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. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish being injured really has ruined my plans, thoughts on this?

    Martinez*,
    Cancelo*, Dias*, Lowton*
    Salah*, Bruno* (Grealish)*, Gundo* Raphinia,
    Kane (C)*, DCL*

    Pope*, Bamford, Dallas, Mitchell*

    1 FT 2.0 ITB

    A) Grealish + Mitchell > Barnes + Digne/Perriera (-4) BB
    B) Grealish + Cancelo/Dias + Pope > KDB + Targett + Fabri (-8)
    C) Other

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

      A with Digne looks good.

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

      A

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

    Which one is the best option for next GW -
    1. Guaita
    2. Johnstone

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

      I have 1 so 2

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

        If u didn't have 1, whom wud u go for out of those?

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

          I got Guaita 2 days ago haha

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

            Ok ok 🙂

  3. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    😀 Jeff Greaves post-match interview with Arteta saying a person of sterling size shouldnt be getting headers in the box...enjoyed that

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

      heightism is getting out of hand these days

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

      Reminds me of the time Messi scored the header vs Vidic in CL Final

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

        Rio

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

    lesson from this season, if your team is scoring well, don't break it to fit in DGW players

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

      Tbh I've been unlucky with this, fine margins - just on the opposite spectrum, otherwise my score would've been huge

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

      Some poor moves flying around this week to be fair, people getting rid of performing players to get the likes of ings and Dallas

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

        Could still turn out good of course!

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

        You leave Dallas out of this!

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

        i agree to those two moves, if one is wildcarding in 26, if not, then you're facing points hit to shift them out. Poor team management.

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

      I've done ok since I broke mine up & wc'd gw24, 2 burnley, lookman, 3 city

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

    Would you pick Reguilon for DGW26?

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

      if he doesn't play Wolfsberg I'd be very tempted

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

        How did he look against West Ham?

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

          average

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

      no, Spurs aren't good at defending and this has been the case most of the season

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

        Yeah but they're facing two blunt sides

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

          they faced a blunt side in Brighton and conceded and West Brom nearly scored against them

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

      No

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

      No . He will be rotated.

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

    Read that Grealish set to miss Leeds game, the reassess. But also read he’s out a month.

    Anyone know which is correct?

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

      Wouldn’t trust a word Smith says anyway

      If he says he’s back for Leeds I’d be inclined to think it’s longer than that

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

        Seems to be quite mad about the leak, so I haven’t the slightest what to think. Might just move on from him regardless.

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

        Yep reading between the lines of what smith has said I think he knows he is out for longer

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

        For sure, they are easy to plan against with no Grealish

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

      I heard he should be fit for the Leeds game. No idea which info is correct.

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

        BBC: it’s understood he may be out a month.

        Birmingham paper: Dean Smith says maybe Leeds or Sheffield.

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

      Assessed on a game by game basis, don't expect Smith to give a straight answer on when he is fit though if he was unwilling to reveal the truth on Friday or today would only commit to it being a 'leg injury'.

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

    I can do Ings to Kane and have 9 of 11 playing two games next week. Don't have a BB or FH chip left so not sure I want to WC because of the blank GW 29.

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

      9 is decent, gotta look ahead too

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

    Bench boosting and seeking some advice!

    A) Ings to Kane, Dallas to Targett & Bamford to DCL -8

    B) Ings to DCL & Raphinha to Barnes -4?

    If I take -8 hit and bring Kane in I would cap him.

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

      B

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

    Leicester fans, who is more nailed out of -
    1. Amartey
    2. Thomas

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

      Neither. Wouldn't bet on either starting both in the double.

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

        Thanks Hazz

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

        You think Thomas was a one off? Ricardo looked great in mf

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

          2 RBs to combat Grealish (who wasn't there).

          Pereira looks good at RW because it's his natural position.

          Thomas also looked good but LEI playing a risky game if they play him every week, as if another injury, bad news.

          Albrighton, Praet & Perez/Under (lol) can play instead. Even 3 ATB with Pereira/Castagne WBs

          Top many options for me tbh.

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

            I hear you, seems like he didn’t want to play Castagne at LB and needed a natural

            All 4.0s are poor but I’m thinking he has a fair chance of starting say 3 of next 5

  10. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Aina the best FUL defender to get?

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

      Yes

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

    Whats the latest news of Grealish? I heard he should be fit for Leeds.

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

      Chance of playing next game

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

        Check Targett’s fpl team on Friday.

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

        Think I will have to keep, no FH for BGW29.

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

        Out for Leeds then assessed apparently

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

      It’s BS

  12. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why is everyone queuing up to get kane in for dgw26 when spurs look awful and they play 2 of most in form defences in the league?

    Am I missing something or is it just sheep mentality?

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

      Might be the best TC opportunity we get.

      1. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Based on the above I dont even think he is a standout capt pick let alone TC

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

      His next two fixtures are bright green colour on the FPL website is probably the biggest factor

      Not sure I’d be super confident myself knowing what Burnley are generally like when Pope/Mee/Tark start plus the Fulham last 4 games defensive performances

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

      Has a double and plays in 29. Forward planning.

      1. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I get this but still don't understand the TC hype

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

          Guaranteed to play 90 mins in both games, on pens, involved in everything they do I guess.

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

      Did you watch Burnley?

      1. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Have you been watching spurs?!

  13. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to cap?

    A. Son
    B. Sterling
    C. Bruno
    D. DCL

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Possibly TC

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

      D

    3. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      E

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

    Would you invest in a villa defender now? Fixtures look great and I have no Martinez fear!

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

      Would be for coufal

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

      Pretty bad time to invest given they've been giving up shots for fun; Cash & Grealish are out.

      If there's a defender to get it's Targett die to attacking potential.

      But not like Coufal doesn't get forward either.

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

        Fair hazz, I’m also holding fabianski so I need to shift one, let’s see how the week pans out

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

    Which one for 26:

    A) Raphinha + Maja
    B) Bamford + Jorginho

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

      A for me, FH?

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

        FH in 29. This for -4, 12 DGWers and 3 SGWers and BB.

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

          Ahh ok, it's tight still A for me I think

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

            Thanks!

  16. Maeki2
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    United need to find another fullback to play with lindelof

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Fullback ?

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

    Thinking about Phillips Periera and DCL in for Leeds trio for -8

    Not a great move, is it?

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

      Pool Phillips?

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

        Yeah, should start for a few games

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

      No
      Not great moves

  18. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys.....which 2 FTs would you do to replace Ings and Grealish......
    A, Kane and Lookman.
    ,B, DCL and Barnes

  19. JOELIO8701
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So sterling gets winning goal but no where near even 1 bonus... was he that bad?

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

      Loosing the ball and missing chances = negative bps

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

      He got tackled a lot.

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

    It's worth Ogbonna->Targett(-4) and start him over Dallas?

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

      No

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

        cheers.Do you think that Leeds will keep a cs vs Villa?

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

          Decent chance on today’s evidence, but offers more going forward

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

    Clueless on whom to replace Tark with upto 5.9m, even if I wanted to.

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

      Why replace?

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

        Have triple burnley D. As much as I love it, kinda hesitant.

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

      remember defenders are the way to go in DGW. He could pinch you a goal.

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

      at a push i'd say Alonso

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

      AWB Slabhead Pereira Castagne Reguilon

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

      Cheers guys.

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

    Thoughts on what to do here with 2.0 itb ? Mee, Bamford & Raphina the obvious moved for better DGW players.

    Current team:
    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Mee
    Raphina Fernandes Sterling Salah Son
    Bamford Watkins

    Subs: Button, Dawson, Dallas, Brewster

  23. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this WC draft?

    0.0 ITB

    Martinez Fabri
    Cancelo Dias Digne Elmo Burn
    Gundo Son Salah Bruno Bissouma
    Kane DCL Watkins

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Double Spurs attack, one is more than enough the way they are playing,

      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Fixtures are good though, would you rather go with Barnes over Son?
        Next three are tough for Leicester though, Arsenal, Burnley and Brighton.

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

          Burnley Fulham about equal to Burnley Arsenal

          You can also upgrade Burn to Dunk - win win

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

      Needs Leicester

      Barnes over Son and relax about 29

      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        What to do with the extra cash? Upgrade Bissouma and Elmo?

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

          Dunk and Targett within range?

          1. Gazza2000
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, easy

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

    Spurs 5 straight defeats in the league. Mourinho historically struggles to turn around bad form.

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

      No incentive too since he gets a huge payday if they sack him.

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

      They won against West Brom

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

      They are going to turn it around, Liverpool also, just ebbs and flows of the season imho

  25. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What are the odds Dallas, Raphinha and Ings get a total of 11 points or more on Tuesday?

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

      85 % id guess

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

      Gonna be 4-4, so quite high.

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

      1 goal and its game over. Feels quite likely.

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

      Basically 1 return, pretty high I’d say

  26. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This GW didnt really give any more clarity ahead of dgw26 (except to get Barnes or Maddi). Should we still double up on Kane and Son, let alone TC? Who to have for the City triple up - and do we keep Sterling now? Not to mention, keep or sell Salah. Think my head will explode before next deadline....

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

      I was using this week to decide on whether to go with Son or a Leicester boy. Thankfully they’ve made it this decision very easy.

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, Kane + Leicester mid an easy choice. Think I'll save the TC though

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

    Given the unknowns of Grealish’s injury, I think I might just move on (even with those upcoming fixtures).

    Would bring in Barnes to replace him. Yea or Nay?

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

      100%

      Barnes has been far better investment than him for weeks now anyway

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

        Cheers

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

    Not sure what best to do here. 1free transfer and .3 m in bank

    Thinking Salah Ings Bamford to Barnes Kane DCL?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Tarkowski Shaw
    Salah Sterling Bruno Gundogan
    Watkins Ings Bamford

    Pope Raphinha Dallas Coufal

  29. 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..

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

    Lot of hopes now resting on Dallas, Raphinha, Bamford, and Ings judging by the Top 10k template for this GW.