FPL Gameweek 11 Advice: Captain Joao Pedro, Backing Arsenals Defence, and a Gamble on Morgan Gibbs

Captain Joao Pedro Over Haaland — FPL Team of the Week

If you’re an FPL manager who enjoys taking some risks, this week opens up interesting opportunities.

Key Matchups

Erling Haaland’s Manchester City will face Liverpool, a team against which he has only managed to net a single league goal and has never won. Despite being a staple as a captain — having scored twice last week — this matchup may be an opportunity to consider alternatives.

Chelsea’s home game against bottom-club Wolves, who are currently without a manager, seems to be the prime candidate for an alternate captain choice.

Note: The team of the week is organized based on current FPL prices, adhering to a £100 million cap as if you were employing a Free Hit strategy.

Last Week’s Performance

Last week’s lineup performed well, with every striker making an impact: Jean-Philippe Mateta scored 9 points, Danny Welbeck added 6, and captain Haaland topped the charts with a remarkable 26 points. Overall, the team amassed a solid total of 76 points.

FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 11

Goalkeeper and Defense

1. Alphonse Areola, West Ham, £4.3m – Burnley (H)
   • Areola stands out as a sensible budget-friendly option in goal after securing West Ham’s first home win under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo.
2. Gabriel, £6.6m, and Jurrien Timber, £6.1m, both Arsenal – Sunderland (A)
   • Arsenal’s defensive prowess is unquestionable, having maintained eight consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League. Gabriel is recommended for his attacking potential from set-pieces.
3. Reece James, Chelsea, £5.5m – Wolves (H)
   • James is becoming an attractive defensive pick, frequently deployed in midfield by new management, making him a dual threat for assists and goals.
4. James Tarkowski, Everton, £5.5m – Fulham (H)
   • Tarkowski has points from defensive contributions in seven out of ten matches and thrives in games where defense is crucial.

Midfielders

1. Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea, £6.7m – Wolves (H)
   • Fernandez is favored for his offensive opportunities, proving to have higher scoring chances compared to Moises Caicedo.
2. Morgan Gibbs-White, Nottingham Forest, £7.3m – Leeds (H)
   • With Leeds struggling defensively, Gibbs-White could exploit their vulnerabilities after showing signs of form recently.
3. Eberechi Eze, Arsenal, £7.6m – Sunderland (A)
   • Although other Arsenal midfielders have scored, Eze leads in several crucial attacking stats, marking him as a worthy selection.

Strikers

1. Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £14.8m – Liverpool (H)
   • Although included in the team, Haaland won’t be the captain this week due to the unpredictability of the matchup against Liverpool.
2. Joao Pedro (Captain), Chelsea, £7.4m – Wolves (H)
   • After an impressive performance against Spurs, Pedro is well-positioned to capitalize against a struggling Wolves defense.
3. Jean-Philippe Mateta, Crystal Palace, £7.9m – Brighton (H)
   • Mateta continues to display form, making him a reliable option against a Brighton squad that has been leaky on the road.

On the Bench

• Dean Henderson, Crystal Palace, Keeper, £5m – Brighton (H);
• Casemiro, Manchester United, Midfielder, £5.5m – Tottenham(A);
• Neco Williams, Nottingham Forest, Defender, £4.7m – Leeds (H);
• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Everton, Midfielder, £4.9m – Fulham (H).

Total Team Cost: £99.8m.