 nil Arsenal

    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      No wide lol

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      What

    3. RICICLE
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Lol

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      My bad

      Side netting

      Fooled SofaScore too

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Go to specsavers 😛

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 months, 24 days ago

        It was the notification that got me

  6. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

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

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

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

      1. Shark Team
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 24 days ago

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

  7. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 24 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.

  8. JBG
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Gabriel down

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Hit the post, with his post

      1. Moon Dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        8 months, 24 days ago

        The Nutcracker came early this year

  9. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Gabs clatters post

  10. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Gabs crocked in the jewels

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Oh dear

  11. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Saka didn’t look 100% today

    Could be carrying a slight niggle

    1. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

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

  12. Pedersen
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Gab going childless

    1. el polako
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Easier that way than wait on vasectomy through NHS.

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Lol

  13. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    8 months, 24 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?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Both transfers I like

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 4 Years
        8 months, 24 days ago

        Doku to mbuemo-first

  14. L'Aeroplanino
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Willy down

  15. chocolove
    • 15 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Gabriel future offspring at the stake

  16. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Could have done Saliba to Gabriel 2 gws ago

    Would have gained 12.points

    stupid in hindsight

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Saliba is worst choice of arsenal defenders

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 9 Years
        8 months, 24 days ago

        In my defence I got in gw 2

  17. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

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

  18. Capocannonieri
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 24 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?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 24 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

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

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

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Playing through an injury

  19. All Hail K
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

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

    1. Capocannonieri
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

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

      All my players became Reijders-Level losers this week.

      1. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 months, 24 days ago

        Ouch, I've got a few of those.

    2. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

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

  20. Ze_Austin
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Mbappe G

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Inevitable

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 24 days ago

        Offside, VAR

  21. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 24 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

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Hre’s blanked against worse defences

  22. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Kroupi Jr subbed

  23. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 24 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

  24. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 24 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

    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 24 days ago

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

    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 24 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

  25. el polako
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Arsenal must be the most boring title contender in years.

    1. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      They a deserve a win nonetheless

      Been consistent for so long

  26. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

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

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      I'd be tempted too if I had a WC

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 24 days ago

        Already have 2/3 and 5FTs rolled

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Welcome to the club!

    3. Bluetiger1
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 24 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

  27. have you seen cyan
    • 6 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    6 point bb, lol

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Shouldn't have BBed, mate

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      8 so far with Kudus yet to play

  28. Capocannonieri
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 24 days ago

    Just a question:

    Is Kroupi Jr a nailed starter?

    Kid scores goals

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      We won't know until Evanilson is back

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 24 days ago

      Nah

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

  29. Limbo
    • 15 Years
    8 months, 24 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