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. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best defender for 4.5 going forward?

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

      Focus on the matches you'll play them for.

      If it's DGW26 & BGW29, probably a Fulham defender.

      If not, Dawson & West Ham have been great.

      1. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        West Ham have terrible fixtures cleansheetwise

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

    Sterling and Antonio -> Raphinha and Ings going well so far

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

      there's still hope, not like they've scored loads

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

        Yeah, still 90 mins each to go. Hopefully Leeds/Southampton will be a goal fest.

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

          I'm fully expecting 0-0 now but we can hope

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

      Raphina and Kane..
      U can still win

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

    If WCing in 26 which city players would you go for based on rests due now!

    Are KdB Foden and Dias now the best picks? or still Gundo over Foden?

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

      Pep roulette so no idea.

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

      Gundog is the best pick on the game atm imo, and trying to second guess Pep is pointless - I'm happy enough with Foden, Gundog & Cancelo

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

      Foden is not a better pick than Gundogan. It doesn't even feel like KDB is either.

      Dias is good. Third one could be another defenders, or attacker of your choice.

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

      I think I will go on the cheap, now with CL and a lot of rotation .

      3 of Stones, cancelo, Dias, foden or gundo for me

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

      thanks all. May go Fodsn Dias and KDB

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

        Gundo not Foden!

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

      Gundogan Dias and
      (controversially Sterling)

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

        surley he's rested soon?

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

          See who plays in CL game but think he gets more game time than Foden and Gundo not getting much rest

    7. noahzark22
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stones, Dias, Cancelo, Ederson are best from a rotation standpoint. Best defense against Pep Roulette is a strong bench. No Foden for me means Digne off the bench. May be a waste to some but it's worked out for me since I bench boosted.

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

      Gundo, Dias and Cancelo.

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

    Escaped one there. Gundo back of my bench. Foden not coming off Peps bench (and pocketing 7 Antonio points). Stones CS.

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

    Lateriser sold Barnes Sterling Antonio Tarkowski Mee Stones and DCL on his wildcard this gw

    Ouchh. Thats brutal.

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

      Sold Antonio, Richarlison, Cancelo, Pope and Mee on mine.

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

        Wow another wild rough. You gave a run for his money

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

      has he not heard of Ben Crellin?

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

      Daaaamnn

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

      Most of his WC picks were sensible (although Tete? Dropping Barnes?)

      ... but there's a reason he's doing badly this year. Too many weird picks for the sake of being different

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

        Yh Upside chasing has it limits. Sometimes got to back template as well

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

        I thought his WC was a bit safe actually.

        Keeping Salah with such low team value was arguably a mistake. His hashtag is also failing him quite badly. Team value is important.

    5. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Damn. I think we should chip in and send him flowers. That’s gotta hurt.

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

      How many times are you going to post this? If you wildcard, there is always a high chance because of the number of players you transfer out that this could happen.

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

        Just updated Sterling & Stones in it 😉

        Worthy of a mention again just for the brutal rough

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

      I sold Lookman for Raphina. Just as bad!

    8. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hes good but he miss early lineup leaks.

      Kun and X starts,take -4 get both Kun(C)

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

      Jee. Zus. Christ.

      That’s a tough one - not his year

      That’s how he gets the big ranks though - doing maaaaaad stuff like that, when it comes off, he flies & vice-versa

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

        Love his insight on FPL Wire.

        But feel like he failed to adjust this season. Template is clearly winning.

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

      From bad to worse

    11. 2hotty
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Had his double gameweek goggles on

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

      Regression. To. The. Mean.

  6. Homer21
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How did KDB look?

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

      Good in spells..Ready to go

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

      expensive

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

      Out of practice

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

      Radar needs tuning

    5. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers guys, might leave him for a while

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

      Sharp but quiet, he wants to explode for me next week

  7. PlayPercentage
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Stick with Werner?
    (MUN, liv) in GW26.
    Maybe playing against the big teams will make him raise his game.

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

      Yes

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

        Good results in GW26 for Chelsea could go a long way to clinching a top 4 finish.
        Time for Werner to justify his transfer fee.

  8. tom_p77
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    -12 for this BB is ok right.....right....right?

    Martinez x2
    Pope x2

    Digne x2
    Stones x2
    Cancelo x2
    Targett x2
    Shaw x2

    Gundo x2
    Bruno x2
    Barnes x2
    Son x2

    DCL x2
    Kane x2

    Raph x1
    Bamford x1

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

      What’s the point of taking a -12 for a bench boost? That just takes away the whole point of using it, no?

      1. tom_p77
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        See below - all 4 players I want long-term and should be net points advantage

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

      You've failed to mention what you're doing to cause the -12.

      1. tom_p77
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Salah > Barnes
        Antonio > Kane
        Mitchell > Digne
        Dallas > Targett

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

          You can if you want, but -12 is big. Especially to start off on in a DGW.

          Depends what you're doing in 29.

          1. tom_p77
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Still have FH.

            In GW27&28 I’m planning:

            Pope > Fabri
            Stones > Rudiger
            Son > KDB

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

              It's your game. -12 is too big for me, it if there's any time to do it a DGW makes sense.

              Losing Salah ahead of SHU is asking for pain, but that's the sacrifice you're making.

              1. tom_p77
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Salah is a risk but I need to sell to fund Kane and Liverpool’s form makes me feel more comfortable with losing him.

                Thanks for taking the time to feedback!

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

      Wrong

  9. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How was Gundo’s positioning and threat ... should we be concerned with his role and points expectations?

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

      He was plenty advanced - had a couple of very good situations

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

        Less advanced with jesus/aguero/sterling up top?

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

      I hope so..
      Non owner
      He scored with kdb but got explosive without kdb

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

    1. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3

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

        Excellent. That’s the way I was leaning.

  11. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So when does Sterling’s 1000 Baps get added for his winning goak? Corrr unthought after two mins this is when he finally repays my patience.

  12. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My bench is Martinez Soucek Stones Tarkowski.

    Should I have played the BB? I considered but didn't play it the end

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

      No. Correct not to play.

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

      no

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

  13. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Cavani will play then, and Ings blanked his first match.

    Looking like a ripe waste of transfer that..

    Cavani will outscore Ings easily imo now.

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

      Huh? Cavani not in suqad.

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

        oh? I read last night report looked fit for selection. Thanks for confirming cheers.

        Still annoyed by Ings though

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

      Cavani?

      Not in the squad?

    3. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Did I miss something?

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

      I don’t follow you- Cavani not in squad and Ings game to play?

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

    James starting ; muchos dives and Penandes haul incoming

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

    Bottomed

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

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

      A

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

      Hard to choice: DCL & Barnes due to firm but risky going without Spurs

  16. Gowiththeflow
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How many hits you considered as maximum acceptable to use BB in GW26?

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

      2, but if the hits are for the sole purpose of BB it doesn't make too much sense imo

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

        All chips left but want to get rid of BB in order to focus on a strong 11 for the rest of the season.

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

      At least - 12 for such a big week

  17. CoracAld2831
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My team:

    Areola
    Stones-Mee-Cresswell-Dallas
    Salah-Fernandes-Son
    Barnes-Bamford-Ings

    Johnstone-Soucek-Cancelo-Gundogan

    With Barnes a no-show, am I correct in saying that Cancelo is the autosub?

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

      No, Soucek is

  18. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio you beaty juhuuuu

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

      Pigeon carrier?

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

    Funny article on GrealishGate, headline says out for about a month, the quote says he's hopefully back for Leeds

    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56147920

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

      Simon Stone there clearly sold Grealish in FPL.

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

        lol
        I don't trust Smith for a second either

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

          We’ll just have to see what’s the news on it come Friday. I’ve had Grealish since the first week, so I’m reluctant to sell.

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

            Agreed, Barnes is tempting I must admit

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

    Come on Bruno!

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Get injured

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

        Nah I need more points this week even if it is a red arrow!

  21. Babelcopter
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    sold Mee, Pope, Sterling, Antonio and DCL.. Areola, Salah, Dallas, Bamford and Ings in.. Feels bad man..

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

    Do you think it's worth to hold Raphinha and Dallas until gw29 but bench them in gw28 and gw29?

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

      *benct them in gw27 and gw28

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

        Why wouldn’t you play them against West Ham and Chelsea?

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

          If you are still here..because in gw27 my defence will be Dias,Targett,Dier.All of them have better fixtures.And no space in for Raphinha,i will also have better player to start.

  23. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A, B or C?

    A)
    Mee to Holgate
    Raphina to Barnes
    Bamford to DCL (-8)

    B)
    Mee to Soyuncu
    Raphina to Barnes (-4)

    C)
    Mee to Digne
    Bamford to DCL

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

      C also - 4

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

    Is the feeling DCL is. Fit enough for both next game weeks doubles?

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

      Should be.

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

      Yep i’d say so

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

        Thanks both.

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

    Just want 16 points from Bamford(C) Raphinha Struijk and Vestergaard. Not happening, right?

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

      I'd lean probably is happening

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah you’ll get that.

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

      I’m hoping to get that from Bamford.

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

    Would you WC this?
    Have 10 dgw players but Burnley and Chelsea have hard fixtures. Could get Shaw for Coufal and full XI DGW players
    Meslier Mendy
    Dias Stones Tarkowski Mee Coufal
    Salah Gundo Bruno Son Raphina
    Bamford Ings Richarlison

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

      Only have WC and TC left

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

      I'd get DCL and use TC somewhere

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

      Doesn't look bad, but sell Tark over Coufal, maybe Ings to DCL too!

  27. RamboRN
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Stones cancelo Lowton
    Grealish Bruno gundo salah raphina
    Dcl kane

    Subs Pope Bamford coufal dallas

    Grealish or raphina to Barnes a good move?

  28. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ole says Cavani ‘not fit’

    ‘Hopefully Thursday, maybe Sunday’

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

    Best option?

    A play targett, bench bamford
    B -4 son & Bamford > Barnes & DCL

    No bb will fh29

  30. 420king
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Played my BB this week and got 19 points on the bench.

    The problem is...I would have probably played Pope over Martinez anyway and Mee and Stones are both getting subbed in due to Grealish and Cavani absence.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ah bugger

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

      I think they will drop to the bench when the gameweek is over, just to rub it in your face 🙁