Welcome to Week 9 of my player picks for the Yahoo Fantasy Premier League game. As we approach the end of the first quarter of the season, the Premier League table is starting give us an idea of how the rest of the campaign could pan out for the 20 top-flight clubs, and the same could be said of your Yahoo fantasy team’s position in your private leagues.
The majority of our readers probably made it in to one of the Rotoworld Leagues set up at the beginning of the season, which all contain at least 100 teams. If you’re in the Top 20 of one of these extremely competitve leagues, you can feel confident that you’re sitting in the Top 20% of the overall standings - possibly higher. I reckon this is the best way to judge your performance while we await Global Rank to be added to the Yahoo game, so if you didn’t make it in to one of these leagues then please let me know in the comments section below this post and I can provide you with a League ID and password.
Week 8 was a rewarding one for AM FC as I followed my own advice from last week’s column by backing Sergio Aguero and Dusan Tadic, who combined for a phenomenal 91 fantasy points between them. There were additional solid performances from Fraser Forster, Ryan Bertrand, Aaron Cresswell, Danny Welbeck and Angel Di Maria, boosting me to a season high weekly total of 195 points, with the last minute decision to swap Graziano Pelle for Welbeck preventing a 200+ week.
This bumper effort puts AM FC on to 894 points for the season and after a rough start things are starting to take shape as I moved up to 2nd place in the private league running with my mates, and in to the Top 10 of my Rotoworld League (so hopefully in the Top 10% globally). I hope you’re reaping similar benefits from the coverage we’re providing here on Rotoworld - let us know how you’re doing in the comments section at the bottom of the column. As always, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have regarding possible selection dilemmas as we approach the Week 9 deadline, either here or on Twitter (@nikarg).
Check in with Rotoworld.com for news, analysis and fantasy predictions all season
Week 9 Fixtures
Burnley v Everton
Liverpool v Hull City
Man Utd v Chelsea
QPR v Aston Villa
Southampton v Stoke
Sunderland v Arsenal
Swansea v Leicester City
Tottenham v Newcastle
West Brom v Crystal Palace
West Ham v Man City
Let me begin with an admission that I was very wrong to tip Everton to struggle in Week 8, as the returning Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman helped push them on to an impressive 3-0 win against Aston Villa. The energy of both players has immediately improved the dynamic of the Toffees attack, and they can continue their recovery from a poor start to the season by beating Burnley at Turf Moor this weekend.
Southampton players have to be high on your list of considerations after the stunning 8-0 victory over Sunderland, despite a tougher test against Stoke this weekend. Aside from Chelsea and Manchester City there has been no side more impressive than the Saints, and Ronaldo Koeman appears to have assembled a squad that could mount a genuine attempt at a top six finish - possibly even higher with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham displaying squad weaknesses and inconsistent form.
Despite what I’ve just written about Spurs, I do fancy them to do a job on Newcastle this weekend, having been unlucky to suffer such a heavy defeat at Manchester City. Some of the attacking football shown by Mauricio Pochettino‘s men was encouraging, Roberto Soldado missed a penalty to make it 2-2 and up until the red card they were well in the game, creating plenty of chances. A similar performance would be enough to take the three points at White Hart Lane.
Garry Monk‘s Swansea City haven’t won a league game since the end of August, but I feel they can get back on track at home to Leicester, and West Brom can edge Crystal Palace in a potentially entertaining clash at the Hawthorns. It may surprise our readers that I’m also tipping QPR to get a result this weekend, despite their position at the bottom of the Premier League table. Harry Redknapp‘s men are clearly going to concede goals with their current defensive set-up but the team looked dangerous going forward against Liverpool, so some of their attacking options may be of interest against an Aston Villa side dropping down the table after a promising start.
Elsewhere, Arsenal will be favourites to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, but I expect a reaction from the Black Cats after their humiliation in Week 8, so the Gunners might not have it all their own way. The same goes for Liverpool, who were absolutely awful against QPR despite winning the game and will find Steve Bruce’s improving Hull City a tricky opponent, while Manchester City face a difficult trip to in-form West Ham. All three “big” sides have enough quality to pick up wins, but I believe there are better teams to back this week.
Finally, we come to the match of the weekend - Manchester United vs Chelsea. It should bring us some cracking entertainment, but I simply can’t see past an away win. The Red Devils are blessed with some world class attacking talent but continue to look extremely shaky in defence, while the Blues resemble a ruthlessly efficient machine from back to front. Expect Diego Costa to return and fire Jose Mourinho’s side to an Old Trafford victory.
With all that in mind, click over to the next page to view my Week 9 player recommendations.
Check in with Rotoworld.com for news, analysis and fantasy predictions all season
KEEPERS
Fraser Forster - Southampton are in great form and have the best defensive record in the league, so with a home game against Stoke it would appear that Forster is the best keeper choice for the second week running.
Tim Howard - Everton (and Howard in particular) suffered a rotten start to the season, but as mentioned on the previous page the returning Barkley and Coleman have had an immediate impact, and the Toffees should be able to keep out struggling Burnley.
Boas Myhill - Standing in for injured Ben Foster, Myhill is a decent keeper with plenty of Premier League experience, and he’s well-priced for West Brom’s winnable home game against Crystal Palace.
Lukasz Fabianski - Two negative fantasy scores in a row for Fabianski have dropped his price to below £4million in the Yahoo game, which puts him on the radar if you’re looking for a cheap keeper as Swansea host Leicester.
DEFENDERS
Branislav Ivanovic - Manchester United appear unable to defend, especially at set-pieces, and Ivanovic is one of the most dangerous players in the opposition’s box. The defender is pricey, but a goal is very possible and you know he’ll give 100% for the Chelsea cause.
Seamus Coleman - Vital to Everton and a genuine goal threat, Burnley will find it difficult to cope with Coleman’s runs down the right flank and the full-back could have a huge week. I marginally prefer him to Leighton Baines, but both are expensive options so you’d need to feel confident to splash the cash.
Ryan Bertrand - Another 12 points in Week 8, the reasons for Bertrand’s selection are the same as last week: “He has been superb for the Saints and can’t be far away from an England call-up. Solid in defence and increasingly impressive linking up with Dusan Tadic down the left flank, the fantasy points are flowing”.
Neil Taylor - Guaranteed a start at left-back, Taylor remains the cheapest way to cover the potential Swansea clean sheet at home to Leicester.
Alan Hutton - While I’ve tipped QPR to get a result against Aston Villa, that shouldn’t affect Hutton’s fantasy productivity, which has been impressively consistent since got himself back in to Paul Lambert‘s good-books. An average of 10 points per game thanks to numerous interceptions, tackles and blocks would suggest the Scottish international doesn’t need a clean sheet to return a solid score.
Eric Dier - Remember when Dier was the must-have defender in the Yahoo game back in August? Well, he’s obviously not been able to keep that form going, but his price is back below £6million and he should start Tottenham’s home game against Newcastle with the two Kyles (Naughton and Walker) still out with injury.
Andy Robertson - The 20-year-old has been a revelation since a summer move from Dundee United, putting in superb performances at left-back and wing-back for Hull. Robertson he has one of best left-foots I’ve seen for a while, delivering a host of excellent crosses already this season, and I expect him to cause Liverpool problems.
Kieran Trippier - Another player to impress in the opening eight weeks of the season, despite the struggles of his side. Trippier is the epitome of a modern-day full-back; pace, solid in defence and effective in attack, supplying 14 successful crosses already. It’s just a shame the chances he’s creating aren’t being converted.
Martin Kelly - Still dirt cheap at a shade over £4million, Kelly is guaranteed to start and continues to put up solid fantasy scores each-and-every week, regardless of whether Palace win, draw or lose.
MIDFIELDERS
Eden Hazard - The Belgian hasn’t appeared too often in this column so far this season, but after seeing what West Brom were able to do to Manchester United’s full-backs, you fear for them this weekend. Hazard comes with the added bonus of penalty duty, so the only question is, “Can my budget stretch to £15million?”.
Dusan Tadic - I’ve spent the past few days feeling pretty happy with myself for making Tadic the “article photo” for my Week 8 player picks, as the midfielder score a goal, provided FOUR assists and put up a staggering 40 fantasy points. At the moment the Serbian is elevating himself alongside Di Maria as the must-have midfielder this season, and you can expect another big total against Stoke.
Ross Barkley- I’ve already mentioned Barkley countless times, so I’ll leave the rest to Steve who selected the midfielder in his Bargain Hunter column. Click the link to read why he’s an excellent pick against Burnley.
Gylfi Sigurdsson - Only five points against Stoke, but Sigurdsson missed a glorious chance in the first half when attempting to round the keeper, and he continues to get in to the positions that can bring shots on target, assists and goals. The Icelandic star was on my fantasy bench last week but he could make it in to the starting XI for the home match with Leicester.
Nacer Chadli - It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Chadli after a difficult debut season, sitting pretty as Tottenham’s top scorer with four goals in the opening eight weeks of this campaign. The winger is showing power, pace and clinical finishing ability and is an absolute bargain at £7million considering the fixture at home to Newcastle.
Angel Di Maria - No explanation needed really; everybody can see Di Maria is going to be a points-machine in the Yahoo game and he should be in your team. I’m shocked that the British-record signing is only owned by 35.1% of fantasy managers.
Cesc Fabregas - The Spaniard grabbed his first goal since returning to the Premier League at Palace, adding to the collection of impressive stats he’s put up so far. Seven assists, 12 successful crosses, three shots on target, 10 tackles won, nine passes intercepted - Fabregas is looking like the complete midfielder.
Raheem Sterling – Everything good that Liverpool do is stemming from this young man, who remains the best Anfield attacking option if you fancy the Reds to put in a better performances against Hull.
Niko Kranjcar - Harry Redknapp cannot help re-signing certain players, but in Kranjcar’s case it is fully justified. The set-piece specialist has been one of the few bright spots of QPR’s season so far, and he could have another strong week against Villa. At less than 0.5% ownership he could also prove a terrific differential pick.
Aaron Ramsey - It’s been a stop-start season for Ramsey so far, as he’s struggled to get back in to the same groove that made him Arsenal’s most important player last season, but he’s back from injury and well-priced considering his quality and fixture against Sunderland.
Mohamed Diame - Nobody can explain exactly why Diame has suddenly started scoring goals, but it’s happening, and we should embrace it. Hull’s giant midfielder is playing superbly well at the top of the midfield diamond - an inspired decision by Steve Bruce to stick him there - and he can cause Liverpool’s dodgy defence further nightmares this weekend.
Ryan Mason - The 23-year-old has come from nowhere to become a key member of Mauricio Pochettino‘s first team in the past month, and there are signs that the midfielder could be a useful fantasy asset. Mason is playing a central role in front of Etienne Capoue, dictating the pace of Tottenham’s attacks and getting himself in to the box on regular occasions, as well as showing an aptitude for breaking up the opposition. An absolute steal at under £4million.
STRIKERS
Diego Costa - Provided Costa is fit enough to start against Manchester United, he remains the top striker choice against a defence who are struggling to cope with any sort of attack at the moment. Jose Mourinho has stated that the Spaniard won’t be ready, but he’s lied about that before, so we await Friday’s team news.
Sergio Aguero - Manchester City face a difficult trip to Upton Park, but in this form I’m not sure Aguero can be stopped. Four goals and an unbelievable 51 Yahoo fantasy points last weekend, nine goals in six Premier League starts ... this season’s Luis Suarez?
Graziano Pelle - The Italian must feel like he’s walking on a cloud right now, making his international debut and scoring his first goal earlier this month, and grabbing six Premier League goals to help guide his new club to 3rd in the table. I wouldn’t bet against Pelle continuing this excellent form at home to Stoke.
Romelu Lukaku - The understanding built up between Barkley and Lukaku was one of the key reasons for Everton’s success last season, so it isn’t hugely surprising that the big Belgium had struggled without his midfield provider during this campaign. It’s also no coincidence that Barkley returned from his long-term injury last week and provided the assist for Lukaku’ goal. Burnley beware.
Wilfried Bony - After a quiet start it’s now two goals in two games for Swansea’s penalty taker, and Bony should get further joy at home to Leicester.
Alexis Sanchez - Excellent against Hull and the best player on the pitch in Arsenal’s smash-and-grab win over Anderlecht last night, we’re starting to see the very best of Alexis now the Chilean has settled, and I’m backing him to terrorise Sunderland on Saturday.
Saido Berahino - An England call-up cannot be far away for the 21-year-old West Brom striker, with six goal in the first eight games of the season. Berahino is on penalty duty, is just 4% owned in the Yahoo game and faces a winnable home game against Crystal Palace. What’s not to like?
Eduardo Vargas - It wasn’t until the introduction of Vargas with just 11 minutes remaining that QPR were able to breach Simon Mignolet’s net last weekend, as the striker scored with two instinctive finishes (which reminded me of Javier Hernandez). He showed more-than enough in this brief cameo to secure a starting spot for the Week 9 home match against Aston Villa, and he could prove an interesting option for if you’re looking to do something a bit different.
Mario Balotelli - Yes he was at his absolute worst against QPR, displaying arrogance, distain for his teammates and appalling finishing, and he wasn’t much better in the first half against Real Madrid - but surely it will click for Balotelli soon? There will come a time for the Italian to show his true ability and it could be against Hull in Week 9, but to pick him would represent a huge gamble. Similar to the gamble Brendan Rodger took back in August when making the signing.
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So those are the players I’m considering for my Week 9 Yahoo team. Please make sure you check back here on Friday for all the team and injury news as we analyse all the fall-out from the midweek European matches.
My own team page currently looks like this ...
XI: Forster, Kelly, Dier, Bertrand, Fabregas, Tadic, Sterling, Di Maria, Pelle, Costa, Aguero
Subs: Sigurdsson, Cresswell, McNair, Courtois
Not too much change from last week, but then there didn’t really need to be once I decided I couldn’t fit Hazard in. Bringing in an Everton or Tottenham attacking (Barkley or Chadli) would be my priority if possible, but that’s looking difficult given all the great discounts built up, so the only change could be a bench swap of Sigurdsson for Sterling. I will also need to consider the options if Costa’s injury is going to him out for longer than expected.
How’s your Week 9 team looking?
