This really is the FPL season that just keeps giving! Another Haaland blank, the Son assist controversy and Saka not in the Arsenal squad just to name a few.
Nonetheless, here are my early thoughts ahead of gameweek 9 and I attempt to make sense of the week gone to see what we’ve learnt!
As always, if you have any FPL questions you want us to address, message @FPLwithStu on X.
Is it time to sell Arsenal defenders?
Despite the mass selling off of Arsenal players, generally I think the Arsenal defence is fine longer term. However, the suspension of Saliba plus some difficult fixtures does cause some concern in the short term. I agree that selling Saliba isn’t a bad idea and the main alternatives at his price point would be Gvardiol or Pedro Porro (Spurs upcoming fixtures are particularly good).
Image source: London Football
The Saka injury was worse than expected. Given he was apparently in contention for the second England game it came as a surprise to many that he didn’t make the matchday squad for Arsenal. He’s a definite sell now given the fixtures and low chance of return from injury anytime soon. My preference is Son in the short term, again because of Spurs’ fixtures and his good showing in gameweek 8.
What’s going on at Spurs?
First up, as a Solanke owner, how did Spurs score 4 goals and he didn’t get either a goal or assist? If you have him too, I’m sure there are bigger priorities in your team so he’s a hold…did I mention they’ve got good fixtures.
Maddison got subbed at half time for tactical reasons. It’s interesting and for me makes him one of those don’t buy, don’t sell kind of players. If you have him, it would be a bit too extreme to sell him – I still think he’s first choice but seemingly not as un-droppable as previously thought.
Image source: londonworld.com
This might seem knee-jerk, but Son is a great pick right now. But hey, this season’s premium players have all been blowing hot and cold week by week, so there’s no guarantees!
Palmer or Son?
Chelsea’s next 3 fixtures are as follows: Newcastle (H), Man Utd (A), Arsenal (H).
Spurs are Crystal Palace (A), Aston Villa (H), Ipswich (H).
On paper, I’d favour Son to outscore Palmer over these 3 games. After that, I think the fixtures flip and become a little easier for Chelsea compared to Spurs. There’s not a lot in it but in conclusion, Palmer is the long term pick and Son the short term one.
Image source: bbc
Raul Jiminez is back
It gives me great pleasure to announce the return of Raúl Jiménez. Long time FPL players will know what a great asset he was a few years back. Football fans will also be pleased to see his return to form given all the talk of him “not being the same” since his serious head injury a couple of years go.
Image source: independent
4 goals in the last 5 games is a great run of form and at £5.7m he’s in there amongst the best bargain striker options. At least the next 4 games are favourable too so now is a good time to buy if you haven’t already.
Speaking of Fulham, Smith-Rowe has blanked now for 3 games in a row. For the same reasons as Raul is a good buy, Smith-Rowe is not a sell – fixtures are good and unless you really want someone else I just don’t think it’s time to sell.
What’s going on with Haaland?
3 blanks for a £15.4m player just isn’t on. Does Haaland not know he’s owned by 73.5% of FPL managers – we’re relying on him.
In all seriousness, his drop off in form is concerning and the Salah v Haaland debate is heating up again after a quiet spell. For what it’s worth, you don’t sell him before Southampton at home but as an owner, I’m losing faith in captaining him. You can’t not captain him for that fixture and the other usual (and valid) arguments rear their head: form is temporary class is permanent, he’ll revert back to the mean average over time etc. etc. I’m definitely a concerned owner but I know he’ll hit form again and I don’t want to have sold him when that happens!
Foden was a shout for a Saka replacement last week but then didn’t start. A lovely bit of Pep roulette to remind us never to bank on the Man City selection. If you’ve got him, obviously hold for Southampton but at £9.5m there are better ways to spend that cash.
Liverpool rotation
Luis Diaz is now a definite sell. 2 benchings in a row mean he’s not the asset he was just a few short weeks ago.
Salah’s consistency continues and he takes the lead in the total points by any player. Arsenal away is probably not the time to buy him but I wouldn’t put it past him to be a decisive factor in that game. Arsenal are weakened with the absence of Saliba, Saka (probably) and Odegaard. I wouldn’t target the fixture but I also wouldn’t fear it.
Best of the rest
Michael Keane of Everton was the top points scorer this week (who would have predicted that?!) but hold off on an early buy – despite being just £4.1m and good fixtures, Jarrad Branthwaite will return soon and take his place in the team.
Image source: BBC Sport
Chris Wood is still the best performing bargain striker. On penalties, nailed on the play and the main focal point of their attack. Forest have fairly friendly fixtures too.
Southampton and Wolves seem to be the defences to target but Wolves looked a lot more solid with a back 5 formation against City compared to the 4 they’ve fielded mostly this season. If the tactical switch is longer term then I actually think Wolves players become viable options. Hear me out…they’ve had a particularly tough fixture list to begin with and now it’s turning. The concern is that their confidence is already battered but Rayan Aït-Nouri at £4.4m is a good option given his attacking upside and the upcoming fixtures.
We’ll be back with some more ahead gameweek 9, including our team reveal. If you have any comments or questions you want us to answer message us @FPLwithStu on X.
