What a miserable Gameweek 8! I’m not looking forward to GW9 too due the number of injuries my team has accumulated. I was pretty happy that there was an international break and hoped that some of players are fit again but NO! The Aguero car crash, crashed my hopes simultaneously.
I’m going be pretty direct this week as I have my as my exams are on. And Aguero is fine but team definitely isn’t.
This week’s focus will be on the International Break, the qualifiers, friendlies and injuries.
1. AFC Bournemouth
GK. Ramsdale (4.5), D. Ake (4.9), F. Wilson (7.9), F. King (6.3)
Vs Norwich City (H)
Bournemouth have not a won a match in their last 3 games but they face Norwich this week who themselves are enduring even a poorer form. Brooks will remain out until November. Many will be expecting a clean sheet since Norwich have only scored once in their last fixtures. Nathan Ake remains the best option at the back because of his price and ability to score goals. Callum Wilson has been consistent this season but failed to score last week. but we can excuse him for once right? Joshua King scored a 94th minute penalty vs Spain and like Wilson, the former United lad has been prolific this season.
2. Arsenal
D. Kolasinac (5.4), F. Aubameyang (11.1)
Vs Sheffield United (A)
The gunners are on an 8 game unbeaten run. They beat Bournemouth through a David Luiz goal in their last game. Arsenal face a tough Sheffield side in GW9. Sheffield surely now how to put on a performance against top sides. Lacazette is back in training which should be a major boost for Emery’s team. Kolasinac had a decent outing last week but Tierney could possibly start vs Sheffield. Aubameyang has been the clubs talisman this season and could be an Aguero replacement if you don’t like the Pep Roulette.
3. Aston Villa
M. McGinn (5.8), M. Grealish (5.9), F. El Ghazi (5.5), F. Wesley (6.1)
Vs Brighton and Hove Albion (H)
Aston Villa battered Norwich City last week with 5 goals. Can Villa maintain their momentum should be answered this week against Brighton. Aston Villa scored 10 goals in their last 3 games, 3 of which were against Brighton in the League Cup. Villa definitely have a lot of quality in the front but remain questionable at the back.
4. Brighton and Hove Albion
F. Maupay (6.0)
Vs Aston Villa (A)
I wanted to suggest Maupay last week but I may have forgotten. Brighton lost against Villa in the League Cup. Both the teams are confident after their last results will lock horns for sure. Aston Villa are prone to conceding and Maupay can exploit their weakness.
5. Burnley
F. Wood (6.2)
Vs Leicester City (A)
Burnely have a couple of tough games in Leicester and Chelsea. They did manage to beat Everton by a goal in GW8 and have showcased an overall improved performances in their last few games. Chris Wood is the clarets go to man for now and I wouldn’t be surprised if they hurt Leicester.
6. Chelsea
D. Alonso (6.2), M. Mount (6.8), F. Abraham (7.7)
Vs Newcastle United (H)
Chelsea thumped Southampton 4-1 in their last match. Frank Lampards men have been going strong for a while now. Newcastle won’t have the same privilege that Manchester United allowed them to have this week. My favourite, Alonso makes the cut this time as he was really good against the Saints and the Emerson is out, he’ll surely start. The young cubs Abraham and Mount have toyed with opposition defenders and Mount has gained quite the popularity after his price has increased by 0.8m.
7. Crystal Palace
Vs Manchester City (H)
Palace did beat West Ham in their last game but I see only RED when they face the Blue part of Manchester this week.
8. Everton
M. Sigurdsson (7.6)
Vs West Ham United (A)
I don’t know what has gone wrong with the Toffees. Gylfi Sigurdsson is Marco Silva’s best bet as he been one of the most creative players in the league this season. Everton have lost their last four games hope to make a comeback after the international break..
9. Leicester City
D. Pereira (6.2), M. Maddison (7.0), F. Vardy (9.0)
Vs Burnley (H)
The foxes have been cruising this season and are placed at 4th on the Premier League table. Pereira, Maddison and Vardy are all enduring a hot form so grab them before their prices shoot up by point millions. They face Burnley, Southampton and Crystal Palace in their next three games which is another reason to own them.
10. Liverpool
D. Robertson (6.9), M. Salah (12.5), M. Mane (11.7)
Vs Manchester United (A)
Mane has outdone Salah in the last few games, also Salah limped off in the game against Leicester. He’s doubtful thought but United’s growing list of injuries should be an advantage for Klopp’s men. United don’t know how to attack all of a sudden. It seems like the clubs objective is to play 90 minutes without scoring. With De Gea and Pogba ruled out too, the odds are with Liverpool.
11. Manchester City
M. Mahrez (8.7), M. Sterling (12.1), M. B. Silva (7.9), M. KDB (10.0), F. Aguero (12.2)
Vs Crystal Palace (A)
Pep will go all out against Palace after succumbing to a 2-0 loss to Wolves in their last fixture. Sterling, Mahrez and Bernardo Silva all grabbed goals for their respective countries in the International break. KDB took part in training but still remains doubtful along with Sergio Aguero who escaped a car crash unscathed.
12. Manchester United
Vs Liverpool (H)
Martial could be back but may not feature in the entire game. De Gea’s out too. The Red Devils have put on shambolic performances casting Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s future in a doubt. Rashford scored against Bulgaria but has looked off in the PL.
13. Newcastle United
Vs Chelsea (A)
This fixture will be different ball game for the Magpies. They got past Manchester United because of a sweet strike from Matthew Longstaff but now travels to the Lion’s den at Stamford Bridge to play Lampards cubs.
14. Norwich City
M. Buendia (6.0), F. Pukki (7.1)
Vs Bournemouth (A)
A dismal spell for the canaries. Buendia has been the Canaries core this season since he’s had the most take-ons, chances created and assists than any other Norwich players. Somewhere deep within me I’ve still got hopes for Pukki to hit the ground running. Another away game means the lesser chances of Norwich scoring but I #BelieveInPukki
15. Sheffield United
Vs Arsenal (H)
I have no doubt that the Blades will give this game their all. Being a United fan I’m hoping that they could upset the Gunners but the Arsenal themselves are on an 8 game unbeaten run.
16. Southampton
Vs Wolverhampton (A)
Southampton were thrashed in their last game. The Saints have a tough, and I mean a really tough run of fixtures ahead. They face Wolves, Leicester, Man City, Man City (League Cup), Everton and Arsenal in their next six games. I guess it’s time to pull back the troops from the field.
17. Tottenham Hotspurs
M. Son (9.8), F. Kane (10.9)
Vs Watford (H)
Mauricio Pochettino’s men suffered a humiliating defeat against Brighton. Despite Spur’s poor run, one player you’d want to own is Harry Kane. I mean what better way to make a comeback? They face Watford who’re sitting at the bottom of the table and have conceded 10 goals in their last 3 games.
18. Watford
Vs Tottenham Hotspurs (A)
I genuinely feel that the hornets can sting Spurs but don’t think that they can pick a win here.
I said I’d be brief this week but I spoke a little more than I thought I was going to. I really have to go study for my exams so here are just the names of the players from West Ham and Wolves for GW9.
19. West Ham United
M. Yarmolenko (6.0), M. Lanzini (6.4), F. Haller (7.4)
Vs Everton (A)
And Declan Rice is fit…
20. Wolverhampton
D. Doherty (6.0), F. Jimenez (7.1)
Vs Southampton (H)
