Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 9
Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 9
Gameweek 8 was ‘won’ by Swirly (read on though, it wasn’t much cheer for him) as he pitched for Mohamed Salah in Gameweek 8 who romped home with 30 (THIRTY POINTS) ! Some jokers were dazzled by Spurs at Luton and although admittedly Maddison picked up an assist, neither he nor Son were given much of a sniff. Haaland at Arsenal – hardly as much as a kick.
We now set ourselves up for Gameweek 9, over to the team ….
With Haaland facing Brighton at the Etihad he’ll be mass-captained and it’s going to take some serious onions to go against him. If like me don’t have him there is simply no choice, fortune favours the brave and all that!
So, regardless of whether you’re considering going against the grain through choice or necessity, we have our writing team (well, two of them) on hand to point you in the right direction.
Whatever you decide, good luck. Unless you’re captaining Haaland, in which case I hope you fail miserably (in the nicest possible way!).
Kop – Salah v Everton (H)
Liverpool could have chosen to sell Salah to the Saudi’s for an extortionate fee at the backend of the summer transfer window. However, it was too late in the day and the club did not have time to recruit an adequate replacement. To be honest, had they sold him on the first day of the transfer window they would not have been able to recruit an adequate replacement. Quite simply, he’s irreplaceable! It’s unfortunate for Liverpool FC, Salah & Liverpool fans that the Jurgen Klopp era has coincided with the Manchester City dynasty. Without City, Salah would have been laden down with silverware. However, Liverpool fans will place the Egyptian King on a pedestal afforded to the likes of Daglish, Barnes, Gerrard et al…
I digress, I’m supposed to highlighting why Salah should be handed the armband this week. Since joining Liverpool ahead on the 2017/18 season, everyone’s favourite Egyptian has averaged 255pts. Now I haven’t checked but something tells me that no other player comes near those levels of consistency. Those levels of consistency have continued into this season and he has blanked just once in eight games, a game that we shall not talk about! With five goals, four assists and eight bonus points he is the highest scoring player to date in FPL.
In terms of this weekend’s game, the Merseyside derby. I expect Everton will do their best to keep it tight, but they’ve only kept one clean sheet all season.
With an ownership of slightly over 35%, he’s clearly not a differential but it’s a damn sight lower than in previous seasons.
Swirly – Son v Fulham (H)
The international break provides a chance to switch off from FPL, unwind and – dare I say it – enjoy some football outside the league. Then you start to return to your team, hit ‘Points’ and you’re reminded of what certain players did last gameweek.
That is a long-winded way of welcoming Heung-Min Son to this article as we’re taken back to that ‘sure-fire hit’ that actually just delivered three points. Or six if, like me, you put your faith in him with the captain’s armband. But, rather than dwell on the past, let’s look ahead to this gameweek and Fulham coming to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Son is once again going to be in his favoured number nine position, no doubt assisted by the likes of Richarlison, something that had been lucrative up until the Luton away day. In addition, Spurs have scored in each of their last 10 games against the Cottagers, amassing 19 in that time. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Korean redeems himself for last gameweek, and punishes those who take the armband off him.
Swirly – Watkins v West Ham (H)
As we look ahead to the clash of the claret and blues with the Hammers visiting Villa Park, it may seem a brave shout to select Ollie Watkins on the back of how well Moyes’ men have been in recent times.
However, stay with me, as I begin by reminding you of Watkins’ current form in the league – four goals and seven assists – along with that goal against Australia which went down very well with our own Inittowinit. Whilst the home fans won’t expect another repeat of the scoreline against Brighton, there is at least hope after a quick look at the visitors’ form across all competitions since August. Though it’s excellent going forward, only Sheffield United and Lincoln City haven’t scored against them this season. Whilst this Villa-supporting writer may have a tinge of bias, you like to think that Ollie would get among the points once again.
Swirly – Trippier v Crystal Palace (H)
It feels strange including an FPL defender in a captain’s piece but, alas, it’s 2023 and anything is possible. But, honestly, if there was a midfielder or forward who had scored eight, 18, 12 and six points in the last four weeks, that armband option would suddenly be more tempting.
This season is seeing a repeat of the last as the £6.9m player is showing himself – after an admittedly shaky start – as essential. Three clean sheets in gameweeks five, six and seven show Newcastle’s defensive improvements and the 2-2 draw with West Ham was still a six-pointer for the player thanks to an assist.
The confessional…
This is where we ask our entire writing team to tell us who they think they will pick this week…. There are more caveats and get-out clauses than a meeting with Daniel Levy but this is their initial gut feeling based upon who they actually own. And they promise that their picks will be allowed to leave for free if a better offer comes along…
DMC — Dani
The Gallant Pioneer — Ian Culverhouse
Jamesimmo — Cobi Jones
Ivan — Gary Kelly
Swirly — Savo Milosevic
Matt — Michael Thomas
Loud Atlas — Kevin Ball
Smash — Michael Duberry
Kop — Avi Cohen
Rosco — Mirandinha
Elleffcee — Rob Jones
Floydeth — Dion Dublin
Init — Joe-Max Moore
Gear — Paul Bodin
Stone Frog — John Hendrie
OddDane — John Wark
Jamie Mc — Mark Falco
VOTE ON THIS WEEK’S CAPTAIN POLL
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 9.
FPL FIXTURE TRACKER
Fantasy Football 247 League Codes:
This is our main public FF247 League for the 2023/24 season, which anyone is welcome to join and can be accessed using the code below or this auto-join link
League Code: 9srch6
Our Regulars League* for 2023/24 is sponsored by FF247! The total cash prize pool is £250. The first 4 places are paid out in a tiered system.
To enter this one you need to be an active and recognised site member and you need to e-mail us for the league code:
jamie251069@yahoo.co.uk
Our FF247 Cup is also included and attracts a prize of £50 for the winner.
*terms and conditions apply and the FF247 Management reserve the right to review membership of this league on an ongoing basis which is dependent upon regular comment / community activity.
Both leagues will be shut to new entrants as of 01/01/24.
Hopefully botman and saka are back and my plan is to save my transfer. But if not i got 0,2 itb and 1FT. Good to go?
Yeah – no worries!
Allan, I would move Tarkowski first on the bench as pool are not exactly the CS masters this seson and he likes to be involved.
Makes sence.. Thanks!
1FT 0.6m
Panicking as no pool cover and can’t afford Salah.
No WC
Thanks
Relax, they’ll win but it won’t be a massacre.
Probably right – spoken like a true blue.
(Have hope Init, have hope!)
Have 1ft and 0itb. Was thinking of rolling my transfer but all these other comments is making me wonder whether I need some Liverpool cover. Any thoughts or should I ride it out ?
The red flags in my defence slightly concern me as well!
Yeah the defence is a bit of a fright.
What’s the news on them all? Maybe go for Tsimikas for one of them with your FT.