Manchester City travel down to the South Coast to lock horns with Brighton in Saturday’s 17:30 kick-off.
Graham Potter’s side currently sit just one place and two points behind City in the table, leaving FPL players with plenty to ponder ahead of Friday’s 18:30 (UK) deadline.
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As part of our regular series, the Scout chooses one of Pep Guardiola‘s men that they expect to thrive this weekend, as well as an opponent to watch and another Premier League player who could pick up the points.
And this week’s Matchday Live host, Cel Spellman, also offers his thoughts ahead of the game, including which Brighton defender to keep your eye on at the Amex.
Check out who the Scout and Cel are backing in our Gameweek Nine predictions below...
City Star
The Scout: Gabriel Jesus (£8.6m) can extend his run of away returns when Manchester City visit Brighton & Hove Albion in Gameweek 9 of Fantasy Premier League.
The Brazilian has been involved in two of City’s last three league goals on the road, scoring against Chelsea and supplying an assist at Liverpool.
Having been rested against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, he will be fully refreshed for Saturday evening’s encounter at the Amex Stadium.
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Jesus has been among the most consistent players for returns among Pep Guardiola’s side in 2021/22 Fantasy. He has blanked in just two of his six starts and recorded two sets of double-figure hauls.
Encouragingly for his 6.6% owners, Jesus produced his career-high haul of 14 points away to Brighton in 2019/20.
Indeed, Pep Guardiola’s side have scored 11 goals in their last three league visits to the Amex, underlining the potential of their key attackers for Gameweek 9.
Cel’s Matchday Live pick: Phil Foden (£8.0m) is growing in stature and having an influencing all over the pitch every week, but if I had to choose one, it’s pretty hard to look past Joao Cancelo (£6.3m) for me.
Given his goal in midweek, how much our full backs push on and also his technical ability, I think he’s one of the best in his position in the world right now.
I think there’s a chance for a few points from Cancelo against Brighton, not just in clean sheets but also in the form of an assist or a goal.
Opponent to watch
The Scout: Neal Maupay (£6.6m) boasts the main danger for the Seagulls; the Frenchman’s four goals is already half his total of eight in the previous campaign.
Leading marksman: Maupay has finished as his team’s top scorer in all four of his full seasons in English football for both Brentford and Brighton.
Cel’s Matchday Live pick: Brighton have had a brilliant start to the season and I’m a big fan of Graham Potter as a manager and a person. They play a fantastic brand of football, they all work hard and are really coming into their own.
Shane Duffy (£4.4) is their leading points scorer so far this season. He’s a real threat from set pieces so that’s something to be wary of, and they have been keeping clean sheets as well.
I really enjoy Leandro Trossard (£6.4m) as well, he’s dynamic, he’s always a threat and is always looking to do something. He’s a real nuisance and has a lot of facets to his game, so definitely one to keep an eye on.
Premier League pick
The Scout: Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) and Jamie Vardy (£10.6m) are among the key captaincy picks for Gameweek 9.
The Egyptian has averaged 10.4 points per match ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Manchester United.
Leicester City’s Vardy faces Brentford on the back of five goals in the last four Gameweeks.
Cel’s Matchday Live pick: Obviously not having Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison has been a big loss for Everton, but I’d be tempted by either Demarai Gray (£5.8m) or Andros Townsend (£5.7m) ahead of their home match with Watford.
We’ve seen how threatening both of them can be this season, and with Watford in a moment of transition coming off the back of a big loss in Claudio Ranieri’s first game in charge, the Everton duo might put some points on the board.
Elsewhere, Conor Gallagher (£5.7m) could be a good shout for Crystal Palace at home to Newcastle.
With the Magpies sacking Steve Bruce earlier this week, it could be the perfect time for the midfielder to get amongst the goals.
Technically he’s a really good player, and I love his movement. Palace have been playing some beautiful football, and he’s one that’s key in the attacking third.
