Premier League News Conferences: Delap Back in Training, Isak Doubtful for Brentford

Key Highlights

  • Players like Mohamed Salah and Nick Pope are recommended based on current form and fixture lists.
  • Brentford’s Alexander Isak is doubtful for the upcoming game due to a groin issue.
  • Championship teams and players have limited availability, affecting team strategies.

Fantasy Premier League Strategy Before Gameweek Nine

The countdown to gameweek nine of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is on! As the deadline approaches at 18:30 BST, FPL expert Pras provides critical insights and recommendations for team managers. Pras, a veteran with eight top-25k finishes in his past 13 seasons, delves into player availability and strategic decisions.

Player Availability and Form Analysis

In a comprehensive analysis, Pras highlights the importance of evaluating players’ current form and upcoming fixtures. For instance, Mohamed Salah is advised to be sold due to his diminished attacking contributions and upcoming challenging matches. On the other hand, Nick Pope’s superior home performance against Newcastle makes him a preferred choice over Martin Dubravka.

Pras also addresses the concern of Alexander Isak’s availability for Brentford, noting that he may miss the game due to a groin injury, which significantly impacts team selections and strategies in FPL. The FPL landscape is further complicated by the limited availability of players from Championship teams like Bournemouth, Brighton, and Newcastle.

Strategic Recommendations

Pras provides detailed advice on player transfers and captaincy decisions. He emphasizes the importance of considering a team’s overall fixture list when deciding whether to use Free Hit chips strategically. For example, playing Chelsea or Crystal Palace against Sunderland could be an optimal time for deploying a Free Hit due to their tough upcoming fixtures.

On the subject of transfers, Pras recommends solid defenders like Jurrien Timber and Daniel Munoz for teams already overloaded with Arsenal players. He also notes that certain midfielders under 5.6m are worth considering, such as Granit Xhaka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Expert Insights on Key Players

Pras’ analysis extends to specific player evaluations. For instance, he discusses the continued dominance of Erling Haaland in FPL, suggesting that he is a strong captaincy option due to his consistent goal-scoring ability. Similarly, Joao Pedro’s recent form and upcoming fixtures are closely examined, leading Pras to advise holding him for at least one more week.

Pras concludes by emphasizing the importance of timely adjustments and strategic thinking in FPL. “The deadline is just a few hours away,” he reminds team managers, urging them to make necessary changes to their squads before 18:30 BST on the specified date.

The upcoming gameweek presents a complex mix of opportunities and challenges for Fantasy Premier League players.

With Pras’ strategic insights, teams can navigate these complexities more effectively, aiming to secure strong performances in the coming weeks. As always, staying informed and adapting strategies based on current player statuses are key to success.