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. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish + Vardy >> Barnes + Kane looking like a no brainer atm

    Pretending I can't see my GW29 team, so far only got Dallas, Raph, Bamford and Coufal playing

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3 FTs you can use before then though

      1. Jon Snow
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Other than the leeds lot, the ones piquing my interest are Villa (depending if Grealish is back), West Ham, Kane and Saka.

        But frustrating because the players I really want from the upcoming doubles are often the ones blanking, plus not wanting to take out Bruno and Salah. wish I still had FH

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d just do the Grealish to Barnes move myself - Kane Vardy feels sideways

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This

  2. luk46
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    would you bb this?

    Pope Bamford Dallas Coufal

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

      Fix Coufal first

      1. luk46
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I wish I could, would need to take a -8 tho

        1. luk46
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          dont think its worth it to bb 2 players with just 1 game

          1. Utopsis
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I'm likely BBing with 3 Leeds - all single game

            1. luk46
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              sounds alright, might concede, but could always score a few

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

    Any Villa fans around? Is El Mohamady first choice now until Cash is back?
    Cheers!

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

      Don’t need to be a Villa fan to know that

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

        So there isn't any competition for that spot now, right?

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          None that we know of

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

      Guilbert (who I swear was in a bunch of teams preseason) got loaned out in January, who was Elmo's competition when Cash wasn't playing

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

        Cheers. Need 4.3 def to BB in GW26 and he is perfect choice.

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

      Thanks all!

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

    Apparently Grealish is out of the Leeds game too at a minimum so absolutely no point in holding him

    https://twitter.com/greggevans40/status/1363472107821297675?s=21

  5. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A. Watkins/Barnes

    B. DCL/Foden

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

      I'm not a fan of Watkins at all and if Villa are without Grealish for a couple of games then I wouldn't touch Villa at all.

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Watkins is an horrible player. J get slated for saying this but unlike most i look at it from a non fpl perspective. Utter dross. Had they actually got anyone who could play as backup he would have been off after 60 mins . So bad

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

          Completely agree. Don't understand the Watkins love on here.

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

            Tempted & trapped by him because of that Liverpool match.

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

      Probably worth steering clear of Watkins with no Grealish.

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

    Can anyone give a brief assessment on Son and Kane today please as I missed the match. Thanks

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son quiet, nearly scored a very fortunate goal last few minutes. Kane lively, unlucky not to score and assist. Spurs looked a lot better with Bale on, which probably bodes better for Kane than Son

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

        Thanks mate.

    2. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both actively involved and could have 10+

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

        Ta

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son = Sh.te
      Kane = Dangerous

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

        Ta

  7. casual69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    kick off delayed
    Silva Fernandinho and Gündogan not coming out
    petrified when they saw xhaka n elneny in midfield 😀

  8. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Well, day 1 of owning Barnes has gone better than expected. Was hopeful for a goal or assist, but 1 of each plus 3 baps is just delightful!

    I played him over Gundo though, so I’m praying for a blank before Gundo comes roaring back next week

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Someone wants to eat their cake and have it

  9. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else really really hoping for an Arsenal goal?

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, benched Cancelo

    2. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thos who benched or do not have City defenders obviously

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I am. Hopefully a Dias OG. 😆

  10. Alan The Llama
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dean Smith says Grealish, if not fit for Leeds, should be back the game after. Hasn't been fully assessed by the medical team but rumours of a month out aren't correct. (On Radio 5)

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

      How has Smith been in the past regarding injury news?

      Hopeful? Cautious?

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I might keep him. Him playing 29 helps a lot !

  11. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any news about Cavani?

    1. Ojpsan1
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not in the squad, stil injured (muscle)

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane blanking today has really blown open DGW26, could have been very boring had he returned well.

    So many options to get in, so many players to captain...

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes will be popular

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

        Yeah Barnes will be one of the most bought on here.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Very difficult to gety him 🙁

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

      Don’t see how his blank today has a bearing on next week?
      Not like he’s going to be dropped is it? He had quite a few decent chances and could have realistically got a brace.

      If anything it’s the best possible scenario to capitalise on him next week now, but I know, I’m biased.

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

        You know how people buy in FPL 😀 . Imagine he got 13 points today...

        It could have been great blank for those looking too buy him as a lot more will now go without.

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

          I know, just thinking of us less reactionary elite managers 🙂

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

      Even more annoying is his price rise, pricing him out of my gw26 plans.

    5. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, less people getting him the better.

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

      You act as if past points equal future points... not how it works

  13. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can we have a Gundo fail please?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Failed hat-trick ...
      Only a brace 😎

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably a 1 pointer.

  14. subhojit123
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys...need a bit of help here. Which one of the following makes sense on a bench boost next GW -
    1. 4.0, Amartey, bamford -> Johnstone,
    Aina, Maja (-8)
    2. Bamford, amartey -> Watkins, Luke Thomas (-4)
    3. Bamford -> Watkins

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

    Predictions for Ars-MCity and MUtd-New?0-1 and 2-0 for me.

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      0-0 2-1

    2. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2-5
      3-0

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      0-3
      5-0

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

      cheers

  16. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I just put Werner into one of my WC Drafts!
    Should I stop drinking or he might be a decent differential?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Should stop playing fpl

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      logout

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

      Step away from the electronic device and return when sanity has returned.

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Log out of FPL, drink more, hopefully more sense tomorrow 😉

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

      The fixtures aren’t good enough for him to be worth the price tag even if he was any good.

    6. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Its not down to me to say it
      But yeah, don’t drink anymore
      Cheers

  17. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bricking it with Gundo first on the bench absolutely bricking it

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Arsenal are a bunch of absolute oddballs. Can concede 5 one day and keep a clean sheet another day.

  18. Meinhoff
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Come on Big Kev give them hell

  19. Shultan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sold sterling for raphina! So owners expect a goal

  20. A-L
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What do people expect is happening with Dier? Was benched against BHA and WBA but played against the more attacking teams and has been nailed other than that. Don't know whether worth having for bench boost

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

      Thursday might be a clue, don’t expect many Jose wants for the weekend to start that one.

      1. A-L
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Good point, thanks mate!

  21. bored by december
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A: Sterling, Pope and Brewster to Gundo, Martinez and Kane (-8) leaves 1.9itb
    B: Pope, Coufal, Brewster to Sanchez, White and Watkins (-8) leaves

    Kane & Sons overkill? Sterling to Gundo too sideways?

    Team:

    Pope* Forster
    Dallas Stones Cancelo Maguire Coufal
    Barnes Sterling* Bruno Son Raph
    Bamford Ings Brewster*

    BB will be sacrificed in 26, causes too many headaches

  22. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Tarkowski on bench so hoping Cancelo outscores him or Shaw benched

  23. FantasyTony
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    While I'm sure he's made a lot of money, it's pretty sad that this is where Aubameyang's career ended up. Back when he was at Dortmund I thought he was destined to kick on and do something great.

    Not trying to be too shady to Arsenal but it's a shame they couldn't put a serious team behind him.

  24. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Tempted to go 5 at the back on FH. So many options in defence with a high point ceiling.

  25. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would love a huge Gundo haul. Quite a few people benched or took him out this week.

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

    Sterling G
    Mahrez A

  27. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Raheem the dream

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

    Thanks for coming Arsenal...have a good day now

  29. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling G
    Mahrez a
    Floodgates O

  30. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Nice one Sterling!!!