The Suspension Tightrope – Gameweek 9

We now have six players balancing on this week’s Suspension Tightrope after Gameweek 9’s fixtures afforded us four new entries. The most popular Fantasy asset sitting just one booking away from a single-match ban is Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas, who earned his fourth caution of the campaign in Sunday’s draw at United.

After collecting just a single yellow in the opening five Gameweeks, the 53%-owned playmaker has incurred the referee’s wrath in three of his last four league matches, and with clashes against QPR, Sunderland and West Brom in the next four, his owners will be praying he can steer clear of further misdemeanours.

Also picking up a fourth booking of the season last weekend was Everton’s Steven Naismith, along with midfield battlers Lee Cattermole and Craig Gardner. Whilst the latter pair have minimal ownership, Naismith sits in 25% of Fantasy Premier League teams, and after netting just once in the last six, looks to be on his last chance for many, with both Saido Berahino and Diafra Sakho offering excellent alternatives in the budget bracket.

This week’s new arrivals join Phil Bardsley and Winston Reid on the Tightrope, then, though Branislav Ivanovic owners can breathe a sigh of relief despite his sending off at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Serbian will serve a one-match ban during Chelsea’s Capital One Cup clash with Shrewsbury this evening and will be available for selection at home to QPR next Saturday.

Also free from suspension for Gameweek 10 is Wayne Rooney, who returns from a three-match enforced absence in time for Sunday’s Manchester derby. The United skipper is nursing a foot problem sustained in training, though, and is rated a doubt for the Etihad showdown.

Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, Tottenham centre-half Federico Fazio and Palace defender Damien Delaney also return to action, with the trio having served one-match bans last weekend.

This leaves Cesar Azpilicueta as the only player currently sidelined through suspension. The Chelsea defender misses tonight’s Shrewsbury showdown and Saturday’s home encounter with the R’s before returning to the fray in time for the league leaders’ Gameweek 11 visit to Anfield.