Fantrax EPL GW-9 Player Picks

GW-9 brings back some normalcy after the international both took away and gave many options for managers.

Champions League was unkind to the Chelsea front line, who face last place Norwich. I’m waiting on further news, but it doesn’t look good. For now we know that Romelu Lukaku twisted his ankle and Timo Werner suffered a hamstring injury, with Thomas Tuchel saying after the match that “They will be some days out.”

Man United is struggling and faces Liverpool. Many of us have been holding onto to Lukaku and Ronaldo at cheap prices. Are you going to hold?

There will be options at least.

[ Our one early game of the week is Friday! Arsenal hosts Aston Villa, so those are the two confirmed lineups we should see in the countdown hour before our FRIDAY DEADLINE. Come back to NMA for our Pre-deadline Chat to see those two lineups and other late breaking news! ]

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Keepers

Alex McCarthy (SOU vs BUR, $9.33)

Burnley has scored only five goals this season. Of their four games at home, the Saints have kept two clean sheets, conceding only once.

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Aaron Ramsdale (ARS vs AST, $13.43)

Arsenal’s defense improved dramatically when Ramsdale took over for Leno, and when the Gunners found a consistent back four. Coincidence or capability? We will find out when the Gunners host Aston Villa.

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Defenders

Ben Chilwell (CHE vs NOR, $9.62)

The EPL’s best attacking defender on the best defensive team is playing against the worst attacking and defending team in the league. Get him if you can. Any Chelsea defender is an option this weekend.

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Valentino Livramento (SOU vs BUR, $9.67)

The Southampton defender has been consistent fantasy contributor to many squads this year. His price shows that. He’s the pick of the list against a Burnley team with only five goals this year,

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João Cancelo (BHA vs MCI, $13.77)

Cancelo has been in Pep’s lineup consistently, starting in all eight EPL games. City have kept six clean sheets, and the defender is often heavily involved in the attack. Brighton is in 4th, just a place behind City at the moment, but have scored only eight times.

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Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne (BHA vs MCI, $12.81)

He is back to his more consistent self with two goals in two games for the Belgian. With Man City’s Champions League game being on Tuesday, I would think there’s a good chance of a start again and with it more points.

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Conor Gallagher (CRY vs NEW, $11.38)

Newcastle concedes goals, and even though Steve Bruce is out, I’m not sure a manager change is enough to fix that anytime soon. Gallagher leads Crystal Palace in shots on target, has scored twice, and has added three assists. Even without goals, Gallagher is often putting up good points. He won’t be in too many rosters, so he offers a differential option.

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Mason Mount (CHE vs NOR, $11.83)

The play maker has gone through some injuries that have kept him out of the lineup. Now that he is healthy he should find his place back in the starting eleven for a mouth watering matchup.

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Kai Havertz (CHE vs NOR, $3.83)

With Lukaku and Werner most likely out, there’s a good chance that Havertz gets the start against the lowly Canaries. Callum Hudson-Odoi ($3.06, M/F) is also a possibility. Stay tuned.

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Son Heung-Min (WHU vs TOT, $18.23)

He’s priced as a premium player for a reason. He and Kane looked back in form last week, even though it was against Newcastle. He has four goals and an assist on the season. I’m not sure I’m ready to pay premium price for him, but he is probably the top midfielder with the best matchup this week.

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Forwards

Raul Jimenez (LEE vs WOL, $4.15)

Wolves have won four of their last five, including their last three. After a slow start, Jiminez has a goal and two assists in his last two starts. Leeds are struggling now, and Wolves could take advantage of that. At this price and with this matchup, I like Raul this weekend.

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Odsonne Edouard (CRY vs NEW, $6.69)

Edouard found the net last weekend for the Gunners. He has three on the season. Newcastle is winless and without a clean sheet. He’s going to have chances.

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Demarai Gray (EVE vs WAT, $7.80)

Gray has become a primary attacking force for Everton. At his price, he is a good value, plus he gets a home matchup up against a Watford side that has conceded 15 this year.

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ARS vs AST, $8.98)

PEA has scored in his last three home games. It’s a reasonable price. Aston Villa sit midtable and have given up multiple goals in their previous two games.

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Stats from Fantrax, Footstats, and Soccerstats.

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So how are your Fantrax rosters faring? Were you impacted by midweek European carnage? Whom are you buying, and who’s on your watch-list? And do you think you survived in the Blog Cup last weekend? Please share in the comments below!

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