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Welcome to Gameweek 9, Rotoballers! Just like the previous campaign, we are continuing our soccer coverage to include the great game of Fantasy Premier League. So, even if you are a seasoned veteran or a rookie navigating your first 38 gameweeks, we will set you straight. We're here to provide the advice to help you snag those weekend-making green arrows and avoid the doom and gloom of a red arrow.
With the international break in the rearview mirror, we've got a two-month dash until the World Cup in Qatar. The Premier League starts its second quarter of the season with a North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham in Saturday's early game. Then, on Sunday, it's the Manchester derby where Erling Haaland and Man City look to keep the city light blue when they host Erik ten Haag and Manchester United.
The Gameweek 9 deadline is 6:00 am Eastern on Saturday, October 1. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the team gets you all set for every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
RotoBaller FPL Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 9
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the mind of our FPL staff. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So without further ado, let's kick off Gameweek 9!
It's been a while! How is your FPL squad looking at the quarter mark of the campaign?
- Euan Leith: It's a lot better after my Wildcard. I've snuck back inside the top 900k after being in the 2-3 million range for a few gameweeks. Of course, a City triple-up will present problems with their Gameweek 12 blank against Arsenal, but I've got time to solve that.
- Jamie Steed: As good as I could hope for. I have a fully fit squad, all my bonuses and Wildcard are still available, and I rank inside the top 50k overall (top 0.5%). So far, so good.
There's a two-month sprint to the World Cup ahead of us. Do you have any long-term plans from now until November?
- Euan Leith: I'll be interested to see if any club managers take their player's upcoming international duty into account. For example, Belgium is expected to make a deep run. That could spell a little for rotation for Kevin De Bruyne if Pep Guardiola sees fit. On the other side, Erling Haaland and Norway are not going to Qatar. Therefore, as we head towards the colder months, the Norwegian goal-scoring god may get a few more games than his teammate.
- Jamie Steed: No. I'm taking things week-to-week, as the games are coming thick and fast. Plus, we have games now needing to be rearranged, so trying to plan anything out too far in advance isn't ideal. However, I am keeping half an eye on the seven-game midweek fixtures in mid-October.
Is there a team you expect to have a rise or dip in form over the next couple of months? What will you do with their FPL assets?
- Euan Leith: I think Liverpool will bounce back in a big way. Jurgen Klopp knows everything is still to play for, and I think he'll go back to what made the team successful last season. Plus, with Thiago, Diogo Jota, and Joel Matip returning to full health, the team's spine is much stronger than at the beginning of the season. It puts Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Luis Diaz back in my thoughts after ousting them on my Wildcard.
- Jamie Steed: I expect Chelsea to pick up their form as I'm a big fan of Graham Potter. Although I'm not sure, they'll see an immediate upturn in fortunes. Arsenal has a tough couple of fixtures, so it'll be interesting to see just how good they are right now, but I doubt their 100% home record stays intact.
There's been a couple of critical injuries over the international. Which one do you see having the biggest impact on FPL?
- Euan Leith: Selfishly, the biggest injury was Aleksander Isak's while training with Sweden. It was between him, Ivan Toney, and Gabriel Jesus for my third striker spot on my Wildcard. It looks like I've been on the receiving end of some bad luck with that selection. Other than that, Nathan Patterson's knee injury with Scotland makes Neco Williams the automatic £4 million defender until the Everton defender gets healthy.
- Jamie Steed: Although not directly, the loss of Thomas Partey for Arsenal could be a massive blow to the rest of the team. His ability to screen the defense allows their attacking players much more freedom, and his proficiency in getting the ball into those attacking players quickly and in space will enable them to flourish. While Sambi Lokonga hasn't looked out of place in the team, Partey missing more time could impact multiple players.
After Graham Potter left for Chelsea, Brighton has now appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their manager. What is your prediction for the Seagulls moving forward?
- Euan Leith: Potter had that Brighton team drilled. Solid at the back and efficient upfront. From what I've read, De Zerbi will be more attacking-minded and leave Brighton a tad more leaky at the back. So I would be moving away from the likes of Roberto Sanchez or Lewis Dunk until I see more evidence of some defensive stability.
- Jamie Steed: As mentioned, I'm a big fan of Potter and backed him for the England Head Coach job some time ago. While De Zerbi is also known for attacking football, he'll need to figure out the Premier League as it's vastly different from Serie A and the UPL. I expect them to continue playing in a similar vein, possession-based forward, flowing football, but teams will adapt to Brighton's style. I expect a top-10 finish this season and a possible run at Europa League qualification, but not a top-6 finish.
Who's keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 9?
- Euan Leith: As I mentioned, Joel Matip has returned for Liverpool. I think that solves one piece of their mysterious early-season-problems puzzle, and they keep Brighton off the scoresheet.
- Jamie Steed: West Ham United appeal due to Wolves' attacking ineptitude, but it's hard to trust them as they have only one clean sheet all season and none at home. On the other hand, I also like Everton away at Southampton, given they've only conceded three goals in their last four EPL games, and Southampton has the third lowest expected goals (xG) total this season.
Which defensive player is providing an attacking return?
- Euan Leith: I'm going back to the well for another week and touting Kieran Trippier to give us extra points against Fulham. I expect this to be a high-scoring affair, and the Newcastle defender has the creative skillset to take advantage of the matchup.
- Jamie Steed: Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a rough start to the season with his defensive vulnerabilities being on full display, something I'm sure Brighton will look to take advantage of. But he's still a huge threat going forward, and he'll need to show that if he is to retain a regular starting place. I also really like Neco Williams on Monday night. Taking set-pieces against Leicester City is a recipe for fantasy points. He also leads the team in shots taken.
- Euan Leith: Erling Haaland gets his first taste of the Manchester derby on Sunday. I won't be betting against him.
- Jamie Steed: With four of the "big-6" facing off this week, there's no real standout, but I'm still backing Erling Haaland to continue his ridiculous goal-scoring form.
If you could bring in any player you don't have on your team for this gameweek, who would it be and why?
- Euan Leith: It would be Son Heung-min. He grabbed a hat-trick right before the break and scored on international duty. After that, the floodgates could be open for the South Korean, and I'm afraid the tidal wave is coming for my FPL squad.
- Jamie Steed: I'd like one of Jack Harrison or Luis Sinisterra but need a defensive replacement this week, so I won't be able to get either in without taking a minus. Aston Villa has been dreadful on the road, losing all three away games and conceding seven goals.
Who's getting the Captain's armband?
- Euan Leith: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Erling Haaland is the man for me.
- Jamie Steed: With so many of my top players facing off against each other, I might go with Neco Williams and hope the Leicester City defense remains a shambolic mess. Providing I don't take a minus by bringing in a Leeds player, who would be my main pick as captain.
Finally, what's your bold prediction for this weekend's slate of games?
- Euan Leith: Graham Potter's Chelsea tenure gets off to a rocky start in the Premier League with a loss to Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, in the first game of the week, Harry Kane, Son, Gabriel Martinelli, and Jesus all get an attacking return in an eventful North London derby.
- Jamie Steed: Leeds United will end the weekend in the top-8 while Nottingham Forest picks up their first away win of the season, which sees Brendan Rodgers ousted from Leicester City.
Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on Twitter @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
