Gameweek 9 Fantasy Premier League transfer trends and tips from Nima Kafai (overall rank 1,102 in the 19/20 season). Nima reviews the FPL transfer trends each Gameweek and uses the Hub’s OPTA, Prediction, Comparison and Fixture tools to help you identify the best FPL transfers and top tips for Gameweek 9.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to FPL Gameweek 9 for all the key information, stats and tips you need going into the weekend’s action.

The excitement and panic of a new Gameweek are slowly creeping in again now. There is still a set of international break fixtures to be played on Wednesday 18th November. As usual, I highly recommend waiting until at least Friday 20th November, before making any transfers (unless your Wildcard is active).

This international break specifically has been unlike any other I’ve witnessed in all my eight seasons of playing FPL. We have players picking up knocks, medium-term injuries as well as testing Covid positive. Why FIFA still held these matches despite a global pandemic is a debate for a different day!

Although this has brought with it new-found difficulties, don’t forget that we are all in the same boat and we will have to learn together from the new challenges this season brings. Once the last set of matches have been completed and we’ve heard the manager press conferences, there should be much more clarity regarding who is definitively missing Gameweek 9 or may still play.

Thank you all for your feedback over the last four articles. The plan going forwards is to only focus on the top three transfers IN and OUT.

Without further ado, onto the Gameweek 9 fixture ticker and transfers trends:

Fixture Ticker schedule for best transfers in of attacking players

Here is a view of the upcoming five Gameweeks where teams are ordered based on the leakiness of the defences they face. You can access this on the Hub’s Fixture Ticker to play around and adjust filters if you want to get inspiration for which teams to be targeting in the medium term with your transfers.

Gameweek 9 looks to be a great week for the inform midfielders from Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa, who all have some good fixtures.

Fixture Ticker for Gameweek 9 to Gameweek 13 (Best Attacking)

Fixture Ticker schedule for best transfers in of defensive players

Here is a view of the upcoming five Gameweeks where teams are ordered based on the potency of the attacks they face.

Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City have fantastic defensive fixtures for the next five Gameweeks!

Fixture Ticker for Gameweek 9 to Gameweek 13 (Best Defence)

Gameweek 9 – Top transfers in

These are the three most transferred IN players in the lead up to Gameweek 9:

Most transferred in players list on 18.11.20

1. Bruno Fernandes (£10.6m) – Manchester United

Fixture: West Bromich Albion (H)
Ownership: 25.3%

Fernandes was the highest points scorer in Gameweek 8 with 17 points from two goals and an assist vs Everton. In fact, he ranks first for non-penalty xG (0.78) of all Midfielders in Gameweek 8. Playing only seven games, he is still the fifth-highest scoring midfielder in FPL this season with 53 points. Even during Man United’s rough start, he has shown he is still capable of being a talisman and earning attacking returns for his team: “Bruno Fernandes is the only player who has scored more than 20% of his team’s FPL points so far this season”

Underlying stats this season:

570 mins (7 appearances/ 7 starts)
17 touches in the penalty box
20 shots (10 on target)
7 shots inside the box
4 big chances
20 chances created (3 big chances created)
5 goals (3.71 xG)
3 assists (2.23 xA)

Fernandes has attracted plenty of new owners ahead of Gameweek 9

Bruno has already managed three double-digit hauls in just seven games whilst Man United seem to be building some momentum now and putting up better underlying attacking numbers. Between Gameweek 5 and 8, only Salah (£12.3m) has had more shots on target than Fernandes (8 v 7 respectively). We should be aware though that Man United are yet to register their first win of the season at Old Trafford and all of Bruno’s double-digit hauls have come away from home.

West Brom has also tightened up defensively in recent weeks with 46 shots conceded (9th worst) and 28 shots from inside the box over the last four fixtures. Overall though the Baggies are one of the worst sides in the league and I expect an easy first win at Old Trafford for Manchester United this weekend. The Baggies have conceded 17 goals this season (20th) and also 20 big chances (20th). Bruno’s set-piece duties including penalties

The Predicted Points Tool has him on 6.2 points in Gameweek 9 (highest points scorer in all positions). He is also ranked fifth highest point scorer in the Predicted Points tool between Gameweek 9 and 12.

Bruno Opta Stats

Transfer rating: Fantastic transfer with a very high ceiling of points. If you do own Fernandes, he’s the one I would be placing my captaincy on for Gameweek 9. Even though United have been inconsistent this season, Bruno is regularly finding ways to earn points. Also United have three fixtures away from home in their next five: Southampton, West Ham and Sheffield United. West Ham and Sheffield have both also conceded a significant number of shots per game at their home stadiums (13.25 and 14.75 per game respectively).

2. Hakim Ziyech (£8.2m) – Chelsea

Fixture: Newcastle (a)
Ownership: 13.6%

Chelsea has been in brilliant form lately with 10 goals in their last four fixtures. Ziyech has had a big hand in this and has hit the ground running with one goal and three assists in just two starts for the Blues. He is extremely positive and creative in his play, looks like a fantastic acquisition from Chelsea.

Underlying stats this season:

190 mins (4 appearances / 2 starts)
5 touches in the penalty box
4 shots (1 on target)
0 shots inside the box
0 big chances
8 chances created (4 big chances created)
1 goals (0.2 xG)
3 assists (1.83 xA)

Ziyech has been a revelation since joining the Blues

In the Gameweek 8 transfer trends article, Ziyech was only owned by 4.8% of players and this has already shot right up to 13.6% with his back to back double-digit hauls. This is not surprising considering Ziyech had the highest xA (1.37) in Gameweek 8 and Chelsea were also the highest xG team (2.85). In fact, Ziyech has five goals and five assists in his last six games for club and country.

Chelsea as a unit, have fantastic attacking stats this season with 20 goals (1st), 105 shots (3rd), 48 shots on target (2nd) and 64 shots in the penalty box (6th). Bear in mind however that both Pulisic and Havertz have been ruled out of this weekend’s game vs Newcastle: https://twitter.com/SiPhillipsSport/status/1329028977772597249?s=20

Newcastle has not conceded many big chances, but they do allow a lot of shots in their penalty box. Newcastle has conceded 132 shots (20th), 74 shots in the penalty box (19th) and 53 shots on target (20th). Ziyech creates a significant amount of chances for his teammates and could get some attacking returns again this week. The Predicted Points Tool has him on 4.3 points in Gameweek 9 (9th out of all Midfielders).

Ziyech OPTA Stats

Transfer rating: It’s no wonder Ziyech is the most transferred in player this Gameweek, with his relatively cheaper price as a Chelsea attacker. It seems like a fantastic time to invest in Ziyech and, or, one of his Chelsea teammates. In fact, Newcastle has conceded the second most shots from set-pieces (10) and Ziyech is on all indirect free kicks. Since the start of last season, Ziyech has been involved in 32 goals from 41 appearances in all competitions.

3. Jack Grealish (£7.5m) – Aston Villa

Fixture: Brighton (H)
Ownership: 35.6%

For me, Grealish is the standout performer this season with 60 points from just seven matches. As per the rest of the season, he had fantastic underlying attacking stats again in Gameweek 8 with five shots (four in the box) and two shots on target. He also created two chances (one big chance).

Underlying stats this season:

630 mins (7 appearances/ 7 starts)
70 touches in the penalty box
22 shots (9 on target)
19 shots inside the box
5 big chances
19 chances created (6 big chances created)
4 goals (xG)
6 assists (xA)

Grealish and Aston Villa are embarking on a superb run of fixtures

Possibly the best mid-priced midfield player so far this season, both Grealish and Aston Villa’s underlying attacking numbers show that they are not overperforming but rather that they have become a much better team with their shrewd summer acquisitions.

In fact, over the last six fixtures, Villa are first for non-penalty xG, joint-first for shots on target, second for shots in the box and joint second for big chances. In the last four fixtures, only Salah has had more touches in the opposition penalty box than Grealish (43 vs 42 respectively). He is averaging 10 penalty area touches per game (2nd to only Salah) in comparison to only 3.8 penalty area touches per game last season.

Clearly, the additions of both Watkins (£6.1m) and Barkley (£6m) have made Villa a far more impressive attacking team this season. This has led to many looking at Grealish as a punt for captaincy in Gameweek 9 but I would advise against this as Brighton have very strong clean sheet potential and have looked tight at the back lately.

The Predicted Points Tool has him on 4.8 points in Gameweek 9 (6th for all Midfielders).

Grealish OPTA Stats

Transfer rating: The best mid-priced midfielder so far this season. Fantastic underlying attacking stats, with very kind upcoming fixtures, make him a must-have between Gameweek 9 and 15. The fact that he has had the second-most touches in the opposition box this season shows what fantastic value he has as an FPL asset. Grealish has effectively been performing at a similar level to the premium options in the game but only costs £7.5m!

Gameweek 9 – Top transfers out

These are the three most transferred OUT players in the lead up to Gameweek 9:

Most transferred out players list on 18.11.20

1. Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) – Liverpool

Fixture: Leicester (H)
Ownership: 43.6%

Salah has been in electric form with the most touches in the opposition box this season (85). He had managed to net himself 67 points with eight goals and one assist so far. Liverpool as a team have been showing fantastic attacking stats and Salah is a captaincy option in any given Gameweek. He managed a respectable 9 points return away at the Etihad vs Man City in Gameweek 8.

Underlying stats this season:

719 mins (8 appearances/ 8 starts)
85 touches in the penalty box
34 shots (15 on target)
26 shots inside the box
8 big chances
21 chances created (4 big chances created)
8 goals (6.48 xG)
1 assist (3.42 xA)

Salah has been ruled out of Gameweek 9 following a positive Covid test

With the majority of managers having acquired him at the starting price of £12m, it would be an unusual transfer out under normal circumstances. However, Salah has tested positive for Covid whilst on international duty for Egypt. He has had a second test today (Wed 18th Nov) and has tested positive again (https://twitter.com/eslammagdy/status/1329062539670523911?s=20)

Even if was going to miss just the Leicester match this weekend, I would likely look to keep Salah for the following weekend’s Gameweek 10 match vs Brighton. With his latest failed test it is looking worrying and he may miss both Gameweeks 9 and 10. The Gameweek 11 fixture is vs Wolves and then they have a very tasty fixture in Gameweek 12 vs Fulham where I would usually look to captain the Egyptian international.

I will be waiting until Friday/Saturday for all the news and information we can get as I have already swallowed the first price drop and the second one will not change my sell price. If it is looking likely he will miss the next two fixtures then I will be changing my plans to bench him and will look to sell before the deadline.

The Predicted Points Tool shows him as third for points between Gameweeks 10 and 16 (if he recovers and tests negative in time for Brighton). Only De Bruyne (£11.5m) and Sterling (£11.5m) are above him for predicted points over that spell of seven Gameweeks.

Salah OPTA Stats

Transfer rating: If he looks set to only miss the Gameweek 9 fixture then I would recommend benching him instead of wasting two transfers to sell him and bring him back. If by Friday/Saturday it is apparent that he will miss the next two fixtures then I do not want to have the most expensive player in the game on my bench. I would look to bring in De Bruyne or Sterling one week earlier than initially planned for their fixture vs Tottenham.

2. Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) – Liverpool

Fixture: Leicester (H)
Ownership: 25%

Trent picked up a calf injury and was substituted out in the 62nd minute of his Gameweek 8 fixtures vs Manchester City. It looks like he will be missing at least the next three Premier League fixtures vs Leicester, Brighton and Wolves. This is a big blow for Liverpool as another one of their first-team defenders is left sidelined adding to the list of those with long term injuries Gomez (£5.4m) and Van Dijk (£6.3m).

Underlying stats this season:

692 mins (8 appearances/ 8 starts)
1 clean sheet (16 goals conceded / 11.96 xGC)
10 touches in the penalty box
13 shots (3 on target)
1 shot inside the box
0 big chances
13 chances created (3 big chances created)
0 goals (0.56 xG)
1 assist (1.75 xA)

Alexander-Arnold will likely miss Gameweeks 9 and 10

I would have kept Trent if not for this injury – the upcoming fixtures could easily be three clean sheets in the next four. Liverpool are still sitting in fifth place over the next five Gameweeks on the Defensive Fixture Ticker. I appreciate that they have been on a bit of a slump defensively this season having conceded the second-most goals (16). This is not typical of Liverpool’s defence and could be put down to injuries to key players and individual mistakes.

Alexander-Arnold has also been unfortunate to only get one assist as his attacking underlying numbers were okay before the injury. He was picking up assists in the Champion’s League and with Henderson (£5.4m) back Trent was beginning to be back in more advanced positions like last season. Only Cresswell (£5.1m) has created more chances than Trent from all defenders this season.

It has been a frustrating season for the English defender’s owners and the Liverpool defence. I can understand that many managers have lost their patience with the highest priced defender in FPL this season. I think he would have been in this most transferred out list even if he had not picked up the medium-term injury. Now that he is injured and there is an abundance of cheaper defenders performing well, it is a must sell.

Trent OPTA Stats

Transfer rating: Definite transfer out for the most expensive defender in FPL. I would look to change him for one of the abundance of cheaper assets who are currently performing such as Chilwell (£6m), Cancello (£5,4m)/ Dias (£5.5m) or Cresswell (£5.1m)/ Coufal (£4.5m).

3. Danny Ings (£8.3m) – Southampton

Fixture: Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)
Ownership: 8.1%

Ings has been in red hot form since Project Restart at the end of last season. Unfortunately for him he picked up a medium-term injury a few weeks back and is still set to be sidelined for around four more weeks.

Underlying stats this season:

625 mins (7 appearances/ 7 starts)
33 touches in the penalty box
10 shots (5 on target)
7 shots inside the box
2 big chances
5 chances created (0 big chances created)
3 goals (1.49 xG)
2 assists (0.49 xA)

Ings will be hoping to be back soon to regain his red-hot scoring form

Ings has continued his stellar form from Project Restart through to Gameweek 7 of this season. He has already scored five goals and made two assists in just 6 matches.

Hassenhutl said he was 4-6 weeks away a fortnight ago and so it makes sense to move him on at a price of £8.3m when he is not back anytime soon. He may not be back until around Gameweek 14 vs Man City or Gameweek 15 vs Fulham.

Ings OPTA Stats

Transfer rating: He was subbed early vs Aston Villa in Gameweek 7 with what looked like a bad knee injury and has since undergone surgery. As many will likely be selling Trent and or Salah, the additional freed up funds could be used to upgrade Ings to somebody like Werner (£9.4m) or Vardy (£10.1m). Perhaps even FPL legend Aguero (£10.3m) if he looks set to start in Gameweek 9. Otherwise, there is an abundance of in form budget options that you can also downgrade to instead including Watkins (£6m), Adams (£5.9m), Bamford (£6.1m) and even Antonio (£6.2m) if passed fit.

Thank you so much for your support and the warm welcome to the community! l look forward to hearing your thoughts and discussing your transfers in the lead up to the Gameweek 9 deadline at 11:00 GMT this Saturday 16th November.

If you are looking to follow more of my content, follow me on Twitter. I plan on releasing some more one-off articles akin to my preseason Arsenal assets guide back in August.

Good luck with Gameweek 9!

Check out our Ultimate Guide to FPL Gameweek 9 for all the key information, stats and tips you need going into the weekend’s action.

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Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 9 Transfer Tips | 2020/21

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