Mohamed Salah’s incredible start to the season continued with another 13 point haul in Liverpool’s 5-0 win over Watford in the last game week.
The decision to permanent captain Salah is under pressure this week as Liverpool travel to face Manchester United.
Chelsea’s home fixture with bottom side Norwich City is the gimme of the round and FPL managers will be looking to get a couple of Blues into their side.
Arsenal vs. Aston Villa: Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
Two sides who suffered disappointing collapses last weekend as Arsenal blew a lead at home to Crystal Palace and Villa somehow conceded three times in the last 10 minutes to lost to Wolves.
Villa took six points off Arsenal last term, winning 3-0 at the Emirates, however a similar result isn’t expected here.
It remains a tough to predict fixture though and I wouldn’t be buying players from this one to add to my side.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang put in his best display of the season last time out and is probably the best bet here.
Chelsea vs. Norwich City: Ben Chilwell
Chelsea are massive favourites going into their home fixture with Norwich City and at least one Chelsea defender is a must.
Ben Chilwell appears to have edged Marcos Alonso out of the side and the left-back has two goals in two games since doing so, returning 22 points in the process.
Antonio Rudiger is available again for Chelsea and is probably the most secure defender in the side.
Offensive players for the Blues can probably be dodged here, with Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner both suffering injuries in the midweek win over Malmo.
Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle United: Connor Gallagher
Newcastle United’s first match since parting ways with Steve Bruce see’s them travel to face a Crystal Palace side, who have just one win themselves.
Palace were again denied late on as they conceded a 94th minute equaliser away to Arsenal on Monday evening.
Connor Gallagher has made a superb start to the season and looks to be a good budget pick for a favourable home fixture.
Everton vs. Watford: Demari Gray
Everton and Watford endured disappointing GW8’s, losing at home West Ham United and Liverpool respectively.
Everton’s injury woes were extended with the news Abdoulaye Doucouré will miss around six weeks with a foot injury.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains out injured, whilst Richarlison is a doubt meaning you will need to look into the midfield for Everton options.
Demari Gray and Andros Townsend have made superb starts to the campaign and at less than 6.0m they are still good picks.
Leeds United vs. Wolves: Raphinha
Leeds United’s frustrating season continued last weekend as they were beaten 1-0 at Southampton, the hosts first win of the campaign.
Raphinha missed the game as he returned late following international duty; however he will be in the XI here and at 6.6m he is one of the best value options in the game.
Another who should start this week having been benched last time is Raul Jimenez and he is probably Wolves’ best bet if you fancy the visitors.
Southampton vs. Burnley: Armando Broja
Two struggling sides meet on Saturday as Southampton entertain Burnley, with the pair having just one league win between them this term.
Armanjo Broja appears to have ousted Adam Armstrong from the XI and the Chelsea loanee opened his account in the win over Leeds last time out.
The Albanian is just 5.0 and looks a really good third striking option provided he can remain in favour at the St.Mary’s.
Valentino Livramento is another budget option who has been superb this season and he will probably be in some XI’s this week.
Brighton vs. Manchester City: Kevin de Bruyne
Manchester City are starting to find their form and will be looking to inflict just a second defeat of the season on Brighton.
Pep Guardiola’s men thrashed Club Brugge in midweek and the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden were subbed early given the scoreline.
Guardiola is always a tough manager to predict, but surely De Bruyne starts and having scored in the win over Burnley, the Belgian is an excellent option.
Ruben Dias was given a rare rest last weekend and will return to the side and is probably the safest defensive pick this week.
Brentford vs. Leicester City: Jamie Vardy
Both Brentford and Leicester City were superb last weekend; however only one came away with anything from difficult home fixtures.
Brentford were frustrated in the 1-0 loss to Chelsea, whilst Leicester rallied from a goal down to beat Manchester United 4-2.
Jamie Vardy is having an under the radar campaign and he is making his way into more and more sides and is probably the best pick here.
The Brentford pair of Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbuemo are good budget options for the hosts.
West Ham United vs. Tottenham: Michail Antonio
Just one point separates West Ham and Tottenham going into one of the hardest fixtures to predict this weekend.
Spurs’ inconsistent start to the season continued; however it wouldn’t be a shocked if they rolled over once again.
Michail Antonio has been handed a total breather in the midweek Europa League fixture, which increases his appeal for the visit of Spurs.
Harry Kane opened his league account for the season last time out and now might be a good time to get the English captain in, especially with Lukaku missing.
Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Mohamed Salah
If these two sides perform like they did last weekend, then there is only one outcome, a comprehensive away victory.
Salah’s form this season has been ridiculous and the temptation to captain him for the trip to Old Trafford is there.
He is the clear best bet for this game and it wouldn’t be a shock were he to record another double digit haul.
Elsewhere I wouldn’t be signing players for this one and it may well be time to offload a few of your United assets.
GW9 Dream Team: Pickford; Livramento, Chilwell, Dias; Salah, De Bruyne, Gallagher, Mbuemo, Gray; Vardy, Antonio,
GW8 Dream Team: Ramsdale (2); Cancelo (6), Dias (1), Cash (6), Azpilicueta (6); Salah (26), Smith-Rowe (2), Son (9), Sterling (3); Ronaldo (2), Maupay (2)
Total: 64
