Dugout Discussion

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

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. Evasivo
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Eze goal assist now TBC 😀

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    1. Shark Team
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Don’t worry Gabriel owners
      He will get the assist in a few minutes

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  2. Cojones of Destiny
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    fpl towers don’t have Gabby i guess lol

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  3. thegaffer82
    • 14 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    This is an absolute travesty. Wtf! How the feck is that a Rice assist.
    I’ve watched about four replays now, cross/fk by Rice and it seems that Gabs and CPL defender both get their head on it at the same time and it gets knocked down to Eze.
    So it’s either no assist (headed away by the palace defender) or it’s an assist for Gabi (knock down)

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    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      could be gabriel assist but under new rules would be rice one if palace headed it away

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    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      This, regardless of what it is it's never Rice A. It makes 0 sense

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    3. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Chill it’s only just happened they often get it wrong until reviewed later on.
      They also tend to have interns working on the Sundays

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    4. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Fpl tower salaryman need to be fired

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  4. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Rice scored against WHU
    Eze against Palace.

    Surely Noni later vs Chelsea

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    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      great stat - knowing Chelsea if noni fit this will happen

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  5. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    I made the wrong decision starting Dub over Roefs then. Lesson learned.

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  6. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Arsenal with best chance to win the title. Bournemouth-and Sunderland cant keep up this run for sure.

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    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Yeah Arsenal look so in control and patient. Reminds me of the invincible: you know they will keep a clean sheet.

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    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Sunderland looks good, they pass the first tough challenge yesterday

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  7. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Goal - EZE
    Assist - TBC

    Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace (39 mins)

    https://x.com/OfficialFPL/status/1982458827879371257?t=2Np49WBGeEs0vLLdQ1NX3Q&s=19

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    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Wtf this...

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    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      ARSENAL PREMIER LEAGUE ALL YOURS.

      Liverpool losing yesterday & slot seems to have lost the plot,
      injuries & Konte wanting away / Salah after years of service
      catching up to him.

      Manchester City losing now

      Surely Arteta cannot bottle this year.

      My prediction now Arsenal double with the Champion League - any thoughts?

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      1. iFash@FPL
        • 2 Years
        5 months, 10 days ago

        No pressure…

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  8. JBG
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Surely they will review that Gabriel assist and give it to him

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  9. Bada Bing
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Where's my Gab assist.

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    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Coming

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    2. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      It’s coming!

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    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      did it hit a palace head not gabriel? opta havent given it as an assist

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  10. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Eze not looking to happy after scoring

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    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      He is hesitant to celebrate

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

      More interested in praying

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    3. Prinzhorn
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Respect

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      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        5 months, 10 days ago

        class

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      2. FPL Sanky
        • 2 Years
        5 months, 10 days ago

        True....he is class....total opposite of Isak and the way he forced himself out of NEW

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    4. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Against old club... He has manners.

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    5. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Yep. Respect. But as I said earlier here - knew it would happen, should of put a bet on it. Dohhhh 🙁

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  11. All Hail K
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Munoz handed the ball to Calafiori for a throw in, Trossard throws the ball away from Munoz for his throw in. A little difference in class.

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    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Trossard is a bell end

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    2. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Yep, noticed that as well.

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  12. el polako
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Set Piece FC.

    Greece 2004 would be proud.
    What a boring league leader.

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

    2-2 Wolves

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  14. chocolove
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Strand Larsen, the forgotten man

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    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      I had him from the start, but... 😉

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  15. F4L
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    only 1 half but reijnders is definitely not cut out to play as a lone 6

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    1. ITS AMAD WORLD
      • 3 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      It's almost like they've got no one left to play that role

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      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 10 days ago

        Then don't play a lone 6?..

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        1. Bluetiger1
          • 3 Years
          5 months, 10 days ago

          agree - two or three in the middle - then one or two can push from deeper laying position

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        2. ITS AMAD WORLD
          • 3 Years
          5 months, 10 days ago

          Tell Pep that

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  16. Prinzhorn
    • 5 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Give me the Gabriel assist and while you’re on it I’m still waiting for my Solly March points too

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    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      This! Right there with you mate – still waiting! Haha.

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  17. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Thanks Drub on BB

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

      Last week was BB week.

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  18. ITS AMAD WORLD
    • 3 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Need Gabriel to come out and say he headed it across to Eze in a post match interview to get the assist

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  19. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Just seen the replay

    Definitely headed by the palace player no Gabriel touch

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    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      so lucky as a non owner jeez 🙂

      but still another half to go....

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    2. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      It looks like Gabriel from the main camera but the angle from rice's side clearly confirms it was the palace player

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

      He said the same

      https://x.com/GoalsXtra/status/1982457247004315963?t=6NlDC2oqwKB4VPYPCOlRig&s=19

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    4. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      So why not Palace player assist

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  20. FOREST FOREVER 2
    • 1 Year
    5 months, 10 days ago

    I Think the FPL Tower is calculating Gab EO before making the final decision.

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    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      It all depends on if the people at Opta own Gab or not

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  21. F4L
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    oh yeah sarr headed it i think

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  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Give Gabriel the asssist. If he wasn’t there no way ball goes to eze

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  23. have you seen cyan
    • 6 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Kroupi should be number 1, not Evan

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    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Kroupi ruins it for Semenyo, seemingly

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  24. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Strand Larsen whoaa
    Strand Larsen whoaa
    If you're Newcastle
    You can't buy him
    You ain't having him

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  25. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Was that not clearly a Gabriel assist??

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    1. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Nope the close angle shows Sarr heading it back. Gabriel's motion led people into thinking it was him

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  26. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Everybody’s blanking

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    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Coz everyone's the same team, innit

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    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Yes, except for a very small giggling group of Flemming owners.

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  27. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Ah crikey doesn't look like it was Gabby after all. Even worse GW now and the CS is getting busted I feel

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

    Fewer adds on Multiview

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      Less annoying commentary too

      I fear Everton v spurs will have one of Neville or carragher

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  29. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    Any words of wisdom for this lot with only 1 FT?

    Sanchez, Dub
    Gab, Calafiori, Munoz, Senesi, VdV
    Semenyo, Gakpo, Kudus, Grealish, Reijnders
    Haaland, Woltemade, Pedro

    Pedro and most of the midfield on the chopping block. Have to keep Semenyo with owenershil and price rises. Unsure on basically all the rest. Wouldn’t mind Sarr, Saka, Mbeumo (sickened to miss his double chasing a BB with Woltemade this week)…

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 10 days ago

      *ownership

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  30. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 10 days ago

    The person who thought that was Rice assist needs a Specsavers visit

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