RADIO
Welcome to the Gameweek 9 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! It's a Friday night deadline for the first time in a while, so make sure you don't miss the deadline.
At the time of publishing, the Thursday European games are still to be played, so managers also need to ensure that players involved in those matches survive unscathed.
The Gameweek 9 deadline of the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season is Friday, October 25, at 1:30 p.m. EDT, when Leicester City and Nottingham Forest battle under the lights. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every EPL and UCL slate with our DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 9 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the minds of our FPL writers. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 9!
It’s now three blanks in a row for Erling Haaland. Is your confidence wavering in the Norwegian forward?
Euan Leith: Doubt Erling Haaland (£15.4m) at your own risk. Three games is a long stretch for an asset with that price tag. However, he costs that because he can pop up with a hat-trick anytime. He slotted home a brace on Wednesday night in the Champions League and could do the same against Southampton.
Jamie Steed: It doesn’t seem to be a coincidence that Haaland’s goal drought is occurring while Kevin De Bruyne (£9.4m) is injured. With the Belgian now out for a while longer, my confidence is wavering a bit. But you can’t count Haaland out, and he has a great matchup this week to get back on track.
The FPL Manual (Wale): No, I still believe in Erling Haaland’s (£15.4m) lethal quality. Nonetheless, owning Haaland has been a little frustrating as he failed to score in the last three EPL matches. We have a long season ahead, and I expect Haaland to pick up form in the Premier League soon.
William Saliba (suspension) will miss the crucial title clash between Liverpool and Arsenal. Does this hamper your belief in the Gunner's defense or raise your hopes for Liverpool’s attack?
Euan: It lowers the ceiling for all Arsenal assets and raises the bar for Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) and Luis Diaz (£7.9m). It's not just William Saliba (£6.0m) that the Gunners need to worry about. They've got several injuries to deal with all over the pitch.
Jamie: Yes, and yes, but not to the point where I’d be making changes to that effect. Arsenal have strengthened defensively but have some injuries to deal with. If Jurriën Timber (£5.5m) remains out, they look weaker at the back. I fancy Liverpool to score and get a result, but I feel the same even if Saliba is available.
Wale: William Saliba’s suspension is a big blow to Arsenal, especially with reports of Riccardo Calafiori (£5.8m) being a doubt and Jurriën Timber (£5.5m) still unavailable. I am more motivated to bring in Liverpool’s attacking options as the Reds now have a record 11 out of 12 wins in all competitions under Arne Slot.
Are you keeping or selling William Saliba ahead of Gameweek 9? 🟥@LaurensJulien reveals his plans for the suspended Arsenal defender on the latest episode of the #FPLPod 🎙️
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) October 24, 2024
Man United picked up its first win since Gameweek 4. Do any of the Red Devil attackers pique your interest?
Euan: Alejandro Garnacho (£6.2m) is the only Red Devil to make me raise my eyebrows. The Argentinian midfielder has played 90 minutes in four consecutive games and is starting to settle into the season along the wings.
Jamie: I backed Rasmus Højlund (£6.9m) in last week’s article, so it goes without saying that he piques my interest. That’s largely down to him being on only 1.0% of FPL teams, so it is a cost-effective differential up front.
Wale: At the moment, I don’t particularly have an interest in United assets, which could be due to their inconsistency in form.
However, the 20-year-old Argentine Alejandro Garnacho (£6.2m) did pretty well in the previous performance against Brentford and is somewhat on my radar. Should the Red Devils form improve, Garnacho could be one to target.
Wolves has the second-easiest schedule over the next six gameweeks. Who would you pick from the pack for your FPL side?
Euan: Jorgen Strand Larsen (£5.5m) is an excellent option for those managers stuck with Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) or Joao Pedro (£5.4m). The Wolves striker has two goals in his last two games and costs £1.0m less than teammate Matheus Cunha (£6.5m)
Jamie: I’ve been rostering Rayan Aït-Nouri (£4.4m) for a few weeks now, and that won’t change. I like to pair my goalkeepers with a defender to double-up on clean sheets, so Sam Johnstone (£4.4m) is under consideration.
Wale: Wolves have had a poor start to the season thanks to facing opponents from the traditional top-six teams. The swing in fixtures could change their luck in getting better results. Therefore, any of Rayan Aït-Nouri, Matheus Cunha, or Jørgen Strand Larsen could be pivotal for fantasy points down the line.
Should Son Heung Min’s assist/no assist have counted?
Euan: It caused a commotion in the FPL Community, but it shouldn't have counted. The biggest issue with the entire process is the lack of clarity. I know points are fun, but maybe rebounded shots shouldn't count as an assist starting next season.
Jamie: No. I have no idea why the own goal was credited to Alphonse Areola (£4.4m), given he saved the initial shot from Son, which then bounced in off of Jean-Clair Todibo (£4.4m). The second deflection off of Areola didn’t seem to change the ball's path, but regardless of that, it’s not Son’s goal or assist.
Wale: At first glance, I expected the assist to be given but after a close review, the own goal was not directly Son Heung-min’s (£9.8m) doing. West Ham’s goalkeeper Alphonse Areola rebounded the ball against his defender, Jean-Clair Todibo (£4.4m), who scored the own goal.
I think it’s all down to consistency with the FPL rules. If we uphold those rules, the assist should not be given.
Back to fitness and back amongst the goals 🔥
Sam (@FPLFamily) thinks Son is seriously worth considering with a fairly favourable run coming up - do you agree? 👀#FPL
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) October 23, 2024
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 9?
Euan: Liverpool will travel to London and make a statement by silencing the Gunners at home. The Reds look much more solid at the back under Arne Slot than they did with Jurgen Klopp. With several key players missing for Arsenal, Liverpool keeps it clean in the capital.
Jamie: I’m going with Brentford this week. They host an Ipswich Town side that’s 8.41 xG (expected goals) is the lowest in the league. Their 3.71 xG away from home is the fourth-lowest, and they’ve blanked three times in eight games. Brentford has not kept a clean sheet this season, but I expect that to change this week.
Wale: Despite weekly favorable clean sheet odds, it’s surprising seeing Manchester City keep only one clean sheet in the league this season. However, this weekend fixture should present an opportunity for the "Cityzens" to keep their second clean sheet when playing an out-of-form Southampton.
What defensive player is providing attacking returns?
Euan: Surely he can't do it for another week? Ethan Pinnock (£4.5m) has goals in back-to-back contests and has the best fixture in the league (Ipswich at home) on the calendar. Let's see if lightning can strike thrice!
Jamie: Rico Lewis (£4.8m) has been a bright spot this season. He faces a Southampton side that’s shipped in three goals in three consecutive EPL games and five times in their last six games. It should be a comfortable home win, and Lewis will fancy bagging an assist or even a goal.
Wale: Josko Gvardiol's (£5.9m) strike against Wolves puts him highly on my radar, and he seems to be getting much more offensive for Manchester City. After being rested for the Champions League, we can expect Gvardiol to play 90 minutes against Southampton and deliver another attacking return.
The clean sheets have not been coming for Man City defenders of late 😬
But Josko Gvardiol has been making up for it with 2 goals in the last 3 Gameweeks for his owners 💪#FPL pic.twitter.com/skaSCVMCxK
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) October 21, 2024
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
Euan: Dejan Kulusevski (£6.2m) deserves more love in FPL circles. Yes, this is a Spurs squad with Dominic Solanke (£7.7m), Son Heung-min, and Brennan Johnson (£6.7m), but the Swede averages .037 xGI/90 this year and has two goals in his previous three Premier League matches.
Jamie: Mikkel Damsgaard (£5.0m) has three assists in Brentford’s last two games. In addition to the lack of attacking threat, Ipswich’s 18.33 xGA (expected goals against) is the third-highest in the league. They’ve conceded four goals in two of their four away games, while Brentford’s 10.05 xG at home is third-best in the EPL.
Wale: Backing another Manchester City asset here, and that pick will be Phil Foden (£9.2m). The 2023/24 EPL player of the year is yet to find his rhythm in the league but has been shining in the Champions League. Should Pep grace him a possible start on Saturday, Foden could tear the stage up and be a strong differential for fantasy managers.
Who is one player you want to have but can’t for the Gameweek 9 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
Euan: I'm trying my best to roll, but I wouldn't mind grabbing Phil Foden (£9.2m) against Southampton. The English midfielder scored in the midweek European fixture and may have finally ramped up to his best form after a long recovery from Euro 2024.
Jamie: I’ve saved up three transfers, so I can have a bit of a tinker and bring in anyone I want. It feels like a week when Manchester City runs riot and scores a few, so it will probably boil down to which City player I don’t roster that will give me the most FOMO.
Wale: Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) has been one of the most consistent assets this season, delivering returns against formidable opponents. However, I don’t think I will be able to fit him back into my team without taking a few hits or sacrificing Haaland, and I have to wait till maybe Gameweek 10 to accommodate the Egyptian king.
Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?
Euan: Erling Haaland at home versus a promoted side is as close to a guarantee as they come in FPL. The real question is whether I'll pull the trigger and activate the Triple Captain chip on the Norwegian against second-from-bottom Southampton.
Jamie: Haaland seems like the obvious choice. Given I’ve hyped up Brentford and Manchester City as big winners this week, the only other option would be Bryan Mbeumo (£7.6m). I’ll get a feel for captain percentages later in the week and go with the best differential option.
Wale: I will be backing the Premier League's leading scorer, Erling Haaland (£15.4m), this week. After a dry spell, I began to doubt Haaland, but his recent performance in the Champions League has restored my faith in him, and he will get the armband this week.
Tempted? 👀#FPL pic.twitter.com/7QTRPti751
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) October 24, 2024
What’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 9?
Euan: Liverpool comes away with a 2-0 win in London and goes seven points clear of Arsenal. Elsewhere, Man United takes a step backward versus West Ham, and Nottingham Forest continues their ascendancy with a Friday night win over Leicester.
Jamie: Sticking to my theme this week, Mbeumo and Haaland combine for five-goal involvements this weekend. And Bruno Fernandes (£8.2m) scores his first goal of the season.
Wale: Erling Haaland (£15.4m) scores a brace in the Etihad Stadium, ending his Premier League goal drought, while Arsenal and Liverpool clashes end in a goalless draw
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