The weekend is nearly upon us and as the Premier League action beckons, millions of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are getting their chequebooks ready for Gameweek 10.
The English top-flight is akin to a fast-paced thriller wherein you never know what’s going to happen next and the fickleness can create quite a selection dilemma for all the wannabe Jose Mourinhos.
To ease your dilemma, The Statesman is at hand to make sure you don’t miss out on the in-form players with an insightful article for Gameweek 10.
The indicators are:
Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.
Prices marked in Green indicates a rise in Base Price.
Prices marked in Red indicates fall in Base Price.
Goalkeepers
Petr Cech
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: Swansea (H), Man City (A), Spurs (H), Burnley (A) and Huddersfield (H)
Price: 5.5
Score: 36
Ownership: 5.5%
Why yes: Arsenal seem to be picking up some momentum (finally) and they should be able to register a clean sheet against the goal-shy Swans at home. Cech and co have won four out of four at the Emirates this season and have not conceded at home since their opening-day thriller against Leicester City.
Why no: The fact that Cech is priced at 5.5 may put most prospective buyers off. Wing-backs Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac make for good buys as well. After Swansea, the Gunners will find it difficult to register shutouts.
Defenders
Cesar Azpilicueta
Team: Chelsea
Fixtures: Bournemouth (A), Man United (H), West Brom (A), Liverpool (A) and Swansea (H)
Price: 6.6
Score: 47
Ownership: 15.7%
Why yes: Chelsea revival on the cards? Maybe, maybe not but the ever-dependable Azipilicueta is an excellent FPL pick for sure. His uncanny ability to assist Alvaro Morata makes him a must-have, especially with the forward fit again. Bournmeouth, their opponents for this gameweek, are floundering in 19th place in the league table.
Why no: The Blues’ defence isn’t as watertight as it used to be. Fixtures are tricky and the Spaniard is among the most expensive defenders in FPL.
Kiko Femenia
Team: Watford
Fixtures: Stoke (H), Everton (A), West Ham (H), Newcastle (A) and Man United (H)
Price: 4.5
Score: 32
Ownership: 4.8%
Why yes: Francisco Femenia Far or Kiko Femenia as he is popularly known as, is playing as a wing-back in the Hornets’ 3-4-3 system. Under Marco Silva, Watford are set to punch above their weight and with a run of favourable fixtures ahead, Barring games against Liverpool and Manchester City, they have been quite tidy at the back.
Why no: While Silva’s side are wowing everyone with their displays, they aren’t exactly running a tight ship at the back. Stoke are a wildly unpredictable side and keeping a clean sheet against them is quite a task, even if beating them is not.
Midfielders
Richarlison
Team: Watford
Fixtures: Stoke (H), Everton (A), West Ham (H), Newcastle (A) and Man United (H)
Price: 6.3
Score: 50
Ownership: 13.2%
Why yes: The most in-form midfielder in the Premier League, Watford’s mercurial Brazilian has taken the English top-flight by storm. Fast and possessing mazy dribbling skills, Richarlison has already got three goals and four assists to his name. At his price and with the fixtures the in-form Hornets have ahead, a no-brainer.
Why no: The 20-year-old was guilty of a few gaping misses in their loss at Chelsea and it remains to be seen whether he can maintain the mental strength required to overcome that setback. Teammate Abdoulaye Doucoure, who is considerably cheaper, is in great nick as well.
Riyad Mahrez
Team: Leicester City
Fixtures: Everton (H), Stoke (A), Man City (H), West Ham (A) and Spurs (H)
Price: 8.4
Score: 43
Ownership: 3.8%
Why yes: The Foxes have shown signs of life after a poor start to the campaign and their Algerian winger has been thriving in recent weeks. Everton, who sacked their manager on Monday, are languishing in the relegation zone and are yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels this season.
Why no: Mahrez remains an inconsistent player, unplayable one week and anonymous the other. Teammate Jamie Vardy (forward) is worth dekho as well.
Forwards
Roberto Firmino
Team: Liverpool
Fixtures: Huddersfield (H), West Ham (A), Southampton (H), Chelsea (H) and Stoke (A)
Price: 8.5
Score: 37
Ownership: 17.4%
Why yes: Expect the Reds to come roaring out against Huddersfield, who haven’t won away after their opening-day victory at Crystal Palace. Firmino hasn’t found the net in a while and going by the law of averages, is due a goal soon.
Why no: The Terries did script a historic win over Manchester United last week and will be charged up when they play Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side have struggled to beat ‘lesser’ sides in the past and that trend could continue since they are a bit short of confidence at the moment. Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho (both midfield) have been in fine fettle and are arguably better options.
Tomer Hemed
Team: Brighton and Hove Albion
Fixtures: Southampton (H), Swansea (A), Stoke (H), Man United (A) and Crystal Palace (H)
Price: 5.0
Score: 26
Ownership: 1.8%
Why yes: This week’s wildcard pick, Brighton’s feisty Israeli striker is set to start against Southampton after completing a three-match ban for violent conduct.
Why no: Yeah, the three-match ban doesn’t exactly scream buy me, does it? Brighton are tipped to struggle in the Premier League and remain one of the favourites to go down. Southampton are defensively solid so don’t expect a goal-fest.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/4 pm IST.