Dugout Discussion

Gundogan fit to start as De Bruyne returns to City XI and Foden drops to bench

After missing out on Manchester City’s win over Everton in midweek, Ilkay Gundogan (£6.1m) has made a swift return from a groin injury and makes Pep Guardiola’s starting XI this afternoon.

Arsenal are the latest team attempting to stop City’s 17-game unbeaten run, with kick-off at the Emirates at 16:30 GMT.

Gundogan featured prominently in both the transfers in and out columns in the run-up to Gameweek 24: 365,022 Fantasy Premier League managers recruited the German after his huge haul against Spurs, with 244,409 of us moving the in-form midfielder on – no doubt influenced by the yellow flag that appeared next to his name following his no-show on Merseyside.

There is other noteworthy team news from the City camp, with Gundogan one of five players who are recalled.

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) makes his first start in over a month, with John Stones (£5.2m), Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) and Fernandinho (£5.4m) also back in Guardiola’s line-up.

Phil Foden (£6.1m) drops to the bench despite scoring at Goodison Park, with Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m), Kyle Walker (£6.1m), Rodri (£5.3m) and Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) also making way from the team that took to the pitch at kick-off on Wednesday.

Sergio Aguero (£10.3m), who has not played for City since the beginning of January, is also among the substitutes for the visitors.

Having named the same team in his last two competitive matches, Mikel Arteta also makes five changes to his starting XI.

Kieran Tierney (£5.2m), Rob Holding (£4.5m), Nicolas Pepe, Pablo Marí (£4.4m) and Mohamed Elneny (£4.2m) return, with Cedric Soares (£4.6m), David Luiz (£5.4m), Gabriel (£5.0m), Emile Smith Rowe (£4.3m) and Dani Ceballos (£4.7m) dropping to the bench.

LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Pablo Mari, Tierney, Elneny, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Pepe, Aubameyang.

Man City XI: Ederson, Joao Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Sterling.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 25 SO FAR…

Gundogan fit to start as De Bruyne returns to City XI and Foden drops to bench 1

Second-place Leicester City warmed up for their Gameweek 26 double-header with a win over Aston Villa on Sunday, a match that was notable for injuries to two well-owned FPL midfielders.

Harvey Barnes (£6.8m) recorded his second successive double-digit haul with a goal and an assist in the Foxes’ victory, which took his total to 10 attacking returns in 11 Gameweeks.

James Maddison (£7.3m) is in similarly fine form and opened the scoring at Villa Park – his 12th goal or assist in his last 14 appearances.

But the England midfielder hobbled from the field of play just after the hour-mark, having twice needed treatment from the visitors’ physios.

Missing altogether was Jack Grealish (£7.7m), who was sidelined with a reported shin problem.

While some reports suggest the Villa talisman may be absent for several weeks, manager Dean Smith said he was “hopeful” of the player’s return against Leeds.

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1,652 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    That Madders injury is annoying

  2. JohnnyRev7
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hello?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is it me looking for?

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I don’t know, what are you looking for?

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's me.

  3. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Man City defence EO about 130%. So double / triple Man City defence owners would value the CS.

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think they would. And if some of them get attacking returns that would be awesome as well.

  4. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelogan let's go

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This!!

  5. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Annoying to see Stones start, would prefer a rest today and 2 starts in the DGW

  6. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hoping for CS wipes but Cancelo/Gundo returns then

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      City defence EO over 100%

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Which is exactly why I don’t want the CS? 😆

  7. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Harvey Barnes you beauty!!!

  8. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on cavani starting?

  9. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy, Son, Bamford, Ings, Watkins, Salah.. Nice gw

  10. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hiding behind the sofa with Gundo on my bench.

  11. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No idea what to do here. Was thinking Kane in for Ings (need to find 0.2 somewhere) but Leicester seem essential. 2FT 2.4 ITB

    Martinez (Areola)
    Cancelo Stones Digne (Mee Dallas)
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo (Raph)
    Ings* Watkins Bamford

    Tricky one with Spurs being back to dodgy and Leicester looking good... could WC to take funds off bench but not sure it’s needed especially with 2FT?

  12. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Barnes on my bench 🙁

    1. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same, Foden in my starting 11 instead. Praying he stays benched.

    2. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      First on my bench, was depending on Gundogan not playing

  13. AllGonePozzo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pep done me again. Was convinced Gundogan would make bench at best so benched him. Arghhh!!

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He's blanking anyway no worries. Probably subbed off in 2nd half as well

    2. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He was only out for 1 game... not short of match fitness so either he was good to play or not. Only reason for him to be benched would be for a rest (which he already had) in which case he only comes on if they're not winning.

  14. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Are people still feeling a Kane/Son double up for the DGW?

    1. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just of of them methinks

      1. Marcin the Pole
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        *one

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've got Son already. I'm going to double up because they have Burnley, Fulham and then Palace. And I don't have my FH for 29.

  15. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So what's the verdict on spurs for the double? I think I'll just stick with Son and forget about Kane

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I didnt see the game, how did Son play?

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

        I didn't either. I already own him so I guess it's worth just sticking I guess

      2. Riverside Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Son was poor ...Kane looked dangerous

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Genuinely don’t know. Kane certainly sounded to be the more threatening one today, which sucks as I currently own Son and have for ages

    3. Waynoo
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Awful

    4. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Got both of them, but may sell Son to fund Barnes and DCL moves.

    5. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Really poor performance from Son but you never know with Tottenham this season.They could score 6 goals in the next two games.

    6. EL TANO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son was anonymous

    7. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      not tempted by Son. First 11 GWs 100 pts - last 14 GWs 59 GWs (or 3 goals & 3 assists).

    8. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not considering him but Bale looked decent. If he gets more minutes it should negatively impact Son's points as Bale hogs set pieces.

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

        Godamn. Looks like I own the wrong Spurs player.

  16. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Despite fails for everyone in my team and returns on my bench I’m somehow still getting a small green arrow wtf

  17. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo gonna inflict maximum pain for benchers today isn't he.

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hope so! In dire need of returns now

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nah

  18. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Honestly cant believe so many people benched Gundo. If he wasnt fit he wouldnt play.

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      this has got to be bait, please don't do it guys

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This.

        Fishing at its worst.

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who would you have benched instead?

      Bruno | Son | KdB | Raphinha
      Kane | Ings | Bamford

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You are an exception! 🙂

      2. F_Ivanovic
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Would probably have benched Son instead.

    4. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I sold Antonio - got Ings. Looks like a bust right now

      At least it wasn’t an Antonio brace

    5. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Save this till he scores atleast.

  19. JabariParkersEyelid
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lost on previous article. Thoughts on this for a minus 8 to bench boost appreciated:

    Peacock-Farrell, Mitchell, Dallas, Grealish
    To
    Martinez, Targett, Aina, Barnes

    Makes team this:

    Martinez (Pope)
    Dias Cancelo Shaw Targett Aina
    Barnes Salah Bruno Son Gundogan
    Watkins DCL Bamford

    1. Couch Potato
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Like it.

      I have the same Mitchell > Aina dilemma, just wondering if Mitchell might be back in favour, so worth holding off until tomorrow

  20. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The BB chip is honestly a burden.

    The amount of points lost by spending transfers upgrading the bench/having too much money on the bench in future GW’s and benching the “wrong player” cancels out any points you get using the chip.

    Strong 11 with a cheap as possible playing bench has always been the way to go

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      To be honest having a bench through the Covid struck games really helped me

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This

      2. F_Ivanovic
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I had no good bench all season - barely benched any points and yet through COVID it didn't matter.

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah you are spot on. I've posted similar messages in the last couple of days. That chip does my head in. I'm abandoning it in 26 so I can sacrifice Pope to a 3.9 and get Kane (c) for Ings.

      I somehow managed a massive 3 points on BB last season.

    3. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Disagree. With all the spare change people have had, it has been prudent to have a strong bench, especially with covid and postponements.

      I'm gonna have my 15 strong squad, BB, hopefully smash it, and then edge my way to a WC with a strong first 11, and a half decent nailed on bench.

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        And I don't need to take hits for bench

        It's the starters that are the problem!

  21. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    You know it’s been crap when Ben Mee is your highest scoring starter

    1. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope is my guy- at least my Captain has not played at all

    2. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same here! We probably have the same team

      1. Ragabolly
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lol just checked and we have identical starting 11 and captain 😀

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          We struggling this week RB ;(

    3. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mate I'd kill for Ben Mee. My biggest scorer is Digne..... And he's on my bench

    4. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have Cancelo benched,Stones playing and raphina(c) but everything else is the same as you.

  22. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Need Gundo and Dias to go wild and Cancelo and Stones to blank

    Pretty much 100% unlikely but we can dream!

  23. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best dgw defender for 4.5?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably one of the Fulham lot. GW29 fixture too.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Aina or ElMo if you haven't got Villa coverage.

    3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Aina probably!!

    4. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Rudi?

    5. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Aina

  24. mattk lfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My bench is Stones Dias Gundo

    I'm in danger

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Err..

    2. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You can't be serious.

    3. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Arsenal aren't a top 4 side anymore.

  25. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    KDB going to haul.

    I’m hoping Aguero gets 30 mins as if so I’m jumping on for DGW.

  26. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC draft - locked in players...

    Martinez
    Pereira Konsa Dias
    Bruno Son Traore Gundo
    DCL Kane

    Vardy or KdB to fill up last starting XI place? Cheers!

    1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes or Maddison surely if on a WC. They have proven themselves to be better options than Vardy.

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not PPG wise but I'm considering Barnes.

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      KDB to fill the last spot. Not sure about Traore though.

    3. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Traore!

    4. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Get Traore outta there

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Looked good today and on set-pieces. Another DGW in 28 & plays in 29

        Leeds game looks great for him

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed

  27. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What scores more next week

    A. Targett & Son
    B. DCL & Barnes

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  28. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is it true Grealish is out for a month ? BBC reported this

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sky said just this week.

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like it. I read the BBC article earlier.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bunch of nonsense

    4. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Saw that article - no idea how they settled on that date, even included quotes of Smith saying "I've no idea [how long he'll be out for]. I'm hopeful. I'm always an optimist." Not sure how you get a month from that.

      Athletic said 2 games and then he'd be assessed, so sounds pretty open-ended. Month is probably what it'll end up as but not sure BBC can call it as that yet.

  29. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    But game in my ML. Rival has KDB, Gundo and Stones and I have Sterling, Gundo and Cancelo. Who wins?

    1. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      *Big

  30. grumpyman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Benched Stones and Gundog. Off out for a walk.

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same but I've already done my walk today.