Scout Squad

The Scout Squad’s best FPL players for Gameweek 10

The best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards for Gameweek 10 are discussed by Fantasy Football Scout contributors Az, Sam, Neale and Tom.

For those new to this feature, it’s a weekly piece that always takes the form of a ‘Free Hit’-type selection for the upcoming Gameweek.

All of our panelists propose an 18-man long-list of Fantasy players, explaining their notable inclusions and omissions in the article below.

The Scout Squad also serves as a precursor to the Scout Picks, as the players listed will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.0m) for final our weekly selection.

Each writer must meet the following requirements:

  • At least one goalkeeper costing £5.0m or less
  • At least one sub-£5.0m defender
  • At least one midfielder listed at £6.5m or below
  • At least one forward priced at £7.0m or lower
  • No more than three players from the same club

SCOUT SQUAD’S PICKS OF THE BEST FPL PLAYERS FOR GAMEWEEK 10



AZSAMTOMNEALE
GKIllan MeslierIlan MeslierEdouard MendyIllan Meslier
Álvaro FernándezEdouard MendyJose SaEdouard Mendy
Ben FosterBen FosterBen FosterLukasz Fabianski
DEFTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-ArnoldBen Chilwell
Ben ChilwellBen ChilwellJoao CanceloTrent Alexander-Arnold
Joao CanceloAaron CresswellBen ChilwellAymeric Laporte
Antonio RudigerJoao CanceloKurt ZoumaPontus Jansson
Tino LivramentoTino LivramentoRico HenryMax Kilman
MIDMohamed SalahMohamed SalahMohamed SalahMohamed Salah
Phil FodenMason MountSon Heung-minRaphinha
Kai HavertzPhil FodenPhil FodenPhil Foden
Bryan MbeumoRaphinhaKai HavertzKai Havertz
Son Heung-MinMax CornetBryan MbeumoNathan Redmond
FWDMichail AntonioRodrigoHarry KaneMichail Antonio
Patson DakaMichail AntonioMichail AntonioIvan Toney
Ivan ToneyIvan ToneyIvan ToneyHarry Kane
Joe GeldhartHarry KaneRaul JimenezArmando Broja
Armando BrojaKelechi IheanachoKelechi IheanachoJoshua King

Most popular picks: Ben Chilwell, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Phil Foden, Ivan Toney, Michail Antonio (four), Illan Meslier, Ben Foster, Edouard Mendy, Joao Cancelo, Kai Havertz, Harry Kane (three)

AZ SAID

After a chaotic Gameweek 9, I’m not anticipating things slowing down this weekend, with in-form Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all enjoying decent games on paper. Not that it seems to matter at this point, given the disparity between these clubs and the rest of the league this season.

I’m still favouring the premium defensive triple up of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joao Cancelo and Antonio Rudiger, and think it will be a tough ask for Brighton, Palace or Newcastle to breach these defences. Rudiger looks a certain starter after having some time off in midweek, and Tino Livramento is off the mark now, knocking on the door for a start for many of us FPL managers.

In midfield, I’ve adopted a similar strategy to my defensive picks with Mohamed Salah, Phil Foden and Kai Havertz my go-to options to tap into the attacks of the terrific trio. I’m also hoping Bryan Mbeumo can shake off his minor hamstring to be fit for Burnley, and I’m backing Spurs to pile more pressure on Olé Gunnar Solskjaer, with Son Heung-min the main man in attack.

Up front, I’ll be keeping my eye on the Jamie Vardy news – a lengthy lay-off and Patson Daka could be a superb differential given his recent form. I’m also backing the budget options in Joe Geldhart and Armando Broja, who have come into their respective sides and done a great job.

SAM SAID

Why Duffy was benched and Foden’s fine form: FPL notes from Brighton v Man City 7

With Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool all having great fixtures on paper this week, it makes sense to invest heavily in those teams. Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are essentials, in my view, so they make my picks alongside the Man CIty duo of Joao Cancelo and Phil Foden and a Chelsea triple-up of Edouard Mendy, Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount.

Outside of those games, Marcelo Bielsa seemed to suggest that Raphinha should be ok for the weekend and with Leeds playing Norwich, even though they are not in the best form themselves, he seems like a great option. With Patrick Bamford still out injured, Rodrigo up top could be a decent option, especially after his penalty goal last week. And given Norwich’s lack of attacking threat, Illan Meslier looks to be a great goalkeeper pick for Gameweek 10.

With David Raya out for four to five months and Alvaro Fernandez likely to make his Premier League debut, I have some concerns about Brentford’s clean sheet potential, therefore Maxwel Cornet could be a nice differential for the weekend.

With so much rumour and uncertainty around Manchester United at the moment, I am expecting both sides to be nervous at the weekend and that might just give Harry Kane the space he needs to attack well and turn his season around, so he makes my picks.

TOM SAID

The Rudiger injury latest as Lukaku's FPL appeal 3

Chelsea have now kept 17 Premier League clean sheets since Thomas Tuchel took charge, at least three more than any other side, and though it’s sometimes hard to pinpoint exactly which of their wing-backs will be handed successive starts, it feels like a risk worth taking given their points potential. This week, I’ve opted for Ben Chilwell, who has now scored in three successive league appearances for the Blues, and paired him with the excellent Edouard Mendy and Kai Havertz, who I’m tipping to deliver.

Meanwhile, Brentford have had an encouraging start to life in the Premier League and look a good team for bargain hunting this week. Their opponents Burnley have been poor so far and are still searching for their first win. As a result, they unsurprisingly rank 19th for expected goals (xG), and 17th for expected goals conceded (xGC). That leads me to Rico Henry at the back, plus Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney further forward, providing the former is passed fit of course.

Elsewhere, West Ham United supply two picks, Kurt Zouma and Michail Antonio, with Aston Villa’s ongoing issues defending set pieces in my thoughts. With that in mind, the last team you want to face is David Moyes’ Hammers, whose approach is largely based around crossing. Antonio will also ask plenty of questions of Tyrone Mings, having bagged his sixth Premier League goal of the campaign on Sunday.

After being completely outclassed by Liverpool in Gameweek 9, Manchester United will be low on confidence, especially defensively, which could be good news for Tottenham Hotspur duo Son Heung-min and Harry Kane this weekend. Both players struggled to make an impact last time out, but I think this match will be a more entertaining, open affair, as it was last season, with the attacking players benefitting most.

NEALE SAID

Just as FPL squads are starting to form around a core of Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool assets, the Scout Picks will surely be doing similar for the foreseeable future.

State-the-bleeding-obvious selections from these clubs abound, as they have to if we’re honestly picking out who we think will excel in the upcoming Gameweek, but it’s worth perhaps explaining my own preference for Aymeric Laporte and Kai Havertz this time.

I’m again looking at opposition weaknesses here, with Crystal Palace actually a rather tight defensive unit other than possessing an Achilles heel at dead-ball situations. The match at Anfield was the perfect example of this, with all three of Liverpool’s goals coming from corners or free-kicks. In fact, the Eagles have the second-best expected goals conceded (xGC) from open play in 2021/22 – and the joint-worst xGC from set plays. Laporte, second among FPL defenders for shots in the box this season, gets my vote, although we could easily switch to Ruben Dias if the EFL Cup teamsheets suggest a benching for the Spain international on Saturday.

My selection of Havertz may have a whiff of “don’t back down, double down” about it after Gameweek 9 but Crystal Palace’s aerially mobile attacking spearhead, Christian Benteke, caused havoc among the Newcastle backline last week, racking up seven attempts – four of them from inside or just outside the six-yard box. The Magpies have conceded seven goals from fewer than six yards out this season and these are more Havertz areas than Mount territory, so I’m backing the much-maligned German despite his Norwich blank. Mount, incidentally, has only delivered one attacking return or fewer in 76 of his 80 Chelsea league appearances, so he tends not to make a habit of explosive hauls.

Brentford’s aerial dominance and Burnley’s surprising concession of multiple headed goal attempts (only Leicester have allowed more) leads me to the vertically talented double-up of Ivan Toney and Pontus Jansson, the latter of whom has had three big chances in just the last four Gameweeks.

Max Kilman has matched Romain Saiss for efforts in the box this season, meanwhile, so with Rafael Benitez’s zonal marking system exposed against Watford, and with Wolves much less gung-ho than they were at the season’s start, I’m edging towards a low-scoring home win at Molineux in the Monday night game. Rayan Ait-Nouri would be my preferred selection but with Marcal set to return from injury, there’s too much uncertainty at left wing-back.

The Hornets are still without a clean sheet in 2021/22, so I’ve gone with two possible routes into the Southampton attack in my picks. Armando Broja is grabbing all the headlines with his two goals in as many Gameweeks but his strike partner, the out of position Nathan Redmond, has racked up more shots and key passes (nine of each) in that time and also gets my nomination.

1,548 Comments Post a Comment
  1. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foden LOL

  2. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bowen goal

  3. Walter White (WW)
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foden benched this weekend then

  4. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Cancelo goal

  5. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Think Christensen will start?

    Or worth -4 to do Christensen/Vardy to Cancelo/Toney, to enable Havertz to Son next GW?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Roll and do all 3 transfers next week.

  6. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Cancelo beaut

  7. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Dawson goal

  8. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Jesus goal

  9. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Cresswell goal

  10. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Grealish goal

  11. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    City v the Philippino World Cup winner.

  12. Tomas_brolin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Any reason not to do Greenwood to foden now for free?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      nope

  13. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Benny goal.. WHU win. City out.

  14. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    BYE City

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C team not up to the task.

  15. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Someone else is winning the Man City cup this year.

  16. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Yessss !!!!
    Come on you Irons !!!!

  17. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Probably good for City assets, avoids the extra fixture that would come inbetween the LEE, NEW and LEI, BRE fixtures around GW17-20

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      May make it more confusing

      Benefit of EFL is it helps you work out who gets rested 🙂

  18. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    it's Hammers time!

    wahoo.

    should give us the cup having to play Utd then City in a row.
    if we get Liverpool next round I'll be miffed.

  19. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What do you prefer for this weekend?

    A. Ronaldo + Mount + Livramento
    B. Hwang + Gray + TAA (-4).

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      TAA + Hwang + Livramento

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

  20. F4L
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    wow 5 years without losing 😆

  21. bench boost for every gamew…
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Klopp must win a donestic cup before retiring so now is the chance!

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      ya he needs to target them this season, but also he has had some valid reasons for not winning it or challenging even in the past few years between scheduling conflicts, or difficult draws early on etc etc. But this is the time now to go for it.

    2. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Salah, Mane and Keita will be at AFCON for the FA Cup third round and Carabao Cup semis.

  22. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What to make of Vardy not in squad - more or less likely to start at the weekend?

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      wouldn't have been in the squad in any case I would have thought, so essentially nothing to read into, still have to wait for weekend presser.

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      i would say not more - in the squad would have indicated being fit.
      but also i would say not less - as it seems like it will be a battle to get to this weekend anyway - so why would he have made today?

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Sound sensibel. Will waitcto decide

  23. bench boost for every gamew…
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foden gets benched saturday for that. Pep hates it... He is now running after Phil with a devil stick around London stadium as we speak like a maniac on speed

  24. sandman58
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foden in Peps bad books now
    Looked raging after that
    Cue a wee spin of the Pep Roulette this weekend

    1. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah. Pep roulette is inevitable

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Surely not ?

        1. sandman58
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Absolutely

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            I hate owning city but feel cancello, foden & Jesus still worth the risk

        2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Death, taxes and Pep roulette.

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Came on 72mins be ok

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The other attackers who were on the pitch for 75+ mins but failed to score will be more of a concern 😉

      1. sandman58
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        City are out because Foden missed
        Pep will pull him out for sure

  25. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is Chalobalah nailed and worth bringing in?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Be great value but Think too risky

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No no.

  26. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    West Ham deserved to win, but what happened to the ABBA format? Surely it wasn't too complicated to keep.

  27. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foden benched now? Must be shaken having missed that pen

  28. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Greenwood to Foden for -4?

  29. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foden dropped at the weekend now?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      All the attackers who did not score after 90 mins more at risk imo

  30. F4L
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    KDB based on form shouldn't be starting Saturday

    1. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Don't say that man he is my only differential 🙁