An explosive Gameweek 8 was followed up by a strong Gameweek 9, where our recommendations bagged a total of 57 points. Diego Costa (12), Alexis Sanchez and Hector Bellerin (both 10) were the standout performers. We’ve analysed the bookmakers odds for Gameweek 10 and we’re confident of making it a third strong week on the bounce. Read on to find out exactly why…

Defence

After a couple of weeks where defensive returns were nowhere to be seen, last weekend saw a pickup in points from Fantasy backlines, with no fewer than 7 clean sheets. Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United, West Brom, Arsenal, Chelsea and Stoke all obliged, but the question for this week is do we stick with those defensive units? Or do we twist?

Team Clean Sheet Odds Implied chance Arsenal 2.3 43.48% Norwich 2.5 40.00% Stoke 2.55 39.22% Liverpool 2.7 37.04% Swansea 2.8 35.71% Chelsea 3 3 3.3 3% Tottenham 3.1 32.26% Sunderland 3.3 30.30% Leicester 3.3 30.30% Aston Villa 3.3 30.30% Watford 3.6 27.78% Man United 3.7 27.03% Newcastle 3.75 26.67% Man City 3.9 25.64% West Brom 4 25.00% Bournemouth 4 25.00% Southampton 4.5 22.22% Crystal Palace 4.6 21.74% West Ham 5.25 19.05% Everton 9.5 10.53%

An initial glance at the odds suggests that things may not be quite as straightforward this weekend when it comes to selecting our defensive assets. Arsenal top the rankings, with 3 clean sheets on the bounce in all competitions, including a mightily impressive one against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, with a 43% chance of shutting out Everton at The Emirates. Hector Bellerin? Yes please.

A surprising entry in second place, with a 40% chance of a clean sheet according to the bookies, are Norwich. They are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, and conceded 6 against Newcastle last time out, so why? A home fixture against goal-shy West Brom is the reason. Still, we feel there is better value elsewhere. Martin Olsson? 2 assists against The Magpies but playing in a team with a terrible defensive record. No thank you. On the other hand, West Brom have only conceded 2 away goals this season, the best in the league… Food for thought.

Stoke appear in 3rd place in the rankings (39%) and welcome a Watford team also struggling in front of goal this term. The Potters have found some solidity at the back recently, with 2 clean sheets in a row. We recommend plumping for their defensive assets ahead of those from Norwich.

Liverpool, Swansea, Chelsea and Tottenham complete the top 7, all with better than a 32% chance of keeping clean sheets. The two London clubs, particularly Spurs, have found some resilience at the back lately.

The bookies think that we should be avoiding the likes of Southampton (away to Liverpool in Jurgen Klopp’s first league game at Anfield), Palace (away to free-scoring Leicester), West Ham (who host Chelsea) and Everton (with their aforementioned trip to The Emirates). All 4 teams have less than a 25% chance of keeping a clean sheet this weekend.

Our recommendations for your back line this week; Boaz Myhill, Hector Bellerin, Glen Johnson, Toby Alderweireld.

Attack

With 4 of our 7 attacking recommendations producing points last weekend (Costa, de Bruyne, Sanchez, Payet), we aim to keep up our recent success, but also find the Wijnaldum of Gameweek 10. It’s time to see what the bookmakers are predicting from an attacking perspective this weekend..

Player Goalscorer Odds Implied chance Theo Walcott 2.17 46.08% Olivier Giroud 2.2 45.45% Diego Costa 2.3 43.48% Alexis Sanchez 2.3 43.48% Daniel Sturridge 2.55 39.22% Jamie Vardy 2.65 37.74% Harry Kane 2.75 36.36% Dieumerci Mbokani 2.85 35.09% Wilfried Bony 3 33.33% Anthony Martial 3.05 32.79% Bafetimbi Gomis 3.1 32.26% Jermain Defoe 3.1 32.26% Aleksandar Mitrovic 3.2 31.25% Wayne Rooney 3.3 30.30% Graziano Pelle 3.4 29.41% Glenn Murray 3.45 28.99% Riyad Mahrez 3.5 28.57% Rudy Gestede 3.5 28.57% Romelu Lukaku 3.6 27.78% Saido Berahino 3.6 27.78% Philippe Coutinho 3.65 27.40% Ayoze Perez 3.75 26.67% Raheem Sterling 3.75 26.67% Kevin de Bruyne 3.8 26.32% Odion Ighalo 3.8 26.32% Bojan 3.9 25.64% Georginio Wijnaldum 4 25.00% Christian Eriksen 4 25.00% Dimitri Payet 4.5 22.22% Yohan Cabaye 4.5 22.22% Willian 5 20.00%

On the back of scoring 11 goals in their previous 3 league games, and a 2-0 win over German juggernaut Bayern Munich in midweek, it is no surprise to see Arsenal’s attacking assets topping the goalscoring ranks for this Gameweek. A home clash with Everton, who have conceded 6 in their last 3, will hold no fear for the likes of Theo Walcott (46%), Olivier Giroud (45%) and Alexis Sanchez (43%). Given the uncertainty over who will claim the starting berth up front, we feel that the little Chilean is the pick of the bunch. Plus he’s in ok form..

Diego Costa (43%) made a goalscoring return to Premier League action last weekend and is again the favourite to find the net as Chelsea travel to West Ham this Saturday. It is unclear who will lead the line for The Hammers, so perhaps the best bet in claret and blue is Dimitri Payet (22%) who has scored in each of his last 2 outings.

Golden Boot leader Jamie Vardy takes on Crystal Palace at The King Power Stadium and is given a 37% chance of continuing his red-hot form by the bookies. Yohan Cabaye (22%) is an intriguing option here, with Palace’s recent spate of penalties meaning he has netted in 3 consecutive games. Alan Pardew said in his press conference that there was a “zero” perfect chance of this game being a 0-0 draw, so goals are to be expected.

Another game where we can expect goals is the Manchester derby. There have been no less than 23 in the last 6 meetings, so Wilfried Bony (33%), Anthony Martial (32%), Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne (both 26%) all deserve attention.

Elsewhere, enticing options include Christian Eriksen (25%) who netted in Europa League action on Thursday, Bojan (25%) now on penalty duty at home to Watford, and the fiery Aleksandar Mitrovic (31%), with 2 in 2, in the NorthEast derby.

Our recommendations for your attacking line-up this week; Diego Costa, Jamie Vardy, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Raheem Sterling, Alexis Sanchez, Dimitri Payet, Christian Eriksen.

Our recommendations for your captain; Jamie Vardy and Alexis Sanchez.

Victory is a Fantasy football and anytime goalscorer betting enthusiast. Enjoys SSS – statistics, strategising and spreadsheets. Follow his tips on Twitter.

New to daily fantasy football? You have done the research and know the rules already from Fantasy Premier League. Start off by setting up your team in a free game with a £100 prize pot. Pick your team for gameweek 10 here!