Yahoo Focus – Gameweek 9

While the Fantasy Premier League deadline has passed, line-up tinkering in our partner game Yahoo can continue in earnest.

They’re offering another bumper Premier League £8k Saturday contest for the upcoming Gameweek. This consists of the six Saturday matches that take place from 3 pm onwards, ending with the 5.30 pm clash between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion at St Mary’s Stadium.

Guaranteed to run, costs £5 to enter and is a multi-entry game, which means you can select up to 10 teams. The top 360 places pay out – there’s a minimum win-back of £10, with £800 going to the first place.

As this offers the biggest payout over Gameweek 9, our selected XI will be tailored towards it.

The Yahoo game is driven by Opta data and boasts a scoring system that is ideal for community members on the search for a Daily Fantasy Sports game.

New players can sign up and claim a free £50 in credit to your account when you deposit just £5. Promo code: Fantasy50.

Be sure to check out our Strategy Guide before selecting your team – this should give you a better idea of the mechanics of the Yahoo game and the types of players likely to benefit.

FFS Strongest XI

David De Gea – £17
Kyle Walker – £16
Virgil van Dijk – £15
DeAndre Yedlin – £10
Raheem Sterling – £24
Matt Ritchie – £19
Nathan Redmond – £19
Eric Choupo-Moting – £18
Sergio Aguero – £29
Tammy Abraham – £17
Anthony Martial – £17

As Yahoo allows late swaps up until each kick-off, our listed line-up could be subject to change.

David De Gea is selected between the posts as Manchester United travel to a Huddersfield Town side that have scored two goals in the last seven Gameweeks. With keepers earning points for wins or draws, as well as double the number of points than defenders for a clean sheet, De Gea looks a canny acquisition as his side go in search of an eighth shut-out in nine Gameweeks.

Three assists and four clean sheets in the last five Gameweeks showcase Kyle Walker’s ability to produce points at both ends of the pitch. The summer signing’s raids down the flank look set to profit once again as Burnley roll up to the Etihad Stadium – Sean Dyche’s side have allowed more crosses (115) down their left than any side in the league.

Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk is another defender capable of delivering attacking and defensive points. The Dutchman entertains a West Brom side that are ranked second-bottom for shots in the box (15) away from home, with just three goals and seven efforts on target in four road trips. Since returning to the first XI in Gameweek 7, Van Dijk has produced more efforts inside the box (four) and won more aerial duels (19) than any defender. That’s all the more pertinent when you consider that Tony Pulis’ team have conceded more headed attempts on goal (26) than any side this season.

DeAndre Yedlin looks a decent budget enabler as Newcastle host a Crystal Palace side that have yet to score away from home. Since being handed his first start in Gameweek 5, Yedlin is second in the Magpies’ ranks for crosses, while his seven successful tackles and seven interceptions over that period are more than any defensive team-mate.

After being withdrawn on 70 minutes against Napoli in midweek, we’re backing Raheem Sterling to retain his start at home to Burnley. Six goals and two assists in his last six league appearances makes a more than convincing case against a Clarets side that rank bottom for shots conceded (155) over the opening eight Gameweeks.

A change to 4-4-2 looks to have boosted Southampton’s cutting edge after they scored twice at home to Newcastle last weekend. With visitors West Bromwich Albion nursing injury concerns in goal, we’re tipping Nathan Redmond to finally deliver on his underlying numbers. Although he’s managed just two assists so far, the midfielder is ranked top for shots (23), efforts on target (six) and key passes (19) among the Saints’ contingent.

Newcastle United playmaker Matt Ritchie could be in line to profit at home to Crystal Palace. Four assists in the last six Gameweeks – with three of those arriving in as many appearances at St James’ Park – illustrated his form. Ritchie has registered more crosses and key passes than any team-mate and is ranked second for the Magpies when it comes to shots on goal (17). The Eagles have allowed more efforts on target (49) than any side and have conceded nine goals in their last two away matches.

Stoke City’s Eric Choupo-Moting boasts an impressive close-range threat as Bournemouth make their way to the bet365 Stadium. At home, the Cameroon international is joint-top for total shots (17) and has fired more efforts inside the box (13) than any midfielder this season. Having scored twice against Man United in front of his own fans, he faces a defence that has yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels.

We’re backing Sergio Aguero to start at home to Burnley, having warmed the Manchester City bench in each of the last two matches. The Argentine has five goals and three assists in his last three league appearances and netted three of his side’s four efforts against the Clarets last season.

Swansea City’s Tammy Abraham looks in fine home form as managerless Leicester City make their way to the Liberty Stadium. The England U21 striker has scored three times in the last two in front of his own supporters and has played a part in 80% of his side’s goals in the opening eight matches. His visitors, meanwhile, have conceded seven times in four road trips, picking up just two points in the process.

With Romelu Lukaku priced at a lofty £29, we turn instead to Anthony Martial for Man United’s trip to Huddersfield. The Frenchman has alternated with Marcus Rashford down the Red Devils’ left from match to match and, having featured as a midweek sub in Benfica, looks poised to return to Jose Mourinho’s teamsheet. Martial has bagged three goals and two assists and has played a part in 56% of his side’s goals when on the pitch – more than any team-mate.

This Week’s Contests

The Saturday 3pm slot – which covers the six matches from that time onwards – has four of the biggest prize contests of the weekend.

And all of them are guaranteed to run.

As mentioned above, the Premier League £8k Saturday contest offers the largest pay-out.

There’s the Premier League £2k Saturday, which costs £10 to enter and has a minimum win-back of £20 to the top 60 Yahoo managers. You can submit up to two teams for this contest, with the winner earning £200.

And there are two Premier League £1k Saturday contests also on the table.

One costs £25 to enter, with the top 13 Yahoo managers sharing the prize pool. First place earns you £200, with a minimum win-back of £50.

The other is just £1 to enter and pays out to the top 235 places, with a minimum win-back of £2. You can enter up to 10 teams, with £100 going to the first-placed manager.

Yahoo are also running a Premier League £1,000,000 Perfect Lineup Cup, which takes place over Gameweek 1-19.

It’s free to enter, with £500 in prizes and £50 for the best team every week. Over the 19 Gameweeks, there’s £40k in prizes on offer, with £30k shared among the top 5,000 and £10k going to the winner.

The Yahoo Cup also has a “£1,000,000 challenge”, which gives away £1m to any user who selects the perfect line-up in any given Gameweek to score the maximum possible points.

You can open an account and get started immediately.

If you register and deposit £5 or more, Yahoo will also give you a £50 bonus to be used as cash to enter paid contests.

Register here to claim the bonus.

You must be over 18 years of age, resident in the UK, and of legal capacity to register with Yahoo Daily Sports and open an Account. If you sign up, please always play responsibly.