Last updated on October 21st, 2021
By MATTHEW PETERSEN @Matt_Petersen13
Gameweek 8 saw Liverpool produce the performance of their season so far with a 5-0 rout of Watford at Vicarage Road with Roberto Firmino (£8.8m), Mo Salah (£12.8m) and Sadio Mané (£11.9m) all getting on the scoresheet as they remain unbeaten and in 2nd place. Chelsea edged out a resilient Brentford side 1-0, and Man City claimed another victory over Burnley 2-0 to remain 1st and 3rd respectively. Man United suffered a disappointing 4-2 loss away at Leicester while Harry Kane (£12.3m) registered his first goal and assist of the season as Spurs beat Newcastle 3-2. On the FPL front, GW8 produced an average of 49 points with a mixed bag of top players either getting big hauls or not at all. From last week’s six picks, three of the six picks produced a return which I am happy about. The picks are chosen based on their recent form, favourable fixtures, points potential and passing the eye test.
Gameweek 8 top 3 performers:
1. Roberto Firmino – 20 points (three goals, one assist, 3BPS)
2. Angelo Ogbonna – 15 points (one goal, clean sheet, 3BPS)
3. Ben Chilwell – 15 points (one goal, clean sheet, 3BPS)
Let’s take a look at the six picks for GW9, reviewing their GW8 performance and looking at their points potential for GW9.
1. Romelu Lukaku – £11.7m (FOR); 36.6% ownership
GW8 review – 2 points (76 minutes)
GW9 preview – Norwich (H)
Romelu Lukaku is this week’s “Who to pick vs. Norwich?” player. The big Belgian has been on a four-game goal drought, and for those managers who have stuck with him, a game against Norwich at the Bridge should give him a chance to end that. He was involved in much of Chelsea’s attacking play and has been unlucky on some occasions not to score. Norwich have been poor with only two points so far this season, and with Liverpool playing Man United this week, it is an excellent chance to extend their lead at the top of the table.
2. Bernardo Silva – £7.0m (FOR); 3.6% ownership
GW8 review – 11 points (90 minutes, one goa, 3BPS)
GW9 preview – Brighton (A)
The Portuguese utility man has seemingly found his best form again and scored against Burnley last weekend. Despite Man City’s riches in midfield and up top, Bernardo has been a consistent feature in Pep’s Roulette. A game against Brighton should see City take all three points back to the Etihad, and if so, Bernardo is a great differential option going forward this season. This season, Bernardo has managed two goals and an assist, and when not scoring, he is still impacting the game. Keep an eye on him for the rest of the season but be wary of Pep Roulette too.
3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £9.9m (FOR); 2.5% ownership
GW8 review – 9 points (90 minutes, one goal, 3BPS)
GW9 preview – Aston Villa (H)
Arsenal’s captain has looked sharp in front of goal this season again after a drop-off last season. With three goals in his previous five games, ‘Auba’ has benefitted from being deployed down the middle of the park again and getting excellent service from Arsenal’s attacking midfield trio of Saka (£6.4m), Ǿdegaard (£5.5m), and Emile Smith Rowe (£5.4m). Following a disappointing home draw against Palace last weekend, they will be hoping to bounce back against Villa, whose inconsistency this season has made it tough to pick their players and to predict how teams will play against them. Nonetheless, Auba’s form makes him a viable pick this week.
4. Andros Townsend – £5.7m (MID); 11.2% ownership
GW8 review – 2 points (90 minutes)
GW9 preview – Watford (H)
Everton, much like Aston Villa, have also been inconsistent this season. Still, in the absence of Richarlison (£7.4m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m), Townsend has stepped up and produced good numbers this season. Supported well by Demarai Gray too (£5.7m), the two English wingers have helped Everton pick up crucial points when needed. A home game against Watford, who will be licking their wounds following their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Everton’s Merseyside neighbours, Liverpool, should give Everton confidence to pick up some much-needed three points. Expect Townsend to add to his three goals and two assists so far this campaign.
5. Tino Livramento – £4.3m (DEF); 15.5% ownership
GW8 review – 6 points (90 minutes, clean sheet)
GW9 preview – Burnley (H)
Southampton’s teenage sensation has been a gem this season, not only for FPL but for Southampton’s defence too. He has played considerably more minutes than both of his senior competitors at right-back, being Jan Valery (4.0m) and Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.8m). He has also racked up the most points out of any Southampton defender this season. A home game against a rugged Burnley side who have struggled for goals this season presents a good chance for a clean sheet to build on last week’s win against Leeds. The Saints have some good fixtures coming up, too, and Livramento is worth including for his value.
6. Conor Gallagher – £5.7m (MID); 7.9% ownership
GW8 review – 2 points (90 minutes)
GW9 preview – Newcastle (H)
Crystal Palace have been growing in confidence since Patrick Vieira’s arrival, and they were mightily unlucky not to get a win against Arsenal on Monday evening. In that game, Gallagher was impressive in the midfield and could have had his name on the scoresheet but for an excellent save from Aaron Ramsdale (£4.6m) to deny him. He has appeared in every game this season bar the season-opener against his parent side, Chelsea, and has two goals and three assists to his name already. A home game against a weak Newcastle defence should give Gallagher and Palace a lot of confidence to take all three points.
*Prices and ownership statistics correct as of 20 October 2021*
To see which players made last week’s picks, click the link below:
