{"id":572405,"date":"2020-11-19T02:33:28","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T07:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=572405"},"modified":"2020-11-19T02:33:28","modified_gmt":"2020-11-19T07:33:28","slug":"fantasy-premier-league-gameweek-nine-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/11\/19\/fantasy-premier-league-gameweek-nine-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Fantasy Premier League Gameweek Nine Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2>Fantasy Premier League Gameweek Nine Picks<\/h2>\n<h3>Quick Tips<\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h3>Goalkeepers<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=7956236f,52061089&amp;search=Emiliano+Mart%C3%ADnez&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Emiliano Mart\u00ednez<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/33887998\/Edouard-Mendy?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Edouard Mendy<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<h3>Defenders<\/h3>\n<p>With <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/cd1acf9d\/Trent-Alexander-Arnold?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a> injured, FPL managers are on the lookout for a replacement. <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/bd6351cd\/Joao-Cancelo?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jo\u00e3o Cancelo<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/4f974391\/Aaron-Cresswell?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aaron Cresswell<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/d2424d1b\/Ben-Chilwell?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ben Chilwell<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/f874dd44\/Hector-Bellerin?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">H\u00e9ctor Beller\u00edn<\/a> are all decent picks for the long run. Chilwell is perhaps the best bet out of them. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/chelsea\/\" target=\"_self\">Chelsea<\/a> have discovered defensive solidity off-late and Chilwell also offers a lot on the offensive front.<\/p>\n<p>Cancelo has good fixtures after this week coming up and looks likely to start most games for <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/manchester-city\/\" target=\"_self\">Manchester City<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/4f974391\/Aaron-Cresswell?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aaron Cresswell<\/a> on the other hand takes set pieces and can get assists or goals from them. If <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/ac05f970\/Michail-Antonio?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michail Antonio<\/a> returns, that could help Cresswell&#8217;s chances as well.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of fixtures this week, a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/manchester-united\/\" target=\"_self\">Manchester United<\/a> defender won&#8217;t be a bad shout. However, they have not returned good scores so far this season. <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/e73c9bb2\/Alex-Telles?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Telles<\/a> could be worth consideration but his availability is uncertain.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/1b84dbe1\/Lucas-Digne?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lucas Digne<\/a> has a great fixture this week at <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/fulham\/\" target=\"_self\">Fulham<\/a> and can reward his FPL owners with a big score. Although, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/everton\/\" target=\"_self\">Everton<\/a>&#8216;s recent form has been worrying with three defeats in a row.<\/p>\n<h3>Midfielders<\/h3>\n<p>The big news this week was <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/e342ad68\/Mohamed-Salah?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mohamed Salah<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/11\/18\/mohamed-salah-tests-positive-for-the-third-time\/\" target=\"_self\">catching COVID-19<\/a> while away on international duty with Egypt. He is likely to miss the match against <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/leicester-city\/\" target=\"_self\">Leicester City.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/c691bfe2\/Sadio-Mane?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sadio Mane<\/a> could be a decent option if one decides to sell Salah. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/liverpool\/\" target=\"_self\">Liverpool<\/a> have many players missing which might affect their attacking play.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=507c7bdf,9227838e&amp;search=Bruno+Fernandes&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruno Fernandes<\/a> is the standout pick this week. Manchester United will be fancied to do well against struggling <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/west-brom\/\" target=\"_self\">West Bromwich Albion<\/a> at home. Fernandes is their main man and FPL managers will expect a big haul from him. However, the Red Devils\u00a0have struggled at home this season. In fact, they are yet to win a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/category\/premier-league\/\" target=\"_self\">Premier League<\/a> 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. <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/a1d5bd30\/Marcus-Rashford?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcus Rashford<\/a> is also a good pick from this fixture. He has also blanked in home games so far though.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/6622454d\/Hakim-Ziyech?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hakim Ziyech<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/b0b4fd3e\/Jack-Grealish?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Grealish<\/a> has performed well so far this season. He should be full of confidence as he faces Graham Potter&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/brighton-hove-albion\/\" target=\"_self\">Brighton &amp; Hove Albion<\/a>. The seagulls tend to dominate possession but give away chances as well. This should be an interesting match.<\/p>\n<p>After a blistering start to his Premier League career, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/715bf047\/James-Rodriguez?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Rodr\u00edguez<\/a> has not done so well in the last few weeks or so. The Colombian has a good-looking fixture this week though.<\/p>\n<p>It is not beyond <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/tottenham\/\" target=\"_self\">Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> to win their tough matches as they have already shown by winning big at Manchester United. Spurs have defeated Manchester City on their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.11v11.com\/teams\/manchester-city\/tab\/opposingTeams\/opposition\/Tottenham%20Hotspur\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">last two visits to North London<\/a>. \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/92e7e919\/Son-Heung-min\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Son Heung-min<\/a> 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&#8217;s chances.<\/p>\n<h3>Strikers<\/h3>\n<p>There are some nice striker options available for cheap. <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/aed3a70f\/Ollie-Watkins?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ollie Watkins <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/93feac6e\/Patrick-Bamford?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Bamford<\/a> 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. <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/f2bf1b0f\/Che-Adams?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Che Adams<\/a> is also a decent option although has a tough fixture this week.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/45963054\/Jamie-Vardy?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jamie Vardy<\/a> could be a great pick considering the kind run of fixtures on the horizon for <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/leicester-city\/\" target=\"_self\">Leicester City<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/49fe9070\/Timo-Werner?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Timo Werner<\/a> is in good form and could do well against <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/clubs\/newcastle-united\/\" target=\"_self\">Newcastle United<\/a> this week. He is not a bad long-term option as well.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/59e6e5bf\/Dominic-Calvert-Lewin?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dominic Calvert-Lewin<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>If fit, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/ac05f970\/Michail-Antonio?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michail Antonio<\/a> could be a great pick available at a very attractive price.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/21a66f6a\/Harry-Kane?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Harry Kane<\/a> should not be ignored this week. He is in great form and Manchester City have not looked at the best level this season.<\/p>\n<h3>Fantasy Premier League Gameweek Nine Captaincy Picks<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=507c7bdf,9227838e&amp;search=Bruno+Fernandes&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruno Fernandes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/6622454d\/Hakim-Ziyech?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hakim Ziyech<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/59e6e5bf\/Dominic-Calvert-Lewin?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dominic Calvert-Lewin<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/b0b4fd3e\/Jack-Grealish?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Grealish<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Fantasy Premier League Top Picks<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=507c7bdf,9227838e&amp;search=Bruno+Fernandes&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruno Fernandes<\/a> (\u00a310.6)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/6622454d\/Hakim-Ziyech\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hakim Ziyech<\/a> (\u00a38.2)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/49fe9070\/Timo-Werner?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Timo Werner<\/a> (\u00a39.4)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/59e6e5bf\/Dominic-Calvert-Lewin?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dominic Calvert-Lewin\u00a0<\/a>(\u00a37.8)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/b0b4fd3e\/Jack-Grealish?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Grealish<\/a> (\u00a37.5)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/93feac6e\/Patrick-Bamford?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Bamford<\/a> (\u00a36.1)<\/li>\n<li>Richarlison (\u00a37.8)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/aed3a70f\/Ollie-Watkins?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ollie Watkins<\/a> (\u00a36.1)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/a1d5bd30\/Marcus-Rashford?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcus Rashford<\/a> (\u00a39.6)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fbref.com\/en\/players\/21a66f6a\/Harry-Kane?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Harry Kane<\/a> (\u00a311.0)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Main Photo<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"Eunm2UmYSbxiRk-arlVcCA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1284404236\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Eunm2UmYSbxiRk-arlVcCA',sig:'inoRoaLAFGGD2fUIPQIC0idB15rGGzQikzxmnRzwlcw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1284404236',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2794,"featured_media":572598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,161],"tags":[1395,3009,2811,2911,4134,3007,136],"class_list":["post-572405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-premier-league","category-international-football","tag-fantasy-football","tag-fantasy-premier-league","tag-fpl","tag-fpl-captain","tag-fpl-chips","tag-fpl-picks","tag-world-football"],"modified_by":"Dale Ventham, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2794"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=572405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/572405\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/572598"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=572405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=572405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=572405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}