Perhaps your country didn't lose a match to an opponent it hadn't lost to in 34 years but as an American whose national team did just that against Canada in midweek, I'm thrilled for this weekend's return of Fantasy Premier League Draft.
International breaks simultaneously provide a recovery period for already-injured players and an opportunity for healthy ones to get injured playing for their countries but this particular break seems to have provided more of the former than the latter.
Guys like Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Anthony Martial, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alexandre Lacazette all used the break to step up their fitness.
That said, Gameweek 9 also features some apparent mismatches on the fixture list so the Waiver Wire should still provide some options.
Here are my recommendations by position based on likely availability in an eight-team league:
GKP: Paulo Gazzaniga (TOT)
Yes, Tottenham Hotspur have been disappointing but the injury to Hugo Lloris means the opportunity to grab Gazzaniga as a long-term add is probably as strong a play as is available if you have found your original options ineffective. If you don't get him, I'd look at Bernd Leno or Aaron Ramsdale.
DEF: Diego Rico (BOU)
Norwich City's injury list still stretches on, leading me to think that they will continue to concede goals at a record pace. Players who cross the ball and score via those crosses have been particularly effective against the Canaries so if Rico is available, he should be your priority defender. If he isn't available then I'd look to Willy Boly.
MID: Adama Traore (WOL)
Traore has been lighting it up for Wolverhampton Wanderers in recent weeks and is likely to be available for the visit of Southampton. Jorginho has a nice stretch of matches, including a home clash with Newcastle United this weekend. Using the same logic applied to Rico, I'm high on Harry Wilson's chances of coming good against Norwich and Watford in the next two Gameweeks.
FWD: Ollie McBurnie (SHU)
As usual, there isn't a lot to love out there among the forwards. McBurnie is likely available in your league and is as likely to score said goal as anyone else playing for Sheffield United at home to Arsenal, who could concede at least one goal.
Other plausible options include Danny Ings, who is always good with some rest, and Dominic Solanke as AFC Bournemouth will certainly score multiple goals against the Canaries.
