Dec 14

Gameweek 10 Captain Picks

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FPL Holly is back this week with her selection of captain picks for Gameweek 10. After a challenging few weeks for our premium stars and with European fixtures to tackle too, the weekly captain decision is becoming more and more complex. Meanwhile, the Clueless Husband was impressed by some fast running, which has inspired his weekly pick. Read on for more!

The armband was split in Gameweek 9, with the most popular pick Aguero delivering, even if it was an underwhelming 6 points. Hazard and Kane disappointed many, while Salah may be about to see a resurgence in our FPL sides. I'm feeling particularly confident, after managing a record 9 captaincy returns in a row and I'm hoping to make it to 10 out of 10 this weekend.

While we are still looking to the top clubs and most premium players for the armband, it's important to note that there are Champions League and Europa League fixtures for all of them this midweek, preceding Gameweek 10. Our picks were hit by rotation and injury last time around, with Sterling and Mane failing to feature at all. Could this trend continue?

When selecting your captain, think carefully about the vice captain choice at this time of year. Also, keep an eye out for those players who are rested in the European games or are substituted early, which may give subtle clues as to their starting prospects this weekend.

Shield Pick: Eden Hazard vs Burnley (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: Evens

1 point in Gameweek 9 may have been a massive disappointment for Hazard backers, but he's still the top scorer in the Premier League, with the most overall FPL points and he's vying with Aguero for the biggest ownership in the game. The underlying statistics were still encouraging from the Manchester United game and his form is excellent: 5 goals and 1 assists across the last 5 games. Chelsea have failed to score in just one game this season, and come up against a Burnley team with the 2nd worst total for expected goals conceded in the Premier League, having shipped 17 so far. Given Hazard's ownership and penalty duties, he makes an ideal shield pick this week. It's important to note that he did struggle with a back injury last weekend: he's unlikely to make the Europa League game and there's a slight doubt over his fitness this Sunday, although I'd expect him to recover. Will you play safe with the shield pick?

Sword Pick: Mohammed Salah vs Cardiff (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 4/9

While Hazard may be the most popular captain pick going into Gameweek 10, many managers will be clamouring to fit Mohammed Salah into their teams this weekend and hand him the captaincy. His home record has been far superior to his away form, blanking just once this season, against a defensively superior Manchester City side. His confidence appears to be returning, after slotting away a difficult chance against Huddersfield. The fixture is excellent, Cardiff have already struggled against top sides this season, but did manage to hold Spurs to just the one goal most recently. They've conceded 19 goals so far this season and Salah will be looking to exploit their weaknesses. Liverpool are at home in the Champions League on Wednesday, and have no match the following midweek, so Salah's game time in this home fixture is secure. Are you opting for the attacking sword pick?

Form Pick: Anthony Martial vs Everton (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 9/5

Martial has the best form of all FPL players, having scored in consecutive games. Manchester United are back on the ascendency, with Martial contributing 3 goals and an assist in their last two games. Can he manage a hat trick of double digit returns to go with those 13 and 15 point hauls? Everton have managed to sure things up at the back in recent weeks, with 2 clean sheets in their last 3 games. Martial does have an excellent record against the Toffees, amassing 4 goals and 2 assists across 5 appearances. Will you transfer in and captain the form pick?

Fixture Pick: Callum Wilson vs Fulham (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 11/8

Bournemouth have the pick of the fixtures this weekend, as it's their turn to face the worst defence in the Premier League. Fulham have been very poor at the back, shipping 9 goals across their last 2 games, including 4 to a goal shy Cardiff side! The Bournemouth attack have been supreme this season, with Wilson contributing a goal and 4 assists across the last 5 games. They'll certainly be fired up to score yet more goals this weekend, with the front man the most likely source of FPL attacking hauls. Will you keep it simple with the Fulham pick?

Punt Pick: Romelu Lukaku vs Everton (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 5/4

Lukaku faces his old club this weekend, in a fixture which always has controversy. He has been struggling for form recently, with 1 goal in his last 5 games, but has managed better returns at international level. The spark of facing his former employers could transform him back into flat track bully mode: in fact when these two sides met last season, Lukaku got a goal and an assist. Can history play its part for the punt picks?

Park the Bus Pick: Andrew Robertson vs Cardiff (H)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 8/1

Clean Sheet Odds: 6/10

Liverpool are one of those most consistent defences in the Premier League, it's 6 clean sheets from their opening 9 games. Cardiff have managed just 8 goals this season, with 4 of those coming at home to that atrocious Fulham defence. Robertson is the most secure starter from the Liverpool back line, with bonus points in 5 of the 6 games that Liverpool have kept a clean sheet. He also has 2 assists in the Premier League, a tally which could be improved this week. Are you brave enough to captain a defender?

Clueless Husband Pick: Alex Iwobi vs Crystal Palace (A)

Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 14/5

Inspired by watching approximately 10 minutes of the Monday Night Football in Gameweek 9, my Clueless Husband is going for Iwobi this week. Why? “He did that thing where he got past loads of people on his own.” His running and dribbling talents certainly caught my husband's eye, despite a meagre 3 FPL returns this season: 1 goal and 2 assists. However, Iwobi did manage 1 shot on target and 2 attempted assists against Leicester, and he has 2 goals in 3 games against Crystal Palace. Will you side with my clueless husband?

Until Next Week…
Good Luck!

Holly and her Clueless Husband

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