Holly Shand from Fantasy Football Community returns with captaincy corner and her three player picks in three positions for Gameweek 9.
Gameweek 9 was utterly dreadful: there have been some low points this season already, but that was something else. Only Vardy and Jimenez delivered of the likely scorers, plus Aguero and Salah didn't even make it onto the pitch! Surely things can only get better from here?
It's another busy fixture period, with seven clubs involved in European club football this midweek and then the next round of League Cup ties appearing immediately after Gameweek 10. Chelsea travel to Ajax on Wednesday, with Liverpool playing away to Genk. Manchester United are in Serbia on Thursday and Wolves are in Slovakia. As always, keep an eye on those midweek team sheets for any players handed a rest or an early substitution - it could signpost a more guaranteed league start among possible rotation worries.
Captaincy Corner
The shield pick is likely to be the most captained player of the week, allowing you to play safe and keep pace with the pack. The sword pick will be a less popular selection: if they perform it can shoot you up the overall rankings, but the risk from failure is higher.
Shield Pick: Raheem Sterling vs Aston Villa (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: 4/7
Raheem Sterling was one of just a handful of fantasy options who managed to deliver an attacking return last week, although a single assist was underwhelming given the number of big chances he squandered during the game against Crystal Palace. There's plenty of potential for Sterling and Manchester City in this game, Aston Villa have allowed the most shots against them in their last four games. Given the sheer number of goal attempts City, it won't take long for one of the many shots peppering the Villa goal to hit the back of the net. He has one goal and one assist from his last three games, and will be keen to improve on those numbers with his potential. The underlying statistics remain encouraging and suggest that the goals will be coming: he had four shots and created three chances in the Crystal Palace game alone. Will you play safe with the Shield Pick?
Sword Pick: Sadio Mane vs Spurs (H)
Anytime Goalscorer Odds: Evens
A home game for Sadio Mane is always an intriguing affair and generally brings plenty of fantasy points. He's scored in Liverpool's most recent two home clashes, with a brace against Newcastle and a goal against Leicester. It's obvious to see that there's something seriously wrong with Spurs this season, so this fixture couldn't come at a better time for Liverpool, especially with Lloris out injured too. They've conceded 13 goals this season, averaging nearly two per game in more recent weeks. Mo Salah looks set to be back fit for this clash, further strengthening this Liverpool attack who struggled to create their usual number of chances when they played at Old Trafford last weekend. Mane has eight shots from his last four appearances, as well as creating four chances. Are you going to take a risk in selecting the Sword Pick?
Holly's Hopefuls
I share my top three players for each Gameweek, selecting one defender, one midfielder and one striker. These are players that I'm tipping for the FPL Dream Team and they could also make intriguing differential captain decisions for you to consider too.
DEF: Andy Robertson vs Spurs (H)
Andy Robertson has certainly been the Liverpool defender to own over the course of the last five weeks: he's grabbed three assists in that spell and is now just one point behind his teammate Alexander-Arnold who's creating plenty over on the opposite flank too. He will get plenty of joy down Spurs right, capitalising on defensive errors from their shaky defence. A clean sheet could be on the cards here too: Liverpool now have Alisson back in between the sticks, to keep out the likes of Kane and Son who've combined for two goals in their last four games.
MID: Mason Mount vs Burnley (A)
Mason Mount may have been outshone by teammate Callum Hudson-Odoi in the last few games, but he's certainly got bags of potential this weekend. The Chelsea attack is looking particularly strong with their three young guns running the show, and Mount has four goals already this season. He's a poaching, capable of running down balls and causing defenders headaches. Burnley have looked less than convincing against attacking opposition in recent weeks and I expect that to be the same here.
FOR: Callum Wilson vs Watford (A)
Callum Wilson was among the most transferred in last week, with the lure of a home game against Norwich and although he disappointed, many of his suitors had this match in mind too. Watford have been seriously struggling this season and are still without a win from their opening nine games. They've conceded 21 goals, keeping just one clean sheet and Wilson will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing this defence. His perfect FPL record may have faltered in his last two games, but I'd expect him to get back to scoring ways in this one.
Until next time…
Good luck!
Holly
Find even more Fantasy Premier League Tips over on Holly's website: Fantasy Football Community
