The Perfect XI format of Fantasy EPL on Fantrax is going to take the community by storm. Fact. Our good friends at DPLCommLeague have brought the concept over to Fantrax, and it is sensational. We're here to provide Draft Premier League managers with our very own Perfect XI tips for each gameweek. Details of the concept and rules can be found here!
Check out DPLCommLeague for further information on the format, regular updates on the latest standings, as well as information on how you can enter.
Fantasy EPL Gameweek 9 Perfect XI
So, what is Perfect XI? Similar to Official Fantasy Premier League game, all managers have full access to the entire player pool each week, meaning multiple teams within the league could be completely identical. The main departures from OFPL are the Fantrax Default Scoring, unlimited transfers each week, no budget/salary cap, and live lineup changes available. This means that each week you can select a dream team of Fantrax assets who you think will score the most points on a given gameweek, and have the added bonus of being able to see the real life lineups before your players lock in. Magic.
Check out our Perfect XI tips below. These are our recommendations for the best eleven players this weekend! Picks are now accompanied by our weekly projections, which our Inner Circle members can exclusively access.
GK: Edouard Mendy
Team: Chelsea
Opponent: Norwich City (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: ~7.5 (GK projections coming soon)
The Thought: The best GK in the league right now, up against a team who haven't scored since GW5 (or away from home all season), Mendy is a no brainer pick between the sticks, with a 60+% chance at a clean sheet. The Chelsea shot-stopper sits at the top of the pile in our GK Rankings based on Saves Made minus Goals Against. Don't overthink this one.
DEF: Reece James
Team: Chelsea
Opponent: Norwich City (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 14.6
The Thought: As above, Norwich can't score so this is an easy pick. You need at least one Chelsea defender in your Perfect XI starting eleven this week. Reece James is the best of the bunch for me. The Englishman has struggled a little for minutes so far this season, but his creativity as a defender is second only to Trent/Cancelo. James didn't start in the Champions League on Wednesday, so I'd expect him to start this week. If he's benched once again, pivot to whoever starts out of Chilwell or Alonso (both projected over 13 as well).
DEF: Joao Cancelo
Team: Manchester City
Opponent: Brighton & Hove Albion (Away)
Projected Fantasy Points: 12.6
The Thought: I'm not sure if Cancelo starts this week, after seeing an amazing amount of minutes for club and country so far this season. But if he does start, like most weeks, he needs to be in your Perfect XI. The Portuguese defender is up there with the best in the league, and was recently ranked the 18th best player in Fantrax by our analysts. If Cancelo doesn't start, I'd back Alexander-Arnold rather than pivoting over to a different City defender.
DEF: Mohammed Salisu
Team: Southampton
Opponent: Burnley (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 11.1
The Thought: My final defender is one with just 27% ownership: Mohammed Salisu. The Southampton defender has impressed at times this season, both in real-life and on Fantrax. After a massive haul of 18.5 points last weekend against Leeds, I can't help but back the Ghanaian centre-back against Burnley this weekend. It's a match made in heaven. Southampton are ranked second only to Chelsea for a favourable GW9 fixture, as per our unique Fixture Difficulty Tracker, and Salisu should be kept busy by Burnley's forward line. Salisu performs really well across pretty much all defensive scoring categories, but I would expect him to score really well for Aerial Wins and Clearances in particular against Burnley.
MID: Kevin De Bruyne
Team: Manchester City
Opponent: Brighton & Hove Albion (Away)
Projected Fantasy Points: 15.4
The Thought: De Bruyne was withdrawn early in the Champions League on Wednesday night, so I would expect the Belgian to start against Brighton this weekend. The Manchester City star has gained double figure hauls in each of his 3 starts this season, and I'd expect that to continue this weekend. Brighton are really solid at the back, so City will need De Bruyne's creativity on Saturday. If KDB doesn't start, move across to the second best midfielder on Fantrax; Bruno Fernandes.
MID: Phil Foden
Team: Manchester City
Opponent: Brighton & Hove Albion (Away)
Projected Fantasy Points: 13.3
The Thought: And speaking of creativity, Phil Foden has to be in your Perfect XI this weekend. The Englishman has been performing incredibly well since returning to full fitness, and like De Bruyne, was withdrawn early in the Champions League during mid-week. Whenever Foden starts for City, put him in your team. If he doesn't get the nod, I'd pivot across to an in-form Bowen, rather than picking a different Manchester City midfielder.
MID: Allan Saint-Maximin
Team: Newcastle United
Opponent: Crystal Palace (Away)
Projected Fantasy Points: 13.3
The Thought: ASM is the joint-second highest scoring midfielder on Fantrax so far this season, and he's a joy to watch. The Newcastle midfielder is the star of their team, and produces the goods more often than not. With 2 goals, 3 assists, and a boat-load of Successful Dribbles to his name (second only to Adama, and the top midfielder by a big margin), Saint-Maximin is a player you can trust in your Perfect XI. The Magpies face a trip to Crystal Palace this weekend, and it'll be a long afternoon for their defence.
MID: Andros Townsend
Team: Everton
Opponent: Watford (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 12.1
The Thought: Andros Townsend is the joint-second highest scoring midfielder alongside ASM, and is making an absolute mockery of his ADP of 109. The Englishman is on penalties, and is taking his fair share of set pieces. With a fixture at home to hapless Watford, and a growing influence at his new club, Townsend is a must in Perfect XI this weekend. DCL and Doucoure will miss out, and Richarlison is likely to also. Select Dros and watch those Key Pass and Accurate Cross (Not Corner) points rack up!
MID: Mason Mount
Team: Chelsea
Opponent: Norwich (Home)
Projected Fantasy Points: 14.1
The Thought: Mount has a bit out of form and banged up and didn't start last gameweek in the EPL, but did start the midweek game and had an impressive performance (read the summary here). With Lukaku and Werner out injured, Chelsea may struggle to create goals, but in a matchup vs the worst team in the league Norwich, having a piece of their attack seems necessary in Perfect XI if they do manage to put up multiple goals. Mount will be the primary creative force outside of the fullbacks and will likely be tasked with half of the set pieces vs the woeful Norwich. He has a 51% chance of getting an attacking return according to the oddsmakers.
FWD: Mohamad Salah
Team: Liverpool
Opponent: Manchester United (away)
Projected Fantasy Points: 14.7
The Thought: Salah is the best player in the Premier League, the highest scoring player in Fantrax by 49 points, in the form of his life, and playing a side who have shipped 6 goals in their last 2 games. There's not much else to be said here. Yes, Salah is playing away to United, but it doesn't matter. You've got to pick him.
FWD: Adama Traore
Team: Wolves
Opponent: Leeds (Away)
Projected Fantasy Points: 14.3
The Thought: And further to the above, I'm also backing Adama Traore to make the most of the trip to Leeds. The Spaniard is a Fantrax legend, and has scored double figures every time he's stared so far this season. Traore is top of our Ghost Point Tracker, mostly due to his ability to perform Successful Dribbles, but an attacking return is also on the cards against Leeds, as I'd expect Wolves to score at least 2 goals. If Adama doesn't get the start, I'd move across to his teammate Raul Jimenez or Vardy.
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