Dugout Discussion
23 August 2025 766 comments
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Rounding off the day’s Premier League action, it’s the Gameweek 2 fixture that may have persuaded 150,000+ Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers to deploy their Free Hit.

Arsenal v Leeds United kicks off at 17:30 BST.

TEAM NEWS

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has made two changes from the team that beat Manchester United last Sunday.

Noni Madueke gets his first Arsenal start, while Jurrien Timber comes back in at right-back.

Gabriel Martinelli is demoted to substitute duty, with Ben Whitewho was an injury doubt for Gameweek 2 – missing out entirely.

Joining a stacked bench is 15-year-old Max Dowman, who impressed in pre-season.

Leeds head coach Daniel Farke, meanwhile, makes one change from the team that beat Everton on Monday.

It’s an enforced alteration, too, as Ethan Ampadu is out until after the international break with a knee injury he picked up against the Toffees.

Ilia Gruev replaces Ampadu in the centre of midfield.

Timber aside, each member of the hosts’ backline, including David Raya, was bought by 300,000+ FPL managers this week.

Indeed, of the 20 most-purchased players of Gameweek 2, six start for the Gunners tonight.

Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres are among that number.

LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Martinelli, Kiwior, Trossard, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.

Leeds United XI: Perri, Bogle, Struijk, Rodon, Gudmundsson, Stach, Gruev, Tanaka, James, Piroe, Gnonto.

Subs: Darlow, Longstaff, Aaronson, Nmecha, Bijol, Okafor, Harrison, Bornauw, Byram.

NEW: LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE

New to Fantasy Football Scout this week is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DC) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:


Dango debut

price change predictions
766 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Esteve
    Saka
    Palmer
    Frimpong

    Only 1 Ft...time to WC right?

    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      What happened to Esteve

      1. Esraj
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        Hobbled off

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Esteve is bench fodder after this GW so I wouldn't use him as a reason to WC

  2. FPLCEO
    • 16 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Only 1 player getting defcon in that game again - we may have overestimated the significance of it

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Finally people's eyes are opening

      1. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        But four got it in BUR v SUN with two players just one DC off the points too?

      2. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        Six in BRE v AVL (two players 2 DCs off the points)

      3. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        Three in BOU v WOL

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Both of my defenders that played today got DC’s

  3. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    WC this tragic team? Fulkrug has pissed me off

    Sanchez
    Munoz Williams Dorgu
    Salah Wirtz Palmer Reijnders
    Watkins Fulkrug

    Dubravka Guiu Anderson Rodon

    1. Khalico
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Got free transfers?

  4. Zalk
    • 14 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Gyökeres you beaauty!

  5. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Re Post

    Wildcard this shambles or use my 2FT.

    Dubravka 4.0

    Hoever Hartman Gudmundsson Dorgu Reinildo

    Salah Palmer Saka Bruno King

    Haaland 4.5 4.5

    1. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Assuming Saka is out for a few, the only two of them I would want are Salah and King and only him for 4.5 value as 5th midfielder.

      TBH I haven't heard of some of those defenders!

    2. Arn De Gothia
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Wc

  6. They are eating the dogs
    • 3 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Watkins to Gyokeres?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Why not albeit the fixtures

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Tempting, even with the (rubbish) fixtures.

    3. Ser Davos
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      not for me. Maybe when he looks fully sharp

      one run and a dodgy penalty

    4. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Prefer Wood due to fixtures.

    5. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Wait for the Saka news and then reassess. Difficult fixtures now, can wait a few gameweeks imho.

  7. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    25 pts dear me, from 5 players

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      17 from 5 here

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      18 from 5..

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      24 from 5 including captain

    4. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      24 from 5 🙁

    5. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 15 hours ago

      44 on BB with a hit but that rubbish from Leeds let the Arsenal starboys ruin it a bit.

  8. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    63 with 3 to go. Buzzing.

  9. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Watson to Gyokeres (c) ?
    No keep Watson keep Watson.

    Need to listen to my gut more.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      What son?

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 15 hours ago

        Aye

  10. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Had Palmer captain and was gutted he didnt play yesterday, vc on Gyok at last getting some points. 58 points so far with 3 to go.

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Nice

    2. Ser Davos
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      wow, but fair play

  11. Weeb Kakashi
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Gyokeres owner. Saka captain. Feeling okay... Not great

    1. adstomko
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      It was the right call. Only 6 points lost anyway

      1. Das Boot
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        Nah, it wasn’t really.

        1. adstomko
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 16 hours ago

          A new player to the Prem vs somebody who is established. I disagree

        2. Qaiss
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 16 hours ago

          5 goals scored, midfielders get extra points for goals, Saka off early. Explain your comment

    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Oh come off it.

  12. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Could be my worst game week to date, 14 with 4 players left to play, abysmal with RAN, Gudmondsson, Reijnders, Palmer, Haaland (c) and Bowen.

  13. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    42 points on WC with Mbeumo and Dorgu to play.

    Green arrow after BB in GW 1

    Haaland (c) blank the only disappointment. Hope Palmer is fit for GW 3 so I can do Watkins ➡ Wood this gw.

    Just need to be wary of Salah captain points on Monday night now.

    Happy with the team going forward. 🙂

    1. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      West ham away to forest next, you not tempted to sell Bowen?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        Huh

        I don’t have Bowen

        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          4 months, 16 hours ago

          Linked team has 😉

  14. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Welcome to the prem, Max Diveman!

    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Lol

    2. Headers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Sickening to see he has obviously been coached to take the dice already.

  15. Ser Davos
    • 10 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    well we're seeing some clean sheets and hardly any relevant CBIT...

    1. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      I got Rodon off the bench with 2 points in a 5-0 defeat. That's relevant.. to me... feels like a haul lol

      1. Ser Davos
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        same tbf, great point (or two)

  16. #1 Salah Hater
    • 1 Year
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Has there been further info on Palmer beyond Maresca simply saying it was precautionary?

    Just me who thinks he'll be completely fine and start next game regardless?

    1. Ser Davos
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      depends if its an ongoing issue. If by resting it he's put the niggle to bed then I'm all in. If he's just going to go through the motions then I cannay be bothered

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Hopefully he is, will have to wait and see

      1. #1 Salah Hater
        • 1 Year
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        In the world of FPL where idiots panic sell during the weekend when games are still ongoing, waiting becomes difficult with price drops unfortunately.

        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          4 months, 16 hours ago

          Hmmm, true. Really want to keep him for a week though, but you have a point

  17. Pointless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Well Gyökeres has proved a rank buster for me! I was looking nicely set before that match!

    1. Thanos
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      That was a soft penalty. Probably should have been overturned.

      Looked okay but not for their upcoming fixtures

  18. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    It’s a sad day in FPL when double Burnley defence is better than all your premiums.

  19. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Playing WC will reset 2FTs to 1, right?

    1. Khalico
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Yeah

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Don't think so

    3. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Not anymore

      1. Thanos
        • 4 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        Thanks!

    4. The-Red-1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      No, you'll still have 2.

      1. Thanos
        • 4 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        Oh wow, thanks!

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 months, 16 hours ago

          When playing a Wildcard, any saved free transfers are maintained. If you had 2 saved free transfers, you will still have 2 saved free transfers the following Gameweek.

          1. Thanos
            • 4 Years
            4 months, 16 hours ago

            Thanks MZ!

    5. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      No you carry the 2.

      1. Thanos
        • 4 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        Thanks!

    6. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      No, you just won’t gain a third ft

      1. Thanos
        • 4 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        Good to know, thanks!

  20. MetallicaJack93
    • 2 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    FH3 WC4?

    1. Thanos
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Yep. Just want to know what happens to my 2 FTs.

      See above.

      1. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        The rules page in FPL explains it

        1. Thanos
          • 4 Years
          4 months, 16 hours ago

          Got that cleared up above. Thanks.

  21. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Rogers > Elanga (C) next week. Or Palmer, Guiu > Elanga, Wood and bench Rogers with 2 FT?

    Wouldn’t mind Mbeumo or Cunha depending on how tomorrow goes as well

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Will still have 2 pool (Salah and Wirtz) vs. Arsenal. Maybe FH could be a shout yet

  22. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    On my WC just did Salah, Anderson and Guiu to Cunha, Gordon and Wood.

    Not sure if it will stick, but Wood might go up in price tonight.

  23. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    How's this WC looking?

    Sels
    Saliba - Cucu - Lacroix
    Wirtz - Reijnders - Bruno - Eze
    Wood - Haaland - Joao P

    Dubravka - Dorgu - VDV - Stach

    1. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Wirtz out

    2. Yome
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Need Salah. Get rid of Haaland, and Wirtz.
      Reijnders in double pivot, he won’t do much.

  24. I Member
    • 10 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Palmer, Saka, Watkins, Fullkrug and Diouf enough to warrant a WC?

    1. Thanos
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      FH3, WC4?

    2. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Yup

      Losing money on halfkrug is too annoying to stomach

    3. adstomko
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      I'd hold on Watkins due to fixtures, even if he drops. But that's probably an unpopular opinion.

      1. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 16 hours ago

        Villa needs fixtures in the Championship to score

        1. Thanos
          • 4 Years
          4 months, 16 hours ago

          :LOL:

  25. DandyDon
    • 7 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Had 8 scores from 9 defenders first two weeks so far which is a bit mad. Only Ait Nouri, who of course I started this week, letting the side down with his 1pt. Lots of points left on the bench so far but good to have options.

  26. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    If Palmer is fit for GW3, probably no need to force Haaland in for a hit, just sell Watkins?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Yeah, leaning towards that myself

  27. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    United currently in the bottom 3

  28. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Defcon is most likely to occur when games are evenly contested. Games with a heavy favorite facing a weak opponent are unlikely to produce defcon.

  29. Malkmus
    • 14 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Any thoughts on this wc?

    Petro - Dubs
    Cucu - Dorgu - De Cuyper (Esteve - Reinildo)
    Salah - Semenyo - Reijnders - Gibbs white (king)
    Haaland - Wood - Pedro

    Ta !

    1. Yome
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 16 hours ago

      Not a fan of Gibbs White. Take a punt on Eze

      1. Malkmus
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 15 hours ago

        Cheers

  30. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 9 Years
    4 months, 16 hours ago

    Estève outscoring Porro by 20%. A crushing victory of analytics fc.