Metrics

Top 10k managers not yet sold on Man City assets as Gameweek 10 splits captaincy

The Gameweek 10 captaincy debate looks destined to cause a drastic re-shaping of the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers.

That’s because there is no standout candidate for the armband this week, according to analysis on LiveFPL.net.

Rather than one or two individuals breaking away from the chasing pack, there is an unprecedented five-way split of similarly backed captains – which is sure to create serious rank movement at this level.

As you can see, Jamie Vardy (£10.2m) was the top 10k’s favourite for the armband ahead of a favourable home meeting with Fulham’s naive and obliging defence.

However, only 21.1% were happy backing the Leicester man, the rest perhaps swayed by the disparity between his home and away form (only one of his 10 attacking returns have come at the King Power Stadium this season) or maybe enticed by the array of other options.

Mohamed Salah‘s (£12.2m) midweek appearance, a first outing since returning from self-isolation, has convinced 16.1% of the top 10k that he can be trusted against Brighton.

Prior to his positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test, the Egyptian had returned in four of his previous five Premier League appearances.

But the recent double-figure haul from Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m), combined with Leeds’ recent drubbings, means that a further 15.7% chose the Everton man as captain.

Meanwhile, 14.7% went with away-day specialist Bruno Fernandes (£10.8m), with double-figure hauls in every road-trip this season and Harry Kane (£11.0m), despite facing Chelsea’s improved defence, still managed to attract 14.5% of the top 10k’s captain armbands.

The impact of such a concertinaed captaincy spread on effective ownership is fascinating too.

It means no player can boast a figure in this department over 100% for Gameweek 10, Calvert-Lewin going closest with 96.3%.

Once again, tough fixtures have not triggered a flash sale of Spurs assets among the top 10k, Kane and Son Heung-min (£9.5m) sitting inside the top three for effective ownership at this level.

What these figures mean is that Gameweek 10 is the perfect week to have tried something different, considering that going against the so-called “crowd” carries considerably less risk than usual. As a result, making such a decision carries a higher chance of bigger green arrows if successful.

It is particularly telling that no Manchester City player featured in the top five captains at this level, despite a favourable match-up with Burnley.

The Clarets have lost their last three trips to the Etihad Stadium (in all competitions), every time by a 5-0 scoreline.

If Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) benefits from Saturday afternoon’s outing, he will reward only a small number of captainers in the top 10k.

Just 6.6% of them felt confident enough to hand the Belgian their armband, while only 1.1% captained Raheem Sterling (£11.5m).

In fact, not a single Manchester City player appears in the template at this level yet, despite Pep Guardiola’s men embarking on their appealing fixture run this Gameweek.

After hosting Burnley, Manchester City welcome Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle to the Etihad Stadium between now and Gameweek 15, but only 19.5% of the top 10k are invested in De Bruyne, the Citizens most popular player among such managers.

Son, Fernandes remain the most fashionable premium options in midfield while Salah and Diogo Jota (£6.7m) are the movers and shakers, replacing Wilfried Zaha (£7.3m) and James Rodríguez (£7.9m) in the template.

Unsurprisingly, there was much less fluctuation among the defenders and forwards.

Calvert-Lewin has overtaken Kane as the most popular striker in the top 10k, now owned by 80% of them while the Spurs man saw his backing drop by a margin of 10 percentage points. 

Patrick Bamford (£6.1m) holds onto the third-place spot meaning Vardy remains outside the podium for top 10k ownership.

Meanwhile, the top-five defenders remain unchanged, with minimal shifts in top 10k ownership.

Just 23% of the managers in this rank bracket have gone chipless thus far in the campaign while 46.4% have deployed exactly one.

Interestingly, 2.3% of them have already exhausted their entire supply.

Once again, the Wildcard was the most popular chip for the latest Gameweek although it was used sparingly compared to the rest of the top 10k.

With 2.9% going for the Free Hit, 3.7% pulled the trigger on brand new squads for Gameweek 10.

Interestingly, those playing the Wildcard at this level have largely templated themselves to the overall selection picture, as you can see a large number of overlaps.

Despite the tougher fixtures, Son and Kane still feature heavily in these squads, as do Salah and Jota while João Cancelo (£5.5m) and Vardy are the big exceptions to the main template.

Statistics taken from LiveFPL.net.

865 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Old Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just woken up to find that my captain hasn't changed from Grealish. This season:- the one that keeps on giving.

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Grealish will haul for you old man

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

        Please pray for me. 🙂

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

      Damn as Leicester fan you would not even be able to enjoy the Party fully now...
      but still good luck, who knows, might be a blessing in disguise!

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

        Thanks - I think I'll need it!

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No issues you're still invited for the Party

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      And I've captained old man Vardy!

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

        Exactly who I thought I had swapped to from Grealish. Our ML leader has TC'd Vardy.

  2. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sold Kane, Son & Saiss for Vardy(c), KDB & Dias for a -8

    Literally sh*t bricks this morning!

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

      Not a fan of hits usually but good moves imo

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Fortunately Wilson has made the hit bearable last night.

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

      Sold Semedo, Foden, Kane and Mane for Dias, Jota, Vardy and Salah.

      Much happier with my team and having Salah. FPL is so much worse without him, have only had him for 1 week this season 😆

      Hopefully the leak proves true

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

        -12

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

          Wow, if that comes off thats some flair

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

          What's the leak?

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

            Mane to be benched most likely

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

            Mane rested I think

      2. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Nice transfers wouldn't back against them surely.

        I would have gone Salah over KDB this week to if the Mane news broke out a bit earlier!

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

          Leakers need to start caring about our fantasy football teams! Could be false though, let's see.

          Which makes me wonder what is the main audience for leaks. Fans, FPL guys, betters, who else?

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I think it's mainly for FPL and most our usually fake accounts which turn out to be false line ups. But I think this Mane news was confirmed by another guy who gives leaks.

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

              Yeah. Salah could make up that -12 alone if Mane is out. His form w/o him is genuinely incredible, I remember him hauling 19 points in this exact scenario after lockdown last season.

          2. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            The audience for fake leakers is anyone who will give them attention, very sad.

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

          what happened to Mane?

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

    For some reason I don't even feel good about playing Lamptey at home to Southampton next week, worries me a bit having paid 4.7 for him but I just don't see a CS

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

      I’ve lost all faith in him as well.

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

      I got him for his -1. But I brought hik for his attack not Brighton CS

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

      I'm giving him one more game then swapping for Dallas most likely.

    4. Top Dog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Similar thinking. Problem is nobody I’d transfer him to in his price bracket so would mean investing slightly more in defence. Probably cheapest option for me would be James

    5. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The CS can be quite unpredictable but he is fairly unlucky to not have more attacking returns this season. He is worth keeping for that, plus they have decent fixtures.

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

    Liverpool haven't won away in the league since beating Chelsea in September.

    Failure to beat Brighton would see Liverpool fail to win four consecutive league games away from home for the first time since 2017.

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

      Away games since then have been Villa, Everton and City.

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

        Salah got points in all those games so as long as he gets them I don't mind..

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

        No offence but what’s the point? Seems like one of the least important ‘stats’ about.

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

          Good, then you can ignore it.

        2. Third Eye Vision
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          How is ‘away form’ unimportant on a fantasy football forum? It’s hardly an obscure stat.

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

            Just uninteresting.

            Bobby Reid has 300% of the amount of goals that Kevin De Bruyne has.

            That’s my kind of stat.

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

      Interesting stat. Let’s see. 4-0 win. Salah & Jota brace

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

    Seeing this much diversity in captain choice around mini leagues...exciting right?

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

      Yess, your captain will be your biggest differential this week no matter who you own or who you captained

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

      Can't believe I picked a guy playing on a Monday. I deserve a blank for that alone

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

      Yes, this gw is very open for big scores for all of us 🙂

    4. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Desperately needed this sick of praying Kane & Son don't score even though I had them in my team.

  6. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling in for -4 this week then straight to Salah next week?

    1. Vlekz
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Let him play first atleast

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

          So hes not nailed?

        2. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yes I will

      • The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I’m thinking the same but with KDB rather than Sterling. This hokey kokey with players feels like it’ll backfire but the rationale makes sense (ie Fulham = guaranteed attacking points)

      • puhd
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Should be a good move

      • St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        You want to take Sterling out against Fulham at home one week after bringing him in for a -4? Try and forget your FPL password is the only advice I can give you mate.

    2. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Happy Saturday lads. Gone are the days when I was coming in from a night out drinking at 7am.

      Fantasy football has filled that binge drinking void in my life.

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

        Good work fella! You can have a knighthood. Arise, Sir Right in the Stanchion!

        1. Right In The Stanchion
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Cheers Knight. Hope you’re keeping in fresh

    3. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tough decision. Both away. Kilman vs Pool or Ayling vs Chelsea

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

        Ayling

      2. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        These kind of decisions make me want to transfer a player. Sell Ayling.

        1. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Not selling a defender for a -4

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

      Hope Danny welb is having a nice hearty bowl of Cheerios this morning set and ready to wipe those Robbo CS’s!

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

        It wouldn't surprise me at all if Welbeck scored. It's been that sort of season so far.

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

      Morning

      Managed to scrape into the top 1m with Wilson's 12 pointer last night. Hopefully I'll finally be able to claw back some ground this week.

      Hopefully he can stay fit for the next few until GW15 when he'll most likely be replaced.

      1. Top Dog
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Great pick. Genuinely considered Wilson, but wanted to see him back for a game or two. Best thing for you is his best fixtures are just coming up

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

        Thanks. GL for the weekend.

    6. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Brought Kdb and Vardy for -4 and forgot to change captain from Bruno. And in top 10k Bruno C is bit of differential! I never thought Vardy would be most popular captain considering low ownership before! Current top 10k seem pretty skilled and informed

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

        Guy top of my ML is ranked about 2300. He is one of those players who just plays for a laugh each year to make up the numbers. He is very far from being skilled and informed, ha.

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

          We over think this stuff

        2. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          What will his OR be at the end of the season though?

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

        Yeah, I was very surprised by the balanced captaincy stats. Expected Kane and Son to have much more though admittedly 20% is still a fair amount.

        FPL is at its best in GWs like these.

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

        GL with your accidental Capt pick btw.

    7. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Last week 37pts now heading for 9pt start with PVA. Getting one point. Nice start.

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

        Good luck today mate

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

          Thanks. Salah c so what can go wrong...

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

      How many points will this get?

      Martinez
      Rob dallas chillwell
      Salah jota grealish bruno
      Vardy(c) bam dcl

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

        67

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

        3
        6 2 2
        7 6 5 10
        18 2 7

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

        Good team mate, maybe around 75 points?

      4. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I'd go with the number Bill & Ted were thinking of.

      5. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        22

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

          25-4 for a hit...

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

      Tis the PL season of penalties.

      Get those penalty takers in!

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

        Bruno perma-cap it is then.

      2. puhd
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Vardy, Bruno, KDB, Kane... all those good Captain choices

      3. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Richarlison the ultimate differential

        1. Third Eye Vision
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          If only Everton got more than one penalty a season....

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

      Need to fix my defense:
      Dallas Taylor Kilman Mitchel Justin

      A- Mitchel out for Targett
      B- Taylor out for Zouma/James
      C- Taylor out for Dias/Cancelo

      Wanna get it right so I don’t have to make more transfers.
      Thinking of shipping Taylor cause fixtures are very poor. And Mitchel because he’s obviously lost his spot.

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

        Mitchell out he is not going to play. KWP in maybe

    11. Azathoth
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sold (-4) Wilson for Vardy....Let's hope Jamie runs amok Mon evening....

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

        Vardy will do you well this GW

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

        2pts locked and loaded

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

        Thats how FPL works this season. Waiting for a big haul from Jimenez myself.

    12. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Every time I felt my team looks good this season, the result have been 30-40 points. This GW I feel my team looks great. Scary.

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

      DCL to Wilson to take advantage of the fixture swings?