Dugout Discussion
28 August 2026 769 comments
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Gameweek 2 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) kicks off with a re-run of the 2025 FA Cup final: Crystal Palace v Manchester City.

Kick-off in tonight’s encounter is at 20:00 BST.

That 1-0 success at Wembley was the Eagles’ only victory over City in the last 10 attempts. The Cityzens won this fixture 3-0 both home and away last season.

This is a match that Erling Haaland loves: he’s scored in all five of his previous league meetings with the south Londoners.

Naturally, all historic records are to be taken with a pinch of salt – especially with two new managers in the dugout this season.

TEAM NEWS

It’s straightforward enough team news for City, who make the one expected alteration: Rayan Cherki in for Rico Lewis.

Nico O’Reilly likely reverts to the ‘inverted full-back’ role, with Cherki coming in as the ’10’.

Marc Guehi appears to be in central midfield again.

That’s a spot that new signing Ayyoub Bouaddi will have designs on in the medium term but for now, he’ll have to make do with a place among the substitutes.

As for Palace, head coach Pierre Sage makes four alterations from the Gameweek 1 loss at Everton.

Two are enforced as Chadi Riad and, as rumoured on Friday afternoon, Jean-Philippe Mateta miss out due to injury.

Daniel Munoz and Dwight McNeil drop to the bench.

In come Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Anan Khalaili and Yeremy Pino.

LINE-UPS

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Canvot, Richards, Tomiyasu, Khalaili, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Nketiah, Strand-Larsen, Pino.

Subs: Benitez, Munoz, Disasi, Lerma, McNeil, Gozo, Hughes, Guessand, Mingueza.

Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Anderson, Guehi, Foden, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland.

Subs: Rulli, Kovacic, Ait Nouri, Reis, Echeverri, Bouaddi, McAidoo, Braithwaite, Lewis.


LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE + MATCH CENTRE

You can follow all the day’s action via the Live Gameweek page, which you can find in the all-new FPL Toolkit section.

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

And there’s also the all-new Match Centre to explore.

A snapshot of this page is below; it’s basically a condensed version of the one in the Members Area.

debuts
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  1. Jstap94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 hour, 17 mins ago

    What do we reckon the best other Haaland TC option is?
    1) Ipswich (H) in 7
    2) Fulham (H) in 11
    3) Hull (A) in 16

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      44 mins ago

      3

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        17 mins ago

        As in GW3

    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      42 mins ago

      We may all be considering TC Bruno or Palmer as well soon

    3. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      39 mins ago

      He plays HULL (H) in 16

      I would rather wait until tomorrow when UCL fixtures are scheduled. I'd rather not TC if he plays PSG or Barca in the midweek after.

    4. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      23 mins ago

      1 because Haaland is always better at the start of the season

  2. Raoul Nogues
    • 1 Year
    1 hour, 14 mins ago

    Apparently Maresca wanted to Cherki off at hall time which explains which hé Nevers smiled after scoring

    1. Raoul Nogues
      • 1 Year
      21 mins ago

      Cherki was supposed to be taken off at half time and he said that he had asked his manager to leave him on the pitch 5 more minutes

    2. Totalfootball
      • 9 Years
      16 mins ago

      Is this true ?

      1. Raoul Nogues
        • 1 Year
        2 mins ago

        That's what he said on French TV

  3. Just jarvo
    • 12 Years
    1 hour, 14 mins ago

    Bruno and gross to palmer and cherki ???

    1. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 11 mins ago

      Yep

  4. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 hour, 11 mins ago

    https://x.com/FPLGOAT7/status/2093409572698681369

    "A few insider info, useless now but fun

    1. Dorgu has captained himself again, Vice captain Mbeumo, he owns Bruno too

    2. A Man united staff member has captained Joao Pedro and vc Palmer, owns Mbeumo but no Bruno

    3. Tammy Abraham has captained Mbeumo, Owns Bruno

    4. Another man united staff member has captained Joao Pedro, owns Mbeumo and Bruno too

    5. Another man united staff member has captained Haaland, benched Dorgu, doesn't own Mbeumo or Bruno"

    Not even MU staff trust Bruno on fpl...

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      9 mins ago

      T'is interesting. Maybe he's not looking up to it in training yet.

      But class is permanent.

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        6 mins ago

        Well kind of permanent, been shite at the start of the season almost every season..

  5. Wet Bandits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 11 mins ago

    Mbeumo & Brobbey -> Palmer & 4.5?

    Need to pull tonight to catch Palmers rise?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      37 mins ago

      Palmer in for the hardest fixture of the season before he's even played the current GW?

      1. Wet Bandits
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        30 mins ago

        Correct!

        Palmer will soon be essential, this move is my 2 FT for the exact funds.

      2. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        4 mins ago

        It can't be the hardest game of the season until the season finishes.

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      24 mins ago

      You must have a better way to Palmer than selling Mbeumo

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        24 mins ago

        I also wouldn’t want to get him before Arsenal away

        1. Wet Bandits
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          21 mins ago

          I really don't think I do?

          Kink, Verb
          VVD, Cali, Gvardiol, Shaw, Diop
          Tz, Semenyo, Slob, Schade, Mbuemo
          Haaland, JP, Brobbey

          1. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 mins ago

            Maybe crazy but I'd consider selling Semenyo for Cherki tbh and get Palmer the next week for Mbeumo

            I might be wrong but Semenyo just seems too wide for me, 2 shots and 0.12 xG in two games. FPL doesn't massive award wingers or assisters.

            1. Apart from Salah 😆

        2. Wet Bandits
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          20 mins ago

          Exact funds now, sets up for Hull at least?

          1. Mr Turnip 1
            • 1 Year
            12 mins ago

            I’d much sooner roll and sell Semenyo and Brobbey next week than Mbeumo this week. Semenyo offering almost nothing wide on the wing, Mbeumo Utd’s main goal threat and they’re good on the counter so City match not really a worry. Utd always up for that one anyway

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      22 mins ago

      Go for it

  6. Manani
    • 14 Years
    1 hour, 9 mins ago

    is selling Isak to fund Palmer/Cherki too kneejerky?

    will be priced out, but Isak for IPS away next week as well

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      35 mins ago

      Very very jerky

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      27 mins ago

      Much too kneejerky

  7. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    1 hour, 5 mins ago

    Cherki > Wirtz?

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      30 mins ago

      Fraser > Wirtz

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      26 mins ago

      Nah Haaland > Brobbey instead

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      22 mins ago

      Top move

  8. Just jarvo
    • 12 Years
    1 hour, 3 mins ago

    Bruno to cherki GW3
    Semenyo to Palmer GW4
    ????

    1. Just jarvo
      • 12 Years
      30 mins ago

      Gives me cherki Semenyo and haaland for GW3

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        26 mins ago

        Yup for sure

    2. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      25 mins ago

      Kneejerk reactions. Just wait and see what they do this week.

    3. Im planning the same

  9. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    1 hour, 1 min ago

    Do any of ye buy or sell football jersies or other items on Vinted?

  10. Totalfootball
    • 9 Years
    1 hour ago

    Wirtz to Cherki ?
    Have exact money

    1. ΒAZEΛOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      26 mins ago

      My friend, questions such as this one after Cherki's performance tonight only serve to reaffirm your decision which has already been made.
      Just press 'confirm'.

      1. Totalfootball
        • 9 Years
        1 min ago

        Foden is also there

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      26 mins ago

      I would if you already own Haaland

    3. Wirtz has Ipswich next…

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        18 mins ago

        Cherki has Coventry next…

        He’ll probably do more damage in 80 mins at home to Coventry than Wirtz will in 60 away to Ipswich, and removing Wirtz solves a long-term minutes concern

        1. Gonna have both just in case

          1. Mr Turnip 1
            • 1 Year
            14 mins ago

            Thats reasonable I think.

            Unless you’re selling Mbeumo, who is definitely better than Wirtz…

            1. Probably Palmer, then buy him back for GW4

  11. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    59 mins ago

    A. Mbeumo to Cherki
    B. Bruno to Cherki
    C. Wait

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      25 mins ago

      C

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        25 mins ago

        B is also fine if it funds Palmer GW4 tbf

  12. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    58 mins ago

    Do we think Palmer is worth the extra 2.0 over Rogers?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      45 mins ago

      Probably because at some point (e.g GW4) you may want to captain Palmer

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      34 mins ago

      After this GW we'll have double the information
      It's not even definite he's on pens (though I think he will still be)

    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 min ago

      After seeing Palmer in form it's possible, but I plan to get both.

  13. How are Bruno cappers feeling?

    1. Relaxxxed

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      22 mins ago

      Don’t know until he’s played.

    3. Delaying the pain

    4. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      21 mins ago

      I have high expectations

    5. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      14 mins ago

      I'll tell you after the match.

  14. As if Cherki is rising tonight, FFS you lot are a joke with your knees

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      20 mins ago

      He just looks like a great pick tbh.

      City with good fixtures from an offensive standpoint for quite a while.

      It’s Coventry home next.

      Cherki’s fantastic from a data perspective and an eye test perspective.

      Some similar priced midfielders (e.g Wirtz) have problems like minutes concerns.

      Feels like a super obvious buy

      1. He was in my OG draft then took him out when I kept hearing CCs saying about Foden taking gametime away from him etc.

        Serves me right, should always go with gut.

        1. Having said that, one thing I did get right is having that 7.5 spot in my midfield, unfortunately it’s Wirtz!

          1. Mr Turnip 1
            • 1 Year
            17 mins ago

            I started with Wirtz too.

            If I already had Haaland I’d be doing Wirtz to Cherki for sure

        2. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          15 mins ago

          In fairness, Cherki might be a minutes risk if Foden ends up central if City buy more wingers, I don’t know how we could have predicted the extent of the turmoil in the City attack at the end of the transfer window. Cherki is playing so well though that can Maresca really leave him out? I don’t think anyone likes his attitude but even Pep played him a lot towards the end of last season because he just improves the team so much…

          1. Oh yeah definitely, people are fooling themselves if they think he will start every week - he was benched GW1 for instance.

            Nobody is really nailed in City barring Donna and Haaland

            1. And possibly Anderson and Guehi

  15. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    54 mins ago

    WC activated

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      21 mins ago

      Thanks for letting us know

      1. Feanor
        • 17 Years
        2 mins ago

        One hour till the prices change

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      15 mins ago

      https://x.com/FPLPhysioo/status/2093444839962456243
      FPLPhysioo has done the same
      "In goes Palmer, Cherki, Gvardiol, Szobo, Tzolis and Gonzalo to make sure I catch some price rises."

      1. Feanor
        • 17 Years
        6 mins ago

        Plenty of room for change, but for now

        Verbruggen (Tzolakis)
        Calafiori, Gvardiol, Thiaw (Ajer, Muharemovic)
        Palmer, Cherki, Szoboszlai, Tzolis, KDH
        Haaland (c), Barry (Pedro)

        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 min ago

          Verbruggen, 4.0
          Calafiori, Gvardiol, Jacquet*, de Cuyper*, Thomas*
          Tuolissa, Cherki, Szobo / Palmer, Rogers

          1. Baps Hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            just now

            Erling, J P, 4.5

          2. Baps Hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            just now

            Tuolissa = Tzolis

      2. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 mins ago

        I had Zobo and Tzolis, not sold on Gonzalo. Made 10 transfers, but haven't activated WC just in case FH becomes better choice somehow. Gvardiol being million less and price rising makes me consider him over NOR, but I still have a gut feeling that NOR will be the better pick. But million is a lot of money...

  16. FPL_trail_runner
    • 6 Years
    37 mins ago

    One interesting future problem for early WC will be how to navigate week 4 with 3 City when Chelsea and Liverpool have fulham + hull, and then directly after United have fulham.

    Freehit in one of those seems optimal.

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      28 mins ago

      Hull that beat United. Fulham that scored 2 v Chelsea and Pool that made heavy weather of a Newcastle team depleted by transfers out, with a new manager.

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 6 Years
        20 mins ago

        Still expect goals for Chelsea Liverpool and United in those games, whatever the final results

        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          17 mins ago

          We can't have them all(?)

        2. GreennRed
          • 14 Years
          7 mins ago

          True story. Not worth a FH until we suss out the form though.

  17. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    32 mins ago

    Semenyo > Cherki too knee jerky ?

    1. Definitely, I’d wager Semenyo outscores him that game

    2. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 mins ago

      Nope

  18. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    30 mins ago

    Bring in Cherki and Szoboszlai and wait a week to do Mbeumo to Palmer with 2m ITB?

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 min ago

      Sounds sound. Palmer rising though.