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      Gameweek 2 Booster strategies: Tempting 12th Man options to target leaky defences

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      IT’S early days but Dream Team gaffers should mull over potential Booster strategies every Gameweek of the season.Generally, we’d advise patience at this embryonic stage of the campaign.
      One round of fixtures is nowhere near enough time to gauge form and since each of your three Boosters can only be played once per season, it’s probably better to wait until you’ve got the lay of the land.
      However, if you’re keen to play a Booster early – and there’s something to be said for taking an early lead in your Mini League to put the pressure on your rivals – then consider the following options.
      12th Man
      So much more than just Ivan Toney’s understudyCredit: DREAM TEAM

      Select an additional player from any position to score points for your team for one Gameweek only

      Best used when you can’t bear to part with any of your current players, the ideal 12th Man will take advantage of a particularly favourable fixture(s).
      Remember, your 12th Man is recruited for free so you’re not bound by budgetary constraints.
      For example, it’s highly likely that many Erling Haaland (£8.5m) owners aren’t able to afford Mohamed Salah (£7m) as well.
      In regards to Gameweek 2, gaffers in this situation could select the Egyptian hero as 12th Man in hope of capitalising on Liverpool’s first home fixture of the season, Saturday’s meeting with Bournemouth.
      Most read in Football
      It’s almost exactly a year to the day Jurgen Klopp’s side battered the Cherries 9-0 at Anfield…
      Bryan Mbeumo (£3.5m) is a decent 12th Man nominee this Gameweek too.
      The Frenchman banked nine points against Tottenham on Sunday and this coming weekend he’ll be unleashed upon a Fulham side that allowed Everton 19 shots last time out.
      Because 12th Man provides only a temporary advantage, some gaffers may feel it’s best employed to recruit an in-form asset they feel isn’t a necessary long-term addition to their XI.
      Max Captain
      Salah or Haaland for the captain’s armband in Gameweek 2?Credit: Reuters

      Whichever one of you players scores the most points during the Gameweek will automatically be selected as captain

      Instinct says this Booster is best deployed when there are a few juicy fixtures to target and several viable captains.
      Does Gameweek 2 fit that description? Arguably it does.
      Erling Haaland (£8.5m) is the obvious choice for the armband for the majority of managers but a fixture against a Newcastle side fresh off the back of a 5-1 victory represents a more challenging match-up than usual for Manchester City – especially as the treble-winners were in action late on Wednesday night in the Super Cup.
      Elsewhere, the aforementioned Salah v Bournemouth contest looks appealing, as does Bukayo Saka (£6m) against Crystal Palace – there will be more variety in captaincy this weekend for sure.
      In short, it’s not the worst time to play your Max Captain Booster by any means but it’s probably best to wait for a double Gameweek later in the season.
      Park the Bus
      “Did somebody say Park the Bus?”Credit: Getty

      Every defender in your team earns double points for one Gameweek only

      The first thing to note is that you’re going to want your XI set up in a 5-4-1 or 5-3-2 formation when this Booster is activated.
      And again, improve your chances of maximum returns by waiting for a double Gameweek.
      Read More on The Sun
      If you’re absolutely desperate to channel Jose Mourinho by playing your Park the Bus Booster now then a back five of Pervis Estupinan (£3.5m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£6m), William Saliba (£3.5m), Ben Chilwell (£4.5m) and Lewis Dunk (£3m) looks great on paper given the fixtures.
      But trust us, there’s no need to do anything rash just yet.

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      Transfer suggestions ahead of Dream Team Gameweek 2 – James Maddison nearing essential status

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      DREAM TEAM managers have the luxury of at least two transfers available to them every single Gameweek this season.This allows gaffers to tailor their XI to the upcoming fixtures to a greater degree than ever before.
      With that in mind, allow us to suggest some worthy recruits ahead of Gameweek 2.

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      Two assists and countingCredit: DREAM TEAM
      James Maddison (£4m)
      Tottenham’s new No10 appears in 15% of teams at the time of writing but his ownership is likely to rise after his showing against Brentford last weekend.
      The 26-year-old provided both assists in his side’s 2-2 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium, the first being a perfect demonstration of his set-piece potency.
      Maddison banked seven points for his efforts and his fixtures look relatively favourable from now until the end of October – he’s nearing essential status already.
      On paper, Manchester United’s imminent visit to north London looks like a match-up to avoid but the Red Devils allowed Wolves acres of space in midfield on Monday night.
      If Maddison is afforded the same freedom as Matheus Nunes (£2.5m) and Matheus Cunha (£2m) then he has the necessary quality in the final third to take full advantage, something Gary O’Neil’s lads failed to do at Old Trafford.
      Most read in Football
      Bryan Mbeumo (£3.5m)
      Dream Team bosses should always consider penalty-takers carefullyCredit: GETTY
      Bernd Leno (£3m) performed a minor miracle to keep his sheet clean at Goodison Park in Gameweek.
      The German goalkeeper made NINE saves and also benefited from Everton’s sloppy finishing – Neal Maupay (£2m) being the main culprit.
      If Fulham allow Brentford a similar number of shots on Saturday then surely Mbeumo and company will be better equipped to convert.
      The Frenchman has been tasked with filling the goal quota vacated by Ivan Toney for the coming months and he started in fine style by coolly slotting home a penalty in Gameweek 1 for a nine-point haul.
      Leno’s shot-stopping prowess could prove to be a frustration for Mbeumo owners but generally it’s a good idea to back a midfielder (who is closer to a forward in reality) up against a porous defence.
      Pervis Estupinan (£3.5m)
      A formidable assetCredit: GETTY
      Brighton’s left-back is the fifth-most selected defender in Dream Team at the time of writing but he deserves to even more popular.
      No player created more big chances in Gameweek 1 (worth one point each this season) and no defender registered more shots on target (also worth a point each).
      The Ecuador international is a formidable threat going forward but he’s seemingly well placed for a clean sheet this Saturday when he travels to Molineux, home of the Premier League’s least clinical finishers.
      Wolves showed again on Monday night that not even 20+ shots is enough to guarantee them a goal and the Seagulls will be hopeful of denying their opponents as many chances as Man United gave up.
      Pedro Neto (£2.5m) is a very fine player but he’s prone to leaving Nelson Semedo (£2.5m) exposed to overlaps and two-v-one situations, something Estupinan and Kaoru Mitoma (£3.5m) manufacture for fun.
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      It goes without saying that your first port of call when making transfers is to ditch any injured players.
      Read More on The Sun
      Kevin De Bruyne (£7m), Tyrone Mings (£3m) and Jurrien Timber (£3.5m) were among the notable assets to suffer unfortunate setbacks in Gameweek 1.
      And remember, if you’re happy with your XI as it is then stick with it and you’ll have three transfers available to you for Gameweek 3. More

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      Score Predictor Tips: Dare you take on Manchester City in Matchweek 2?

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      THERE’S simply no excuse to not play Score Predictor with Dream Team this season.It doesn’t even matter if you missed out on the opening round of fixtures because there’s fantastic prizes up for grabs every week.
      For example, the winner of Matchweek 2 will claim a brand new PlayStation 5, just as Matchweek 1’s champion did!
      Score Predictor is incredibly easy to play but click here if you need a reminder of how it works.

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      Spurs v Man United is a tasty encounterCredit: GETTY
      In the spirit of generosity, a Dream Team insider reveals his tips for this week’s five Score Predictor fixtures…
      TOTTENHAM v MANCHESTER UNITED
      Erik ten Hag’s were fortunate to beat Wolves at the Old Trafford in Matchweek 1 as the visitors’ wasteful finishing once again undermined their impressive build-up play.
      If the Red Devils produce a similar performance in north London on Saturday and leave acres of space in midfield, the likes of James Maddison, Son Heung-min and Richarlison will surely punish them.
      Spurs played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against Brentford last weekend and showed a promising endeavour in attack but a slight fragility at the back.
      Most read in Football
      This one all depends on whether or not the lacklustre display against Wolves acts as a wake-up call for Man United.
      MY PREDICTION: 2-1 to Tottenham
      MANCHESTER CITY v NEWCASTLE
      Dare you take on Man City?Credit: DREAM TEAM
      “Thank you so much to the Premier League for letting us play on Saturday and not Sunday or Monday…”
      Those the sarcastic words of Pep Guardiola after his side’s UEFA Super Cup win over Sevilla on Wednesday night.
      With the treble-winners evidently disrupted, this may be the best possible time to visit the Etihad (a daunting task nonetheless) and Eddie Howe’s men will be full of confidence after an emphatic victory over Aston Villa.
      The Magpies are super fit and will pounce on any lethargy among City’s troops but let’s not forget the calibre of the home side’s ranks.
      MY PREDICTION: 1-1 draw
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      ASTON VILLA v EVERTON
      Villa need a response this weekendCredit: REX
      Unai Emery’s side had a shocker at St James’ Park and they certainly need to rethink their extremely high defensive line.
      The Toffees created plenty of chances against Fulham but were undone by poor finishing and some excellent saves from Bernd Leno.
      Personally, I’m more inclined to take last season into account for this one as the home side were mightily impressive after their change of head coach while Everton narrowly escaped relegation.
      I’d be more torn if Goodison Park was the venue but as it is…
      MY PREDICTION: 2-0 to Aston Villa
      WEST HAM v CHELSEA
      A formidable duoCredit: GETTY
      Without Declan Rice performing three jobs at once, the Hammers came away from Bournemouth with a point last weekend but it’s worth noting the Cherries had more possession, more corners and more shots on target.
      The London Stadium faithful have largely been unimpressed with their club’s transfer activity this summer whereas their opponents have splashed the cash on a squad refresh (again).
      Ben Chilwell and Reece James will be difficult for hosts to contain out wide while the prospect of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the middle could highlight the impact of Rice’s absence for David Moyes.
      MY PREDICTION: 2-0 to Chelsea
      CRYSTAL PALACE v ARSENAL
      Arsenal’s firepower is undeniableCredit: GETTY
      The Eagles deserved more than a 1-0 win over Sheffield United last week but they face a significantly tougher opponent in Matchweek 2.
      It’s hard to look past the Gunners in this one as even without Gabriel Jesus they have several potent goal threats.
      However, I do fancy the home side to score against an Arsenal outfit still tinkering with their defence – Eberechi Eze makes things happen.
      MY PREDICTION 3-1 to ARSENAL
      Read More on The Sun
      Think you know better? You’re almost certainly correct!

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      Bernd Leno’s superhuman display sets him apart from Dream Team’s other goalkeepers in Gameweek 1

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      IT would be a mistake to read too much into the first Gameweek of the season.But in the same breath, it’s never too early to acknowledge a superhuman performance.
      And that’s exactly what Bernd Leno (£3m) produced against Everton on Saturday.
      A clutch performanceCredit: DREAM TEAM
      The German goalkeeper didn’t quite cut the mustard at Arsenal but he’s single-handedly earned Fulham a substantial number of points since his transfer last summer.
      Last season, only David Raya (£3.5m) made more saves than Leno in the Premier League but no keeper made more in Gameweek 1.
      The 31-year-old produced NINE saves to deny the Toffees at Goodison Park as part of a heroic display to help his team to a 1-0 victory – the hosts accumulated 3.31 xG!
      Granted, he benefited from from sloppy finishing, particularly from Neal Maupay (£2m), but the Cottagers’ custodian was more than worthy of the credit he received from fans and pundits alike.
      Leno’s efforts translated to 11 Dream Team points, putting him top of the pile in his position at this early stage.
      Remember, goalkeepers earn one point for every two saves (per fixture) this season in the improved scoring system, meaning Leno pocketed four for his nine saves on top of his clean sheet and appearance points.
      Leno was Fulham’s hero at Goodison ParkCredit: GETTY
      After the weekend’s action, that haul put Leno in a bracket all of his own among his peers but Andre Onana’s (£4m) ten-point haul against Wolves on Monday night came close to parity.
      Most read in Football
      It’s an intriguing situation for Dream Team gaffers; on the one hand Leno’s shot-stopping prowess seems perfectly suited to the 2023/24 scoring system.
      On the other hand, Fulham allowed Sean Dyche’s side 19 shots in total, an unsustainable level if they hope to keep many more clean sheets.
      Everton were the league’s second-lowest scorers last season, mustering just 34 in their 38 games.
      Surely even an average attacking side would have beaten Leno at some point on Saturday?
      Neal Maupay didn’t have his shooting boots on at the weekendCredit: GETTY
      When selecting the perfect value-for-money option between the sticks, the ideal balance seems to be a keeper with enough saves to make but not so many that clean sheets are few and far between.
      Fulham’s overall display in Gameweek 1 was far too porous as it’s unlikely Leno will be able to channel Superman every time he steps onto the pitch.
      However, if Marco Silva’s side can tighten up then the German could fit the bill nicely – he features in just 1.5% of teams at the time of writing.
      Fulham host west London rivals Brentford in Gameweek 2.
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      How would Chelsea transfer affect assist master Michael Olise’s Dream Team viability?

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      CHELSEA continue to splash the cash on new recruits.Having agreed a deal for Moises Caicedo (£2.5m) that could ultimately cost them a British record fee of £115million, the Blues are reportedly close to signing Michael Olise (£3m) from Crystal Palace.
      A future Chelsea great?Credit: DREAM TEAM
      The west London club have supposedly activated the France youth international’s £35million release clause, which represents relatively good value in comparison to Todd Boehly’s previous transfer dealings.
      This proposed transfer is an intriguing one but how will it affect Olise’s Dream Team viability?
      The first thing to note is that the 21-year-old is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury that required surgery.
      No right-minded Dream Team manager is going to select an injured player regardless of the club they represent.
      But it’s never too early for gaffers to consider future strategies, especially ones bursting with potential.
      Olise has been a key player for Palace since 2021Credit: GETTY
      Olise is an electric talent who was named the Eagles’ Players’ Player of the Season in 2022/23.
      Goals have been sparse for Palace but his creative output has been immense, from open play and set-pieces.
      The ex-Reading starlet provided 11 assists in the Premier League last term, a tally bettered by just three players: Leandro Trossard (£3m), Mohamed Salah (£7m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£7m).
      Most read in Dream Team
      Olise’s great strengths are his crossing and passing but he’s also got the necessary skills to dribble past defenders.
      Playing predominantly from the right flank, he combined seamlessly with Eberechi Eze (£3m) at the back end of the last season upon Roy Hodgson’s return to Selhurst Park, propelling Palace away from the relegation scrap with some stylish performances.
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      Six goals in 71 games for the Eagles is something of a concern but Olise is very much still a developing player – there’s plenty of time for him to add goals to his game.
      And Mauricio Pochettino may be the perfect man to encourage such a progression as the Argentine tactician is considered an excellent coach of young players.
      Olise’s Dream Team juice is not to be underestimated, only Jack Grealish (£4.5m) would have earned more bonus points last season had the new scoring system been implemented.
      Pochettino has a record of developing young playersCredit: Alamy
      Assuming his move to Stamford Bridge goes through, how will Olise fit into Chelsea’s plans?
      Pochettino opted for a 3-4-3 formation from the off against Liverpool in Gameweek 1.
      Olise would surely play as one of two wide forwards, positions occupied by Raheem Sterling (£3.5m) and Carney Chukwuemeka (£1.5m) on Sunday.
      The Blues endured a fairly miserable campaign in 2022/23 but they more than held their own against Jurgen Klopp’s side, with Enzo Fernandez (£3m) in particular showing the high standards expected of Chelsea.
      Adding Olise’s creative output to a team that should be more dominate than Palace over the course of a season could be a recipe for healthy Dream Team returns.
      Read More on The Sun
      Keep an eye on his recovery progress.

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      James Maddison doesn’t need Harry Kane to take Dream Team by storm this season

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      TOTTENHAM began the post-Harry Kane era with a 2-2 draw at Brentford on Sunday.Though the spoils were shared in west London, fans were generally happy with what they saw from Ange Postecoglou’s first competitive game in charge.
      Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the fixture from a Dream Team perspective was the success of James Maddison (£4m).
      A hopeful startCredit: DREAM TEAM
      The 26-year-old claimed seven points by virtue of two assists amid a typically lively performance.
      For the first, he demonstrated his set-piece threat with a whipped free-kick onto the concussed head of Cristian Romero (£3.5m).
      The second was somewhat fortunate as Maddison shuffled the ball away half a second before he was clattered only for Emerson Royal (£3m) to collect and unleash a low finish past Mark Flekken (£2.5m) from outside the box.
      That’s not to say the England international didn’t deserve his rewards; it could be argued he’s been robbed of a fair few assists in recent years.
      Maddison’s play style is perfectly suited to Dream Team.
      As a genuine playmaker, he seems to be almost entirely preoccupied with either creating goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates or taking on a shot himself.
      One of Dream Team’s most-popular midfieldersCredit: Getty
      This season, with Dream Team rewarding players for big chances created and shots on target as well as goals and assists, Spurs’ new No10 should thrive.
      Most read in Dream Team
      The fear was that the departure of the club’s old No10 (and all-time record goalscorer) to Bayern Munich would hinder Maddison’s returns.
      A striker of Kane’s calibre is a dream focal point for creative midfielders but if Gameweek 1 is anything to go by, the ex-Leicester man will do just fine in Postecoglou’s set-up.
      And perhaps that’s what Dream Team bosses should have expected all along – he produced plentiful points even when most his Leicester team-mates were under par.
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      It may yet be the case that Spurs recruit a clinical finisher to lead the line before the transfer window closes – they’ve certainly got the cash.
      With an ownership of 14.8%, Maddison is currently the eighth-most popular asset in his position, a whisker ahead of Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m) and Luis Diaz (£4m).
      Spurs host Manchester United in Gameweek 2 which is a difficult match-up on paper but Erik ten Hag’s allowed Wolves 23 shots at Old Trafford on Monday night.
      Looking further ahead, the north Londoners will face Bournemouth Fulham (Carabao Cup), Burnley and Sheffield United – a favourable run.

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      Eberechi Eze & Matheus Nunes the only players to earn MAXIMUM bonus points in Dream Team Gameweek 1

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      GAMEWEEK 1 of the 2023/24 Dream Team season is essentially complete.The past few action-packed days have given gaffers a taste of the improved nature of our beloved fantasy game and there’s a lot to unpack.
      One specific element worth mulling over is the distribution of bonus points.

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      The exclusive group to have earned maximum bonus points in Gameweek 1Credit: DREAM TEAM
      It’s worth recapping the purpose of bonus points and how they are earned.
      The first thing to note is that bonus points are designed to recognise significant contributions to performance aspects not already covered by the traditional core points.
      Goals, assists, clean sheets and the like don’t impact bonus points because such contributions are already rewarded, hence why Erling Haaland (£8.5m) didn’t receive any bonus points against Burnley, for example.
      For full transparency, bonus points are determined by the following stats: successful dribbles, accurate crosses, pass completion rate, interceptions, blocks, fouls won and goals scored from outside the area.
      Additionally, offsides, fouls conceded and errors leading to goals will hinder a player’s chances of earning bonus points.
      After a full round of Premier League fixtures, just two individuals came away with five bonus points, the maximum a player can earn from any given match.
      Most read in Dream Team
      A natural footballerCredit: GETTY
      Eberechi Eze (£3m) was the first man to max out with a brilliant showing against Sheffield United.
      No player completed more accurate crosses or won more free-kicks than Crystal Palace’s No10 in Gameweek 1.
      We tipped the 25-year-old prior to the season getting underway and an eight-point haul at the Blades’ expense may cause his ownership to rise beyond 8%.
      Saying that, the Eagles welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park on Monday night, a considerably tougher opponent than Paul Heckingbottom’s side.
      However, we remain confident that Eze’s style of play will produce plenty of points over the course of the season.
      Wolves dictated play for long spells against Man United but failed to scoreCredit: GETTY
      Matheus Nunes (£2.5m) was the other player to pocket five bonus points in Gameweek 1.
      The Portuguese midfielder was one of several players to impress for Wolves on Monday night, although Gary O’Neil’s troops ultimately lost 1-0 to Manchester United.
      In a game that featured oceans of space in midfield, Nunes registered five successful dribbles and four interceptions, the joint-most of each among all players in the top flight so far.
      The 24-year-old features in just 0.3% of teams at the time of writing but given his eight-point haul and Wolves’ spirited performance at Old Trafford, a few more gaffers may feel he’s worth a punt, especially at such an affordable price.
      Read More on The Sun
      Keep an eye on which players earn bonus points in Gameweek 2.
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      Injuries and ‘Pep Roulette’ scupper Dream Team gaffers’ plans despite Erling Haaland’s inevitable returns

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      MANCHESTER CITY beat Burnley 3-0 on Friday night to open the curtain on the new Premier League season.On paper, it seemed a result ripe with Dream Team points but many gaffers were left frustrated by how events played out at Turf Moor.
      Another year of trying to second-guess Pep Guardiola!Credit: DREAM TEAM
      Erling Haaland (£8.5m) provided the goods with a clinical brace but given his ownership stands at a ginormous 85% his returns are unlikely to have much of an impact on Mini Leagues or the overall leaderboard.
      There was more variance in terms of captaincy selection but still the majority of Dream Team bosses doubled the Norwegian poacher’s 14 points to 28.
      However, a combination of Pep Guardiola’s team selection and injury misfortunes meant several popular assets missed out in Gameweek 1.
      Kevin De Bruyne (£7m) lasted just 23 minutes before he incurred another injury, an aggravation of the same hamstring issue that forced his premature exit in the Champions League final.
      This is a significant development as the Belgian playmaker is currently the third-most selected midfielder in Dream Team and may now face another spell on the sidelines.
      KDB didn’t last long at Turf MoorCredit: Getty
      Similarly, John Stones (£5m) is the third-most popular defender and was entirely absent at Burnley.
      The so-called ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ felt a twinge in his hip and was therefore not risked but Guardiola has since revealed the defender may be involved against Newcastle on Saturday.
      Ruben Dias (£5.5m) was another unexpected absentee as he suffered a blow to the head in training which triggered the concussion protocol, meaning he’ll be out for at least seven days.
      Most read in Football
      Despite injuries to the regular centre-backs, new signing Josko Gvardiol (£5m) had to make do with a 15-minute cameo at the end of the game – a frustration for the minority of Dream Team managers who took a punt on the Croatia international from the off.
      Jack Grealish (£4.5m) watched his side’s victory over the Clarets from the bench.
      The 27-year-old started Gameweek 1 as the sixth-most popular player in his position having finished last season as a nailed-on selection but Guardiola is ever unpredictable.
      16.6% of Dream Team managers own GrealishCredit: Getty
      When all was said and done, De Bruyne, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol and Grealish combined for just three measly points!
      Dream Team managers should be wary of overreacting to a single fixture, especially the first of the season, but with two transfers per Gameweek there’s enough flexibility to pivot if they so choose.
      Man City provide mountains of points as a collective but identifying which specific players to back can be tricky.
      Keep an eye out for updates after Wednesday night’s UEFA Super Cup.
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