There’s much for us to consider ahead of Gameweek 9 in what has been an eventful last fortnight. Jurgen Klopp and Sam Allardyce’s impact at the Liverpool and Sunderland helms. Graziano Pelle, Diego Costa and Wilfried Bony’s chance to step up as our Sergio Aguero replacements. Riyad Mahrez’ minutes, Arsene Wenger’s teamsheet and Ross Barkley’s form ahead of Everton’s kind fixtures are also on our lunchtime menu.
Klopp’s “Heavy Metal” impact…
Liverpool’s new manager has no easy task in his first match in charge, as the Merseysiders visit a Spurs side that put four past City in their previous home fixture. Nonetheless, Fantasy managers will be keen to assess the effect of Klopp’s energetic “heavy metal” football as we look for signs of their main contenders in the post-Brendan Rodgers era. Full-back pair Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno will be tasked with bombing forward to supply width from deep in Klopp’s default 4-2-3-1, whilst James Milner and Philippe Coutinho look pivotal to their new manager’s chances of making an instant impression.
Mourinho’s men in the must-win scenario…
Chelsea have so far offered a dire defence of their title but at some point, you’d think, Jose Mourinho’s men will finally click. A home clash with Villa may well prove the turning point in a season that’s disappointed at both ends of the pitch and the likes of Eden Hazard and Diego Costa will be looking to step up their campaigns against Tim Sherwood’s strugglers. Pedro owners, meanwhile, may well have to reconsider if the Spaniard is benched again – Willian’s brace for Brazil took his tally to five goals in as may matches for club and country and he may well be set to keep the former Barcelona man out of the first XI once again.
Pelle’s audition as the Aguero stand-in…
With the City striker sidelined, the big Italian has been the preferred replacement for FPL managers, with over 230,000 drafting him in over the past week-and-a-half. Pelle certainly looks the perfect blend of form and fixtures as the schedule takes a turn for the better for Ronaldo Koeman’s outfit. With five goals and as many assists already, he’s played a part in ten of the Saints’ 13 strikes and, having racked up double-figure hauls against United and Chelsea in the last three, there’s no denying his fixture-proof appeal as Leicester roll up to St Mary’s.
The new ‘unbreakable’ Crystal Palace…
Alan Pardew’s side sit fourth in the table after a run of matches that’s seen them concede just three times in the last five – despite squaring up to Chelsea, City and Spurs over that period. With Damien Delany back in training, Alan Pardew has decisions to make at the back, though – does he disrupt a settled defence for the visit of free-scoring West Ham? Four home matches in six and a trip to Leicester affords the Eagles a chance to strengthen their case for inclusion at both ends of the pitch.
Barkley on Rooney’s stage…
The Everton playmaker carried his domestic form onto the international arena over the last few days, bagging a goal and assist over England’s pair of internationals. Barkley welcomes United to Goodison having already equalled his two goals and three assists from the previous campaign and, with the Toffees schedule turning very kind from Gameweek 11, many Fantasy managers will be eyeing him up for a spot in our five-man midfields.
A Cherry Picking Bony….
The Ivorian’s switch from Swansea to the Etihad last January hasn’t quite gone to plan. With Manuel Pellegrini preferring a lone striker system in order to get the best out of the Argentine, Bony has remained a peripheral figure and has managed a mere 235 minutes this term. Given that Aguero could miss City’s next seven in all competitions, Bony – who netted 28 times in a season-and-a-half at the Liberty – looks a real short-term differential as the league leaders go up against Bournemouth, Norwich and Villa in the next four Gameweeks.
Ranieri’s approach at St Mary’s…
The Tinkerman sprung a major surprise by benching Riyad Mahrez for the trip Norwich last time out, much to the chagrin of the Algerian’s 54% FPL owners. Ranieri’s decision – based on the Canaries’ tendency to attack on the flanks – was backed up with a 2-1 win as Mahrez warmed the bench from start to finish. Next up is a trip to Southampton, where wide men Dusan Tadic and Sadio Mane have both shown superb form – another spot amongst the subs and many will be reassessing the Leicester winger as a mainstay in their starting line-ups, too.
Big Sam’s defensive solution…
The new Sunderland boss begins his tenure with a trip to West Brom this weekend as the schedule turns in favour of the Black Cats. Having shipped 18 goals, the Wearsiders are in desperate need of a defensive fix if they are to climb out of the bottom three in what has become an annual scramble for safety. With every defender bar Patrick van Aanholt priced under 4.5, the cut-price Sunderland backline could soon be on our radars if Allardyce can make an impact and steer them up the table.
Wenger’s Bayern rotation…
Just two matches into the Champions League campaign and Arsenal are already staring at the exit door. With back-to-back clashes against Bayern Munich on the horizon, Arsene Wenger looks up against it if he’s to somehow steer his side into the knockout stages. With a trip to Watford up next, Arsenal’s weekend teamsheet will be keenly awaited, with Wenger surely having one eye on Tuesday’s visit of Pep Guardiola’s side.
The Rob Elliot option…
Tim Krul’s season-ending injury hands Rob Elliott the chance to establish himself as the Newcastle number one. In a season where our sub-4.5-priced options have been very slim at best, Elliot has the fixtures to prove real value over the coming months. Given that fellow back-up stopper Karl Darlow is still a month away from returning, Elliot has the platform to cement a regular role under Steve McClaren, offering us a secure option at just 4.0 in FPL.
