Dream Team managers have until 11am on Saturday to confirm their transfers for Gameweek 9. Yesterday brought the latest batch of differential options, but today is the time for sensible, logical recommendations.
Marcus Tavernier (£3.6m) and/or Evanilson (£4.1m)
Bournemouth are drawing attention after securing five consecutive wins and five clean sheets, capped by a 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Aston Villa. This strong run has delivered many Dream Team points, and the upcoming schedule suggests plenty more ahead. The Cherries face Leeds and Sparta Prague this coming Gameweek, followed by matches against Ipswich, Nottingham Forest, Celta Vigo and Fulham before November ends. Tavernier has proven a great asset this season, collecting 84 points from six goals while staying affordable. He sits third among midfielders following eight Gameweeks. Evanilson stands out as the most in-form striker in the game after netting four goals and adding two assists across five matches.
John McGinn (£4.4m)
As of writing, Nicolas Jackson (£4m) leads popular picks for Saturday's deadline following his brilliant brace against Manchester City, though managers should check for an availability update from Unai Emery before committing. The Senegal international missed the Carabao Cup match at Bournemouth entirely, prompting injury speculation. Hopefully, Jackson simply received a rest since he is a top option. Meanwhile, McGinn deserves serious consideration. The dependable Scottish player quietly accumulated 73 points this term, placing him eighth among midfielders. The 5.9%-owned player has six goal contributions, and only nine players in his position have completed more tackles so far. Aston Villa face a favorable domestic fixture list starting with Fulham at home this weekend. While Champions League results might prove tougher with matches against Barcelona away, Galatasaray away and PSG at home coming up, backing Unai Emery's trusted players looks wise.
Ronald Araujo (£4.3m)
Does Anfield have a new cult hero? The combative Uruguay international won over Liverpool fans since securing a regular starting spot, moving ahead of Virgil van Dijk (£4.6m) and Jeremy Jacquet (£4.2m) in the Dream Team standings. In fact, a total of 43 points over the last four Gameweeks lifted him to fifth among all defenders, just one point behind fourth-placed James Justin (£3m). Araujo plays hard and appears unorthodox at times, but the positive impact on the team's performances is what matters. Some managers might hesitate to pick him before facing Arsenal, but Liverpool's second Gameweek 9 fixture involves a trip to Fenerbahce, where the Istanbul side ranks fifth in the Super Lig. Looking further ahead, the next three Gameweeks look promising enough for Andoni Iraola's side against Crystal Palace away, Manchester United at home, Club Brugge away, Everton away and Sunderland at home.
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Jeremy Doku (£5.3m)
Suggesting Rayan Cherki (£5.7m) poses a problem for owners makes little sense since only Erling Haaland (£9.1m) holds more points after eight Gameweeks. Even so, some managers feel frustrated by the Frenchman's playing time recently. Since the international break, Cherki was substituted at half time twice against PSG and Aston Villa, and sat unused against Ipswich in Gameweek 7. He claimed nine points against Brighton on Wednesday night to ease worries, yet some Dream Team bosses may consider another Manchester City midfielder. Doku's dribbling skill makes him a potent choice when things click. The Belgian winger collected 13 points in Gameweek 8, taking maximum bonus points in the defeat to Aston Villa. Overall, he earned 41 points across the past three Gameweeks since coming back from injury. Enzo Maresca's squad hosts Brighton again this Saturday before visiting RB Leipzig during the week.
