RADIO
Welcome to the Gameweek 11 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! The fixtures are coming quickly, and it's not even the holiday season yet. Make sure to tune into the manager's press conferences in case of any unexpected injuries after the midweek European fixtures.
Many FPL managers attempt to jump between the premium assets and get a good run of fixtures. That's easier said than done, as Mohamed Salah plays Ollie Watkins while Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka face off. You'll have to expect some form of FPL pain throughout the season, but keep making good decisions, and there will be more happy weekends than sad weekends.
The Gameweek 11 deadline of the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season is Saturday, November 9, at 10:00 a.m. EDT, when four games kick off. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every EPL and UCL slate with our DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 11 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the minds of our FPL writers. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 11!
Chris Wood Does it Again
With his fifth goal in four games. Is it too late to hop on the bandwagon for Chris Wood?
Euan Leith: Yes, I believe us non-believers have missed the boat. Chris Wood (£6.5m) has been spectacular this season and is the second highest-scoring forward. However, the next six games for Forest are the most difficult for attackers in the league. Wood is on the chopping block.
Jamie Steed: I’m loathed to bring in someone after a hot streak, as it invariably ends poorly. I believe Wood will continue to chip in with goals, but teams will start to figure out Forest and look to nullify its biggest threat. I’m certainly not dropping Wood, but Forest’s schedule is getting tricky now.
The FPL Manual (Wale): While form should generally outweigh fixtures, it's hard to ignore the tough schedule facing Chris Wood and Nottingham Forest. Their next five games include matches against Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City. Unfortunately, it feels like the Chris Wood ship has sailed!
A tough run of fixtures ahead 👀
Has the ship sailed on bringing in Nott'm Forest assets?#FPL
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) November 6, 2024
Sorting the Liverpool Attackers Rotation
Who is your favorite non-Mohamed Salah Anfield asset?
Euan: There are so many to choose from, and it's a great problem to have in FPL. Cody Gakpo (£7.1m) catches my eye. The Dutch attacker has four goals in his last three starts and looks to be in Arne Slot's preferred front three until Diogo Jota (£7.3m) returns before December.
Jamie: I assume my FPL colleagues will pick the Liverpool right back. So, I’m throwing out Curtis Jones (£5.3m) as an option. Although he isn’t a guaranteed starter, Jones’ form has been very good. At that price, it provides a lot of flexibility to construct your team how you want to.
Wale: Currently, Cody Gakpo is emerging as a solid alternative to Salah in Liverpool's attack. The Dutch international has notched five goals in his last three appearances, proving versatile across the flanks and as a central striker. While his long-term minutes are still uncertain, he’s my preferred option.
Is Josko Gvardiol the best defender in FPL?
Gvardiol banged in his third goal in five games. Is he the best right now?
Euan: Despite lacking attacking returns, I'm still in Camp Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m). It's a close call between the two premium defenders, and it's understandable if FPL managers switch to the Croatian to save a little more money to spend on their front eight.
Jamie: No, although he is in the conversation. I’d still rather have Trent Alexander-Arnold if you go with a premium defender, as his production will be more consistent. Relying on a defender to score regular goals isn’t ideal, especially when they stick them in the top corner from 20 yards.
Wale: Ranked second place for FPL points among defenders, the Croatian International has made those attacking returns count the most for FPL managers.
Nonetheless, Manchester City has only kept two clean sheets in its first ten matches, which gives me mixed feelings about Gvardiol. He is a solid defensive asset, but let’s see if City’s clean sheet record can improve in future game weeks.
Joško Gvardiol has scored six goals in his last eight Premier League away games 💥 pic.twitter.com/OaWTKFZNNz
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 2, 2024
Who is the Biggest FPL Surprise?
Over the first 10 weeks.
Euan: Danny Welbeck (£5.9m) wasn't the Brighton forward we all clamored after in the preseason (looking at your Joao Pedro), but he's the Seagulls forward getting it done. His 62 points are third amongst forwards, and he's the best bang for your buck option at the position.
Jamie: As someone who loves to go cheap at the back, seeing so many defenders perform well at a discounted cost is excellent. The 20 highest-scoring defenders consist of 11 players who started the season at £4.5m. We’re in a golden period of building a bargain backline. Ola Aina (£4.7m) ranks third at the position despite just one goal involvement being the biggest eye-popper.
Wale: My biggest FPL surprise so far is Tottenham midfielder Brennan Johnson (£6.7m) going on a scoring streak between Game weeks 5 to 7, amassing 25 points in that run of form. The second big surprise would be not bringing Johnson to my FPL team during that patch of form. What a great season he is having for Spurs.
📈 A Tuesday price riser
📊 Third in the defender rankingsOla Aina has caught the eye of #FPL managers after his huge haul in GW10, are you one of them? 🧃 pic.twitter.com/VKSR5Ozp5u
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) November 5, 2024
Who is the Biggest FPL Disappointment?
Over the first 10 weeks.
Euan: It's been a tough start for Crystal Palace and Eberechi Eze (£6.7m). Some key losses (Michael Olise, Joachim Anderson) have affected the Eagles in a significant way, and their star midfielder is 34th among midfielders with 3.4 points per match. He's injured and probably won't be back until late November.
Jamie: Bruno Fernandes (£8.2m) has been a huge letdown. He may thrive under a new manager and in a new system, but 33 points from a midfielder that cost you £8.5m to start the season is terrible. When searching by total points scored, you have to look on page two to find him among midfielders. That’s far from ideal.
Wale: My biggest FPL disappointment would be not considering any Crystal Palace assets due to their current league standing.
Back in August, many managers either had Eberechi Eze (£6.7m), Marc Guéhi (£4.4m), or Daniel Muñoz (£4.8m) to start the season. However, the Eagles' recent league form is mediocre at best. I hope they find their footing in the next 10 weeks.
Who is Keeping a Clean Sheet in Gameweek 11?
Euan: Aston Villa sit sixth in the Premier League and has won three of their first four Champions League game. However, it may be a bit of smoke and mirrors. They are 10th for expected goals in the league and face the best xG defense this weekend in Liverpool. The Reds baton down the hatches and keep their first Premier League clean sheet since Gameweek 7.
Jamie: Crystal Palace have faced Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester United in their last three home games. They conceded just one goal against the trio. They now host a Fulham side that’s scored five goals in five away games. Give me the Eagles to keep another clean sheet at home.
Wale: Still in the transition of leadership, Manchester United showed improvements in their previous matchup against Chelsea. Facing Leicester City next, I will be backing Manchester United to keep a clean sheet at the Old Trafford this weekend.
What Defensive Player is Providing Attacking Returns?
Euan: Pedro Porro (£5.5m) isn't hitting last season's highs but has shown signs of improvement in recent games. With James Maddison getting subbed early or not starting games, Porro has more license to attack. This will enable the Spanish defender to bag his first attacking return since Gameweek 1.
Jamie: Leif Davis (£4.5m) helped me look like a genius last week. This week, Pedro Porro (£5.5m) is in a prime position to score or assist. He leads all defenders in shots taken (19) and faces Davis and an Ipswich Town side that’s conceded the joint most away goals (13) this season.
Wale: Watching the previous Wolves game, I was surprised at how many touches in the box that Rayan Aït-Nouri (£4.7m) had and attempts at scoring against the opponents. I will be backing the Algerian defender this week to score or assist in the next tie against Southampton.
Best Midfielder or Forward Who Isn't Rostered
Who is rostered in 10 percent of teams or less who can grab those FPL points.
Euan: Mitoma Kaoru (£6.5m) is one of the more underrated wingers in the league, but his ability to run at defenders will come in handy versus Man City. The Cityzens have been exposed in recent games by pacey, dribbling wingers, and Mitoma will pounce on a far-from-stellar defense this weekend.
Jamie: While Bryan Mbeumo (£7.8m) has rightly been getting the plaudits for Brentford, don’t overlook Yoane Wissa (£6.0m). Currently, in 5.7% of FPL squads, Wissa has only started three home games this season (due to injury). He’s scored in all three games with two assists. No side has scored more home goals than Brentford (15) and Wissa is someone I’d play with confidence this week.
Wale: A home tie for an attacking Spurs team screams a lot of FPL points to come from all angles of the pitch. One player I will be rooting for this week will be James Maddison (£7.6m), facing Ipswich, who are yet to secure a win in their return to the Premier League. I hope the manager favors him to start for the weekend.
Who is One Player You Want but Can’t for the Gameweek 11 Fixtures in FPL?
Euan: I've got to stop taking hits, so I'm rolling this week. However, Bruno Fernandes is one player I'd love to get in my side. The Portuguese general has picked it up recently, and his upcoming fixtures (LEI, ips, EVE) put him back on my FPL radar.
Jamie: We’ve seen how United players raise their game when they get their manager sacked. They beat this weekend’s opponents, Leicester City, 5-2 in the Carabao Cup following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal last week. Bruno Fernandes scored two in that game. I’d need to sell with Cole Palmer (£11.0m) or Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) to afford to bring in Fernandes, but that’s not happening. Fernandes FOMO will be in play this week.
Wale: Our number one leading FPL asset, Mohamed Salah (£12.8m), has been providing an attacking return on a weekly basis and is not showing signs of slowing down. However, I can’t bring myself to take a hit and add the Egyptian King to my team. I hope he stays quiet for another weekend.
A mixed bag of fixtures to come for @ManUtd 🎢
Will you be targeting any of their assets for this upcoming run? 💭#FPL pic.twitter.com/D3itIg3czW
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) November 6, 2024
Who’s Getting the Captain’s Armband?
Euan: I've got Erling Haaland in my squad, but he seems one of the worst options. Bryan Mbeumo, Dominic Solanke, Matheus Cunha, and Brennan Johnson would all be worthwhile punts with the armband for my squad.
Jamie: My new method in determining who to captain starts with two questions: Is Brentford at home? Is Brentford facing a team outside the top 6? If yes to both questions, put the armband on Bryan Mbeumo. He’s my pick for Gameweek 11.
Wale: I’m a bit torn at the moment deciding between Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m), Palmer (£11m), or an out-of-form Erling Haaland (£15.3m) against Brighton. I will decide by the deadline; however, I will likely side with Mbeumo this week, which is always fantastic for Brentford when playing at home.
What’s your Bold Prediction for Gameweek 11?
Euan: Arsenal and Man City both lose for the second weekend. Meanwhile, Wolves picks up its first won of the campaign.
Jamie: Erling Haaland (£15.3m) blanks for a fifth time in six EPL games as Manchester City are held to a draw at Brighton. Although it may be more of a bold prediction to say Haaland actually scores this week.
Wale: Wolves end their 10-game winless run in a 2-0 victory against Southampton, while Man United defeats Leicester City 3-0. Alejandro Garnacho scores a brace for FPL managers, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy earns his first Premier League win as Man United's interim manager before the International break.
Erling Haaland's first five matches v last five matches 😳
Are you team keep or team sell? 💭#FPL pic.twitter.com/Aa2kuOHCWn
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) November 5, 2024
Join the Rotoballer FPL League
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— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) July 18, 2024
Stick around for more 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League content coming soon. Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
