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. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Glad I have 1 player playing. Couldn't care less otherwise.

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

      I havnt got a player playing till 3 tomorrow. Boring

  2. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wilson to punish me.

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

    Is Wilson on the wing here?

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

      Nope. 4-4-2. My bad

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

    How many goals will Wilson score tonight?

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

      I will be happy for any return

    2. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd even take an assist and run!!!

  5. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mitchell not in the squad

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

      What?

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Aye, as a result, I am fielding 10 this week

      1. The Rhino
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Same

  6. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My bench is Lamptey,Riedewald, Neco Williams. I am screwed for the Christmas period 🙂

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

      Transfer fix incoming

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

      Think it on the positive side. The hit is only 2 pts for you 😉

    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Happy with Dallas, Bowen Konsa

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

    Wilson about to end Guaita's career

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

      Don't you own Guaita?

  8. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Casuals in ML still starting Mitchell smh (all ranked above me)

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

      More like casuals benching him. I started him because either he's going to play or not. A cameo was unlikely unless one of the wingbacks gets injured and the fixture was so much better than my other defender.

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

      Opposite. I played him because he had the highest probability of getting a CS among all my defenders. Dallas coming off the bench.

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

    Still not updated

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

    Quick straw poll while we're waiting for the game to restart.

    What do you prefer?

    A) Paper straws
    B) Plastic straws

    😉

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

      Paper. Don’t kill the turtles

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      None really. Don't get the point of straws in general, but if I had to chose - paper. Save the planet and all that

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Metal, I'm a tough guy

    4. Party time
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Hmmmm...

      • Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Paper gets soggy, but worth the "sacrifice"

      • Manani
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        just drink from the cup directly. less waste and no complaining of soggy straw

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

        Paper!

      • lespaul
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        C Cheese

      • Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Depends if you reuse the plastic straws or not. Paper straw is lucky to last a cup. Plastic straw could last a lifetime

        Does the manufacturing process add value to the environment? If not, it's a fools errand.

      • Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Good point from STORMBRINGER22: Why do we need straws at all? Just drink from cups as we do at home. Why do we need a plastic lid in the restaurant - carry it a little more carefully

    5. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Im sure that im gonna sell Rodriguez but i dont know yet if i bring in Jota or Son depending on how they look this week cause i have a certain plan with 1 of the 2 players above?
      Would you risk and do the transfer today just and only for the 0.1m James price drop?\
      I think it's not worth cause i dont lose too much by this drop

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

        No

    6. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      @hamza07__
      Mané rested tomorrow, rumours are true #LFC

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

        Wow. Stop it please

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        MANE TO SALAH -4 LETS GOOOOOOO

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

        Ouch. He is very reliable aswell.

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Never reliable without a link to reputable source

      4. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bench likely

      5. Party time
          3 years, 4 months ago

          If Klopp sees this I bet he will change his mind & start him

        • FPL_Motty
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Not surprising if true, looked way off it midweek, no rest for weeks. Jota rested

        • Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Jota starts then?

      6. Party time
          3 years, 4 months ago

          What a terrible Friday night fixture

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

            Why?

          2. Bushwhacker
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Bruce’s last outing?

          3. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Could be a 6 goal thriller

          4. NABIL - FPL otai
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Teams in Europe need a breather, what do you expect

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

              Liverpool laugh at this

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

            On prime if you want to watch

          6. Shark Team
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I hope you score tomorrow 😉

            1. Shark Team
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Sorry you are playing for Chelsea I forgot. Score on Sunday then

            2. Party time
                3 years, 4 months ago

                😉

            3. Pep bites Kun
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Oh just stop your caterwauling and just watch the game.

          7. ClassiX
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Updated

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

            Pva double digit haul please to kick start the week.

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

            Could not make up my mind whether to take a hit for Jota, KDB, Salah, Cancelo or Dias. In the end chose none and rolled, this could go one of two way.

          10. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            lol

          11. ivantys
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Joelinton starts, palace CS secured

          12. WVA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Mitchell and Zaha not in squad?!

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

              Nein

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

              Bit late on the Zaha news, out with covid last week

              1. WVA
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                So was Salah but the rules don't apply to pro footballers, if he had tested negative he could have played

            3. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Well we all knew about Zaha.

          13. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I'm fine with having one 4.0m non-starter, Mitchell can stay for now.

            He's helping the first XI be stronger, so he's doing his primary job...

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Just happy he got a few games.

            2. Kno
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Indeed, ppl expect too much from their 4.0 benchers these days. They are just there to save money

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

              I am moving him out for the 3.8

          14. Drip Doctor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Mane will be rested tomorrow.

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              There’s a good chance.

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

                wow - is he that reliable though?

            2. Bushwhacker
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Think this was obvious

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

                Not going to ask me for a source this time? Glad you finally see me as an ITK.

          15. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Huge wicket. The biggest.

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

              Bairstow

            2. My heart goes Salalalalah
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Can't believe they're losing

          16. Shark Team
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Magnus Carlsen sold Dallas now for Dias. I'm planning to bring him in btw

          17. davies
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Well that’s me down to 10 this week... regret not selling for Neco (-4)

            Who to sell first?

            A) Mitchell
            B) Dunne

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

            The captains for the top 20 players in my main paid league is split like this

            5 Calvert-Lewin
            5 Vardy
            4 Salah
            3 Fernandes
            2 De Bruyne
            1 Kane

            Anyone else see similar? What a week to either make up points or horrible drop away :X

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

              Just 2 with Vardy including me. None above me have him as C. Make or break for me!

          19. Stormbringer22
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Would you be considering taking -4 hits to improve your bench for the busy Christmas period? Not keen on taking hits for defenders, let alone for bench fodder. What do you reckon?

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Just slowly work towards it. Most have plenty of cash with the bargains up front.

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

            Did people really think Mane would play? Obvious from recent minutes

          21. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Wow, OR #2, 3 and 5 all went DCL (c). #1 went Bruno, no. 4 Vardy.

            Overall 9 out of the Top 50 managers have gone for Vardy as captain, Fernandes 8, Calvert-Lewin 8, De Bruyne 7, Salah 7, Kane 5, Rashford 1, Aubameyang 1, Sterling 1, Mané 1, Werner 1 and Foden 1

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

              Overall top 10k captaincy - a big spread!

              Vardy 21.1%
              Salah 16.1%
              Calvert-Lewin 15.7%
              Fernandes 14.7%
              Kane 14.5%
              De Bruyne 6.6%
              Mané 2.3%
              Son 2.1%
              Jota 1.5%

              1. Party time
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  KdB here we go

              2. Party time
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Cheers buddy. I love reading your stat analysis every gw 🙂

              3. Flair
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Wish I captained Salah ffs

                1. Rupert The Horse
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  WHY DIDNT YOU?

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

                    Vardy Party!