FPL returns to action after 2 weeks of the international break. The Premier League action for Game week 9 begins this Saturday with the North London Derby. Along with the North London derby, we have other exciting games to look out for as well.
With the return of the Premier League, fantasy football returns too. FPL Game week 9 is upon us and no games have been called off or rescheduled. FPL Game week 9 will have a full quota of games and FPL managers will have all players available for pick from. But owing 2-week rigorous international break being the final straw for national teams before the World Cup in Qatar all went in hard and a few players have returned injured and might be not available for selection.
Now that FPL is returning all FPL geeks will be in the doldrums regarding their team selection, especially after game week 8 where only a few teams were playing. Coming into the team selection backline for every manager in FPL plays a crucial role. With an ample amount of questions regarding the defender picks.
Let’s get straight into it without any further delay. In this article, we will help you solve your confusion regarding the defender picks. Here are our Top picks for defenders to choose from in FPL Game week 9.
Top Picks for FPL Defenders for FPL Game week 9
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
The first name that comes to mind speaking about defenders in the premier league is none other than Manchester City fullback Joao Cancelo. Cancelo has been brilliant over the season for Manchester City in that left-back role. With Zinchenko leaving Manchester City and Sergi Gomez coming in who is fairly inexperienced at this level. Joao Cancelo has become an automatic choice for Pep Guardiola at left back.
Once again, Manchester City has been the league’s top defense, and they’ll probably continue to be so for the whole campaign. Even though they face Manchester United in the local derby in Game week 9, their defensive assets will still be at their best. Joao Cancelo has played a crucial role in the Manchester backline. He has been a rock-solid option for them. ManCity has only conceded 6 goals in 7 games played so far.
Picking Joao Cancelo gives you the advantage of having two threats in one player. Defensively Cancelo is solid but attacking wise too he is a potent threat. Cancelo bombing forward from that left-wing plot creates a lot of opportunities for these teammates and ends contributing in goals for assists which led to goals. Attacking wise he has an xG of 0.34, an xA of 0.41, and seven extra points(bonus points) as a result of the number of important key passes he makes.
Reece James (Chelsea)
Another option for FPL managers in their teams for game week 9 among the defenders might be Chelsea Reece James. James has been instrumental in Chelsea’s success over the seasons. He has had a huge impact from that right-wing-back / right-back role. Now with the arrival of Gram Potter, it would be interesting to see what formation he adopts and how he gets the best of Reece James.
Reece James is just like Joao Cancelo he contributes both attacking-wise and also defensively. James has produced seven opportunities with an anticipated assist (xA) of 1.14 this season, in addition to seven shots with an xG of 0.69. He leads the Chelsea defense in terms of both xG and xA.
Chelsea is playing Crystal Palace in game week 9 where both teams are struggling this season. But with Chelsea getting a new manager at helms Gram Potter is known for his defensive solidity of this team. Potter’s last team Brighton was defensively solid and leaked fewer goals compared to other teams. With Chelsea facing Palace, we expect James to contribute in both departments on the field. We expect James to play a vital role in this game week 9 fixture and FPL managers might benefit from picking James in their game week 9 squads.
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier was selected as the last defender on our list. Trippier has proven to be a wise acquisition for Newcastle United. At both ends of the pitch, he has provided returns. He is a danger offensively and plays the right back position extremely well defensively.
He has played six games this season and has already scored one goal and had three clean sheets. He generated 11 chances with an xA of 0.82 and an xG of 0.32. Trippier’s ability to take set pieces for Newcastle is another benefit. Trippier is renowned for whipping in precise crosses from that right side, which has produced several goals in the elite league.
Newcastle will play Fulham this week. Who is having a great season since their promotion back to Premier League? Tripper will have the ideal opportunity to score goals from both ends of the field in this match. He has two offensive options: he can score from set pieces or assist from crosses. Therefore, Kieran Trippier is a player that all FPL managers must have in their game week 9 line-ups.
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