By Neil Leverett
- Fantasy Premier League season continues this weekend
- Every Gameweek we pick a budget forward, midfielder and defender
- Southampton, Everton and Leeds United offer up bargain picks for Gameweek 9
PREMIER LEAGUE – As another Fantasy Premier League weekend moves into view more budget picks are under the spotlight, but who makes the grade for Gameweek 9?
Armando Broja, Southampton (5.0)
To begin Gameweek 9’s Fantasy Premier League selections, Southampton come under the Britwatch spotlight with Armando Broja looking a decent punt for points this weekend.
As the Saints’ strikeforce continues to misfire somewhat, Ralph Hasenhuttl and turned to the 20-year-old Chelsea loanee to add to his options in attack.
Having now notched 10 caps for Albania, the Slough forward played 80 minutes last weekend, scoring the only goal of the game against Leeds United and is set to lead the line once more in GW9.
Available for a price of just 5.0, few are yet to be alerted to Broja with less than 1% of fantasy managers retaining his services, but his short-term value could be quite the differential.
With another home outing at St. Mary’s versus Burnley this weekend – coupled in the knowledge that a road trip versus a leaky Watford follows next week – the Southampton striker will fancy his chances of improving on his tally.
Well worth consideration if you are scrambling for resources.
Demarai Gray, Everton (5.8)
Returning to FPL radars for GW9, Demarai Gray has statistically been on the quiet side during the past four games, but that could be about to change this weekend.
Bursting onto the attention of managers across the board after netting in three successive league games, the Everton forward has rediscovered his touch on Merseyside this term, but of late has only added one assist since GW5.
Having seen his ownership rise above 19%, so has the former Leicester man’s price-tag, but that could look well worth the outlay as Watford make the trip to Goodison Park.
Making their first pilgrimage away from Vicarage Road under Claudio Ranieri this weekend, the Hornets’ five-goal mauling at the hands of Liverpool could now be followed by further woe against their city neighbours in the Toffees.
Gray’s earliest substitution this term has come after the 80th minute, pointing to Gray’s extra value from a fantasy point of view but that may be academic in GW9, given the amount of ball Gray should see this weekend.
Everton could be one of the big points getters in GW9 and Gray may be a big source of those spoils for many.
Jamie Shackleton, Leeds United (4.5)
For our defensive pick for GW9, Jamie Shackleton may not be a household name even amongst Leeds fans, but the Yorkshireman could make a name for himself this weekend.
Having stepped in for the injured Luke Ayling at right-back of late, Shackleton has gone from bit-part player for the Whites to becoming Marcelo Bielsa‘s go-to guy on the right of defence.
Playing every minute of the last three league games, the Leeds man kept a clean sheet in his last home outing, as an unpredictable Wolves roll into Elland Road on Saturday.
Shackleton is very much – in fantasy circles at least – bargain pick territory, but with an assist to his name this season, the versatile midfielder-turned-defender can offer much going forward.
If we also consider that Raphinha will pick up his spot on the right wing after being rested due to a late return from duty with Brazil last time out, Shackleton will be feeding the Brazilian on a regular basis here, pointing at a strong chance of attacking profits.
Leeds are looking a rather different outfit in their sophomore Premier League campaign, and here, that equals a potentially cagey encounter between two sides who are rather closer to the bottom three than they would like.
That could play firmly into the hands of Shackleton this weekend.
Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 9 deadline is Friday, 18:30 UK time.
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