After an eventful FPL gameweek 8, which saw the top of the table become even tighter, we now have an interesting set of fixtures in gameweek 9 which sees a few sides playing off the back of midweek European games. Here is our gameweek 9 preview:
Bournemouth vs Tottenham
Bournemouth were phenomenal last week after thumping 6 goals in at home against the Tigers, whereas Spurs were held to a draw by the Baggies away from home. Spurs will be looking to get back to winning ways with the best defence this season and grab all 3 points by extending their unbeaten run they have had from start of this season.
STAR MAN: Dele Alli (8.2m)
The Englishman has been very influential in the past few games for Spurs and will play a major role against the Cherries.
PREDICTION: Bournemouth 1-2 Tottenham
Arsenal vs Middlesbrough
The Gunners have been on fire with 6 wins on the trot, whereas Boro haven’t been in the best form recently with just one point in their previous five matches. Wenger’s men have shown that they are capable of both defending and attacking well. Playing at the Emirates this week might just be a bit daunting for Karanka’s men and could end up a one sided affair with the Gunners being the favourites to earn the three points.
STAR MAN: Alexis Sanchez (11.3m)
You can’t ignore this man and he will have been disappointed to not have scored last weekend and will be looking to make amends this week.
PREDICTION: Arsenal 2-0 Middlesbrough
Burnley vs Everton
Burnley weren’t able to cope up with the pressure in their previous fixture against the Saints and Everton have made a strong start to the season under Koeman. On the back of an away point against City, the Toffees have a good chance of making this game very one sided with the potential attacking threat they possess.
STAR MAN: Romelu Lukaku (9.4m)
Who else other than this man to be on the scoresheet for Everton? The Belgian has made a sparkling start to this season and will be looking to continue this scoring form.
PREDICTION: Burnley 0-2 Everton
Hull vs Stoke
Hull have just drifted off form after the great start to the season whereas in stark contrast, the Potters have just gone three games unbeaten after a terrible start to this particular campaign. With the Potters proving their potential last week, they seem to have picked up momentum at a vital time when you look at their upcoming fixtures!
STAR MAN: Marko Arnautovic (7.2m)
The big man hasn’t started the season too well but definitely showed glimpses of his capabilities in the last game. He will be looking to get back on the scoresheet for the Potters.
PREDICTION: Hull 0-1 Stoke
Leicester vs Crystal Palace
The champions of last season who took everyone by surprise have been just plain poor this season and have failed to cope with the expectations. The Eagles have had a decent start to the season but have just gone off the pace in their previous two fixtures. This game promises to provide entertainment and both teams will be looking for the three points.
STAR MAN: Islam Slimani (8.5m)
It’s about time he got a goal after having blanked three weeks in a row. This might just be the game the Mahrez-Slimani link up starts firing against a “Dann-less” Palace defence, making him a fairly decent pick to punt on.
PREDICTION: Leicester City 2-2 Crystal Palace.
Swansea vs Watford
Watford are on a decent run having started the season somewhat well & this week they face a Swansea side that is without a win since the opening day of the season. Based on form, this fixture seems to be only going one way but can the new manager get the numbers right and get the Swans back up and running? We will have to wait and see.
STAR MAN: Troy Deeney (7.1m)
He is the man Mazzarri will be looking to to win it against an out of sorts Swans side.
PREDICTION: Swansea City 0-2 Watford
West Ham vs Sunderland
Sunderland are in simply miserable form having succumbed to Stoke last time out. Sunderland are winless this season and this week they come up against another out of sorts side in the Hammers, who are on the back of scraping an unconvincing away win at Selhurst Park. Some would say that this is just the type of game the Hammers need to regain their confidence and get back to consistent winning ways.
STAR MAN: Dimitri Payet (9.4m)
He is definitely the man Bilic looks to to provide those moments of magic.
PREDICTION: West Ham 2-1 Sunderland
Liverpool vs West Brom
3 draws in each of the last 3 games is the form the Baggies possess as they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool who are on a pretty decent run having won 4 of their last 5 games. Klopp will be determined to get another 3 points after having played out a frustrating draw last time out against Mourinho’s men. By the looks of it, it definitely seems to be going one way, but the Reds are known to falter against small sides; Can they overcome that expectation this time?
STAR MAN: Roberto Firmino (8.5m)
His pace and clever runs could be key if Liverpool are to get over a “tight at the back” Baggies side.
PREDICTION: Liverpool 3-0 West Brom
Manchester City vs Southampton
Southampton are slowly and steadily climbing the table after having built upon favorable results in recent weeks but this is the fixture that could force them to a halt as they come up against Man City. Having said that, City have gone a bit off track in recent weeks, having grabbed just the 1 point in the last 2 games after having won each of their first 6 games of the season. Pep will definitely be determined to get back to winning ways and will be willing to go all guns blazing against Puel’s side.
STAR MAN: Sergio Aguero (13.1m)
The Argentine is on the back of 2 dismal performances, after disappointing thousands who trusted him, and will be determined to forget it by delivering big.
PREDICTION: Manchester City 3-0 Southampton
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Undoubtedly the game to watch out for this week. The Red Devils travel south to face one of their fiercest rivals. Conte’s men have got a few favourable results in recent weeks as they try building on it & carry the momentum forward, which isn’t the case for the former Chelsea boss Mourinho as his side have gone off the pace a little as they are placed as low as 7th in the league table. Expect it to be a cagey but heated affair.
STAR MAN: Diego Costa (10.2m)
The Spaniard is the league’s top goal scorer and will be determined to increase his tally when he comes up against his former boss.
PREDICTION: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United
Written by FPL Transfer Tips (@FPL_TransTips)
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