Gm football fans. Route One here, the football newsletter that’s like a tube of Pringles - by the time you’re finished, you’ll do anything to get a little more.

🚨 Remember, Router, the Gameweek 10 deadline is 6.30 pm tonight! 🚨

Today’s briefing is a ~5 min read:

• The best games this weekend and what to expect 🤩

• Genaaaral McGinn teaches us a lesson in leadership 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤝🏼🇯🇲

• Fantasy Premier League: an insight into the reigning champ’s wildcard 🃏

GAMEWEEK 10… 🤩

🗞️ Morning Brief

GW10: Matchday Previews

 🏰 Crystal Palace vs Tottenham 🐓

Tonight @ 20:00 on Sky Sports

The weekend fixtures begin tonight with Palace vs Spurs.

It’s an opportunity for the league leader to apply pressure to those trailing closely behind.

It’s no secret that Ange’s team is on fire…

• Tottenham’s 23 points from nine matches is their best start to a top-flight campaign since their title-winning 1960-61 season.

• They’re unbeaten in their last five Premier League games to London clubs.

• and… they’re unbeaten in their last six away league games.

Key attacking injuries Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise have effectively muted Palace’s attacking threat.

And with Spurs conceding a league-low four goals from open play this season, Palace’s chances are looking slim.

But, look, we don’t want to be negative.

Today’s game marks Palace boss Roy Hodgson’s 500 games as manager of English clubs… maybe the Palace boys might pull something out of the bag, eh?

—

🦁 Chelsea vs Brentford 🐝

Saturday @ 12:30 on Sky Sports

Here’s an interesting game.

Chelsea are performing better and have picked up seven points from a possible nine over their last three matches.

But, Brentford have an incredible London derby record.

Listen to this… Brentford are unbeaten in their last 12 games in the Premier League against London counterparts.

Chelsea have lost two of their last three against the Bees, including that 4-1 thrashing at Stamford Bridge last April.

Both teams have something to prove after shaky starts.

• 💉 Quick hit: if Cole Palmer scores against he could become the second Chelsea player to score a penalty in three consecutive appearances. Willian was the last player to achieve this in July 2020.

—

👹 Man United vs Man City 🚢

Sunday @ 15:30 on Sky Sports

The weekend draws to a close with the Manchester derby.

Last season, United came from behind to win 2-1 in the same fixture.

But… City have won more league away games against United than any other side (eight).

They’ve also won 13 of their 24 Premier League meetings with United… more than any other side in that time.

Sorry for the reminder, United fans.

That said, both sides will be on a high off the back of midweek victories in the Champions League.

And, more importantly, well-rested.

The clocks go backwards in the UK on Sunday morning… so do your best to not get caught out by the earlier-than-usual kick-off time of 3.30 pm.

• 💉 Quick hit: Opta analysts predict City has a 50.8% likelihood of success - and United only given a 22.5%…

GENAAARAL McGINN 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🤝🏼 🇯🇲

Chinese general Sun Tzu once said: “Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons.”

Deep.. we know.

And, this week, Aston Villa skipper John McGinn has taken a leaf out of Tzu’s book and put it into practice…

… by learning Jamaican Patois.

Why?

After his teammate Leon Bailey struggled to find form, McGinn took it upon himself to make him feel at home.

Ok, we can’t say that for certain.

But his Instagram comment under Bailey’s post at least suggests he’s trying… 😅

Here at Route One, we wondered why Bailey suddenly picked up form.

Now we know the answer.

Captain… Leader… GENAARAL McGinn. 🫡

P.S. Does anyone know what McGinn’s on about?

EXTRA-TIME ⏱️

Laura Wood’s burns cheeky Twitter user in front of 7,000,000 people. Any coming back from this one?

Yeovil Town breaks National League record. 6,289 visited Huish Park on a cold British Tuesday to watch Yeovil Town vs Weymouth. Another strong showing from the English football pyramid.

Messi playing a superhuman one, two. Oldie but a goodie. The first time we’ve seen this pass from that angel. Apologies for the American commentary 😂

The Premier League returned from the international break in style. Goals galore. We hope this weekend will be no different. Soak up 1 minute and 19 seconds of this past weekend’s best goals.

FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE… WILD CARD ANALYSIS 🃏

Yes, lads and ladettes, Gameweek 10 is here.

To save you (enter the time it takes you to watch the gazillion YouTube videos on FPL), we’ve analysed some key wildcard changes.

Aren’t you lucky… let’s get into it.

We’ve looked at two managers that have wildcarded over the past two gameweeks:

• Ali Jahangirov: the 2022-23 FPL champion who played his wildcard in GW9.

• Let’s Talk FPL (Andy): the most popular FPL YouTuber who has activated his wildcard for GW10.

Ali’s team…

Let’sTalkFPL’s (Andy) team…

So, how does Andy’s differ from Ali’s?

• He doesn't have Schar (£5.2m).

• Instead, he’s opted for Maguire (£4.2m).

• Andy has Saka, Bowen and Palmer over Almiron, Neto and Martnelli

The champ sees value in owning a Newcastle defender, despite the higher cost.

Ali favours differentials in midfield: Almiron, Neto and Martinelli. Selected by only 6.9%, 10.3% and 4.7% respectively.

Andy has chosen more traditional players in Saka (47.8%) and Bowen (20%). But he has opted for one differential in Cole Palmer (2.5%).

TL/DR key takeaways 🔑

• Both managers have chosen:

  • Areola & Turner

  • Cash, Gabriel, Tsimikas & Taylor

  • Salah & Son

  • Haaland & Watkins

• Both managers are playing 3-5-2.

• The reigning champ has taken a riskier route with Martinelli, Almiron and Neto.

• Andy has opted for safer choices in Saka and Bowen.

MEME 😂