Following on from our midweek squad article, we now reveal who has earned selection in the Gameweek 10 Scout Picks.
Admittedly, today’s news on Harry Kane has forced us to reconsider our line-up.
But we still boast a number of premium-priced heavy hitters in attack and midfield, meaning that finding value in defence is paramount.
Burnley stopper Nick Pope (4.5) comes in for a home clash with Newcastle United. Since taking over from the injured Tom Heaton in Gameweek 4, he has earned save points on all but one occasion and no other keeper can beat his saves per minute (16.8) rate.
This source of extra points may come in handy against a visiting Magpies side among the top five for shots on the road, although they have only scored three times in their four away trips.
The Clarets have conceded just twice at Turf Moor – only Man United and Liverpool boast better home records.
The Brighton rearguard also offers strong value this week as they look to secure their fourth clean sheet of the campaign when Southampton travel along the south coast.
The Saints have only scored twice on the road, prompting us to hand a spot to Seagulls centreback Shane Duffy (4.5), who has accrued bonus on two occasions and sits in a mere 1.1% of FPL sides.
Liverpool’s Joe Gomez (4.5), another kindly priced defensive asset who is favoured by FPL’s bonus point system, also gets a nod ahead of Huddersfield Town’s visit to Anfield.
Owned by 2.6%, he can play across the backline, has yet to concede in his three home matches, has picked up an assist and also been awarded bonus points on two occasions. Meanwhile, the Terriers have not scored away since their opening day trip to Crystal Palace.
Not all our rearguard is as cheap, however.
We’ve made sure to have set by enough of our 84 million budget to select Manchester City’s Nicolas Otamendi (5.9), who travels to a West Brom side which is the third worst in terms of home goal attempts – only Watford and Brighton have amassed fewer attempts.
The Argentine has been a rare league ever-present for Pep Guardiola and was handed a rest midweek in the Carabao Cup, to offer us added security of a start.
He has six clean sheets, bonus on two occasions and a pair of goals, while no defender has managed more efforts in the box (nine).
Man City’s ability to defend dead-ball situations could be key in nullifying a Baggies side that have scored three of their seven goals from set-pieces. Guardiola’s men are the only side yet to concede from a set-piece.
By swapping out Kane up front, we have freed up cash to change our Arsenal defender from Nacho Monreal to left wing-back Sead Kolasinac (6.0) for the visit of Swansea City.
The visitors’ frailties down the right could be key – they have conceded 43 chances down that side of the pitch, second only to Leicester City (45).
With two assists, three clean sheets and three bonus at home, the Bosnian has averaged seven points per match in front of his own supporters.
And the Gunners could be in line for a fourth straight shut-out at the Emirates. The Swans have the lowest number of away shots in the Premier League and have scored only twice, with both coming in their Gameweek 3 trip to Crystal Palace.
With just 2.3% ownership, his team-mate Alexis Sanchez (11.8) looks an ideal differential captain for those looking to soar up the rankings.
A goal and assist away to Everton signalled his first double-figure haul of the season and the underlying numbers suggest that Sanchez is back in top form. Over the last four Gameweeks, he’s the top ranked midfielder for shots (19) and second for key passes (12).
Our current Captain Poll leader Mohamed Salah (9.1) is a shoo-in after scoring his fifth of the season in Liverpool’s 4-1 loss to Spurs last weekend. He’s also had more close-range efforts (26) and shots on target (18) than any other Fantasy Premier League midfielder.
The summer signing from Roma has produced double-figures in two of his three home starts and faces a Huddersfield backline with a single clean sheet in six. When on the pitch, he’s scored or assisted 50% of the Reds’ league goals.
Watford’s Richarlison (6.3) also offers a substantial goal threat – he’s taken more shots (32) than any other midfielder and already scored three times. Next up, the Brazilian entertains a Stoke City backline that has shipped 20 goals – more than any other defence.
Over 234,000 FPL managers have brought in Richarlison this week – he’s played a part in 58% of his side’s goals when on the pitch.
We turn to the security of David Silva (8.6) for Manchester City’s trip to the Hawthorns.
Rested for the midweek cup match against Wolves, the Spaniard is averaging seven FPL points a match on his travels. His record against the Baggies is also very encouraging – Silva has produced four goals and three assists in ten matches against them, only netting more against Newcastle United (five) in the top-flight.
Our optimism in Arsenal’s goal potential extends to our forward selection, with Alexandre Lacazette (10.3) earning a place on the back of his strong home form. Four of the Frenchman’s five goals have come at the Emirates Stadium and he also has spot-kick duties to boost his appeal for the visit of Swansea.
Paul Clement’s side may have conceded a just a single goal away but they’ve been somewhat fortunate – only two sides have allowed more shots on goal (80) on the road.
Granted, our selection of Gabriel Jesus is maybe something of a gamble in light of his role off the bench against Burnley last time out. But we’re banking on the Brazilian returning to the first XI after Sergio Aguero played 120 minutes in his second successive start against Wolves on Tuesday night.
Jesus has produced points in each of his last five starts – claiming six goals and an assist – despite only earning over 65 minutes on two of those occasions. While that means his pitch time could still be managed, he’s still more than capable of delivering against the Baggies.
Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann (4.7) takes a place on the bench for his set-piece threat ahead of West Ham’s visit to Selhurst Park.
Sitting in under 1% of squads, the Eagles’ centre-half has registered eight goal attempts, all from inside the box. This could prove telling against a Hammers defence that is ranked bottom when it comes to both goals against from set-pieces (six) and headed goals conceded (five).
A first clean sheet could also be on the cards, with the Hammers netting just three times on their travels so far.
Pascal Gross (5.8) also claims a sub role for Southampton’s visit to the Amex Stadium. A consistent source of points, the playmaker has delivered attacking returns in four of his last six matches and been involved in two-thirds of Brighton’s goals.
And Stoke’s Mame Biram Diouf (5.5) is the final name on our bench. Shifted up front of late, he’s scored in each of the last three Gameweeks and travels to a Watford defence that have failed to convince at Vicarage Road. The Hornets have conceded 10 goals at home – an unwelcome league record they share with Everton.
The Community Champion
The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.
This week’s champion is Kryten, who has opted for a 3-5-2 line up of: Elliot; Trippier, Luiz, Maguire; Ramsey, Coutinho, Hazard, Mahrez, A.Ayew; Morata, Jesus.
