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. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Attacking line up. 4-0 for Spurs

  2. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Cristian Bale starting not good for Kane / Son

    1. tokara
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Agree w u

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 29 days ago

        I think if is, talented player creative, gets them more space. See end of West ham game for evidence

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 29 days ago

            He is*

            1. TRIPOS TOPPER
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              this is current Bale though not 2011

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 29 days ago

                  West ham game was last week

          • DannyDrinkVodka
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            I disagree

          • Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            And Moura, he likes to shoot on spot, like Lamela....

          • S.Kuqi
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Disagree. Did you see their last game?

            He is the spark they needed

          • Rolls-Royce
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Yes, more creativity is not good.

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

          Tottenham’s strongest team on paper? Gotta be some Kane goals in that

          1. tokara
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            U gotta be joking

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

              Explain?

        3. Captain Vantastic™
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Aina coming off.

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

            Oof for owners

          2. TomSaints
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Nooooooo

          3. Collie01
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Injury I presume? Potentially good news for Kane cappers.

          4. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Attacking substitution

            Goal for Palace incoming

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

            Injury ?

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Nope

              Fulham are goings all out attack

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

                Thanks.
                Had him in a draft game 🙁

        4. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Expect goals in that Spurs game. Burnley forwards may get a couple as well

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

          Barnes please this is painful - do something positive!!!!

        6. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          My source tells me Jose has captained Kane 😮

        7. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          This is where we all find out that the Spurs player to go for this DGW was Lucas Moura!

          1. tokara
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Possible!

        8. DannyDrinkVodka
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Is KDB best captain for DGW27?

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

            Probably or Sterling.

        9. ZimZalabim
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          thomas off
          albrighton on

        10. Bartowski
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Am I right in thinking this is the first home prem game Bale has even started this season?

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

            Correct, a few EL games but none in prem

        11. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Need a Mee masterclass....

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Sold him for Stones, so no thanks!

        12. Captain Vantastic™
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Aina and Thomas off Robinson and Albrighton on

        13. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Aina gonna happen

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

          Vardy stays on

        15. JoeSoap
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Aina in as part of a -8 to get Kane doh!

        16. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Kane TC vs my double Burnley defence

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

            Ouch

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Cue bale goal aurier assist 1-0

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

            Spurs 0-1 Burnley you’d love to see it

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

              Might have a little cry if that happens

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

              Mee goal would be lovely

            3. Nomar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Likely that’s what will happen too.

              Vydra goal.

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

              Pope masterclass

          4. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Aina that a kick in the head for owners.

          5. g40steve
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Bale starts 🙂

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

            Aina off at HT, rough for owners

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

              Ouch

              but lol

              1. S.Kuqi
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                Lolled

          7. Gandalf
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Don't understand why Aina would come off for an attacking substitution when he's been getting attacking returns.

          8. @ocprodigy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Genuinely waits for now to bench Dier. Brutal for my BB.

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

            WHEN ARE COMMENTATORS GOING TO STOP REFERRING TO EVERY CREATIVE MIDFIELDER AS A QUARTERBACK

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

              When you put caps off

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

                Sorry

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

              So true. Especially when you consider that a quarterback is pulling the string for the offense and throws touchdown passes.

          10. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 29 days ago

              I Aina good at puns 🙁

            • tiger
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Barnes down injured

            • OverTinker
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Captain Kane and want him to blank and pick up a yellow card and somehow comes out before 60" mark

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

                I would never wish an injury on any player, but yes this

            • mwa1t
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Barnes down injured......

            • rnrd
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Spending weeks of setting up with DGWeekers and ending up with mostly single gameweekers. When will I learn?

            • Nightcrawler
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Kane STARTING

              Non cappers ive got 6 words for ya!

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                one one one one one one

                Think that makes 6 🙂

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

                Is the 1st word absolutely?