FPL GW9: Detailed guide, captaincy picks & latest news ahead of Gameweek 9

Fantasy Premier League returns this weekend with some huge fixtures coming up in GW9, including Manchester United v Liverpool!

So, check out our tips for Gameweek 9, along with our top captaincy picks ad all the latest news below.

Latest - Captain picks for GW9

With both Chelsea forwards, Romelu Lukaku (£11.6) and Timo Werner (£8.6) out injured for their home fixture v Norwich, FPL managers will need to look in another direction.

Mohamed Salah (£12.8) is an obvious choice, with the in-form winger coming up against a Manchester United side that has struggled defensively in recent weeks.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9) is also an option, as Pep's team look to put five past the Seagulls for a second year running.

Top scorer Jamie Vardy (£10.6) and Spurs duo Son Heung-min (£10.1) and Harry Kane (£12.1) are all solid choices too.

GW9 Fixtures

The FPL Gameweek 9 fixtures are as follows:

Friday, 22 October

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Saturday, 23 October

Chelsea v Norwich

Crystal Palace v Newcastle

Everton v Watford

Leeds v Wolves

Southampton v Burnley

Brighton v Man City

Sunday, 24 October

Brentford v Leicester

West Ham v Spurs

Man Utd v Liverpool

Gameweek 9 deadline: Friday, 22 October at 1:30pm ET / 6:30pm BST

Goalkeepers

Here are our top GK picks for GW9.

Star Signing – Edouard Mendy (£6.1m)

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SAFE HANDS - Mendy is one of the top 'keepers in world football

Chelsea had goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to thank as they held on to claim a narrow win over Brentford in GW8 and return to the top of the Premier League table.

More clean sheet points are on the way for the Blues 'keeper, with games against Norwich, Newcastle and Burnley in their next three.

Bargain Buy – Alex McCarthy (£4.5m)

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POTENTIAL POINTS - Get ahead of the game by bringing McCarthy into your FPL team

Selected by just 2.3% of FPL managers, Alex McCarthy could be a great differential in net at just £4.5.

The Southampton goalkeeper picked up a clean sheet in GW8 and comes up against Burnley, Watford and Norwich in the next four gameweeks.

Defenders

Premium defenders are the way to go in Gameweek 9!

Star Signing – Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.1m)

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SOLID AS A ROCK - You ca always count on Azpi

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta is now the second-highest scoring defender in FPL this season, only behind Joao Cancelo (£6.3).

The Spaniard is a stone wall in the Blues defence, which faces Norwich, Newcastle and Burnley in their next three games.

Bargain Buy – Kyle Walker (£5.6m)

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RAPID WING BACK - Walker's pace is unmatched

Despite not featuring in Gameweek 8, we expect Kyle Walker to make a welcome return this weekend, for Man City's away fixture vs Brighton.

With City's defensive record, you simply must have one of their defenders in your team - Joao Cancelo (£6.3) and Ruben Dias (£6.2) are both great options too.

Midfielders

We've focused on two budget midfield options this week.

Star Signing – Raphinha (£6.6m)

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TOP TALENT - Raphinha has shone for Brazil in recent weeks

Raphinha is an absolute must-have heading into Gameweek 9, with matches against Wolves, Norwich, Crystal Palace and Brentford coming up.

The Leeds midfielder performed excellently for Brazil over the international break, having scored goals in Gameweeks 5 and 6 in the Premier League.

Bargain Buy – Demari Gray (£5.8m)

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GREAT VALUE - Demarai Gray has been one of the best attackers in the league so far

Demari Gray has failed to produce an attacking return in his last two games, but we think sticking with the budget midfielder will pay off!

Everton face Watford at Goodison Park in GW8, who conceded five goals in their last outing against Liverpool.

Forwards

These two Englishman could score BIG in the coming weeks!

Star Signing – Jamie Vardy (£10.6m)

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MR CONSISTENT - Vardy scores goals every season!

Jamie Vardy has produced an incredible 35 points in the last four gameweeks and is now the highest-scoring forward in FPL this season.

Leicester's run of fixtures from GW9 to GW16 is favourable, with matches against Brentford, Watford, Southampton and Newcastle coming up for the Foxes.

Bargain Buy – Ivan Toney (£6.4m)

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UNDENIABLE QUALITY - Toney has impressed since coming to the Premier League

Despite blanking in his last two outings, Ivan Toney's upcoming fixtures make him a great budget forward as we head into FPL GW9.

The Bees come up against Leicester, Burnley, Norwich and Newcastle who have all struggled to keep clean sheets this season.

CR7 strikes again

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 137th goal in the Champions League on Wednesday night... yes, you heard that right.

The Portuguese striker headed in a brilliant winner for Man United as they came back from 2-0 down to win and go top of Group F.

Many FPL managers have moved away from the striker, with the Red Devils facing Liverpool, Spurs and Man City in their next three games, but we could be forgetting that Ronaldo loves scoring in big games!

Latest price changes

The official Fantasy Premier League Twitter page has revealed the latest player price changes.

Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.2) rises in price again, following another clean sheet display from the Blues.

Man United duo Paul Pogba (£7.6) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3) have both fallen in price, along with Anwar El Ghazi (£5.7) and Craig Dawson (£4.9).