Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 gameweek nine has a Friday night deadline as Arsenal take on Aston Villa. However, the big news this week came from Stamford Bridge with both Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner getting injured in their Champions League win over Malmo. If you are part of the 35.4 per cent FPL managers who own Lukaku, read on to find out about his possible replacements.
Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 Gameweek Nine Picks
Quick Tips
With teams being involved in Europe this midweek, there is bound to be some squad rotation. Try to find out about the latest team news before making your transfers. However, the most important thing to remember is that the deadline is on Friday. Don’t miss the deadline.
Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 Gameweek Nine: Fixtures to Target
Chelsea v Norwich City
Despite suffering injuries to their frontmen, Chelsea remain heavy favourites against bottom of the table Norwich City. Ben Chilwell is starting regularly these days and was even taken off after 66 minutes in midweek which augurs well for the Englishman. However, no one can say for sure whether Marcos Alonso will start on Saturday or not. Kai Havertz should start up front with no other options to choose from. César Azpilicueta and Antonio Rüdiger look likely to start but the rest of the options are tricky to call. Trevoh Chalobah might start again as he did in three home games against weaker opposition this season in Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Southampton.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City
Despite Brighton’s standings in the league, a Manchester City win in this match remains likely. City’s recent record against the Seagulls is quite amazing with eight wins out of the last nine encounters. However, the only time they did not win was last season when they lost at the Amex. Brighton’s style of football should suit City as they enjoy playing against teams that try to play passing football.
Gabriel Jesus stayed on the bench against Club Brugge and did not play last week also due to international commitments. The Brazilian should start this weekend. Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden were both taken off early and look likely to start this Saturday as well. Ilkay Gündogan is back in contention also. Jesus is a decent replacement for Lukaku as he has been in good form playing on the right with two goals and four assists. However, he could be benched from time to time.
Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 Gameweek Nine: Picks to Consider
Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane are the obvious replacements for Romelu Lukaku. Alongside Mohamed Salah, Vardy is the top scorer in the league this season so far with seven goals to his name. He also has a decent run of fixtures coming up. FPL managers have largely ignored him this season but the opportunity to get him in has now opened up. Vardy has a tricky away fixture this week against Brentford but we know how much he just loves to score in hostile away grounds. Interestingly, all of Vardy’s goals have come from open play this season.
Harry Kane has made a very slow start this season with his first league goal coming last Sunday. Many are expecting him to go on a scoring run now. However, he has three tough fixtures coming up and it is probably better to get him in on gameweek 12. Son Heung-min is in better form. So, another way to replace Lukaku is to go cheap upfront and spend the units in midfield to get Son in. De Bruyne is also another premium midfielder to consider if one decides to take that approach.
Brentford’s assets are worth considering, while Odsonne Edouard is a decent punt for Crystal Palace against leaky Newcastle United. Callum Wilson is also worth a shout.
Liverpool in current form look ominous for Manchester United. They got a big win at Old Trafford last season and will be confident to get the three points again.
