FPL GW9 injury news and predicted lineups: all 20 clubs
Updated 27 October 2026. This is a decision tracker, not a leaked lineup. No club's GW9 starting XI is confirmed before its matchday team announcement. The next important updates are the Carabao Cup fixtures on 27–29 October and managers' pre-match press conferences.
What is confirmed right now?
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says João Pedro has a thigh injury and will miss several weeks. That makes him unavailable for the immediate matches, with no exact return date announced. Emmanuel Emegha is available for the Liverpool cup squad, but neither his GW9 start nor any replacement centre-forward has been confirmed. See Chelsea's Pedro replacement options for the updated hierarchy. Florian Wirtz, Calafiori and other flagged players need fresh club assessments rather than guesses based on their FPL percentage flags. Cole Palmer's domestic-cup suspension is not a GW9 Premier League suspension.
Latest FPL news
Every GW9 fixture: the 20-team checklist
| Fixture | Home-team question | Away-team question |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea vs Man Utd | Who replaces João Pedro in the front line? | Is Bruno Fernandes restored to the starting XI? |
| Bournemouth vs Leeds | Do Tavernier and Evanilson retain their roles after cup duty? | Which defenders and Calvert-Lewin are fit? |
| Brentford vs Nottingham Forest | Does cup workload alter forwards and full-backs? | Are Gibbs-White and injured defenders available? |
| Coventry vs Sunderland | Which budget starters have secure minutes? | Does Wednesday's cup game cause rotation? |
| Hull vs Ipswich | Are regular defenders and striker options fit? | Does Enciso keep his attacking role? |
| Man City vs Brighton | Which of Foden, Cherki and Doku start? | Any fresh defensive absences after cup tie? |
| Spurs vs Crystal Palace | Tel and midfield selection; any Maddison news? | Is European/cup workload a factor? |
| Aston Villa vs Fulham | Jackson and Manzambi minutes after Bournemouth tie | Is Sessegnon's suspension reflected in selection? |
| Liverpool vs Arsenal | Wirtz recovery, Isak and attacking rotation | Saka and Calafiori status; Gabriel minutes |
| Newcastle vs Everton | Barnes, Osula and Wissa selection hierarchy | Cup minutes and injury updates from Thursday |
This table lists the questions to verify, not ten invented team sheets. A 75% FPL fitness flag does not establish a 75% probability of starting, and a player who is rested in midweek is not guaranteed a weekend start.
How to assess a predicted XI
Build your own three-part assessment: availability (injured, suspended or fit), starting likelihood (recent team selection and positional competition), and expected minutes if selected (substitution patterns and match congestion). A fit player can still make a one-point appearance off the bench; a doubtful player may be ruled out completely and trigger an automatic substitute.
| Signal | Reliable use | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Manager fitness statement | Confirms current availability estimate | Treating an approximate timescale as a guaranteed return |
| Cup team sheet | Reveals actual minutes and rested players | Assuming a rested star definitely starts in GW9 |
| Last three league XIs | Shows selection tendencies | Ignoring formation or opponent change |
| FPL injury flag | Identifies a player to investigate | Using the flag alone as a medical diagnosis |
Final review before Saturday
Make permanent transfers only when their long-term value outweighs the risk of waiting. After Thursday's cup tie, prioritise verified fitness news and Friday press conferences. Check the OneFPL team-news tools, then test your possible swaps using the Transfer Planner.
Sources and update policy
- Premier League club-by-club injury news
- EFL Carabao Cup round-four schedule
- Premier League disciplinary tracker
- Premier League 2026/27 fixture calendar
- João Pedro thigh injury and Alonso comments (27 Oct)
Information checked against the linked sources on 27 October 2026. Team news, prices and predicted lineups can change before the GW9 deadline. Predictions are analysis, not confirmed team sheets.