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. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Triple captain Kane this week?

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Feels risky against two decent defences

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Two tough defences. Not too sure

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

        Fulham yes, but Burnley were awful against WBA.

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          True but you can bet money Pope has an absolute blinder here

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

            No doubt, no doubt!

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

      I don't even think I"m gonna own Kane let alone captain him. Bruno (c) this week.

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

      I’d expect Salah/Bruno/Kane to score more in a single against Leeds than a double against Burnley and Fulham

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

        Burnley were lucky not to concede four or five to WBA ... normally I’d agree, maybe that was just a case of them pushing too much

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

          Against Spurs they’ll park the bus. Against West Brom they went for the winner which left them exposed

    5. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good opportunity as a lot will have been put off him today, but I still think Bruno is the better pick.

    6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

    7. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Casuals: no he's off form against improving defences

        Pros: yes anyone can score at anytime it's all luck

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

          Basically

      • Orion
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I need help lads...
        A) Maddy & Ings to Gundo & Kane
        B) Raphina & ings to Gundo & Werner
        0.0 itb

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

          Fail, sorry

    8. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bench Boost Areola + Raphinha + Vestergaard + Struijk?

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

        Areola the only real decent one there. Doest appeal to me very much.

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          The other option is to get Barnes in for Raphinha, turn Bamford into a bench fodder and play 11 in the DGW.

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

            Or just play it another week?

            You're asking here now where all but the GK are SGW-ers, so surely open to using it when another decent week pops up?

            The Barnes idea isn't bad but assuming you're keeping the Leeds lit for GW29?

    9. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      City look slightly vunrable on the right. Tierney getting decent joy out of Mahrez and Cancelo.

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Mahrez has been poor

        Hopefully subbed soon

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

        Cancelo is not a great defender

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

          False. He basically plays 2 positions in this team.

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

      A) Evans and Targett
      B) Ricardo Pereira and Konsa

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

        B

    11. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone rethinking kane triple captain, given lack of spurs form?

      Didn't see the fame today but understand he was unlucky

      Thanks

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thinking DCL TC myself

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

      Watching Saka press is like watching Wan-B tackle

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

      'Dean Smith vows to investigate after news of Jack Grealish injury leaks ahead of Leicester defeat'

      https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/aston-villa/jack-grealish-injury-dean-smith-leicester-b1805343.html

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

        Lol - he doesn’t know about his staff playing FPL?!

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Probably not

          Hopefully he bans it. As should other teams

      2. fusen
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He was absolutely silent on it when asked by journos, it then leaks.

        Maybe he should be up front with people?

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

        Will probably ban FPL at the club

    14. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Leno saves from Gundogan.

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

        Gundo sub on 58 please Pep

    15. Orion
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I need help lads...
      A) Maddy & Ings to Gundo & Kane
      B) Raphina & ings to Gundo & Werner
      0.0 itb
      Cheers

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

      I think I'm going to join the 100k club when Gundo fails today.

    17. Henning
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      KDB over Salah on a wildcard?

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

        Still no for me, but not a bad call.

    18. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      De Bruyne lost track of the goal's height

    19. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mahrez is lazy player

    20. Twisted Melon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Have full 11 players with DGW,
      Bench: Bamford, Raphinha, Struijk and non playing gk.
      Worth bench boosting, Or will there be another chance to use WC then bench boost?

      1. Twisted Melon
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Another chance for DGW BB*

    21. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Where is gundogoal

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

      KdB is straight up a worse option than Gundogan right now. He's not even on corners. Gundo still taking shots, arriving late in the box etc.

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

        I’m happy with Gundo and Stones at the moment. Have a spare city spot to get KDB/Sterling for 27 depending on who looks better by then

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

          I'm perfectly content with the 3 I have. Like Cancelo a lot.

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

            Stick then

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Need time to hit form I guess

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

        Yeah Sterling seems to be the beneficiary of KDB

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

        KDB does have pens, but agree

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

          Does he?

      5. Alexis Nonsense
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        KDB has been average the whole season to be fair, at least compared to last season

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

        Don’t say that! I put him in on WC this week

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

          But also have Gundogan

    23. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero sighting

    24. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus coming on

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Kdb off surely

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

          No, needs to score or assist first

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

      Keep that bib on Foden!

    26. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Where are you Raheem? Make your runs ffs.

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

      Forgot Fernandinho was a FPL defender. Damn those BAPs!

    28. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus incoming

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

      Sterling to Jesus?

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

      Oh man I totally forgot I played Meslier over Ederson...

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

        Stunned. Actually not a terrible call.

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

          Double gameweek fever makes you do stupid things!

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

      3 - Zinchenko, Fernandinho (29)
      1 - Dias (28)

      Stones (26)
      Sterling (24)
      Cancelo (22)

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cancelo... useless

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

      KDB off

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

      KdB out

    34. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      KDB subbed

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

      Cancelo yc

    36. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo yellow

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cancyellow

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

            Cangetyellow