FPL Gameweek 10-team-news tips: Captain picks for the edge

By Arasi Rex · Updated 14 August 2026 · 6 min read

Choosing the right captain and squad for Gameweek 10 can swing your points haul by several goals. In this guide we focus on the fixtures that matter most, the top captain options, the best players to bring in, the ones you should drop, and a differential that could give you a competitive edge.

The fixtures table

Fixture Venue Kickoff Teams
Arsenal vs Hull City Emirates Stadium 15:00 Arsenal vs Hull City
Brighton vs Brentford Amex Stadium 15:00 Brighton vs Brentford
Everton vs Coventry City Hill Dickinson Stadium 15:00 Everton vs Coventry City
Fulham vs Newcastle Craven Cottage 15:00 Fulham vs Newcastle
Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth Portman Road 15:00 Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth
Leeds vs Spurs Elland Road 15:00 Leeds vs Spurs
Man Utd vs Aston Villa Old Trafford 15:00 Man Utd vs Aston Villa
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool Selhurst Park 15:00 Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
Notts Forest vs Man City City Ground 15:00 Notts Forest vs Man City
Sunderland vs Chelsea Stadium of Light 15:00 Sunderland vs Chelsea

The schedule is a mix of high‑scoring clashes, solid defenses and a few low‑point matches. Arsenal’s home game against Hull City offers a comfortable environment for a strong attacking squad, while Notts Forest at home to Man City is a low‑risk defensive fixture.

Captain picks (3 ranked)

Rank Captain Team Cost PPG Total Points Notes
1 Erling Haaland Man City 15.5 6.8 239 27 goals, 8 assists, 13 clean sheets, 43 bonus points - the most reliable goal‑scoring engine in the league
2 João Pedro Chelsea 7.5 5.1 177 15 goals, 9 assists, 10 clean sheets, 30 bonus points - a high‑percentage finisher who thrives on set pieces
3 B.Fernandes Man Utd 12.0 6.7 235 9 goals, 24 assists, 7 clean sheets, 41 bonus points - a play‑maker who can rack up points from both ends

Haaland tops the list because his goal tally is the highest and his points per game outpace every other forward. João Pedro is a clear second thanks to his consistent finishing and his ability to score from the penalty spot. B.Fernandes, while a midfielder, offers a double‑digit assist count and a high points per game rate that makes him a viable captain if you prefer a midfielder.

Players to bring in (4‑5)

Player Team Position Cost PPG Total Points Reason
Thiago Brentford FWD 8.0 4.8 181 22 goals, 1 assist, 10 clean sheets - a striker who is already on a hot streak
B.Fernandes Man Utd MID 12.0 6.7 235 9 goals, 24 assists - a play‑maker with a high goal‑contribution rate
B. Fernandes Man Utd MID 12.0 6.7 235 9 goals, 24 assists - a play‑maker with a high goal‑contribution rate
Viktor Gyökeres Arsenal FWD 7.5 3.6 128 14 goals, 1 assist, 12 clean sheets - a reliable forward in a top‑flight squad
B. Fernandes Man Utd MID 12.0 6.7 235 9 goals, 24 assists - a play‑maker with a high goal‑contribution rate

Thiago’s cost is pocket‑friendly, and his 22 goals already give him an edge over many other forwards. B.Fernandes is a consistent performer who can contribute both goals and assists, making him a safe bet for both a bench spot and a differential. Viktor Gyökeres is a budget forward who has shown a knack for finding the net in the current season.

Players to move on (2‑3)

Player Team Position Reason
James Garner Everton MID Injury - groin issue, unlikely to return before the next match
Nico O’Reilly Man City DEF Low points per game (4.7) and high cost (6.5) compared to other defenders
Sergio Liverpool MID Low contribution in the current season - 0 goals, 0 assists

Garner’s injury status makes him a risky inclusion, while O’Reilly’s return on form has been modest. Dropping a low‑impact midfielder can free up a budget spot for higher‑return options.

The differential

Player Team Position Cost PPG Total Points Differential Value
Virgil van Dijk Liverpool DEF 6.5 4.6 175 6.5 points per game for a defender is exceptionally high, and his clean‑sheet potential is strong
Gabriel Arsenal DEF 8.0 6.5 209 18 clean sheets, 3 goals, 5 assists - a rare combination of defensive solidity and goal threat

Virgil van Dijk offers a balanced risk‑reward profile: high points per game, solid clean‑sheet chances, and a cost that is still competitive. Gabriel, on the other hand, is a high‑impact defender who can score and assist in addition to his primary role. Either of these can provide a differential edge if the rest of the squad is well‑balanced.

Key takeaways

  • Haaland remains the safest captain choice for his 27 goals and 6.8 points per game.
  • Bringing in Thiago and B.Fernandes can boost your squad’s goal‑production without breaking the budget.
  • Dropping injured players like James Garner and low‑return defenders such as Nico O’Reilly frees up valuable points.
  • Virgil van Dijk or Gabriel can serve as high‑value differential picks.
  • Focus on fixtures where your core teams face lower‑tier opponents to maximise scoring opportunities.

FAQ

Q1: Which captain should I choose for Gameweek 10? A1: Haaland is the top pick, followed by João Pedro and B.Fernandes. Their high points per game and goal involvement give them the best chance of delivering a maximum return.

Q2: Are there any budget-friendly forwards worth starting? A2: Thiago offers a solid return at £8.0, with 22 goals and 10 clean sheets already. Viktor Gyökeres also provides good value with 14 goals and a low cost.

Q3: Should I keep Nico O’Reilly on my bench? A3: O’Reilly has a low points per game (4.7) and a high cost (6.5). Dropping him and reallocating the budget to a more productive defender is advisable.

Q4: What differential picks can I add? A4: Virgil van Dijk and Gabriel are strong differential options. Both have high points per game for defenders and can contribute to clean sheets.