FPL Gameweek 10: João Pedro Replacements, Best Captains and Three Elite Managers’ Plans

Introduction

Deadline: Friday 6 November 2026, 6:30pm GMT (UK time). The official FPL deadline comes before Everton host Coventry at 8pm. The international break follows GW10, with the next FPL deadline on Saturday 21 November at 11am GMT.

The quick call: Sell João Pedro if his absence leaves you short. Evanilson is my first replacement for GW10, Nicolas Jackson is a strong alternative for the next three, and Haaland gets the armband. If you can field a strong XI without spending a transfer, save it for after the break.

João Pedro injured: sell or hold?

Chelsea confirmed that João Pedro (£7.7m) would miss several weeks with a thigh injury. He has missed the last two league games and is still flagged out in FPL with no confirmed return date. Check Xabi Alonso’s Friday update before locking in your move. Chelsea’s injury update · Latest Chelsea team news

• Sell if you have a free transfer and need a starter. Evanilson and Jackson both cost less than João Pedro’s current listed price and have useful fixtures beyond GW10.
• Hold if you have a reliable starter to cover him and would otherwise need to take a hit. You can reassess after the break when there should be more information.
• Check your actual selling price in FPL. The player’s listed price is not necessarily what you receive when you sell him.

Use our transfer-planning guide to compare the move with your actual bench option. A four-point hit needs the incoming player to outscore the player you would otherwise field by more than four points over the period you’re planning for. If your bench can cover the injury this week, that’s the comparison that matters.

Best João Pedro replacements

Evanilson vs Nicolas Jackson: Who should replace João Pedro in FPL?

Evanilson (£6.4m) is my pick if you need a starter in GW10. He scored in four straight Gameweeks and now faces an Ipswich side yet to keep a league clean sheet. He’s £0.6m cheaper than Jackson and has Nottingham Forest at home after the break.

Nicolas Jackson (£7.0m) is the alternative if you already own Evanilson or prefer Villa’s fixtures after the break. Jackson scored 33 points across GW6–9, just one fewer than Evanilson. He goes to Manchester United this week, then faces Sunderland at home and Ipswich away.

Already have a reliable starter to cover João Pedro? Consider using your bench this week and rolling the free transfer. If Jackson’s post-break fixtures are the main attraction, waiting until GW11 lets you reassess with fresher injury and team news—although prices could change.

Evanilson’s four goals, one assist and 34 points across GW6–9 support his recent form. He also scored off the bench in Thursday’s win at Sparta Prague. Junior Kroupi’s return gives Bournemouth another option up front, so watch their roles. Jackson scored four times and played at least 81 minutes in each of his GW6–9 matches. Recent returns are encouraging, but don’t expect four goals every four matches; fixtures, expected minutes and your squad’s needs still matter.

Isak makes sense if you already have the money and want a second captain option. Barry is the player I’d choose if freeing up cash funds a specific upgrade elsewhere; The Scout recorded nine big chances for him across his last four league appearances. The Scout’s forward comparison

Other buys and injury calls

• Midfield: Marcus Tavernier (£6.6m). Five goals and 55 points through nine Gameweeks, with Ipswich next. He’s my midfield buy if you need one. If you’re already buying Evanilson, a Bournemouth double-up is optional; use the second transfer where it improves your XI most.
• Defence: Maxim De Cuyper (£5.4m) or Gabriel (£8.0m). De Cuyper leads the FPL scoring charts on 69 points. He’s listed as a defender and has played further forward for Brighton, contributing two goals and four assists. Brighton face Brentford at home, Hull away and Newcastle at home over GW10–12. Gabriel has played every league minute for Arsenal and kept six clean sheets. Hull at home makes him a strong GW10 pick if you can afford him; Newcastle away and Man City at home are next. The Scout’s GW10 selection
• Wait on Ezri Konsa (£4.8m). He came off against Slavia Prague with a knee concern and is flagged at 75% in FPL. William Saliba’s return to the matchday squad adds a selection question. If you own Konsa, wait for Arteta and put a fit defender on your bench. I’d wait for clearer news before buying him. Latest Arsenal injury reporting
• Keep cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.1m). He missed Thursday’s training with a foot problem. Daniel Farke was hopeful he could train Friday, so leave the decision open. Thursday’s press conference roundup
• Bukayo Saka (£9.5m) remains out in FPL. The feed gives no return date. If you still own him and need that midfield slot for a starter, Tavernier is a way to free up funds.

Best captains for Gameweek 10

1. Erling Haaland — Nottingham Forest away. Nine league goals and 68 FPL points keep him first. He blanked against Brighton last weekend, then scored the winner in Leipzig on Wednesday. Forest are second-bottom. If you own him, give him the armband.

2. Alexander Isak — Crystal Palace away. Six league goals in 657 minutes, facing a side who have conceded a league-high 21. He’s my best alternative and the vice-captain I’d choose alongside Haaland. GW10 fixture and captain analysis

3. Cole Palmer — Sunderland away. Palmer scored and collected eight points against Man Utd last week. A trip to bottom side Sunderland gives him a strong fixture, particularly if you don’t own Isak.

My order: Haaland → Isak → Palmer. This is my editorial captain ranking for the guide, not a guarantee of starts or returns. Our captaincy guide explains how to compare your options. You can also compare your own captain options in FPL Assistant.

What are experienced managers planning?

Fantasy Football Fix’s public GW10 reveals give a useful look at three managers’ decisions. The dates below are the updates displayed on their reveals when checked on 5 November.

Haaland also has the armband in Fix’s displayed Consensus XI. These are snapshots from Fantasy Football Fix’s panel, not FPL Assistant’s tracked-manager cohort. They are the latest publicly displayed notes available when checked, not confirmed final GW10 teams or completed transfers. Some pre-date this week’s European matches, and managers can still change their plans before the deadline. The useful lesson for your team: if your XI is already strong, you can keep the transfer available for after the international break.

Before you lock in GW10

1. Check Friday’s team news. Chelsea’s update matters for João Pedro; Arsenal’s matters for Konsa and the defensive selection.
2. Fix any gap in your XI. Use a free transfer for an absent starter if you need one. If the squad already looks good, consider rolling.
3. Set your captain, vice and bench. Put a fit player first on your bench, with a playing defender available if needed to keep a valid formation.
4. Save your team before 6:30pm GMT on Friday.

Our Rate My Team guide explains how to review your squad. Unsure whether to replace a striker or start someone you already own? Open Rate My Team to check where your squad needs attention, then save your changes in official FPL.

Prices, availability flags and league statistics checked against the official FPL feed and fixture list on Thursday 5 November. Friday press conferences can change the recommendations.