Gameweek 9: three players to pick and three to avoid
The Gameweek 9 deadline is 11:00 on Saturday 31 October. This is the first week where only starters count, so all three of our picks are regular starters. Every figure is a FotMob rating from this season.
| Player | Fixture | PAR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pick | Evanilson (Bournemouth) | Leeds (H) | 7.2 |
| Pick | Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa) | Fulham (H) | 7.2 |
| Pick | Ezri Konsa (Arsenal) | Liverpool (A) | 6.9 |
| Avoid | Bruno Fernandes (Man United) | Chelsea (A) | 7.7 |
| Avoid | Marcos Senesi (Spurs) | Crystal Palace (H) | 7.4 |
| Avoid | Carl Rushworth (Coventry) | Sunderland (H) | 6.6 |
Three to pick
Evanilson, Bournemouth (PAR 7.2, home to Leeds)
Evanilson is the form player in UnderPar right now. He's rated 7.9, 8.8 and 8.4 in his last three games, all as a starter, and that 8.4 came in Bournemouth's 3–0 win at Old Trafford. Bournemouth are favourites at home to Leeds, so he should get chances.
Nicolas Jackson, Aston Villa (PAR 7.2, home to Fulham)
Jackson has started every game since Gameweek 5 and has rated 8.3, 7.6, 7.4 and 8.9 in that run. His 8.9 against Manchester City was the best rating of Gameweek 8. Villa are favourites at home on Saturday night.
Ezri Konsa, Arsenal (PAR 6.9, away at Liverpool)
Konsa has played the full 90 minutes in each of the last four Gameweeks, rating 7.7, 7.5 and 8.0 in the last three. Arsenal go to Anfield as favourites, and a defender on a side that keeps Liverpool quiet can rate very well. A PAR of 6.9 is low for a regular in Arsenal's back line.
Three to avoid
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United (PAR 7.7, away at Chelsea)
Bruno was left out in Gameweek 8, and it isn't clear he'll be back in the side at Chelsea. From this week a player in your XI who doesn't start costs you +0.3 or +1 unless your bench covers him. Even if he starts, his last three ratings were 7.8, 6.9 and 6.9, against a PAR of 7.7 in an away game.
Marcos Senesi, Tottenham (PAR 7.4, home to Crystal Palace)
Spurs are the biggest favourites of the week, and Senesi has one of the toughest PARs. But he's only played twice in eight Gameweeks this season. If he doesn't start he'll cost you points, and even if he does, 7.4 is a lot to ask of a defender.
Carl Rushworth, Coventry (PAR 6.6, home to Sunderland)
Rushworth's PAR is one of the lowest in the game, but it isn't low enough. He's rated under 6.6 in six of his eight games this season, including 3.7 against Spurs in Gameweek 7. Sunderland are slight favourites at Coventry, and keepers on the losing side often have a bad day.
Picking your bench
Your bench only matters if someone in your XI doesn't start, so fill it with players who will. The first outfield sub on your bench who started comes in for a non-starter, as long as your formation still works, and your bench keeper only covers your keeper. If you take a risk on a doubtful starter, make sure your first sub can cover his position.
That's our view, and you're free to ignore it. Pick your Gameweek 9 XI and bench before 11:00 on Saturday.