Fantasy Premier League Insights Ahead of Gameweek 10
As managers prepare for Gameweek 10 of the Fantasy Premier League, expert FPL Heisenberg addresses critical decisions that could impact team performance.
Konsa’s Availability in Question
Despite Ezri Konsa’s impressive contributions in recent matches, where he helped Arsenal secure three clean sheets, he is not a recommended buy this week at his price of £4.8m. Following midweek Champions League action, manager Mikel Arteta noted concerns over Konsa’s knee, leading to an early substitution. With William Saliba now fit and part of the squad, those considering adding Konsa should be aware that he may need to be sold as early as Gameweek 11. However, for current owners, he isn’t an urgent sell; there’s potential for him to start at home against Hull. His fitness will be key, and should he play, plans for future transfers could involve moving to defenders with strong potential, such as Luka Vuskovic from Brighton (£5.2m), Jeremy Jacquet from Liverpool (£5.1m), or Tarik Muharemovic from Leeds (£5.1m).
Midfield Dilemmas: Gibbs-White, Mbeumo, and Schade
In the current phase of the game, defenders have proven to be particularly valuable, and the strategy has shifted away from favoring five midfielders. For managers dissatisfied with certain midfielders, the answer may not be to sell immediately, but rather to consider benching them during challenging fixtures. Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest (£7.8m) remains a viable option, given his role on penalties and as the team’s key player, despite a lack of goals. Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m), despite playing for a struggling Manchester United, continues to create opportunities and was unfortunate not to score against Chelsea. Kevin Schade (£6.2m) from Brentford also offers a strong attacking option. There are no standout must-buys in midfield unless a manager lacks key players like Pascal Gross (£6.2m) from Brighton or Morgan Rogers (£8.2m) from Chelsea.
Top Defender Picks This Week
As the season progresses, some previously reliable defenders such as Konsa (£4.8m), Maxim de Cuyper (£5.4m) from Brighton, and Riccardo Calafiori (£5.9m) from Arsenal may not prove as dependable. While it’s not necessary to sell them right away, transition planning for new defensive options is advisable. Antonio Silva (£5.1m) and James Hill (£5.5m) from Bournemouth emerge as attractive picks due to their solid defensive metrics, especially with a match against Ipswich on the horizon. Muharemovic from Leeds presents another option, although his upcoming match against Spurs is tricky; nonetheless, Leeds’ home form could work in his favor. Additionally, considering Liverpool defenders like Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m) or Jacquet could yield benefits, particularly against a Crystal Palace team known to struggle defensively.
Assessing Liverpool’s Options Moving Forward
With an upcoming favorable run that begins with Crystal Palace, Liverpool presents several enticing options, although each carries a degree of risk. Defensively, both Jacquet and Van Dijk look solid. The midfield presents challenges, with Bradley Barcola (£8.1m) and Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.7m) struggling for form and playing time. Cody Gakpo (£7.1m) is a potential pick but faces competition. Alexander Isak (£9.2m) stands out as an excellent choice, albeit at a higher cost, leading to considerations of budgeting for other promising players like Nicolas Jackson (£7.0m) or Joao Pedro (£7.7m).
Captaincy Choices: Haaland vs. Gabriel and Calafiori
This week brings a unique challenge for captaincy. Erling Haaland faces Nottingham Forest, who, despite having difficulties, boast decent attacking and defensive statistics. While Haaland remains a solid choice, alternatives such as Gabriel, known for his clean-sheet potential and goal-scoring ability, may present a viable threat. Calafiori, who enjoyed a full rest midweek, is also under consideration for the captaincy due to his potential for attacking contributions against Hull. Given the performances of defenders this season, they increasingly represent attractive captaincy candidates, providing flexibility for those looking to differentiate their selections. While Haaland is a safer option, the potential impact from defenders like Calafiori cannot be ignored for those seeking an edge with their captaincy choices.
