FPL Draft Gameweek 9 preview

Chelsea regain Palmer and Caicedo for a home meeting with a depleted Manchester United side, while Lacroix’s absence still weakens the hosts’ back line. Chelsea should create through Palmer and their in-form wide options, with B.Fernandes and Mbeumo United’s main outlets; start the reliable attackers and avoid the defences.

• B.Fernandes, Mbeumo: One has all major set pieces; the other arrives in United’s best form.

• Palmer, Neto, Rogers: Guaranteed roles, penalties and joint-best Chelsea forecasts make them the home attack to trust.

• Mainoo: A 25% chance of playing after returning to training makes involvement too uncertain.

• Fofana, Colwill, Acheampong: Only 1 clean sheet and Lacroix’s absence leave little defensive upside.

Buoyed by five straight wins without conceding, Bournemouth should field a refreshed core, with Tavernier fit and Evanilson rested in midweek. Leeds can threaten through set-pieces and a direct Calvert-Lewin, but he and Okafor remain doubtful. Back Bournemouth’s reliable starters while waiting on the visitors’ late fitness calls.

• Tavernier, Evanilson: Predicted starts, strong form and dead-ball duties give the home attack the edge.

• Hill: Five consecutive clean sheets make the predicted starter a sound defensive start.

• Calvert-Lewin, Okafor: Both are doubtful despite a full training week; wait for confirmed availability.

Brentford regain Janelt but remain without Carvalho and Henry, while Forest's midfield could be reshaped if Ndoye and Dominguez miss out. Thiago's penalties and Gibbs-White's set pieces are the clearest routes to returns; Draft managers should favour Brentford's secure starters.

• Thiago: Penalty duty and a 4.6 forecast make him Brentford's strongest start.

• Kelleher: Forest have scored only 6 league goals in 8 matches.

• Gibbs-White: Set-piece responsibility gives him Forest's most reliable attacking route.

• Ndoye, Dominguez: Both are doubts, so wait for confirmed availability.

Two low-scoring sides meet separated by one point, with Coventry’s Rudoni and Sunderland’s E.Le Fée the clearest routes to attacking returns through set pieces. Thomas faces a late assessment that could bring Mfuni in, while Isidor is back in contention; Draft managers should back established creators rather than uncertain selections.

• Rudoni, E.Le Fée: Set pieces make them the safest creative starters in a low-scoring game.

• Brobbey: He is improving after a hamstring problem and is predicted to lead the line.

• Awoniyi, Onyeka, Sakamoto: Coventry need greater influence from this group after the passive Fulham display.

• Thomas, Isidor: Both face fitness assessments before the league lineup is finalised.

Hull are unbeaten at home, while Ipswich arrive with a 1W 0D 3L away record. Butland faces a late fitness decision and Lukić may not start, with Belloumi, McBurnie and Enciso the likeliest attacking routes; Draft managers should favour the secure attackers.

• Belloumi, McBurnie: Predicted starts and current form make them Hull’s strongest attacking options.

• O'Shea, Enciso: Both are certain predicted starters and among Ipswich’s strongest current performers.

• Butland, Lukić: Late fitness calls prevent a reliable selection.

• Walton, Davis: Ipswich have conceded 16 goals, weakening the clean-sheet case.

League leaders Manchester City host third-placed Brighton, with Semenyo absent but Ndiaye fit, while the visitors await hip updates on F.Kadıoğlu and Andrés. City’s in-form attack should create the clearer openings, though Groß’s set pieces offer Brighton a route in; Draft managers should back City attackers and treat doubtful Seagulls cautiously.

• Haaland, Doku: Both are locked into the predicted XI and lead City’s forecast.

• Groß: Set pieces and Brighton’s best forecast keep him playable despite the fixture.

• F.Kadıoğlu, Andrés: Both carry hip-injury doubts and only a 75% chance of playing.

• Vuskovic, Dunk, Boscagli: Clean-sheet upside is limited away to the league leaders.

Tottenham’s predicted XI is settled, but James Maddison is available after his knock and could alter the attacking roles behind Solanke. Palace have Mateta ready to start but arrive having conceded 19 goals; Spurs’ strongest routes are through Kudus and Solanke, making their attackers the clear Draft priority.

• Kudus, Solanke: Both are predicted to start against a defence that has conceded 19 goals.

• Van Hecke, Van de Ven: Both have 100 start chance and Palace have scored only 9 league goals.

• Pedro Porro: His 0.3 form reflects a difficult spell despite set-piece duties.

• Strand Larsen, Timber: Both could feature after returning to first-team training this week.

Villa’s recent league momentum meets a Fulham side still seeking sharper final-third output. N.Jackson and Manzambi require late checks, while Robinson is confirmed to start and Sessegnon is suspended; McGinn’s corners and Iwobi’s set pieces offer the clearest routes to returns. Draft managers should favour Villa’s assured starters.

• McGinn, Iwobi: Set-piece responsibilities offer their most reliable route to attacking returns.

• N.Jackson, Manzambi: Both have selection concerns following recent absences.

• Gonzalo: Fulham’s forward has 2.0 form amid concerns over attacking output.

• Affengruber: He remains under observation after recent pain and a missed cup tie.

Arsenal arrive second, but both projected XIs carry fitness checks: Liverpool remain without several defenders, while Rice, Calafiori and Madueke need clearance. Liverpool’s threat should run through Isak, with Gabriel offering Arsenal’s strongest defensive route; Draft managers should favour certain starters over late calls.

• Isak, Wirtz: Both are certain starters, with the former leading Liverpool’s forecast at 4.6.

• Gabriel, Konsa: Both are certain starters and arrive on form scores of 9.

• Rice, Calafiori, Madueke: Each remains subject to a final fitness check before the match.

Newcastle’s predicted XI has Barnes and Wissa carrying the clearest home attacking case, with Wissa on penalties, while Everton arrive with Dewsbury-Hall and Barry as their main outlets. Osula’s ankle issue and Branthwaite’s concussion status shape the selections. Expect chances at both ends, but back the established starters in Draft.

• Barnes, Wissa: They lead Newcastle’s one-week forecasts, with penalty duty adding another route.

• Dewsbury-Hall, Barry: Everton’s joint-best forecast pair, with penalties strengthening the forward’s appeal.

• Branthwaite: Concussion leaves his chance of playing at 75%.