We’ve compiled a shortlist of players to buy, sell, keep, avoid and monitor, as well as a handy guide for wildcarding in Gameweek 9.
OUR LISTS OF THE BEST YOUNG TALENTS
Players to buy in FPL GW9
PLAYER
Wilfried Zaha (7.2M)
FIXTURES
Chelsea (H), Leeds (H), Leicester (A)
MINUTES
FORM
STATISTICS
0.59 NPxG + xA per 90
RATING
B+
PLAYER
James Maddison (7.9M)
FIXTURES
Forest (H), Bournemouth (A), Palace (H)
MINUTES
FORM
STATISTICS
0.25 NPxG + xA per 90
RATING
B+
Gameweek 9 wildcarders will be considering several mid-priced midfielders for their teams, as there are many good options around the 6.5m-8.5m range.
Wilfried Zaha and James Maddison should be on top of the list, as they both have fantastic fixtures in the medium term and could be easily held until Gameweek 16. They are both integral players to their teams in attack and will be good for minutes. Zaha is on penalty duty and Maddison takes most free-kicks and corners.
Players to sell in FPL GW9
PLAYER
Alisson (5.4M)
FIXTURES
Brighton (A), Arsenal (H), Man City (H)
MINUTES
FORM
STATISTICS
2 clean sheets, 1 save point
RATING
B-
PLAYER
Pascal Groß (6.0M)
FIXTURES
Liverpool (A), Spurs (H), Brentford (A)
MINUTES
FORM
STATISTICS
0.25 NPxG + xA per 90
RATING
B
Alisson’s Liverpool have had a slow start to the Premier League this season, and we’d expect them to improve in form as several important players return from injury. He’s not a terrible choice, but there are other goalkeepers with better fixtures for cheaper.
Nick Pope (5.2m) and Vicente Guaita (4.5m) are great and allow you to spend the extra money elsewhere.
Players to keep in FPL GW9
PLAYER
Aleksandar Mitrović (6.9m)
FIXTURES
Newcastle (H), West Ham (A), Bournemouth (H)
MINUTES
FORM
STATISTICS
0.52 NPxG + xA per 90
RATING
A
PLAYER
Reece James (6.0M)
FIXTURES
Palace (A), Wolves (H), Villa (A)
MINUTES
FORM
STATISTICS
0.35 NPxG + xA per 90
RATING
A
Reece James (6.0m) is one of the best defenders in FPL due to his fantastic attacking threat and minutes if he can stay fit, which has so far this season. Chelsea’s fixtures are decent and I would definitely keep him in our wildcard teams.
Aleksandar Mitrović blanked against Nottingham Forest’s leaky defence, but there’s no need to panic. He’s an easy player to hold until at least Gameweek 14, as Fulham have great fixtures and Mitrović is almost guaranteed to play every game.
Players to avoid in FPL GW9
PLAYER
Eric Dier (5.1M)
FIXTURES
Arsenal (H), Brighton (A), Everton (H)
MINUTES
FORM
STATISTICS
0.07 NPxG + xA per 90
RATING
C+
PLAYER
Bernardo Silva (7.0M)
FIXTURES
Manchester United (H), Southampton (A), Liverpool (A)
MINUTES
FORM
STATISTICS
0.36 NPxG + xA per 90
RATING
B-
Eric Dier has scored twice this season already, making him one of the highest scoring defenders in FPL so far this season. But don’t expect that to continue. He still has a very small goal threat, as evidenced by his underlying xG numbers, and there are better options elsewhere.
Bernardo Silva is a good option, but he comes with the usual Manchester City caveat – he is not a guarantee to start regularly given Pep’s willingness to rotate during this busy pre-World Cup period. If he does play regularly he is a great option though, so keep an eye on whatever injuries other City players such as Foden and Mahrez might pick up.
Players to monitor in FPL GW9
PLAYER
Luis Sinisterra (6.5M)
FIXTURES
Villa (H), Palace (A), Arsenal (H)
FORM
MINUTES
STATISTICS
0.40 NPxG + xA per 90
RATING
B
PLAYER
Diogo Dalot (4.5M)
FIXTURES
Man City (A), Everton (A), Newcastle (H)
MINUTES
FORM
STATISTICS
0.19 NPxG + xA per 90
RATING
B
Luis Sinisterra has excited Leeds fans early this season, and he looks to be an inspired signing after the departure of Raphinha. He should be gradually getting more minutes, as he’s played well in his last two games despite being subbed in the 63rd and 58th minute.
Erik Ten Haag has started Diogo Dalot at right-back in every game this season, as he has decent assist threat for a 4.5m defender. Man United have tough fixtures in their next 5 games, so now might not be the time to transfer him in. However, keep an eye on him, as he may become a great option in later Gameweeks, particularly if Man United continue to improve defensively under Ten Haag.
OUR LISTS OF THE BEST YOUNG TALENTS
Captaincy candidates for FPL GW9
PLAYER
Mohamed Salah (12.9M)
FIXTURE
Brighton (H)
NPxG per 90
0.42
xA per 90
0.29
RATING
B+
PLAYER
Erling Haaland (12M)
FIXTURE
Manchester United (H)
NPxG per 90
1.05
xA per 90
0.08
RATING
B+
PLAYER
Ivan Toney (7.2M)
FIXTURE
Bournemouth (A)
NPxG per 90
0.28
xA per 90
0.27
RATING
B
PLAYER
Kevin De Bruyne (12.3M)
FIXTURE
Manchester United (H)
NPxG per 90
0.23
xA per 90
0.53
RATING
B
PLAYER
Harry Kane (11.4M)
FIXTURE
Arsenal (A)
NPxG per 90
0.58
xA per 90
0.18
RATING
B
Despite Liverpool’s slow start to the season, Mo Salah shouldn’t be overlooked as a captain choice in a Gameweek where Erling Haaland is up against local rivals, Man United.
It’s hard to split between the two, the Egyptian has the better fixture against Brighton (who just announced De Zerbi as their new manager) but the Norwegian is in better form. Taking a punt on Ivan Toney wouldn’t be the worst idea against a struggling Bournemouth.
James' team selection for FPL GW9
I had two free transfers before the Gameweek 7 deadline which I was keen to use once I knew the games were going to be cancelled. I transferred in Kieran Trippier (5.3m) and Alexander Mitrovic (6.9m) before they both rose in price, as I knew I would want them from Gameweek 8 onwards and I wouldn’t have been able to bring them in if I waited longer (I now have 0.0m in the bank).
With one free transfer available, I’m considering taking a -4 hit to field a decent starting XI this week, and then wildcard in Gameweek 9. There are a number of desirable players that I want from Gameweek 9 onwards, who blank or have a poor fixture this week. Some of these players include Wesley Fofana (4.4m) Wilfried Zaha (7.2m), James Maddison (7.9m), and Ivan Toney (7.2m).
I’m likely to bring in Heung-min Son (11.7m) for Mohammad Salah (12.9m) to target Leicester City, and either Jarrod Bowen (8.1m) for Luis Diaz (8.2m) or Ivan Perisic (5.6m) for Reece James (6.0m). I think the team is looking pretty good considering the cancellations and blanks. All the best everyone!
Premier League Gameweek 9 Fixtures
Saturday, October 1
- Arsenal - Tottenham
- Liverpool - Brighton & Hove Albion
- Fulham - Newcastle
- Southampton - Everton
- Crystal Palace - Chelsea
- Bournemouth - Brentford
- West Ham - Wolves
Sunday, October 2
- Manchester City - Manchester United
- Leeds United - Aston Villa
Monday, October 3
- Leicester City - Nottingham Forest
Who should I captain in FPL Gameweek 9?
It’s a difficult week to pick a captain with the Manchester and North London derbies making Haaland, Kane, De Bruyne, and Jesus risky options. Mohamed Salah and Ivan Toney are interesting options if you can find a place for them in your team.
Who should I transfer in FPL Gameweek 9?
With an excellent run of fixtures ahead, look to transfer in either James Maddison or Wilfried Zaha.
