Dugout Discussion

Ricardo Pereira continues in midfield for Leicester as Saka, Aubameyang on Arsenal bench

After starting at right-midfield in Gameweek 25 as Leicester beat Aston Villa 2-1, Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) is again playing ‘out of position’ in the first of Leicester City’s Double Gameweek 26 fixtures.

With James Maddison (£7.3m) sidelined for this weekend at least, Brendan Rodgers has possibly gone for a slight change of shape as Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.6m) looks set to partner Jamie Vardy (£10.2m) up front.

Over one million FPL managers paid out for the services of Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) ahead of DGW26. The England hopeful starts in his customary left-wing position.

With Pereira playing further forward, Luke Thomas (£4.2m) earns a second consecutive league start at left-back.

The defender will not be facing Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) from the first whistle, however. After admitting on Thursday that the winger is fatigued, Mikel Arteta has duly handed Saka a rest.

He drops to the Gunners’ bench alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m), Hector Bellerin (£5.1m) and Thomas Partey (£4.9m).

“We’ve had some problems in the last 48 hours to recover players – players with some muscular issues. We had to freshen up. The reality is that there are other players who are fighting for chances and they deserve the chance to play.” – Mikel Arteta

They are also joined by Rob Holding (£4.4m), who makes his return to the squad after suffering a concussion in the Gameweek 25 defeat to Manchester City.

Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) continues at left-back after making his injury return in the Europa League this week.

Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m) is the major absentee from an FPL perspective as Crystal Palace welcome Fulham to Selhurst Park.

Having started in Gameweek 25, the left-back drops to the bench with Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) favoured by Roy Hodgson for the Eagles’ first DGW26 tie.

Scott Parker is also fond of a full-back switch, with right-sided defender Kenny Tete (£4.3m) returning to the Cottagers’ XI. That leaves Antonee Robinson (£4.4m) on the bench, as the versatile Ola Aina (£4.5m) switches to left-back.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (£5.5m) returns to the Fulham matchday squad but has not displaced Josh Maja (£5.5m) up front. Parker’s men also have another match this gameweek, with Spurs visiting Craven Cottage on Thursday.

Leicester City XI (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Thomas, Soyuncu, Evans, Castagne; Barnes, Ndidi, Tielemans, R Pereira; Iheanacho, Vardy.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tierney, Mari, David Luiz, Cedric; Xhaka, Elneny; Willian, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Lacazette.

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita; Van Aanholt, Cahill, Kouyaté, Ward; Eze, Riedewald, Milivojevic, Townsend; Ayew, Benteke.

Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Tete; Reed, Anguissa; Lookman, Loftus-Cheek, De Cordova-Reid; Maja.

1,370 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Arsenal getting plenty of chances so far.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Some good football here and there

  2. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Looking forward to today’s main course at 2pm XX

    1. mwa1t
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      TC Kane is going to come up big

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        I would never complain again if he did

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

        Or Bruno will bust the Chelsea net?!

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          That’s dessert X

  3. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Perriera assist almost

  4. JJO
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Why Iheanacho?
    Gaininh almost nothing in attack and more vulnerqble in defence as a team

  5. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    wish I have Barnes Pereira

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Both are blanked so far, why do you wish this?

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        jinxing 😉

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          That’s not cool, I have got them both lol

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      I was so far behind the template I had to burn transfers on Kane and Salah. Really should learn to do transfers on popular players 2 GWs before so freeing up transfers for fun punts in DGW.

  6. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Leicester playing like absolute cowards vs a rotated midtable side

    1. mwa1t
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Can’t be too careful with the likes of Willian playing against you

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 29 days ago

        It's smart, why exert yourself. City did the same thing, get the lead and keep them at arm's length while chilling

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Except Arsenal are far from at arm's length atm,

        2. mwa1t
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Not looking very smart now

    3. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Wonder if Tierney could be tried at LW some point. So many wingers have made a career off good wide play and pinging in crosses - and Tierney is one of the best in the world at doing that

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        I think he suits better for wing back role

        1. FPL price manipulators are …
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Why did you assume his gender? He might not identity as male, like Mr Potato Head

          1. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Ok. Sure.

            1. FPL price manipulators are …
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Thank you

              1. La Roja
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                Pleasure is all mine sir

                1. FPL price manipulators are …
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 29 days ago

                  Did you just assume my gender!!! Cancelled!!!

                  1. La Roja
                    • 12 Years
                    3 years, 29 days ago

                    Oh the irony 😛

                  2. Amey
                    • 5 Years
                    3 years, 29 days ago

                    Ha ha

                2. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 29 days ago

                    SIR? You just don't learn do you 😛

                    1. La Roja
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 29 days ago

                      😉

        2. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          The next bale

          1. Random Name
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Nah Bale is generational, Tierney couldn't match his goal output. But it's not all about goals from that position

      2. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Come on Barnesy! Score or assist to justify me going mad and dropping Son 😳

        1. mwa1t
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Bonkers

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Absolutely. I was just fed up with awful form, poor eye test and BUR and FUL upping their defence, coupled with Barnes great form.

            Obv feel sick now 😆

        2. Homer21
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Wha????

        3. Hulk Smash
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          +1

      3. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Ever since theyve understandably started being cautious with "head"injuries

        Players absuing it. Holding heads every time there is a challenege to stop the fkow of the game pathetic

        1. Homer21
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Welcome to football

        2. FPL price manipulators are …
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          It's the Continental players who bring this firm of cheating. Our lot are tactical

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

          Absolutely nowhere to hide for the head holders on the pitch.

          Except behind their hands!

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

        If you could switch captain now, would you?

        I covered Kane on a C, not TC, but the guy chasing in a mini league is on Bruno.

        I'd switch now if i could.

        Regardless od mini league i thought Bruno was a good pick and may have been on him if TC. Salah could be the one too.

        1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          I'd still fancy Kane over Bruno this week.

          What I don't understand though is why you captained Kane, but say you would have TC Bruno?
          That does not make sense.
          You C or TC the one who you think scores the most. Why would you C someone but consider TC someone else?

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

            I know.

            It's just that i played safe on captain.

            On TC you're more likely to look for the upside and ceiling.

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

              To be honest, i was a sheep and followed the crowd.

              I had advocated Bruno in the week. He's certainly got the form.

              I went Kane on his record against lower teams.

            2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              I see.
              For me it was just a question who to captain, and then whether I'd triple captain that one.

              Good luck anyway 🙂

        2. mrodgers91
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Gone TC salah and still feel pretty confident, a kane haul would wreck me though

          1. Hybrid.power
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Same. I just couldn't get Kane without ripping up my team. You need to take these decisions in order to try and make gains anyway

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

            In with a shout on Salah but Sheffield United could spoil the party...

        3. REDMOND IN SANDALS
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          These are the type of comments I try to avoid

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

            A fail then?

        4. Hybrid.power
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          I wouldn't switch. Sure Kane could rip it up and Bruno does nothing, so your gap ends up getting bigger

      5. Obi Wan Elokobi
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        I didn’t realise Martinez got injured yesterday ffs

        1. mwa1t
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Nothing’s confirmed, I think he’ll be fine

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Well the match itself confirmed he had some sort of groin issue as he stopped taking goal kicks but should be fine if he played out the whole match

              1. mwa1t
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                Yeah ofc he had something in his groin, don’t think it will mean time out though if like you said he saw the game out

          2. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            No flag though 🙂

            1. Rotation's Alter Ego
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              DGW, they tend not to flag until the 2nd game is played unless he's fully ruled out.

              1. Big boy Bowen
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                Ah ok thanks

          3. REDMOND IN SANDALS
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            is he out for the SHU game?

            1. mwa1t
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              He played out the game, just took some painkillers. I think he’ll be find

              1. mwa1t
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                Fine

        2. Sandy Ravage
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Kane vs Pope. Who wins?

          1. JONALDINHO
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Pope

        3. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Iheanacho is the problem with LEI

        4. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Thomas making Pepe look like Messi

          1. Sandy Ravage
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Pepe making Thomas look like Mustafi

        5. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Luiz goal

        6. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Luiz goal

        7. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Just noticed Martinez did get 3 BAPs in the end, so confused...

          1. _Ninja_
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            12 bonus in last 6 games. Amazing.

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

          Goal

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

            Arsenal

        9. GROBARI
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          1 1

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

            David Lewis

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

              Luiz even

        10. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Absolutely NOWHERE to hide for perriera owners

        11. MoSalad
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Get in Arsenal, deserved to be level.

        12. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Deserved equaliser for Arsenal, comfortably the better side

        13. JJO
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          F off Rodgers

        14. Party time
            3 years, 29 days ago

            LUIZ

          • Free Hat
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            That was a well played free kick.

          • Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            G Lui

          • JONALDINHO
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Yessssss wipe those cleanies

          • @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Willian assist again, what a talent

            • Hazz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              G Luiz
              A Willian

              Chelsea magic.

            • Champions League Varane
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Ricardo been a useless pick