The second international break of the season is around the corner and Fantasy Premier League managers have been handed a number of tricky decisions to deal with over the next couple of weeks.
Bruno Fernandes's alarming dip in form (no goals or assists since GW2) has seen his FPL ownership plummet to 24%, while Cole Palmer has more red cards than goals in his last six games.
Bukayo Saka is set for a spell on the sidelines, Antoine Semenyo is set to be out until mid-December, and even Rayan Cherki isn't guaranteed minutes every week, playing just one half in Manchester City's last two Premier League games.
Up front, there's a fresh issue with the second most picked player in the game, with the news that Joao Pedro is set to spend a few weeks on the sidelines, presumably meaning we've seen the last of him until after the international break.
While many Free Hit chips will have been played early in the season, the injury news and challenging fixtures might see those managers who've waited finally press the button.
Below, we've taken a look at a Free Hit team for gameweek 9.
Best FPL Gameweek 9 free hit team
GK - Antonin Kinsky, £4.4m - CRY (h)
There aren't many obvious routes to clean sheets this week; Arsenal travel to Liverpool while Manchester City host Brighton, but Tottenham, who've kept three clean sheets this season, look the safest bet at home to a struggling Crystal Palace side, and Antonin Kinsky at a cut-price £4.7m is a solid option.
DEF - John Egan, £4.1m - IPS (h)
Thus far, Ipswich Town have been the pick of the newly promoted sides and look best placed to stay up. Hull, meanwhile, after their excellent start, are winless in six.
If the Tigers are to stay up, they'll need positive results at home to sides around them, and John Egan -- who's picked up DEFCON points five times this season -- looks a decent bargain option this weekend.
DEF - Jan Paul van Hecke, £4.9m - CRY (h)
Defensive options aren't overly appealing this week, but Jan Paul van Hecke is worth picking up for Tottenham's home game to Crystal Palace.
While he has a very attainable route to a clean sheet, the Dutchman's picked up eight DEFCONs in all bar one of his eight games this season.
DEF - James Tarkowski, £6.2m - NEW (a)
Newcastle's 2-0 win at Crystal Palace was perhaps a reflect of the Eagles' struggles rather than Newcaslte's turnaround in form, and Everton should fancy their chances of getting something from the north east.
A clean sheet isn't beyond them, and it's worth noting that James Tarkowski has picked up DEFCON points in three of his four away games this season, as well as finding the net at Bournemouth.
MID - Rayan Cherki, £8.0m - BHA (h)
Brighton have been one of the stories of the season so far, but they are gettable, and Manchester City have the ability to pick them apart on Saturday.
There are question marks over Rayan Cherki's minutes, but back at home, Enzo Maresca should select the mercurial Frenchman.
MID - Morgan Rogers, £8.0m - MNU (h)
Manchester United's players are good enough to turn things around at some point, but right now, they must be targeted. Chelsea are without Joao Pedro which could hamper the output of Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, or could see them play more integral roles in the Blues' attack.
United still haven't kept a clean sheet this season, and have shipped seven in their last two; Chelsea could win by anything on Saturday afternoon and Rogers feels sure to be involved.
MID - Cole Palmer, £9.8m - MNU (h)
It's not been the season FPL managers had hoped from from Cole Palmer so far. No goals in six, three blanks in four, and a red card last time out.
Things don't seem quite right with Palmer at the moment, but a home game with out-of-form Manchester United must be taken advantage of.
Palmer can make amends to those managers who captained him for his red card last week with more goals against Manchester United.
MID - Marcus Tavernier, £6.4m - LEE (h)
Marcus Tavernier has had a superb start to the season with Bournemouth. The Cherries were better than their results suggested and may be turning a corner after their 3-0 win over Manchester United, in which Tavernier bagged his fifth goal of the season.
At home to Leeds, Tavernier is a worthwhile pick to round out your midfield.
FWD - Erling Haaland, £15.8m - BHA (h)
Eight games, nine goals. After blanking on the opening weekend, Erling Haaland has scored in all eight Premier League games since and surely has Jamie Vardy's record of 11 in a row in his sights.
Even against Aston Villa last week where City were very much second best, Haaland found the net, and having been given midweek off, he'll be raring to go against Brighton on Saturday.
FWD - Nicolas Jackson, £6.8m - FUL (h)
There have never been any doubts regarding Nicolas Jackson's ability to get into excellent shooting positions. The doubts have always been around his finishing, but with four goals in his last four, he's starting to allay them somewhat.
Fulham have steadied the ship somewhat with 1-0 wins over Hull City and Coventry City, but this is a step up, and in-form Villa should consider their excellent goalscoring form with Jackson leading the line.
FWD - Evanilson, £6.3m - LEE (h)
In what looks on paper to be a low-scoring week, Evanilson is worth considering at £6.2m for Bournemouth's home game with Leeds.
After a shaky start to the season, Bournemouth have won four games on the spin in all competitions by an aggregate score of 11-0 and Evanilson has netted in each of his last three Premier League outings.
With question marks around a number of forwards this week, the Brazilian looks amongst the more likely scorers.
Subs
- Martin Dubravka (£4.0m) - On the off chance Antonin Kinsky doesn't play against Palace, take his deputy on the cheap
- Ezri Konsa (£4.7m) - While a trip to Anfield looks a stern test, an Arsenal defender for £4.7m is always worth considering
- Kristoffer Ajer (£4.5m) - Has reached nine DEFCON points or more in six games so far, and could keep a clean sheet against a blunt Nottingham Forest attack
- Johan Manzambi (£6.1m) - Not playing 90 minutes, but a regular threat with four goal contributions in four games
