As the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 9 deadline gets nearer, we’re hearing from more of our team of guest contributors.
Here, FPL Meerkat talks us through his decision to use the Free Hit chip right now, plus his likely picks.
On a weekend where Arsenal travel to Liverpool and Manchester City host Brighton and Hove Albion, I’m activating the Free Hit.
My highly-owned players have tricky fixtures and, on top of that, Joao Pedro (£7.8m) and Riccardo Calafiori (£5.8m) carry short-term injuries. Therefore, this is a great opportunity to back against the FPL template and try to massively boost my rank.
Using the Scout app’s ratings, here’s how my draft currently looks.
Gameweek 9 Free Hit team
Goalkeepers
This position is the most flexible, as it’s difficult to predict potential hauls. I’ve currently got Zion Suzuki (£5.0m), who has impressed me by making 25 saves in seven matches and securing clean sheets against Newcastle United and Hull City.
Aston Villa are one of several clean sheets I’m hoping for, as Fulham tend to be quite wasteful with chances. Suzuki boasts five bonus points, one of the only ways goalkeepers can outscore their defensive colleagues.
Other options include Robin Roefs (£4.9m), Antonin Kinsky (£4.4m) and Caoimhin Kelleher (£5.0m).
Defenders
I’m doubling up on the Tottenham Hotspur backline because their home fixture against Crystal Palace provides the best clean sheet opportunity. Jan Paul van Hecke (£4.9m) keeps providing consistent routes to points, collecting a goal, three bonus points and three defensive contribution (DefCon) rewards.
Pedro Porro (£5.3m) is riskier, given he’s just returned from injury and didn’t start last time. However, I’m confident that he’ll be in the XI. In previous seasons, he’s been a popular pick for his attacking output, and this fixture could be a reminder of that.
Elsewhere, there is Antonio Silva (£5.0m). About to be make it with the masses, he’s hit the DefCon threshold six times out of eight, only once getting fewer than eight actions.
Being at home to Leeds United doesn’t fill me with confidence, but these visitors’ recent offensive form hasn’t been too good, scoring just twice in four games. Not only consistent, Silva is also capable of a huge tally that combines a goal, clean sheet and DefCon.
Alternatively, there’s Nathan Collins (£5.4m) versus Nottingham Forest.
Midfielders
Sticking with Chelsea, Morgan Rogers (£8.1m) gets a go at the severely out-of-form Red Devils. I’m not confident enough about a Cole Palmer (£9.8m) double up because, in both previous fixtures without Joao Pedro, the Blues didn’t score. I think they’ll do so in this fixture, just not too many.
Jeremy Doku (£7.5m) is a classic Man City midfielder punt. This Free Hit partially solves the weekly dilemma of not knowing which ones will start. Doku was a substitute in Wednesday’s cup win over Brighton, so I think he’ll start against them on Saturday. But this spot could also be for Iliman Ndiaye (£5.8m), Phil Foden (£6.8m) or Rayan Cherki (£8.0m).
Flavour of the month Johan Manzambi (£6.1m) put in some excellent displays against Spurs and Newcastle. High on confidence, he’s consistently receiving chances and creating them, so Villa’s hosting of Fulham feels like ideal timing. My only slight concern is his minutes, having not yet played a full 90. But even 70-to-80 of them is enough time to haul.
Julio Enciso (£5.5m) is a gut pick, someone I enjoyed watching during his short Brighton stint. He’s the main man at Ipswich Town, starting every time and racking up decent numbers. After some tough early fixtures, the data of Ipswich assets is likely to improve. The trip to Hull makes him exciting to own.
Also in my thoughts are Marcus Tavernier (£6.5m), Jack Rudoni (£4.9m), Mohamed Belloumi (£5.2m) and a Spurs midfielder.
Forwards
Erling Haaland (£15.8m) remains a no-brainer for both selection and captaincy. This Free Hit changes 10 players, but Haaland is the one I absolutely cannot back against. A risk that’s not on the cards.
Perhaps Igor Thiago (£7.8m), at home to Nottingham Forest, is the forward I’m most likely to switch. He waited a while to deliver in 2026/27 and, when doing so in each of the latest four games, none took him beyond five points. The Brentford penalty taker gets chances, but his finishing hasn’t been the best, with multiple assists being the result of saved shots. I hope he’s on target for this one.
Nicolas Jackson (£6.9m) makes it a double up on the Villa attack. Whilst I prefer the Spurs fixture, it’s easier to pinpoint where Villa’s points are coming from. In form, thanks to four goals in four league games, plus strikes in the Champions League, Jackson is on fire.
Maybe Omar Marmoush (£7.0m) and Brian Brobbey (£5.7m) need considering, but I worry about them being subbed early.
