Top FPL Captain Picks for Gameweek 10
Despite Erling Haaland's recent performance at Aston Villa, where he failed to score, he remains the top choice for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) captain this week.
Bournemouth may have a solid defense, but their home record is significantly better. They have conceded nine of their eleven goals on the road, making it a safe bet to captain the Norwegian striker at the Etihad Stadium.
Moreover, considering Liverpool's current form, it is questionable to rely on Mohamed Salah against an Aston Villa defense that recently contained Haaland.
The team of the week is selected based on current FPL prices to fit within a £100 million budget, simulating a Free Hit scenario.
Don’t miss our FPL special Q&A with expert FPL Heisenberg, live on the BBC Sport website at 15:30 BST on Friday, 31 October.
How Did Last Week's Team Perform?
A defense led by Joe Rodon (13 points) and Gabriel (9 points) helped the team achieve an average score of 51 points.
FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 10
Keeper and Defense
Robin Roefs, Sunderland, £4.7m, Keeper - Everton (H)
Sunderland's impressive start to the season, particularly in defense, cannot be overlooked. Roefs is the top-scoring goalkeeper, boasting four clean sheets and a penalty save, and he faces an Everton team that has scored only three times in their last six matches.
Nordi Mukiele, Sunderland, £4.1m - Everton (H)
If you're backing Sunderland's defense, consider a double-up. I previously chose Omar Alderete over Mukiele for their match against Chelsea, but Mukiele ended up with a 17-point return. Both defenders are comparable in expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA), making them great budget options, although Alderete is currently an injury doubt.
Gabriel (£6.5m) and Jurrien Timber (£6.1m), Arsenal - Burnley (A)
It’s hard to ignore having at least one of these players in your lineup. Burnley has recently found their scoring form with five goals in two matches, but Arsenal's defense remains formidable, having not conceded since 28 September, with five consecutive clean sheets.
Daniel Munoz, Crystal Palace, £5.7m - Brentford (H)
For attacking returns from defenders, Munoz is the player to watch. He has already contributed four points (one goal, three assists) and plays in a position that allows him to operate effectively as a right winger. With ten shots in the box across nine games, he is a significant threat. While Brentford has scored in all but one match, a clean sheet would be a bonus for Munoz.
Midfielders
Eberechi Eze, Arsenal, £7.6m - Burnley (A)
While it may seem like recency bias after his goal last week, Eze is currently a more favorable pick than Bukayo Saka, especially with a £2.4m price difference. Although Saka is a strong asset, Eze has outperformed him statistically since returning from injury, with superior numbers in shots, shots on target, and assists. Against a Burnley defense that has conceded 17 goals, Eze is an excellent choice, particularly for those on a budget.
Alex Iwobi, Fulham, £6.5m - Wolves (H)
Fulham has struggled in attack this season, but a home match against bottom-placed Wolves presents an opportunity. Iwobi is a solid option with three returns so far and has been involved in 33% of Fulham's goals while on the pitch.
Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United, £8.2m - Nottingham Forest (A)
Mbeumo is delivering on his underlying data, matching his statistics with goals. He leads all midfielders with 23 shots and 12 shots on target, with only Salah having more shots in the box. Nottingham Forest has lost six of their last eight matches, and while they may show improvement under new management, there is no evidence of that yet.
Strikers
Erling Haaland (Captain), Manchester City, £14.8m - Bournemouth (H)
As previously noted, Bournemouth has conceded most of their goals away from home, making Haaland a straightforward choice for this week.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, Crystal Palace, £7.7m - Brentford (H)
While Haaland has recorded 37 shots and an xG of 8.91, Mateta is not far behind, boasting 29 shots and an xG of 7.8. However, unlike many players who outperform their xG, Mateta has only netted five goals so far, indicating potential for improvement. Brentford's defense is also among the bottom eight for expected goals conceded (xGC).
Danny Welbeck, Brighton, £6.4m - Leeds (H)
Welbeck is currently on a scoring streak, having netted five goals in four matches against tough opposition. Leeds, like many teams, has conceded almost double the number of goals in away games compared to home fixtures. Welbeck is an affordable option, in form, and faces a favorable matchup—ideal for FPL.
Substitutes
Bernd Leno , Fulham, £5m, Keeper - Wolves (H)
Dango Ouattara , Brentford, £6m, Midfielder - Crystal Palace (A)
Granit Xhaka , Sunderland, £5.1m, Midfielder - Everton (H)
Ferdi Kadioglu , Brighton, £4.4m, Defender - Leeds (H)
Team total cost: £98.8m