Pro Pundits

How I plan to deal with FPL fixture swing in Gameweek 10

Fantasy Premier League managers should keep a keen eye on the upcoming swing of fixtures in Gameweek 10.

This is where advanced planning becomes so important. Looking ahead is always vital for a Fantasy manager but it is difficult when those plans involve getting rid of in-form premium players.

That’s the dilemma that I’m facing over the next couple of weeks with Harry Kane (£10.9m) and Son Heung-min (£9.6m). 

Without potential bad news around Neal Maupay (£6.5m) and Tariq Lamptey (£4.7m) starting, I’m happy with my team for this week.

andy-article

But going forward there’s big decisions to be made with some key fixture swings. This is what Tottenham Hotspur fixtures look like after the West Brom game:

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Until Gameweek 16 I don’t see a single fixture where I’d look to captain a Spurs player. Even when they play Crystal Palace (away) in Gameweek 12, there’s the option of Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) against Fulham (away).

No-one can doubt that the pair have been in form, with 142 FPL points between them so far this season. But that has coincided with a relatively easy fixture run, and as shown above it’s about to get a bit more difficult.

I don’t always buy into the common FPL thought process that if you’re not captaining an expensive player they shouldn’t be in your team, but in this case they are blocking me investing into other teams with great fixtures, predominantly Manchester City. It may be worth considering a plan to get them in.

Manchester City Attack

How De Bruyne and Sterling compare as FPL assets for 2020/21?

I am a little bit worried about the Man City attack. They’ve averaged 1.31xG per match so far this season. You can see how low this is compared to their usual high standards from previous seasons:

  • 2019/20 – 2.48
  • 2018/19 – 2.24
  • 2017/18 – 2.11

We are looking at a much smaller sample size so far this season, and it’s worth noting they’ve played some tougher games in Wolves, Leicester, Leeds, and Arsenal. But something isn’t quite right.

The fixtures from Gameweek 10 look appealing though, and are perfect to start increasing the number of goals they’re scoring. Not many people would bet against City doing extremely well and it’s worth thinking now about how you might get them in.

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In fact if you couple a Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) or Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) with Salah or Sadio Mané (12.0m) you get this captaincy rotation:

  • GW10 Man City vs Burnley (home)
  • GW11 Man City vs Fulham (home)
  • GW12 Liverpool vs Fulham (away)
  • GW13 Man City vs West Brom (home)
  • GW14 Man City vs Southampton (away)
  • GW15 Liverpool vs West Brom (home)
  • GW16 Liverpool vs Newcastle (away)
  • GW17 Liverpool vs Southampton (away)
  • GW18 Man City vs Brighton (home)
  • GW19 Man City vs Crystal Palace (home)
  • GW20 Man City vs West Brom (away)

In Gameweek 16 you might want to consider Spurs players again, but we can probably re-assess that closer to the time. Either way I know I want to give De Bruyne or Sterling a chance, and I don’t think many people would argue against them turning on the style during this fixture run. 

Man City Defence

Cancelo stars for City as Sheff Utd's weak right-side bodes well for Chelsea

With the most clean sheets last season, City still aren’t usually a team we often consider when buying a defender. But when a lot of FPL managers (including myself) are looking to keep Salah, it becomes difficult to triple up on attack, and with the above fixtures there is a lot of clean sheet potential.

Looking at the defender attacking potential over the season so far one defender in particular stands out – João Cancelo (£5.4m).

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Only four defenders have created more chances so far this season, and when you consider he’s played just three matches it’s impressive to have created on average three chances per game already.

As always rotation will be a concern, especially when Cancelo has been playing left back. City have Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) who can play there as well as Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) when he’s back from injury.

Given Cancelo’s performance levels he deserves to keep this spot, but we know that’s not how it necessarily works under Pep.

If you wanted to go a little safer there’s Rúben Dias who’s just a little more expensive at £5.5m and Kyle Walker (£6.0m) who has also been playing really well this season. I’m not sure how much of my savings I would put on them being completely nailed, but they feel a safer bet than Cancelo.

However, if you want to take a risk and go for the big points then Cancelo could be the one.

Cheap Forwards

For a lot of people who might be looking to move cash from Kane into midfield with Sterling or De Bruyne it will be worth looking at the abundance of cheap forwards we have the option of choosing from.

For now my main strategy is not to change this position too often. They’re all performing well and will likely continue to tick over during the medium to long term and there’s probably bigger transfers to priortise. Here’s how they’ve gotten on so far:

andy-article 4

Patrick Bamford (£6.0m) is the one that sticks out to me so far, Leeds are creating plenty of chances for him. None of the forwards listed have taken more shots in the box.

He has blanked three times in the last four Gameweeks however, because of trickier fixtures against Man City, Wolves and Leicester. The upcoming fixtures don’t get much easier either and I think for me I’d be looking at bringing him in closer to Gameweek 12.

If I had to bring one in now (taking into account I already own Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) then it would probably be Callum Wilson (£6.5m) who has the short to medium term fixtures to keep up his current points scoring.

I still look at the cheap forwards at £6.5m or less and prefer them to the midfielders at the same price. That’s why my long term strategy is to go with two of them up front alongside Calvert-Lewin and to pump more money into midfield. At least until I realise I should never have sold Kane.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 7

1,012 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    This could be a very strange season where City and Liverpool exchange roles a bit.

    City look strong defensively but only scoring just enough goals to win. Pool meanwhile are missing their defensive heart and could be the team with nutty 5-3 type scorelines.

    Maybe the actual attacking double up to get is Salah + Jota not Foden + KdB.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      They don't have Kun Dilva Sane Jesus

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Jesus is back

    2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A City defender more of an option

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah maybe the defensive double-up is Cancelo + Dias lol

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      City always looked defensively solid, they just concede silly goals due to individual errors.

      This Atalanta game is an anomaly, some of the worst defending I've seen in a while. Wouldn't read too much into it.

      1. ReindeerHotdog
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        On the back of Liverpool's performances last season, I'm not sure why you'd think that.

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Basing it on Liverpool’s games this season.

  2. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If hattrick Jota is now a starter, won't he take some/many goals away from super expensive Salah?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It doesn't matter. That statement is a fallacy. Salah had goal and assist combo tonight

    2. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Might improve Salah stats with those runs

  3. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jota bandwagon has left the building. I had him last year as a punt so I am a fan. Getting him again this year.

    Bye bye Firminho too

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You have Firmino in your FPL team?

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No he has Firminho

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ha

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No, I dont have him. Buy buy his game time for Liverpool. 10 goals per season in that team is below average.

        Jota will kick him out of 11 me thinks

        1. Mr Bird
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Jota doesn’t displace Firmino for me. Firmino is the glue of that front three.
          If anything Jota is there to cover all three in the event of injury or fatigue.

    2. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would at least hold off until after the City game which isn't a great fixture to bring him in for anyway and see if he starts. Could easily be Firminio back in for City. If Jota starts then get him after that.

  4. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Well Foden was good value in team that score 1.5 goals per game,that makes Jota great value.

  5. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If he is nailed I am buying a first class ticket on Jota Airways.

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Come oooon Tores !!!

  7. Babelcopter
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Foden, Saiss -> Jota, Cancelo for free.

  8. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Casuals will now jump on Jota like they did with Rashford last week

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      6.3 for a pool attacker whats not to like ?

      1. Clintymints
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Rotation

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          price overcomes rotation imo.but thats me 🙂

          1. Clintymints
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Yea that's fair, i mean it's not a bad price for a punt

            Everyone has plenty of subs anyways

  9. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    There's no rush to get in Jota guys, chill out. He's so cheap you will be able to afford him anyway. No point buying before City

    1. JamTart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Exactly. See my moves below. Thinking of not doing the Zaha one and then Podence to Jota with the ITB cash after City.

  10. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jota rested for City, Firmino getting used to the cameo role.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks like it. Well, this makes things easier. Wait till itb and Jota in after that.

  11. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hopefully that Jota bandwagon will build momentum before he is flagged.

  12. JamTart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2FT and 0.8 ITB

    Guaita, Button
    TAA, Saiss, Lamptey, Peters, Mitchell
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Podence, Anguissa
    Kane, Jimi, DCL

    Thoughts? Thinking TAA and Saiss to Zouma and Coufal?

    Potentially Podence to Zaha for a hit as well but might be overkill.

    1. JamTart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Potentially wait and do Podence to Jota then need to assess getting a city asset if they pick up form.

  13. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jota needs to be reviewed after the international break. Even if he starts against City this weekend, it's unlikely he's going to get many returns. I'm thinking about keeping hold of Ings to see if he recovers and downgrading TAA to Coufal to release funds for after the break. Am I missing something here?

    Mcarthy Nyland
    Ayling Mitchel Justin Lascelles TAA
    Salah Son Barnes Bissouma Soucek
    Werner Ings Kane

    Thanks in advance.

  14. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Find it so strange that Mane and Salah aren't being subbed. The game is over. Surely you have to bring them off with such a big game coming up in the league?

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Jota's the main man now, protect him at all costs.

      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        They are allowed to make 5 substitutions

    2. hixen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Haha, exactly what I was thinking.

      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Salah playing 90. Madness.

        1. gooberman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          And Mane!

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Goals for the taking maybe breeds extra confidence. If they stay out of any dodgy tackles its probably like a warm down anyway

  15. jdoyle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Firmino just doesn't look sharp anymore, pains me to say it as I've been a big fan of his the past few years.

    1. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I have strongly believed for a while now that Liverpool need to find a better striker to replace him. I know his link up play etc is very good but he's a striker and just doesn't score enough goals. Only 1 goal at Anfield last season is really dreadful. Just not clinical at all. Many times I've seen him with a chance to shoot but he will instead try and pull the ball back. No killler instinct. Maybe he would be better as a midfielder

      1. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Goals isn’t his game. He’s there to bring Mane and Salah into play as the link man. He deserves more credit than he is often afforded for the pivotal role he plays in what has been one of the most feared front lines in world football in recent times.

        1. gooberman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          That's the point though, goals should be his game playing in that central striker position.

  16. Boo Ya Ka Sha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you start:
    1) Semedo (Leicester -Away)
    2) Dallas (Palace - Away)

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Semedo greater attacking potential, Dallas better defensive potential I think. Weirdly it is probably better to play Leicester away because of how they counter.

      1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I'd guess that they'd be share similar attacking threat. I'm just concerned about Zaha getting in behind or winning some penalties.

  17. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kane or Son for captain? Feel like Kane will do well, but captained Son last week and feel he must do better than he did against Brighton?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Son

  18. hixen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So Jota subbed at 66 before City game. Wouldn’t it make more sense to sub Salah or Mane before the city game?

    Feels like Jota will start vs City

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Jota was challenged by Palomino and went to ground where he looked to be wincing in pain just before he was hauled off.

      Caveat Emptor.

  19. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jesus in, looks like Toresis staying

  20. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Why is the SalaMane band still playing?

  21. jdoyle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Klopp yellow

    -1

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Imagine if they added a manager position to the game.

      They get points based on the goal difference of their team. Pep and Klopp are super expensive ofc.

      1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        right, extra points for impact sub returns

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Some fantasy games involve the coach as well. They get pts for win and draws. I've played games like that. Not a fan

      3. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bilic for free?

  22. Babelcopter
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Foden rested!? Thanks Pep!

  23. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Antonio or Jota?

    Bam Bam orJota?

    Wilson or Jota?

    These are my dilemmas.

    What you think

  24. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Foden off on 70. Think after his last game v Pool he gets a start

  25. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jesus is fit now, well easy Jimenez > Jesus from FW9 or 10

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kun close too though

    2. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yeah, just make sure he shows some form before pulling the trigger. I got him too early last season. Sat thru a bunch a blanks before he started to haul. By that time, everyone else jumped on him.

  26. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jota is a streaky player, he'll probably blank over the next few. Only DCL has scored the next week after getting a hattrick.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tell me about it. 😀

  27. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jota needs his rest ahead of the big game on Sunday.

  28. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Tores Chance Created KDB SoT

  29. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    For just the next 4, would you rather have
    A) Salah (mcy LEI bha WOL)
    B) Sterling (LIV tot BUR FUL)

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I will do hockey cokey

  30. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Here's one to ponder
    Might Klopp start both Jota & Firmino (in a cam position)
    Plus 2 defensive midfielders

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What's the point of Firmino in a CAM role when he doesn't score any goals, or provide many assists (i.e. Attack)

      1. keefy59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        So what's the point in playing him as an attacker ?
        He does do a lot of creative work for the team but not a good fantasy pick

      2. maditass
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Forgotten how he had 4 assists against Southampton last season? He isnt currently on fire, but he does that dirty work that people dont see.
        Just like fabinho clearing the midfield, henderson doing alot of important running back and forth etc
        Goals doesnt determine if a player is great or not and mane / salah wouldn't be much without his unselfishness on the pitch