The eighth gameweek of the 2023-24 season came to an end last weekend and we are currently taking an FPL breather during the second international break. However, we’ve picked out three fantasy related points to take note of following the latest round of Premier League games played, which could play a part in an FPL managers’ thinking looking forward to Gameweek 9.
MO NOW A MUST OWN?
We’re now at that point where Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) has once again established himself as an FPL asset you can ill-afford not to own despite his large price-tag and the many viable midfielders available. His brace away at Brighton saw him extend his tally to nine attacking returns across the season and 59 fantasy points, with that being Salah’s third double-figure haul of the campaign. Only once across the eight gameweeks played so far has Salah drawn a blank and gained less than 5 FPL points. With a Merseyside derby at home to Everton on the horizon in Gameweek 9, don’t be surprised to see fantasy managers rip their respective squads and find a way to fit Salah in.
IS HAALAND THE ASSET WE THOUGHT HE WAS?
Gameweek 8 was another extremely frustrating one for those who captained Erling Haaland (£14.0m). The Norwegian striker was a peripheral figure at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal defeated Man City by a goal to nil, Haaland failing to score for a second consecutive Premier League match. His ownership has since dropped below 90% and he has even been victim of a price drop. Questions have been asked regarding whether he is the same must-own FPL asset whilst chief Man City assist provider Kevin De Bruyne is injured. However, it’s important to note that Haaland has still managed eight league goals and 55 fantasy points this season, the third-highest score among the FPL playerbase. Gameweek 9 opponents Brighton have shipped eight goals across their last two league fixtures and look awful defensively. Knee-jerking Haaland out of your team could be a huge mistake.
TRIPPIER THE BEST OF DEFENDERS
The perfect defender from a Fantasy Premier League point of view is not just one who plays for a team capable of keeping regular clean sheets, but one who can contribute at the other end of the pitch with goals and assists. Kieran Trippier (6.9m) is constantly ticking both boxes and right now, is a player you simply cannot go without. The right-back made it five assists in three league games in Gameweek 8, recording 6 points against West Ham. With 44 points accrued since Gameweek 5, there is no more valuable defender than Trippier, whose Newcastle side host Crystal Palace in Gameweek 9.
