24 Oct, 2024

Game Week 9: Key Match-Ups

Game week 9 Key Matchups

Arsenal vs Liverpool:

Arsenal enter this pivotal Premier League matchup against Liverpool in inconsistent form, both defensively and in attack. They’re also dealing with injuries to key players, making it unlikely they’ll be at full strength in Game week 9. This puts them at a disadvantage against the league leaders. Liverpool, on the other hand, are in excellent form.

They’ve won 11 of 12 matches under new manager Arne Slot, including a recent victory over an in-form Chelsea side. Liverpool’s elite defence successfully neutralized Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, showcasing their solidity en-route to an important win. This matchup is significant in the title race and in our FPL leagues, with several key players to watch.

Darwin Núñez (£7.1m – FWD):

Núñez has stepped into the FPL spotlight due to Diogo Jota’s injury, making him likely to start up front against Arsenal. We haven’t seen much of Núñez this season—he’s only scored one league goal so far, a stunning left-footed strike in his lone start against Bournemouth. He also found the net in Wednesday’s Champions League match against Leipzig and impressed off the bench against Chelsea.

One of Arne Slot’s tasks has been to refine Núñez’s decision-making, and this season he appears more composed within Liverpool’s system. Last season, Liverpool’s frantic, high-tempo play created plenty of chances, but many were difficult to convert. Núñez, despite being a dream FPL forward based on his underlying metrics—8th in xG and high in big chances created—struggled with finishing. Slot’s system now seems more focused on generating high-xG opportunities, which could help improve Núñez’s goal tally.

Though facing Arsenal isn’t an easy start for Núñez in Game week 9, the Arsenal defence, without suspended Saliba and possibly Calafiori and Timber, has been less formidable this season. Arsenal rank only 6th for xG conceded and have shown defensive frailties. While Núñez isn’t a must-start this week, FPL managers may not have better options, and this is not an Arsenal defence to avoid.

If Núñez makes the number nine role his own while Jota is out, his £7.1m price tag would make him a premium FPL asset at a bargain price, worth considering for all managers. Check out our Transfer Wizard for more potential Jota Replacements.

Gabriel Magalhães (£6.3m – DEF):

Gabriel has nearly everything you’d want in an FPL defender: an elite centre-back in what we expect to be an elite defensive team, and he boasts the highest xG of any defender in the Premier League.

Yet Arsenal have only kept two clean sheets in eight matches, conceding goals against lower-tier teams like Southampton, Leicester, and Bournemouth. Part of the problem has been red cards disrupting their discipline.

FPL managers hope Arsenal playing with a full team will resolve some of these issues, but Game week 9 is not looking promising with Liverpool visiting the Emirates.

Liverpool lead the league in big chances created and will face an Arsenal backline missing key players. Liverpool scored in both fixtures against Arsenal last season, and I’d expect them to do the same on Sunday.

With upcoming matches against Newcastle and Chelsea, and a steep £6.3m price tag, Gabriel might be worth transferring out for a defender with a more favourable fixture list and lower cost. Keep an eye on Arsenal’s defensive performance through this tough stretch, as their schedule improves after Gameweek 10.

West Ham vs Man United:

Both teams sit in the bottom half of the table, far below preseason expectations. West Ham had shown signs of momentum after a 4-1 win over Ipswich, but they were then thrashed 4-1 by Spurs. United’s FA Cup win last season feels like a distant memory as they endure one of the worst starts to a Premier League season in their history.

However, they steadied themselves with a win against an in-form Brentford side last weekend. This Gameweek 9 clash is crucial for both sides, and it features several key FPL assets to consider.

Rasmus Højlund (£6.9m – FWD):

Højlund has missed much of the season due to injury but has scored two goals in three starts, including the winning goal against Brentford last weekend. Although there’s limited data on him, Ten Hag seems to have settled on a front three of Højlund, Garnacho, and Rashford. Højlund’s starting place appears secure, and his early form should grab FPL managers’ attention.

Surprisingly, despite their poor form, United rank ahead of teams like Aston Villa, Brentford, and Brighton in xG and have only created two fewer big chances than Villa. Højlund, drifting in off the left, looks like he could continue this form. West Ham’s defence has been shaky, conceding the 8th most xG in the league.

With West Ham struggling at the back, Højlund is a strong option for Game week 9 and could deliver back-to-back returns for those who own him.

Jarrod Bowen (£7.4m – MID):

Bowen continues to quietly deliver for his FPL owners. Whether deployed as a number nine or on the right wing, he remains West Ham’s most consistent goal scorer and creator.

This season, Bowen ranks 6th in the league for xA (2.08), having created 20 chances—7th best in the league—an improvement over his playmaking last season.

Check Out Understat for full xG listings.

With double-digit goal tallies in two of the last three seasons, his improved assist numbers raise his already high FPL ceiling. Against a shaky United defense, Bowen is a must-start.

United have conceded the 9th most xG this season, and long-term, if Bowen continues this form, he could become a bargain differential, especially since he’s only the 23rd most owned FPL midfielder.

Crystal Palace vs Spurs:

These teams are having starkly contrasting seasons. Palace are still winless, a major disappointment given their strong finish to last season.

In contrast, Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are one of the most entertaining, attack-minded teams in the league, fresh off a big win in a London derby against West Ham. They’ll be looking for more of the same in this matchup against a struggling Palace.

Eberechi Eze (£6.7m – MID):

Eze was a popular preseason FPL pick, and with good reason. His price was reasonable, and he ended last season in blistering form.

This season, Eze ranks 3rd in shots per 90 among starting Premier League players and has 2.8xG, tied with standout player Luis Diaz. Despite these numbers, Eze has only one goal and no assists, leaving FPL managers disappointed.

However, against Spurs—a team that plays a risky style with attacking midfielders Maddison and Kulusevski—Eze should have opportunities, especially on the counter.

If you own Eze, he’s worth starting in Game week 9. With matches against Wolves, Newcastle, and Ipswich on the horizon, we could finally see the returns FPL managers hoped for when the season began.

Destiny Udogie (£4.9m – DEF):

Udogie impressed last season as one of the league’s best left-backs, though this season he’s had a quieter start. However, he registered his first assist of the season against West Ham last week, and despite keeping just one clean sheet, Spurs have performed well defensively, conceding the 5th fewest xG.

Udogie is also in the 76th percentile for xG among fullbacks and the 80th percentile for xA, suggesting more returns are on the way. In Gameweek 9, against a Palace team ranked 16th in xG and last in big chances created, Udogie is a must-start. There’s a solid chance for Spurs to secure a clean sheet, and Udogie may well contribute with an assist as Spurs continue to rely on their fullbacks for attacking width.

By: Ahsan Ejaz

Last Updated: 24/10