Best FPL players for Gameweek 9 according to AI | OneFootball

A mixed bag in the fixtures sees the latest top ten players coming from ten different clubs for the first time in memory, with a lack of direction to Manchester City‘s attacking threat in recent weeks.

So, who are the top ten FPL picks by predicted points going into the FPL Gameweek 9?

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10. Kai Havertz

While red cards have thwarted their progress at times this season, Arsenal continue to deliver on home turf with Kai Havertz central to that success. He’s scored in every home game so far this campaign and should be favourite once again to get on the scoresheet despite a tricky matchup against league leaders Liverpool. Alisson remains out of this game with injury, which should help Arsenal’s attacking hopes, with Havertz being an ever-present up top.

9. Chris Wood

Chris Wood’s consistent start to the season continues and he now boasts five goals, with three of those coming in the last four gameweeks. A trip to Leicester City next is an interesting one given that this is a local derby, and Wood was previously a Foxes player. Only Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer have scored more Premier League goals than Chris Wood’s 16 since December 2023, an excellent record in the era of Nuno Espirito Santo.

8. Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has seen his ownership stagnate in recent weeks, despite four goal involvements in his last four league games. His side have been very consistent in this campaign, scoring 15 goals, with Watkins being involved in almost half of those returns. He also ranks top for big chances on goal with 12. Opponents Bournemouth haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road this season, notably conceding three at Anfield last month.

7. Eberechi Eze

AI continues to keep faith with Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, despite him only producing one goal in eight gameweeks of action. Eze sits third for shots this season on 33, but only 11 of those have been on target and 14 from inside the box. Spurs away could be a difficult test for Eze, with them conceding just three goals at home this season. Crystal Palace have scored just once in the last four gameweeks.

6. Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak came straight back into the Newcastle United starting lineup following his recovery from injury and despite his side failing to score, Isak’s underlying numbers were encouraging. He chalked up seven of their 21 shots against Brighton, with four shots in the box and five on target. Isak is generally more threatening in home games, but the trip to Chelsea comes at a good time, with his opponent failing to keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge this season.

5. Heung-min Son

Spurs talisman Heung-min Son was another player to impress on his return from injury last time out, earning his fifth goal involvement of the season to be one of their highest scoring players of the campaign. He has a great record against Crystal Palace, with nine goals and two assists in 14 appearances against them, including scoring home and away against them in 2023/24. It’s thought that Son remains on spot-kicks for this season, but they are yet to win one this season.

4. Bryan Mbeumo

Brentford midfielder Bryan Mbeumo has had a sensational start to the season, with six goals in eight putting him in the top five best performing FPL midfielders in the game. Adding to his tally feels inevitable with a home game against promoted Ipswich Town next, given that the Tractor Boys have kept just one clean sheet this season, conceding 16 goals in this time. Mbeumo’s home form is particularly impressive, with five goals in four – a flawless record.

3. Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah continues to deliver consistency in FPL, justifying his lead in the AI rankings last week with his fifth double digit haul of the season against Chelsea. He’s now produced ten goal involvements in eight games, only Cole Palmer has more. A trip to the Emirates will be Liverpool’s toughest test of the campaign – he last scored there back in the 2020/21 season. Salah has ample routes to points given his goal and assist threat, plus he’s on penalties.

2. Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer continues to demand plenty of interest in FPL, with his four goals against Brighton still fresh in the memory of both owners and non-owners. Palmer has six goal involvements in his last four games, but did blank in the trip to Liverpool last time out. In this time, Palmer sits top for shots with 19 and big chances with seven, showcasing his dominance. The home game against Newcastle United should suit him, especially with the midweek off.

1. Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland began the campaign in blistering form, scoring 11 goals in five, which saw his ownership climb up to over 70%. Since then, we’ve seen three consecutive blanks from the Norwegian striker, but he remains the AI captain pick by some margin given the fixture ease at home to Southampton. Haaland has three goals in two appearances against Saints in the Premier League. Despite a recent drop off in his underlying numbers, he remains top for shots on target this season with 23.

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