The Scout helps managers in Fantasy Premier League to plan ahead for Gameweek 10 and beyond. Remember, you can now save up to FIVE free transfers.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
After suffering the worst run of opening opponents of any side, Wolves are set to embark on a mid-season schedule that lifts their prospects at both ends of the pitch for many Gameweeks to come.
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), as many as SEVEN of Wolves’ eight matches from Gameweek 10 onwards score a mere two.
Wolves' fixtures from GW10
| GW | Opp. | FDR* |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Crystal Palace (H) | 2 |
| 11 | Southampton (H) | 2 |
| 12 | Fulham (A) | 3 |
| 13 | Bournemouth (H) | 2 |
| 14 | Everton (A) | 2 |
| 15 | West Ham (A) | 2 |
| 16 | Ipswich (H) | 2 |
| 17 | Leicester (A) | 2 |
*1 = easiest possible fixture, 5 = hardest possible fixture
There are three valid options among Gary O’Neil’s regulars and it ultimately comes down to how much of your budget you are comfortable with allocating on their assets.
At the back, Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.5m) has already produced two goals and two assists and is one of the most attacking options among all defenders in Fantasy.
His seven shots in the box and eight key passes both rank in Wolves’ top three players.
If Wolves’ can improve upon their dire record of ZERO clean sheets, Ait-Nouri has the all-round potential for a double-figure haul or two over that schedule.
If you are all set on bringing in Ait-Nouri, then Jorgen Strand Larsen’s cost of £5.5m may prove more palatable than the £6.5m of his fellow forward Matheus Cunha.
Certainly, there’s no denying that Cunha has the greatest all-round potential of the two attackers in Fantasy.
His 22 shots and 11 key passes are both more than TWICE Strand Larsen’s respective totals of 10 and three.
But when it comes to big chances - situations where the player is expected to score - it’s Strand Larsen who comes out on top.
Strand Larsen's goal v Man City
Goals in consecutive games for @jorgenwester 🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/HkgHUZkWLI
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 20, 2024
Five of the Norwegian’s 10 shots, or 50 per cent, have been big chances, compared with only two of Cunha’s 22 shots, which equates to nine per cent.
While Cunha has the best potential for overall points, both Ait-Nouri and Strand Larsen can be great value options in their own right.
Be wary of investing in Brighton
If you currently own any Brighton & Hove Albion players, it's a good idea to bench them in Gameweeks 10-11.
The Seagulls visit Liverpool and entertain Manchester City in back-to-back matches which are both rated five by the FDR.
Brighton's GW10-11 fixtures
| GW | Opp. | FDR* |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Liverpool (A) | 5 |
| 11 | Man City (H) | 5 |
*1 = easiest possible fixture, 5 = hardest possible fixture
After that, however, FIVE of their subsequent seven matches score only two in the FDR, with investment at both ends of the pitch an appealing tactic, particularly for those managers who are planning a Gameweek 12 Wildcard.
Brighton's GW12-18 fixtures
| GW | Opp. | FDR* |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Bournemouth (A) | 3 |
| 13 | Southampton (H) | 2 |
| 14 | Fulham (A) | 3 |
| 15 | Leicester (A) | 2 |
| 16 | Crystal Palace (H) | 2 |
| 17 | West Ham (A) | 2 |
| 18 | Brentford (H) | 2 |
*1 = easiest possible fixture, 5 = hardest possible fixture
In defence, Joel Veltman (£4.5m) has collected bonus points in all three of the matches in which Brighton have kept a clean sheet.
Midfielder Georginio Rutter (£5.5m) is the Seagulls’ top-scoring player in Fantasy since making his full debut in Gameweek 5, earning 29 points in those five fixtures thanks to two goals and two assists.
Up front, Danny Welbeck (£5.9m) has been a revelation under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
The 33-year-old is the second top-scoring forward in Fantasy, with five goals, an assist and 50 points.