After missing a week of the Fantasy Premier League football due to an injury filled international break, we return to Premier League action this coming weekend! Here is our gameweek 9 FPL preview and star men picks and tips.
Tottenham vs Liverpool
This match is all about Klopp. It is the first time in many years that Liverpool fans can be ambitious about a title challenge over the next few seasons. The Ex Dortmund gaffer took over from Brendan Rodgers and will hopefully inspire a whole new style of play at Anfield. Their opponents, Tottenham, managed to grab a draw against Swansea in their last game, which featured some impressive showings from the likes of Eriksen and Alli. They will certainly prove a challenge for a reformed Liverpool side.
Star Man – Jurgen Klopp
Who says that the star man can’t be a manager ? The spotlight is on the German this week, therefore, I feel it is only appropriate that The ‘Normal One’ is the star man for his teams trip to White Hart lane .
Prediction – Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Mourinho’s 7 minute interview must show how frustrated Chelsea supporters feel watching their team of late. Even Jose’s bag of excuses couldn’t redeem his team, suffering a 3-1 battering to Southampton and still only to have won 2 games this season. From Aston Villa’s point of view, there are probably mixed emotions. They haven’t won a match since the first week of the season, however they have come close a few times! They have shown attacking ability this season, even without a set of high calibre players. They will be hoping that out scoring the blues will be their best chance at picking up points in this match.
Star Man – Rudy Gestede
There wasn’t much choice in the form of star man selection, but the award goes to the Villa striker who has shown he can nab a goal or two and has looked a decent buy from Tim Sherwood.
Prediction – Chelsea 3-2 Aston Villa
Crystal Palace vs West Ham
In a battle of South London vs East London, two sides who have had excellent starts to the season and currently both sit in the table with 15 points. Crystal Palace have a great defence, as well as having as many as 3 first choice goalkeeper options, including the returning Speroni. West Ham on the other hand are still undefeated on the road after 2 goals against Sunderland, gave them a 2-2 draw. Although the Hammers may not have won in their last two matches, they have always showed promise. They also have Andy Carroll at their disposal now and we could see him feature this week. As for Palace, they have become a favourite of many this season due to their consistent performances and wide variety of skilful players.
Star Man – Yohan Cabaye and Dimitri Payet
These two French internationals are quickly becoming noticed by clubs and football fans alike. Cabaye continued his form in a Palace shirt, collecting 23 points in just 2 weeks for FPL owners of the 6.5m midfielder. I’ve lost count of how many times Payet has been featured as star man, but there really isn’t anyway he couldn’t be. He has been the heart and soul of the West Ham attack. I would also like to applaud winger Victor Moses, on loan from Chelsea, who has also got off to a great start in Claret and Blue.
Prediction – Crystal Palace 1-1 West Ham
Everton vs Manchester United
United will be glad to have the international break in order to regroup after a 3-0 defeat to rivals, Arsenal. On the other hand, Everton also participated in a rivalry of their own, against Liverpool, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Roberto Martinez will be extremely happy that his side have only lost one game this season (Manchester City), as well as his balance of defence and attack; conceding only 2 goals in 3, while also being able to go forward well. It seems United have lost their spark they had at the start of the season, but they are still fully capable of getting a point or 3 out of this game.
Star Man – Ross Barkley
The Everton midfielder made an appearance against Estonia during the break and although he hasn’t scored more than 5 FPL points since Everton’s win over Chelsea, I believe he will have a real impact in this match.
Prediction – Everton 2-2 Manchester United
Mancheter City vs Bournemouth
For FPL players all over the world this is a horror story. The 5 goal man, who will have certainly been brought into over 135,000 teams has been ruled about with an injury for a month. The Argentine was stepping into his top gear before his hamstring injury and now City will have to look to the likes of Bony, De Bruyne and Sterling for goals. They also face problems in midfield with the likes of Silva and Yaya also ruled out. Bournemouth have also suffered an injury crisis and have recently had a slight dip in form, but will be glad that they don’t have to face the current Premier League top scorer. They will most likely use a counter attack/defensive tactic against the league leaders in hope of a level game.
Star Man – Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian will more than likely have to fill the void of Silva and Aguero against Bournemouth, but there is no doubt he can’t. The attacking midfielder has picked up a very impressive 32 FPL points in just 3 starts for City and is currently great value for his form priced at 10.3m.
Prediction – Manchester City 3-1 Bournemouth
Southampton v Leicester City
In my opinion, currently the two most creative Premier League sides go head to head. Collectively, The Saints and Leicester City have scored a massive 14 goals is the last 3 Gameweeks ! Watching both teams has been a pleasure and while Leicester City have been consistent throughout the season, Koeman’s men have thrived recently, which has been seen in their recent results, including a 3-1 win over Chelsea. Leicester were also back to winning ways in a 2-1 win over Norwich.
Star Man – Sadio Mane
Mane scored 9 FPL points against Manchester United, 7 against Swansea and 11 last gameweek, all together adding to 27 points in 3 games ! The Southampton midfielder is back on the radar of many fantasy football managers and after a fairly mediocre start to the season, Mane is currently priced at 0.1 less than his original 8.0m. His collaboration with Pelle and Tadic, has led to 2 goals and 3 assists. Certainly one to think about bringing into your team.
Prediction – Southampton 3-3 Leicester City
West Brom v Sunderland
This see’s the second of this weeks manager debuts, this time being Big Sam, who takes charge of a Sunderland side who didn’t fair too badly against Sam’s former club. However they will be without a key midfielder, who scored a brace against the Hammers, Jermain Lens. With the quality of West Brom’s strikers, it is a bit concerning that their frontmen have only scored two goals collectively since the end of August, which both came from Berahino. While Sunderland may have a weak defence, Allardyce’s style of football, albeit controversial, may make West Brom’s winning chances a challenge.
Star Man – Yann M’Villa
The 5.0m priced player took charge of the Sunderland midfield in their 2-2 draw and provided 2 assists leading to a decent 10 point FPL scoring. While the Black Cats miss one of their crucial midfielders, another looks to carry on his form.
Prediction – West Brom 1-1 Sunderland
Watford v Arsenal
Things are looking bright for the Gunners, who are now winning in style in consecutive matches, 5-2 vs Leicester and 3-0 vs Manchester United. A win for them this week could push them to the top of the table. Their opponents, Watford, have done well to secure 6 points in their last 3 games and won’t go down without a fight against Arsenal.
Star Man – Theo Walcott
Arsenal’s midfield has been unstoppable recently. Alexis Sanchez has found his form and Özil has been very effective in his last few games. I’ve chosen Walcott, as he has really progressed since the start of the season and also because I believe that in a central role, which he wants to play in, he is at his best.
Prediction – Watford 1-3 Arsenal
Newcastle vs Norwich
Our Sunday viewing is between teams that are both currently in the bottom half of the table, but both have very different perspectives. There is currently 6 points between the two sides. Newcastle begun well against Manchester City but couldn’t resist their onslaught, leading to a 6-1 defeat, leaving the Magpies sitting level on points with rivals Sunderland at the bottom of the table. Norwich suffered their first loss in 4 games against Leicester City last week, but even then they had several positives to take away for their game and will probably come away with all 3 points this week.
Star Man – Alexsander Mitrovic
The controversial striker scored his first in Newcastle’s 6-1 loss. When not being yellow carded in his few few seconds of a game or sent off, the striker actually does show signs of quality. He received his first 90 minutes against City and was outshone by the work of his counterpart Sergio Aguero. As he becomes accustomed to Premier League life, he may just play a major part in Newcastle’s hopes of staying in the league.
Prediction – Newcastle 1-2 Norwich
Swansea vs Stoke City
A six pointer match, against two sides in mid table is up for viewing on Monday night. The welsh side will feel they could have done better, looking back at their array of results. Stoke have started to become more consistent, which is something the Swans should aspire to do. Their style of play has worked well over the last few matches, however I think this match is anyone’s for the taking and we could see a surprise.
Star Man – Marko Arnautovic
The Stoke midfielder has really impressed me. He has been the Potters’ outlet and at 6.0m is a steal for your FPL teams. He has already scored nearly 3/4 (84) of his overall score last season.
Prediction – Swansea 2-1 Stoke City
By FPL Aid
