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. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How in the world does Dias have more BAPS than Stones. Boggles my mind

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

      because he was man of the match?

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

        Stones was winning all the headers, making all the passes and tackles. Dias was just committing fouls

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

      Hes Dias

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

      I want to know where Cancelo’s are

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He stayed on 26 BPS for half an hour there and made the most clearances and tackles and didn't give the ball away once.

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

        About 2 feet wide of the left post

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

    Sold Pope, Antonio and Stones on WC oops...

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

      Damns

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      WC is a long term strategy, relax.

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

        True

  3. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    3 - Fernandinho
    2 - Zinchenko
    1 - Dias, Mahrez

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Love to see it

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

    Pick 1 of each for GW 26

    Kane & DCL
    Barnes & James Rodriguez
    Digne & Pereira

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

      Kane, Barnes, Digne.

  5. Groot the Leveller
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking of going rogue and buying players that give me joy.
    Only my man city defence has returned anything this week - all the attacking players were blanks.... Time for a radical rethink

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

    Also pet hate, but the ball was out of play for 13 minutes in that second half. How can there only be 4 minutes added time and then 2 fouls and the balls dead for nearly 3 mins

    Clock management is in the dark ages for football v every other sport.

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

      It’s basically two 30 minute halves and has been for ages

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

      When idiots are in charge it doesnt matter if it is clock management,var or pure reason

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

      Nobody wanted that 2nd half to carry on any longer

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

    I can't understand the bonus system which calculated Sterling has not bonus points even scoring a winning goal.

    It has its rules and that must be a bad one.

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

      He was shocking for the rest of the game. I despise having him in my team as he’s so infuriating

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

        I feel exactly the same.

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

        Even he did nothing for the rest of the game, he should have at least 1 bonus point.

        It's a football match, win or loss only counts for how many goals you score. And he scores the only one!

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

      Be happy you have him.

    3. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Did you see how much he gave the ball away and fouled, though?! (Sterling owner)

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

      You can’t understand the BPS system because you own Sterling and you’re upset he didn’t get BAPS. Big deal.

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

      He’s poor for BPS, the defenders are good for BPS.

      Like if Salah was to score in a 1-0 win.

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

        So the BPS is poor.

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

      Fernandinho the only surprise there

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

        Defender on FPL.

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

        This further explains why the current BPS is poor.

    7. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He loses the ball all the time and that's why he never gets bonus.

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

        That's the point why this BPS is poor.

        Even he loses the ball 100 times, he still scores the only winning goal in the match and help the team got 3 points!

    8. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same like Salah...but u know all these things...not so??

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

        whoever is Salah or Sterling or whoelse?? is this relevant?

        1. Studs Up
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Ofcos its relevant....the bps rules are the same for all the players. Given u are "veteran" at this game...i rest my case

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

            Of course the same for all the players, but you seem telling it's different on Salah and Sterling

            Did I say Salah not having a bonus point when scoring a winning goal is good from BPS? Come on

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

      He’s always cack that’s why. Just scores so many cos he’s in the best team.

  8. Ejaaz11
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Really tight in my cup game
    Ings and Dallas Vs mCarthy + 4 PTS

    Who goes through?

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

      You.

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

      A. Can’t see Ings blanking

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

      I’d much rather have Ings

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

      Think Ings and Dallas. But tough one.

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

      Ings / Dallas

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

    I am certain that if I did not bring in Gundo this GW he would have hauled to make my day miserable again.

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

      Thank you for doing so, cause I benched him.

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

        And I benched Barnes instead ! Lost a total of 25 points from him alone in two GW’s from me benching him against supposedly hard teams to break down !!

  10. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Low scoring week so far.... I hope :/

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

    Is this good for WC team?

    Martinez
    Shaw Cancelo Dier
    Barnes Salh Bruno Sterlo
    Vardy Kane DCL

    Sanchez Raphinha Dallas Burn

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

      What team value do you have?
      I can have the Same but gundo instead of Sterling

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

      KDB over Sterlo?

  12. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Phewwwwwww! Benched Gundo

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

      Very very fortunate - def got away with that

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ditto

  13. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This week really is points for no one!

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

    “Rumours of Grealish's injury were circulating on social media on Saturday and Smith is not happy at a potential leak.

    He said: "I was made aware on social media there were rumours he was not going to play. If that is coming out of our training ground I will find out where it is coming from and reprimand whoever it is coming from.

    "It certainly does [give the opposition a leg up]. It is something I would not be happy with."

    Premier League players banned from FPL in 3...2...

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

      I said this over a year ago.

      Can’t believe it hasn’t been stopped before.

      It’s technically a gambling game (there are prizes) and they are insider trading

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

        I’m sure all the professionals are willing to cost their team a game to win a FPL goodie bag

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

        There will 100% be some sort of change - moreso by clubs management in the short term, but possibly by FPL in the medium term

        Writing was on the wall when you have players actually going on camera after a game saying FPL influenced their decision making on the pitch (Aka Bamford with the assist vs Leciester)

        Then following it up the next week saying he’s captained himself.... then this Grealish incident which Smith actually considers a leak (he’s right tbf) - a change will happen soon

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

          Ye exactly - it is clearly on their mind at least subconsciously

          3-0 up, you’ve captained yourself, game is won, do your shoot or square it to a team mate

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

            Are you having a laugh?

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

              It’s the first thing Bamford mentioned in his last 2 interviews for example

              Maddison tweets about it regularly etc etc

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

      Or just getting villa players in fpl

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

      Even weirder how there are adults looking at their transfers. Proper weird stalking.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Paid off here didn’t it

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

      wasn't it because he wasn't photographed in training?

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

        Nope - Smith (probably dishonestly in hindsight) attributed the lack of training pics to him doing promo work - obviously to try prevent Leciester from knowing

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

      I get his frustration but I very much doubt even if the Leicester camp had gotten news of it even paid much attention to it

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

      all things considered it's impressive how quiet they managed to keep it. Was mainly the combination of no training pics, random rumour and insider trading that made it seem remotely likely

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

      How about managers not lying in press conferences...

  15. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    38 with 6 to go inc Cap

    WE MOVE!

  16. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    34 with Bruno bamC Dallas raph to go..Is it average?

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

      Average points but most have that plus 1 more player to go

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

        Thanks

  17. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Grealish rumors were true?

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

      Rarely that much smoke without fire.

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

      erm...what do you think?

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

      No he’s fine it was all just a big ruse to lull Leciester into a false sense of security by not playing him

  18. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Feel like I escaped there... my rival forgot to change his team so still has Gundo(c), though he did have Sterling. He also has Dallas on the bench, no Bamford(c) or Raphinha. Reckon he gets punished for his error on Tuesday?

  19. JJO
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Johnstone Dias Richa bench
    I wont score half of that when i BB

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

    Goodbye Cancelo, too frustrating watching you

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

    Better option for 26

    A. Son and Watkins (TC Son Salah or Bruno)
    B. Kane and Barnes (-4) TC Kane

    Thanks.

  22. Chrisitis
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Did Arsenal use 4 subs?

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

      yeah, one concussion

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure if official count, but I know one was a concussion sub.

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

    Trying hard to be calm about it but damn you Cancelo. How big a chance do you want.

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

      He even kicked a guy in the face to get it!

  24. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lingard Antonio> Raf Bamford did not pay off it seems even tho knew there be returns from Hammars I couldn't keep them being Spurs fan.

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

      Did similar, Richarlison and Digne to Dallas and Ings. Been very unlucky this double gameweek so far

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

    25 points from 9 on a WC any good?

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

      28 from 9 here. Get good

  26. DangerFC
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Playing wildcard. What two city players would you say are a must have now. Ederson is definitely one of them. I was thinking dias and kdb.
    1. Ederson
    2.?
    3.?

  27. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez, Pope
    Cancelo, Stones, Mee, Coufal, Kilman
    Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Gundo, Raphinha
    DCL, Ings, Bamford

    1) Pope, Ings > Sanchez, Kane (-4)
    2) Grealish, Ings > Barnes, Kane (-4)
    3) Grealish > Son

  28. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane -4 or Sterling for free next week?

  29. slove
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish and Ings to which combination of Kane or DCL , Son or Barnes (have money for any combo)

  30. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Benched Gundo for DCL as I thought there was a risk Gundo got subbed on. Ended up with DCL being benched and still outscoring him. Bullet dodged.

    1. Chrisitis
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Game of luck
      Kept antonio last week 1 point sub
      Sold for kane this week..