FPL Hints - Gameweek 9

FPLH's GW 9 Team*

Transfers (OUT): Cech

Transfers (IN): Begovic

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

 

Team Selection Reasoning

Following a bumper Gameweek 8 you would think that my team selection for Gameweek 9 would be easy?  Well no!  After much toing and froing I have decided to only make one transfer, which may come as a surprise to some.  I have sold Cech and brought in Begovic.  Despite Chelsea being top of the league they haven't kept many clean sheets.  With Terry's suspension I don't think that task will become easier for them.  Thus I decided to cut my losses and bring in a cheaper alternative.  Begovic appealed to me due to Stoke's dogged defensive "park-the-bus" system.  Moreover their upcoming fixtures are fairly kind to them as follows:

Sunderland (H) - High clean sheet potential

Norwich (A) - Moderate clean sheet potential

QPR (H) - High clean sheet potential

West Ham (A) - Mild clean sheet potential

Fulham (H) - High clean sheet potential

Newcastle (H) - High clean sheet potential

West Brom (A) - Mild clean sheet potential

Aston Villa (A) - Moderate clean sheet potential

Everton (H) - Moderate clean sheet potential

I can't stress how much I pondered over the second free transfer.  Defoe was an option, but I was worried he might tire after his European encounter.  Berbatov, Ben Arfa, Crouch, Aguero and Lennon were of interest too but I wasn't fully convinced.  I really want to get rid of Podolski but have decided to give him one more chance v QPR.  Fellaini has also lost favour with me, but I will bench him for now.  I then thought of beefing up my defence, but the overall lack of clean sheets this season was a put off.  In the end I opted to maintain the free transfer, despite the lack of captain options in my first XI.  I decided to captain Van Persie (even though he will face up to Chelsea), as he is a big game player.  Remember his hat-trick at Stamford Bridge last season?  I doubt I will score 80 points again for Gameweek 9, but never say never...

Recommended Player for Gameweek 9

Asmir Begovic

(Stoke)

Why?

Has kept 2 clean sheets from his last 3 matches 

Stoke play a very dogged defensive system

They have generous upcoming fixtures

Priced at sub 5.0 - Bargain!

Stoke's Solid Metal

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 9

  Begovic (STO)

  Vermaelen (ARS)

  Riise (FUL)

  Kompany (MNC)

Nasri (MNC)

  Bale (TOT)

  Ben Arfa (NEW)

Sterling (LIV)

  Defoe / cpt (TOT)

Van Persie / vc (MNU)

  Aguero (MNC)

Subs:

  Mannone (ARS)

  Mertesacker (ARS)

  Lowton (AST)

Nolan (WHA)

5/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 9 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 8

FPLH's GW 8 Team*

Transfers (OUT): S Taylor

Transfers (IN): JA Riise

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

 

 

Team Selection Reasoning

After a few below par Gameweeks you may think that I would radically tinker with my team.  Not so.  I am confident that I can bounce back in Gameweek 8, especially due to the fact that 9/11 of my first team players are at home.  The only change I have actioned for this week is to sell S Taylor (a doubt) with dodgy upcoming fixtures for the ever attacking JA Riise.  He may not be a prolific goalscorer from defence as he was at Liverpool, but his attacking prowess still exists.  In fact he has assisted in his last two league matches.  I am confident he can obtain more FPL points in the upcoming weeks due to the aforementioned fixtures:

GW 8 - Aston Villa (H) - Strong clean sheet potential

GW 9 - Reading (A) - Strong clean sheet potential

GW 10 -  Everton (H) - Mild clean sheet potential

GW 11 - Arsenal (A) - Mild clean sheet potential

GW 12 - Sunderland (H) - Strong clean sheet potential

GW 13 - West Brom (H) - Strong clean sheet potential

Despite Suarez diving a fair bit and failing to score versus a dogged Stoke, I have decided to captain him again as he faces Reading's leaky defence.  The vice captain is Michu as I feel that he too can take advantage the Latics touch and go defence.  Let's hope for the best this time around!

Recommended Player for Gameweek 8

John Arne Riise

(Fulham)

Why?

 
Has assisted twice in his last two league matches

Is Fulham's first choice left back

Capable of scoring free kicks

Solid defender

Lethal Left Foot

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 8

  de Gea (MNU)

  Rafael (MNU)

  Riise (FUL)

Ivanovic (CHE)

Nolan (WHA)

Hazard (CHE)

  Michu / vc (SWA)

Sterling (LIV)

  Suarez / cpt (LIV)

Van Persie (MNU)

Rodallega (FUL)

Subs:

Vorm (SWA)

Johnson (LIV)

  Baines (EVE)

Bale (TOT)

9/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 8 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 7

FPLH's GW 7 Team*

Transfers (OUT): Mertesacker

Transfers (IN): B Davies

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

 

Team Selection Reasoning

Last Gameweek saw a mild improvement in fortunes for the FPLH Blog Team, with a third consecutive net points increase.  The Suarez transfer proved a masterstroke as he bagged 20 points, if only I dared to captain him.  As for Gameweek 7, I didn't wish to tinker too much as the international break will be shortly upon us once again.  I was looking to replace Mertesacker, who is no longer a first team choice, for a cheaper alternative.  Ben Davies of Swansea came to mind, especially due to his team's upcoming fixtures:

GW 7 - Reading (H) - Clean sheet potential

GW 8 - Wigan (H) - Clean sheet potential

Swansea haven't kept a clean sheet since August, but I believe they are due one soon against teams that do no travel well.  Ben Davies has had a look since Neil Taylor's long-term injury and I believe he will provide value for money.  As for my starting XI, it is almost the same, but I have ditched S Taylor to the bench as Newcastle face Manchester United and have given Ben Davies his place.  The choice of captain was a tough call between Suarez and Hazard, but I felt form was on Suarez's side thus I opted for him.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 7

Luis Suarez

(Liverpool)

Why?

Liverpool are due a home win, Stoke have yet to win away

Has no major rivals for his position in the team

Scored 5 league goals in 6 matches

Is a natural goal poacher

On form

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 7

Cech (CHE)

  Davies (SWA)

  Walker (TOT)

Kompany (MNC)

Fellaini (EVE)

Hazard (CHE)

  Bale (TOT)

Michu (SWA)

  Torres (CHE)

Suarez (MNU)

Aguero (MNC)

Subs:

Friedel (TOT)

Baines (EVE)

  Nolan (WHA)

Davies (SWA)

8/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 7 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 6

FPLH's GW 6 Team*

Transfers (OUT): Tevez

Transfers (IN): Suarez

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Team Selection Reasoning

Following the disaster of GW4, GW5 turned out to be another disaster in equal measure!  FPLH's team only scored 42 points, with 23 unused points sitting on the bench - courtesy of Fellaini and Rafael having a good GW.  For GW6, I have decided to make one transfer which may appear to be surprising to some.  I have sold Tevez for Suarez.  This is in part as Aguero is back and Tevez is once again competing with three other strikers for a starting place.  On the contrary, Suarez is Liverpool's principal striker with no major rivals to challenge him.  Liverpool may not have league form on their side at the moment, but a team of their quality have to start winning eventually?  Also Liverpool's upcoming fixtures could prove a treat as follows:

GW 6 - Norwich (A) - Winnable / goals potential

GW 7 - Stoke (H) /  - Winnable / goals potential

GW 8 - Reading (H) /  - Winnable / goals potential

GW 9 - Everton (A) - Derby match / goals potential

GW 10 - Newcastle (H) /  - Winnable / goals potential

In terms of team selection I have decided to bench O'Brien, as I don't want to play two players from the same team in the same position.  I only purchased Demel and O'Brien due to their cheap prices.  Mertesacker is also benched as they are playing Chelsea.  Arsenal haven't been keeping clean sheets despite their form with Mannone goal.  My first substitute is Sterling as I feel Hazard, Fellaini, Michu and Nolan are more senior and could fare better in GW 6.  Finally I have chosen Cech in goal, instead of Vorm.  Both are playing away matches and unlikely to keep a clean sheet, but Cech has kept more clean sheets.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 6

Marouane Fellaini

(Everton)

Why?

Everton have had a very good start to the season and are 3rd

Southampton have conceded 15 goals in 5 league games

Fellaini plays  in a forward position behind the striker

He has scored 3 goals in 5 league matches

"Hair" we go!

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 6

  Howard (EVE)

Rafael (MNU)

Demel (WHA)

Baines (EVE)

Fellaini / cpt (EVE)

Hazard (CHE)

Nolan / vc (QPR)

Ben Arfa (NEW)

Ba (NEW)

Van Persie (MNU)

Fletcher (SUN)

Subs:

Mignolet (SUN)

  Y Toure (MNC)

Lowton (AST)

O'Shea (SUN)

6/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 6 Team.

FPL Hints - Gameweek 5

FPLH's GW 5 Team*

Transfers: None

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Team Selection Reasoning:

Last week was a spectacular flop for FPLH.  We sold Bale who finally hit form and brought in RVP (c) who gave us a 1 point cameo.  To top it off, Sterling was purchased but ended up as lost points on the bench.  This week no transfers have been made to offset the -8 hit from the last Gameweek.  All of FPLH's first XI midfielders are at home for GW5 which is a plus.  The selected strikers have difficult but juicy fixtures against top opposition.  As for the goalie and defence, fortunately all are playing at home - so let's hope for an up turn from last week!

Recommended Player for Gameweek 5

Raheem Sterling

(Liverpool)

Why?

Has arguably been Liverpool's best player so far

Rodgers is using him as a first choice winger

Is valued at a very cheap price of 4.6

Starred & assisted in his last match

Cream rising to the top

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 5

Cech (CHE)

Ivanovic (CHE)

Demel (WHA)

Walker (TOT)

Bale (TOT)

Hazard / cpt (CHE)

Michu (SWA)

Sterling (LIV)

Ben Arfa (NEW)

Tevez (MNC)

Van Persie (MNU)

Subs:

Friedel (TOT)

S Taylor (NEW)

Berbatov (FUL)

Ridgewell (WBA)

8/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 5 Team.

FPL Hints - Gameweek 4

FPLH's GW 4 Team*

Transfers (OUT): Kompany, Bale, Pogrebnyak

Transfers (IN): Demel, Sterling, Van Persie

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

 Transfers' Justifications:

I very rarely take a -8 hit.  In fact the FPLH Blog team didn't take any -8 hits during the 2011/12 season.  However, put simply, I thought it was a necessity to draft Van Persie into the team - due to his form and Rooney's injury.  I wasn't prepared to sell Podolski or Tevez.  This meant I had to sell an expensive defender and midfielder to fund the Van Persie purchase.  Kompany is expensive and hasn't kept any clean sheets as of yet.  Moreover Bale hasn't done much either.  Thus they were sold.  When I discovered that Liverpool's up-and-coming midfielder Sterling was a 4.5 I knew I had to buy him.  With only 4.0 left, there wasn't much choice for defenders.  But Demel stood out with his 2 clean sheets out of 3 matches.  In the short and long term I would hope for the -8 hit to pay off, will just have to wait and see...

Recommended Player for Gameweek 4

Robin Van Persie

(Man United)

Why?

Rooney is injured, which means Van Persie will be key

Has scored 4 goals in first 3 league matches

Scored 30 league goals last season

Can assist as well as score

Dutch Dynamite

 FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 4

de Gea (MNU)

Mertesacker (ARS)

Vidic (MNU)

Ivanovic (CHE)

Hazard (CHE)

Cazarola (ARS)

Michu (SWA)

Fellaini (EVE)

Van Persie / cpt (MNU)

Podolski / vc (ARS)

Tevez (MNC)

Subs:

Cech (CHE)

Sterling (LIV)

Nolan (WHA)

Hangeland (FUL)

10/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 4 Team.

FPL Hints - Gameweek 3

FPLH's GW 3 Team*

Transfers (OUT): Ramsey, Terry, Harte

Transfers (IN): Fellaini, Rafael, S Taylor

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time.
  

Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 3

Carlos Tevez

 (Man City)

Why?

He has scored two goals in his last two games

Is City's de facto main striker after Sergio Aguero's injury

City's opponents (QPR) have let in 6 goals in their last 2 games

Has a proven pedigree of regularly scoring in the Premier League

Comeback King

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 3

Hart (MNC)

Kompany (MNC)

Walker (TOT)

Rangel (SWA)

Bale (TOT)

Nolan (WHA)

Michu (SWA)

Kagawa (MNU)

Tevez / cpt (MNC)
Adebayor (TOT)

Van Persie / vc (MNU)

Subs:

Vorm (SWA)

Rafael (MNU)

Fellaini (EVE)

Maloney (WIG)

8/15 of the Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 3 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 2

FPLH's GW 2 Team*

Transfers: None

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time.
  

Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Recommended Player for GW 2

Michu

(Swansea)

Why?

Had a decent start in his Premier League debut

Capable of fulfilling the "Gylfi Sigurðsson role"

Swansea maximise their home advantage

Scored 15 goals in La Liga last season

Michu on-song in Spain

No wonder Laudrup signed him

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW2

de Gea (MNU)

  Vidic (MNU)

O'Shea (SUN)

  Walker (TOT)

Hazard (CHE)

  Bale (TOT)

  Michu / vc (SWA)

 McClean (SUN)

Sessegnon (SUN)

Adebayor (TOT)

  Rooney / cpt (MNU)

Subs:

Vorm (SWA)

 Tevez (MNC)

Ivanovic (CHE)

Lowton (AST)

5/15 of the Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 2 Team