Fantasy Premier League gameweek nine returns this Saturday to provide FPL managers with some welcome relief from the seemingly neverending break for international football. With so many players getting injured or catching COVID-19, this gameweek appears to be one of the most challenging ones to navigate. Read on for some tips on how to handle this tricky gameweek.
Fantasy Premier League Gameweek Nine Picks
Quick Tips
It is not always easy to do but holding on to your transfers for as late as possible is probably the most important thing this season. Players are travelling all around the world and until a day before the match, it is unlikely to get confirmation of their availability. So, having patience is crucial.
Goalkeepers
Emiliano Martínez and Edouard Mendy seem to be the best long-term goalkeeper picks at the moment. Other goalkeepers could do well but one should probably decide between the two keepers mentioned above.
Defenders
With Trent Alexander-Arnold injured, FPL managers are on the lookout for a replacement. João Cancelo, Aaron Cresswell, Ben Chilwell and Héctor Bellerín are all decent picks for the long run. Chilwell is perhaps the best bet out of them. Chelsea have discovered defensive solidity off-late and Chilwell also offers a lot on the offensive front.
Cancelo has good fixtures after this week coming up and looks likely to start most games for Manchester City. Aaron Cresswell on the other hand takes set pieces and can get assists or goals from them. If Michail Antonio returns, that could help Cresswell’s chances as well.
In terms of fixtures this week, a Manchester United defender won’t be a bad shout. However, they have not returned good scores so far this season. Alex Telles could be worth consideration but his availability is uncertain.
Lucas Digne has a great fixture this week at Fulham and can reward his FPL owners with a big score. Although, Everton‘s recent form has been worrying with three defeats in a row.
Midfielders
The big news this week was Mohamed Salah catching COVID-19 while away on international duty with Egypt. He is likely to miss the match against Leicester City. Sadio Mane could be a decent option if one decides to sell Salah. However, Liverpool have many players missing which might affect their attacking play.
Bruno Fernandes is the standout pick this week. Manchester United will be fancied to do well against struggling West Bromwich Albion at home. Fernandes is their main man and FPL managers will expect a big haul from him. However, the Red Devils have struggled at home this season. In fact, they are yet to win a Premier League match at Old Trafford this campaign. Will this be the week they finally get a win at home? If they do, FPL managers can expect a good score from Fernandes. Marcus Rashford is also a good pick from this fixture. He has also blanked in home games so far though.
Hakim Ziyech has made a great start to his Chelsea career. The Moroccan has a decent fixture this week as well. He seems to be becoming a must-have.
Jack Grealish has performed well so far this season. He should be full of confidence as he faces Graham Potter’s Brighton & Hove Albion. The seagulls tend to dominate possession but give away chances as well. This should be an interesting match.
After a blistering start to his Premier League career, James Rodríguez has not done so well in the last few weeks or so. The Colombian has a good-looking fixture this week though.
It is not beyond Tottenham Hotspur to win their tough matches as they have already shown by winning big at Manchester United. Spurs have defeated Manchester City on their last two visits to North London. Son Heung-min scored in both those victories. So, the Korean can still do well and perhaps is a good option to have considering how integral he is to Tottenham’s chances.
Strikers
There are some nice striker options available for cheap. Ollie Watkins and Patrick Bamford are probably the two best picks from that range. Watkins has a decent fixture this week and so far has looked quite threatening. Bamford has done even better and has received a lot of chances to score so far. One can pick either or even both. Che Adams is also a decent option although has a tough fixture this week.
Jamie Vardy could be a great pick considering the kind run of fixtures on the horizon for Leicester City. Vardy has scored eight goals so far this season. However, most of those were from the penalty spot. So, there is a risk considering the high price of Vardy.
Timo Werner is in good form and could do well against Newcastle United this week. He is not a bad long-term option as well.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has a great fixture this week and is in form. He could even be considered for the captaincy. Richarlison will return from suspension and is a decent pick as well.
If fit, Michail Antonio could be a great pick available at a very attractive price.
Harry Kane should not be ignored this week. He is in great form and Manchester City have not looked at the best level this season.
Fantasy Premier League Gameweek Nine Captaincy Picks
Bruno Fernandes, Hakim Ziyech, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Grealish
Fantasy Premier League Top Picks
- Bruno Fernandes (£10.6)
- Hakim Ziyech (£8.2)
- Timo Werner (£9.4)
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8)
- Jack Grealish (£7.5)
- Patrick Bamford (£6.1)
- Richarlison (£7.8)
- Ollie Watkins (£6.1)
- Marcus Rashford (£9.6)
- Harry Kane (£11.0)
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