Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 10

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 10 ahead of today’s 18:30 GMT deadline

Is now the time to be getting Manchester City players? Is Diogo Jota (£6.7m) trustworthy? Should we all be backing Jamie Vardy (£10.2m) with the captain’s armband?

To help you answer those and other crucial questions, the Gameweek Guide draws on the best expert opinion, pertinent stats, and latest team news for the upcoming round of matches.

Form v Potential

The Manchester City conundrum. Two contrasting takes stood out in Neale’s Big Numbers piece encapsulating the dilemma facing Fantasy managers:

23-1 is the cumulative score of Manchester City‘s last six meetings with Burnley in all competitions. But 15.7 attempts on goal and 5.3 shots on target per game registered by Manchester City in the Premier League so far this season is the fewest they’ve managed in a single campaign under Pep Guardiola.

– Neale

The fixture is there, and the potential for them to do well is huge, but the form is lacking.

Pro Pundit Darren Wiles has decided to go with his gut:

I am hoping this is one of those situations where my instincts as a football fan outweigh what the stats are telling me. Memories of big hauls are rooted in my memory and I’m backing City to make a return to form in the run-in to Christmas.

– Darren

Darren is considering taking a leaf out of Lateriser’s book and committing to an uncharacteristic eight-point hit to triple up on City players. He’s looking to bring in both Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m), with the former his choice for the armband.

Sterling has already scored twice against Burnley this season, both of his goals coming in the League Cup when Ferran Torres (£6.9m) assumed an unfamiliar centre-forward role. But with Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) and Gariel Jesus (£9.3m) back in contention, Sterling could once again take up his favoured position on the wing. 

Both strikers are now fit and available, which solves the other issue: Sterling’s role in the team. With the forwards out, he was shoehorned into a false-nine role and robbed of the penetration he offers in wide areas. For that reason, I believe Sterling to be an outstanding pick for the Gameweek 10 captaincy.

– Jan

Brave words from Jan Sienkiewicz in this week’s Captain Sensible article, and at just 4.6 per cent ownership Sterling is an unfamiliar differential. Something Pro Pundit Sam Bonfield, in her look at the best assets to help you climb the ranks between Gameweeks 10 and 14, and Tom Freeman both picked up on:

The likes of Sterling and Aguero seldom class as differentials and as such, there has never been a better time to invest in terms of the potential upside that they may yield.

– Sam

Writing in his Differentials piece, Tom added:

England forward Raheem Sterling has gone from strength-to-strength during his time at Manchester City, netting 31, 25 and 23 goals in his last three seasons. He is yet to hit those heights this term, but has enjoyed a reasonably productive start, scoring five times in all competitions despite the Citizens’ well documented troubles in front of goal.

– Tom

But as the Scoutcast highlighted, Kevin De Bruyne is performing best in terms of expected goal involvement among City players – and was rested in midweek for their Champions League trip to Greece. Joe is contemplating adding the Belgian alongside Sterling in his line-up.

To add to their appeal, Burnley ‘keeper Nick Pope (£5.4m) could miss out:

Target Fulham?

Leicester City host Fulham on Monday, handing Jamie Vardy (£10.2m) an opportunity to fill his boots. No team has conceded more goals than Scott Parker’s team this season. But David struck a cautious tone on the Captaincy Video:

The results haven’t been as good as away from home. If you compare [Vardy] home versus away this season, he’s had 1.7 shots per game at home versus 2.6 shots per game away from home… until the Wolves game, he hadn’t had a single shot on target at home yet. So the dynamic of Leicester being the home team, and being asked to break down a team that’s going to sit behind the ball, is more challenging for them.

– David

Jan, however, was more confident, citing Vardy’s appeal as an alternative to a Manchester City player:

Since James Maddison (£7.0m) returned in Gameweek 6, only Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.1m) recorded more attempts on goal than Vardy. When it comes to the xG, only the Leeds man’s score of 4.72 tops Vardy’s 3.98 figure in that period of time too.

– Jan

Swap back?

Those who made the move from Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) to Bruno Fernandes (£10.8m) ahead of Gameweek 9 were justified in their decision, with the Portuguese producing his first double-figure haul at home this season. 

On the face of it, Manchester United’s quick counter-attack should do well against Southampton’s high defensive line this Gameweek. But the Saints have improved since their capitulation to Tottenham Hotspur, although the recent visitors to St Mary’s included West Bromwich Albion, an Everton short of key players and Newcastle.

Do we think that it’s the opposition that is the reason why they’ve done so well at home or is it because they are in fact much better at home now than we thought they were when they played Spurs?

– Joe

Joe and David debated the chances for Fernandes and co:

McCarthy’s performance against Wolves, it was epic, it was one of the great goalkeeping performances we’ve seen this season. To get eight saves in that game and come away with seven points. Even if Southampton concede a heck of a lot of shots, McCarthy is going to be right there, making things difficult for Man United.

– David

However, Pro Pundit Fábio Borges is set to hand his fellow countryman the armband for the second successive Gameweek, reasoning:

I expect Southampton to play an attacking style of football (as they always do), which hopefully will benefit Fernandes’ potential for points.

– Fábio

This means he will forgo Manchester City attacking players for now.

Meanwhile Pro Pundit Andy, who already owns both De Bruyne and Marcus Rashford (£9.5m), is considering an immediate return for Salah:

It’s important not to overthink sometimes, and a fit Salah really should be in my squad.

– Andy

Although how will he feel after watching Liverpool’s below-par performance in their midweek Champions League defeat to Atalanta?

Get him while he’s hot

Diogo Jota (£6.7m) is the form Liverpool attacker: 10 attempts on goal, eight shots in the box, four big chances and six efforts on target over the last four Gameweeks – all totals that neither Sadio Mane (£12.1m) nor Mohamed Salah can better in that time.

Get him while he’s hot” was Lateriser’s advice. On the FPL Wire this week, Zophar, Neale and Lateriser sensed an opportunity for the former Wolves player, with midfielder Fabinho (£5.4m) set to deputise at centre-back for the foreseeable future:

To circumvent the lack of central midfielders, there’s going to be a lot more of the 4-2-3-1 formation, and I can see Jota getting a lot of game time over Christmas.

– Neale

Neale gave a wide-ranging interview discussing his role at Fantasy Football Scout and his FPL career. The Newcastle fan’s excellent work covering the press conferences and putting together the predicted line-ups has not gone unnoticed:

Fantasy Football Scout’s site they go into some depth on the latest news and manager news conferences which is a clear indication of the time and attention to detail that they put into their predictions and this is paying off with their results.

– Footstock

Finally, Patrick Bamford (£6.1m) appears to have seduced Lateriser, with the upside chasing manager considering selling Timo Werner (£9.5m) for the Leeds forward. 

Neale mentioned that goal conversion is an often overlooked statistic and it’s one that suggests Bamford’s form is sustainable: 

[Bamford’s] goal conversion rate is at approximately 20% right now which doesn’t seem very unsustainable to m.e

– Lateriser

Encouragingly Bamford is top for expected goals over the last four Gameweeks, and their attack continues to create chances:

97 attempts on goal and 70 shots in the box recorded by Leeds United over the last six Gameweeks, more than any other side has registered over the same period.

– Neale

And an injury to Lucas Digne (£6.1m) only heightens his appeal ahead of the trip to Goodison Park.

Community latest

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 10 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

And may your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

987 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Return of the FF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Last minute advice... 0FT but 5.7itb which is uncomfortable

    Mccarthy
    Chilwell Dallas KWP
    Bruno Jota Grealish Ziyech
    Kane DCL Bamford

    A) leave it
    B) Bamford/DCL to Vardy -4
    C) Grealish/Ziyech to KdB -4

    Cheers

    1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save

    2. Jamizz
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A imo. C with Ziyech is a good move but not for a -4

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save 100%

    4. Return of the FF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks all

  2. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone starting Mitchell?

    1. Kudo Warrior
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Is he back?

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        In case he starts

    2. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      First on my bench. Hopefully Hodgson sees how crap his attack is and moves PVA forward.

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I am. Benching Dallas.

  3. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just brought vardy in for Kane..who to cap
    Vardy
    Bruno
    ?

    1. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Attack that injured and low spirited lamb Fulham

  4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What’s the crack with rashford?

  5. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Right, done and locked, Kane + Trashford > Vardy (c) and Salah (don’t trust KDB yet) and stand by it.

    Martinez
    James - Cancelo - Chillwell
    Soucek - Fernandes - Ziyech - Salah (vc) - Son
    DCL - Vardy (c)
    ______________________________________
    Forster: Brewster: Mitchell: Dunne

    GTG guys? Best of luck to everyone.

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

      Kane will burn you, Vardy is a superior option and will blank this week

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Lmao, ahh man I don’t believe that, but hey best of luck this week dude

  6. Jamizz
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Guys Help!
    who to bench?
    1.
    a) PVA
    b) Chilwell
    2.
    a) Adams
    b) Watkins

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1A

      2A

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B and A

    3. Jamizz
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Seems 2b is decided. i am currently thinking 1a as PVA could be on pens with Zaha out.

  7. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How's this?

    Leno
    Robbo - Chilwell - Dias - Justin
    Salah - KDB - Fernandes - Jota
    Watkins - Bamford

    But do I get Vardy for Fernandes (for free)?

  8. Slim25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone suggest what the best option would be? Cheers Guys!
    A) Digne & Kane > Cancelo/Dias & Vardy (-4, play Brewster/Mitchell)
    B) Digne, Zaha & Brewster > Cancelo/Dias, 4.5m & Vardy (-8)
    C) Digne, Zaha & Kane > Lewis, KDB & Vardy (-8, would look at Swapping Semedo for Cancelo wk 12)

    Martinez,
    **Digne**, Chilwell, Semedo
    **Zaha**, Bruno, Ziyech, Rodriquez, Grealish
    Kane, DCL
    (Button, Mitchell, Brewster, *Lamptey*)

  9. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My strategy Kane to vardy this week and may cap, son to kdb Next week and cap, Bruno to salah and cap..find the common factor here??

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Haha, it could be the very simplistic route most are not seeing, I’ve kept to my simple plan this week, Kane to Vardy captain

  10. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Good luck everyone!

    I took the plunge and did Kane to Vardy for -4 (captain Vardy). Fully aware it could backfire badly but I'm ranked 2m (3m a couple of weeks ago - every little helps) and I've decided to have some fun and be bold if I'm going to chase in my MLs and get anywhere near last year's 15k rank.

    To quote the Always Cheating guys, here's to making fantasy fun again!

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Same and best of luck Pasc!

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

        Thanks, you too! Going to listen to some Underworld to get in the Friday spirit!

  11. The Rock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthey
    Chillwell, Justin, Mitchell (Just in case he starts)
    KDB (c) Bruno, BARKLEY, St.MAXIMAN
    Vardy, Werner Jimenez
    Steer, Dier, Bissouma, Taylor

    1FT and 1.6m in the bank.

    Quite a lot of fires and getting very close to a WC, maybe I should have even used this week but not much time to tinker now! Which of the below look like best option?

    A) Barkley and St.Maximan out and Jota and Soucek in (4 point hit)
    B) Barkley, St.Maximan and Jimenez out and Jota, Grealish and Bamford in (8 point hit)

  12. Kudo Warrior
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TM thanks for the response. Will.mitchell start?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nobody knows. But he is in my starting 11.

  13. FPLGeezer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which move?

    A) Saiss Barkley & Son > Coufal, Jota and KDB (c) -8

    B) Saiss and Son > Dias and KDB (c) and play Brewster -4

  14. Kered
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who gets more points this week..
    A) Ryan + Watkins
    B) Martinez + Kane?

  15. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any good?
    Martinez
    Bellerin, Chilwell, Kilman
    Son, Bruno, Sterling(c), Jota
    Kane, DCL, Watkins

  16. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    G2G?

    Martinez
    Cancelo James Justin
    Bruno KDB Son Ziyech Grealish
    Vardy DCL

    (Steer, Brewster Dallas Mitchell)
    0FT 0.6ITB

  17. TJ
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling or Bruno (c) in Fanteam?

  18. Origal73
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Ayling (eve) or Targett (whu)?

  19. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    15 mins left...pants loosened a bit

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Zouma & Chilwell or bench Zouma & play Coufal - got Grealish as well?

  21. Kingtekkerz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Son to KDB
    or
    B) Kane to Vardy

    Cheers!

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

      I'm making the same decision.

      About to do A. Feel I need a City player or two for these 3 plump fixtures in the next 4 GWs.

  22. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Took -8, captained Vardy and I feel very calm. None of that pre deadline panic or not being able to decide what to do.

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

      Kane out for Vardy -8? Bonkers

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I just think I'm free

  23. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Should I just bring in Cancelo over Dias on my WC if I have Dallas as my bench cover?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      For attack output, yes

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

  24. FPL-Albion
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who should I captain?
    A Salah
    B KDB
    C Bruno

  25. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Captain:

    A) Salah
    B) Sterling

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice problem, Sterling is a rank killer IF he hauls.

  26. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Gonna count the votes. KDB or Vardy captain?

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

      KDB

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy all day

  27. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    BRUNO BRUNO BRUNO (C)

    1. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy Party

  28. pol
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On a wildcard, I have Salah, Vardy but no Grealish who would you go as 4th Mid:
    A- Jota
    B- McGinn
    C- Barnes

  29. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:
    A. Konsa
    B. Coufal

    1. Dichio24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers! 🙂

  30. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start?

    a) Kilman (Ars A)
    b) Coufal (Avl H)

    (Have Grealish and Watkins)

    1. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal