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.

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,652 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    no end product Cancelo

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He delivered the package, no one was home to open the door

      • ivantys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It's the Cancelo almost haul again

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      So,
      Cancelo,Grealish,Bamford >> Targett,KDB(TC),Kane worth a -8?

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

        Yes

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

      Arsenal have done very well to keep it at 0-1...

    4. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If Sterling bags another goal today, does he become the City '3rd player' of choice? (assuming everyone has Gundo and a defender nailed)

      Would be on 6 goals plus 2 assists in his last 8 PL games.

      I hate him, but i might have to hang on to him now...

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

        He will just troll you the next 4 games. That and rotation

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

        Never, even if he scored a hatty

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

        I’d wait until he’s rested before bringing him in

      4. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sterling is like a roller coaster, maybe from wood and missing the safety bar

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

        I've had him for a while now. I'll probably have him until he becomes Auba in GW29

    5. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like I'm bench boosting: Bamford, Raphina, Dallas and Martinez. Doesn't seem right

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

        Not really but I’m not far off...Bench boosting Dallas, Raphina, Watkins and DeGea for a -4 too

        1. Dirty Harry
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          With Grealish issues, I'm looking at:

          Ings > Kane
          Grealish > Barnes/Maddo
          Coufal > ?

          -8

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

            Barnes and spend the extra cash on that Coufal replacement: Pereira or Digne possible?

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

        With that bench why not GW30?

      3. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm doing the same in effect, but Areola on bench and Martinez starting.

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

      So from this City lineup we can assume that Laporte and Walker will surely play next GW and just one from Dais, Cancelo or Stones !

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

        Or in midweek?

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

          Oh yes, forgot they have a game mid week before the next PL game

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

        You analysis applies to the monchengladbach game in midweek

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

          Yes and no. Do we think pep will risk playing without his best defenders for the Monchengladbach game or will he take them for granted ?

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

        Cancelo benched for UCL. Starts both later hopefully.

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

      who do I go for from City on a wildcard now?

      So many players due a rest now!

      are the following the best picks now KDB Dias Foden maybe

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

        On Ederson and Cancelo atm on a FH.

    8. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 1 month ago

        If Mahrez wasn't going for goal almost every single time gundo sterling kdb etc could have some more tap ins by now

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

          Ye he is ridiculously selfish - v annoying to play with I bet

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

          and he's incredibly lazy, keeps getting caught offside.

      • JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        What to do with this team for the double?

        Martinez
        Shaw • Stones • El Mohamedy
        Salah • Bruno • Son • Gundo
        Kane • Ings • Bamford
        (Fabri / Raphinha / White / Struijk)

        Will do Ings to DCL. If Barnes doesn’t play midweek I’ll take a hit to get him for Raphinha. If he does play I’ll do Bamford to Watkins instead. Good plan? Also should I TC Kane?

      • Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Kane TC cancelled after today?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Less of a rush to get him now

        2. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He could’ve easily hauled. Only thing stopping me at the moment is the fact Fulham and Burnley aren’t walkovers. Would love to TC someone against Leeds in a double

        3. Baron Penguin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I’m going for it. He was involved and could easily have done something. He’s one player that will still return regardless of Mourinho’s shenanigans.

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

        Gundo in the box more often than KDB.

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

          We love to see it

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yup, at his price he's going nowhere even if he blanks today the positions he's taking up mean hauls are here to stay

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

          RP
          Ings or Bamford + Son > Kane + Barnes (-4) worth it?

          Considering even an extra -4 for Coufal > a DGW def?

          TC on who?!

          1FT 1.3itb
          Martinez
          Dias, Stones, Shaw
          Salah, Bruno, Son, Gundogan, Raphinha
          DCL, Ings
          (Pope) (Bamford, Dallas, Coufal)

          Will give Salah next week before I consider switching for KDB

          Cheers!

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

            Only DCL if you really really want too.

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

              Thanks so no moves you’d recommend?

          2. HNI
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Lol I have same quandry but nit removing Son till gw 30 as gw 29 blank he has match. Wish you had said how much in bank as raphinha to barnes looks best bet and maybe dcl TC...Can advice me below mate?

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

              I’m 0.2 off being able to do Raph > Barnes straight unfort!

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

          Goddamn Gundo stay out of the box!

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

            I get a heart attack every time I see him make a run in behind

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

            You made a mistake when you typed “Score a hattie” 😉

        5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Soooo.....

          When Tark / Mee / Pope have started together Burnley have conceded 12 goals in 17 games & kept 8 cleansheets

          Fulham have conceded 1 goal in their last 4 games...

          Is the Triple Captain Kane thing just because the games are bright green on the FPL website or are folks expecting hattricks or what?

          1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I don't even have Kane atm

          2. JONALDINHO
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            The thing is the only team this year who actually looks like they’ll concede against top teams is Leeds

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

            Historically easier fixtures. Spurs form is a big concern.

            However Burnley got away with murder not conceding to a 10 man WBA, so those stats don't tell the full Burnley picture.

            Fulham looks like it'll be tough, tbh.

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              They could have conceded a goal allright & got a bit ropey... but it’s Burnley - they’re a bit of a nightmare team for attackers to reliably haul against

            2. Bushwhacker
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Yeah the Burnley game gave me hope ; Son and Kane would’ve scored four or five

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

            I'm tempted by Gundogan. Or even a Leicester attacker.

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Gundo could be a great shout

              DCL has nice looking fixtures too

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

                DCL seems like a safe but less explosive pick for TC.

          5. Bushwhacker
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Before today I’d say a fit Son and Kane could score against anyone ... right now they could be in Liverpool land of being unable to score an open goal

          6. SH1M1
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I’d triple captain Bale 😉

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

            I'm going BB26 and TC27 on Gundo

        6. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Would you WC this?

          Pope
          Dias-Cancelo-Mee
          Fernandes-Grealish*-Raph-Sterling
          Antonio-Ings-Bamford

          McCarthy-Dallas-Coufal-Soucek

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

            Yes

          2. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            No Everton, Leicester and Spurs players. Or -8 hit?

          3. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            What's the WC team look like?

            1. Niho992
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I dont know mate. Probably Kane, Son, DCL, no City mid or Gundo maybe. Martinez GK probably...

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

                How can you not have Gundo?!?!

                1. Niho992
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  I would probably depends on minutes in CL..

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

          Gundo is finished.

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

            He should have scored there

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Annoying but Fernandino put too much power on it and was aiming for sterling

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

              Finished taking a rest from scoring?

              I’ll take a brace

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

              Lol good one

          2. M2.0
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            a) Son, DCL
            b) KDB, Watkins

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

              Son DCL and Watkins preferably

              A if forced between

            2. HNI
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              will prefer kdb + Dcl, but if cant afford I would go a as kdb may not be fully nailed in hectic matches...can advice me below?

            3. 7shadesofsmoke
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              wait

              grealish news and CL football will be important factors

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

            The early goal seems to have killed the game somewhat.

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

              City could’ve had a few more ... but they’ve been very happy to sit on leads

          4. Ha.
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            A. Grealish, Bamford, Ings > ESR, Kane (TC), DCL
            B. Grealish and Ings > Barnes and DCL (TC)

            1. M2.0
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              B

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

            Arsenal are such an average boring team now, just like their manager was as a player

          6. HNI
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Looking to WC in gw 30 now. Which of these moves seem best?
            1) Bamford to Watkins
            2) Dallas to Targett
            3) Salah/Bruno + Bamford to Barnes + Kane(-4)
            Problem is although 3 has better upside, Both Salah and Bruno are penalty kings as well whereas 1/2 sets me up for blank gw 29 and possible dgw 28 of AVL vs EVE.
            Cant be reckless now as at 1300 ovr and looking to play very seriously now with BB TC WC intact

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

              2

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

                Thanks Roja

            2. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              3 but don't lose Bruno

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

              I would never take out Bruno.
              whats your other midfielders?

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

              I'd recommend WC in 31 rather than 30

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

              Prob just 2 of those

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

            Worth taking -12 for next GW?

            Bring in DGW players:

            Ings->Kane

            Bamford->Watkins

            Grealish->Maddison/Barnes

            Meslier->Areola

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

              To BB in GW26

            2. HNI
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Not Ings as he has dgw in 27 rest for -8 looks good. Can advice me above?

            3. M2.0
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              WC/FH available?

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

                Got WC, BB and TC left.

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

              I'd take a -8 and just play Meslier. Villa are not that good without Grealish

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

                So i should keep borh Meslier and Bamford instead of Areola and Watkins?

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

            Would you WC this lot?

            Martinez
            Alonso Stones Dallas
            Gundo Son Salah Bruno
            Bamford Cavani Kane

            Forster Raphinha Coufal Pieters*

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

              Beautiful team! Cant change much on wc anyway so use in gw 30. Can advice me above?

            2. Well you know, Triffic
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I wouldn't. I'd just suggest doing Cavani -> DCL

          9. WVA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Wow that's the most obvious yellow card I've ever seen not given to Dias

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

              For winning the ball?

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

                He clipped Auba clearly

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

              Manu fan?

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Saintchester United

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

              Martinez
              Dias Stones Digne
              Bruno Son Salah Gundogan
              DCL Bamford Watkins

              Pope Coufal Dallas* Raphinha

              a. Bamford + Pope > Kane + 3.9gk (-4)
              b. Raphinha > Barnes

              TC? who?

              1. THFC4LIFE
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                B
                Bruno TC

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

              You have £7 million for any midfielder OR attacker on your WC?

              Who you getting:

              A) H.Barnes
              B) Watkins
              C) B.Traore
              D) Diagne
              E) Pereira
              F) Neto

              1. THFC4LIFE
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                A

              2. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Barnes for me.

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

                It’s Harveeeey Barnes.

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

                A but I think E is a very good shout.

              5. School of Poch
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                A

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

                Boring 🙁

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

              Hard to look past the boring and obvious A (perhaps B)

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

                For above

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

              KDB crosshot. Been a while

            7. Dybala10
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Anyone see the Maddison injury? Look bad?

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

                Was holding his hip a bit. Looked like a sore contact injury rather than a serious muscle injury to me.

            8. Digital-Real
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Cancelo not having a good game