After a very good run for the differential picks, gameweek 8 was a disappointment. Of course, players such as Jamie Vardy, Anthony Knockaert and Felipe Anderson are longer-term picks, but did not pick up returns in the games prior to the international break. After a couple of weeks to reset and refresh, managers will be looking to come back with a bang and a strong green arrow. The obvious differentials like Raheem Sterling and Gylfi Sigurdsson have been extensively covered over the past few weeks, so here are some less other low-owned options to mull over.
JOSH KING – £6.4m – TSB: 5.4% – Southampton (H)
Norwegian striker Josh King was the go-to Bournemouth option at the start of the season, having had a very impressive pre-season ahead of a nice run of fixtures for the Cherries. However, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser were offering more returns in the early part of the campaign and King’s ownership plummeted. Despite this, King has registered two double-digit hauls in his last 4 appearances, rewarding those patient managers who stuck with their pick. There were concerns King had picked up a knock on international duty, but those fears were allayed after he completed 90 minutes in Norway’s victory over Bulgaria on Tuesday night. Next up for Bournemouth’s spot-kick taker is a home fixture against Southampton who have conceded 10 goals in their last 4, before travelling to a Fulham side who have conceded by far the most goals of all league teams so far this campaign. Expect King to be amongst the points.
DAVID BROOKS – £5.0m – TSB: 1.1% – Southampton (H)
For a lesser discussed Bournemouth option, look no further than young Welsh midfielder David Brooks. Brooks passed the eye test over the first few games of the league season, but was unable to provide any attacking points until the last 2 gameweeks, in which he gathered a goal and bonus point in each. Coming in at one of the lowest price-points for all midfielders, he looks a possible enabler for those trying to fit popular but expensive Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City assets into their squads. One drawback in picking up Brooks is that he appears to get hauled off early in most fixtures, having only completed 90 minutes once in his 7 starts. However, his form suggests his minutes will increase as Bournemouth take on a couple of poor defences in their next 2.
GLENN MURRAY – £6.6m – TSB: 2.7% – Newcastle (A)
Gameweek 9 pick Anthony Knockaert was unable to manage a return in Brighton’s home fixture against West Ham; however, Glenn Murray continued a good run of form with the winner and 5th goal of the campaign. The Seagull’s veteran centre-forward has the added potential of penalties and continues a kind run of fixtures up until gameweek 17. Next up are Newcastle who have had a poor start to the season, losing 6 and drawing 2 of their first 8 fixtures.
BERNARD – £5.9m – TSB: 0.2% – Crystal Palace (H)
Bernard arrived at Everton with a decent reputation after a long spell at Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk. He has had to bide his time, but looks to finally be firmly in Marco Silva’s plans moving forward. The Brazilian made a very brief cameo in Everton’s home victory over Fulham, providing an assist, before a brilliant performance and assist in his first league start as the Toffees defeated Leicester. Bernard created four chances from open play at the KP Stadium, more than any Everton player in a single game in 2018. With Richarlison back and firing, Bernard could be in for plenty of points over Everton’s nice run of home fixtures.
JOSH MURPHY – £4.8m – TSB: 0.2% – Fulham (H)
Cardiff City are likely not the side to be relying on for decent picks long-term as they sit rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table without much sign of life. However, much like Danny Ward did a few weeks back, Josh Murphy appears to be a potential budget enabler. Murphy has played 90 minutes in each of the last two games, scoring at home to Burnley in gameweek 7. The winger has managed 9 attempts on goal over these appearances as Cardiff prepare to face statistically the worst defence in the Premier League so far this weekend in Fulham. After a tricky game against Liverpool, Cardiff then have 2 further home games, where they will need their attacking assets to perform if they are to stand a chance of survival. Murphy looks the man for the challenge at the moment.
Good luck for gameweek 9 all.
Written by FPL Forum (@FPLForum)
