Brighton FPL Gameweek 10: Welbeck can profit against makeshift Reds
After a roller coaster ride of a win last week at Villa Park which included Danny Welbeck scoring his first Brighton goal, the Albion face an altogether tougher task when champions Liverpool visit the Amex this Saturday lunchtime in FPL gameweek 10.
The Seagulls have won just two league games from 22 previous attempts against the Reds, the last of which came way back in 1983. That sort of form does not scream for Fantasy Premier League investment in Brighton – but there is a little hope on the horizon…
The Gull Of Your Dreams?
As already noted, Danny Welbeck (£5.5 million) announced himself to the Brighton faithful with a maximum bonus point-winning performance in the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in FPL gameweek 9.
He took his one-on-one with some aplomb and also provided a big chance of his own for a very tasty nine-point outing enjoyed by – count them – 4,233 FPL managers.
For context, there are currently more than 7,500,000 FPL teams in existence this season. Buying into Welbeck, therefore, is a classic differential move for gameweek 10 – a player with low FPL ownership who can help managers steal a march on rivals relying on far more popular players than the Brighton striker for their fantasy kicks.
But can he continue his good form against Jurgen Klopp’s men?
Not-So Fab (Back) Four
Normally, you would have to say no. Liverpool have been the outstanding side in England for over two years now, as proven by their haul of recent trophies. Right now though, the Reds are in the middle of something of a defensive crisis with three big name players currently out injured.
Midfielder Fabinho (£5.4 million) is fit again, played a chunk of the 2-0 midweek loss to Atalanta in the Champions League and is likely to return at centre back on Saturday. He will be joined by at least one bit part player in the back line – possibly Neco Williams (£3.9 million) at right-back.
So Welbeck will be up against a makeshift defence. And it is not one that has travelled at all well this season. Only West Bromwich Albion (11) have conceded more goals on the road than Liverpool’s 10, although it has to be added that most of those came in the 7-2 drubbing at the hands of Villa.
But the champions have kept just one away clean sheet in four attempts and the 21 shots on target they have allowed is the fifth worst record in the league.
Skipper Selections
What we are seeing in gameweek 10 is many FPL managers make big switches involving a certain amount of out with the old (Tottenham Hotspur) and in with the new (Manchester City) – all of which is based on the two teams’ respective fixtures.
Pep Guardiola’s side will play just two of the big six – Manchester United and Chelsea – over their next 13 league matches with their attractive schedule starting with a home match against Burnley this weekend. Spurs meanwhile will play Chelsea, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Leicester City between now and Boxing Day. Ouch.
Finding the right Pep pick always involves an element of risk as the coach likes a cheeky line up change even more than a certain Graham Potter.
But striker Gabriel Jesus (£9.3 million) should start while City continue to carefully manage Sergio Aguero’s (£10.3 million) latest return from injury. With just 1.3% ownership, the Brazilian is another big differential pick.
It is a risky one, however, so if you want a pretty much nailed-on starter to captain your side for gameweek 10, then handing the armband to Leicester striker Jamie Vardy (£10.2 million) should work.
The Foxes face an improved, but still meh, Fulham and Vardy has three goals from his last four league appearances. That is a nice run of form before he comes up against a side that’s allowed 25 shots on target away from home – only two sides have a worse record.
Vardy has however scored only once at home all season and Fulham are likely to defend deep to negate the threat of his pace and ability to get in behind.
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