Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 9
Welcome to Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Gameweek 9. Fantasy Football is played by over 3 million people. A lot of them come to this website for help. This is an article to help you, the Fantasy Premier League manager, select his, or her, captain for the upcoming gameweek.
This is a serious business. I want you to know that like all of the writers here, I take my responsibility as this week’s article author extremely seriously.
It also hasn’t escaped me that for many of you playing in mini leagues, there is money at stake. Some of you need that money to pay your bills. Some need it to feed your family. Some of you, playing in Colombia for example, need that money to pay the ransom to get your sibling back from the cartel. That makes this a game of life and death. And that… that is some serious sh*t.
Given the huge seriousness of this, I feel I need to come clean with my Fantasy credentials, before you take my advice and wander off down a path that could lead to the death of a brother or sister. At time of writing this, I sit outside the top 600,000 players. Hardly impressive, I know. And I’m only that high because I didn’t realize that my starting keeper lost his place three weeks ago and my sub keeper happened to score me 17 points.
9 of my outfield players last week combined to score an average of 1.7 points per player. It was only my 26 point captain (and my GK oversight) that saved my gameweek.
Last night I accidently made myself a cup of caffeinated tea instead of decaf and sat up for 4 hours waiting to fall asleep. Last week I missed my exit on my way home from work. This is on you now, you hear me? Ok. Let’s do this.
Pick number one: My Top Pick. Theodore Walcott. Arsenal player. Playing against Middlesborough of the North.
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[/three_fifth]It’s only a matter of time before Theo falls apart again. Will it be his shoulder, his back, his lung? I don’t know. But this is too many games now without some sort of injury lay off. He sees the void left by Diaby and Rosicky in the physio room and he wants to fill it. You know it. I know it. Captain him now, because soon it’ll be too late.
Regular writers inform me that this is the part of the article where it’s polite to provide you with a few facts, to give the impression this advice is coming to you from some sort of Fantasy guru. We both know the real story, but I’ll oblige anyway. Here’s what I found on google…
Theo has scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists in his last 4 games. I feel I should also inform you that in those same 4 games he was also awarded with two clean sheets. I had made the assumption that at his age Theo would be going through the night by now without any accidents. But, whatever. Well done Theo. (Joke for those with young kids there.) Unfunny wet bed jokes aside, you do actually get an extra point for a clean sheet. And if you’ve captained the player, that one point turns into two!!! I know! Crazy eh.
It’s been a while, but in addition to the stats, I recall it being an idea to reference the last time the two teams played each other in the league. For those of you silly enough to think it makes a difference… Arsenal won 2-0 last time out. It was in 2009. You’re welcome.
Before I move onto my second pick for this week’s armband, it is worth a thought for Alexis Sanchez. He’s on good form, and is less likely to have a mid-game collapse as young Theo. By a huge coincidence, Sanchez is also playing against Middlesborough of the North this weekend, and in case you weren’t already aware, last time they played in the league, Arsenal won. So that’s a good sign.
Final stats: Middlesborough OTN have lost four of their last five, conceding seven (goals) in the process. About a good a match up as exists this week.
Pick B, part 7: The pick that will give me instant credibility in those circles of readers who only scan the names mentioned at the top of each section… Sergio Aguero. UAE Royal Family play thing. Playing against Southampton of the South.
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[/three_fifth]Right then, Sergio. Or “Sergio” as I like to call him. He’s not done a lot lately, other than miss penalties, but don’t let that put you off. If you don’t own Theo or Sanchez, then this is the man for you.
The matchup isn’t ideal – Southampton OTS have won three of their last five and only conceded three goals over that time period. That said, Man City were on somewhat of a hot streak, with three wins on the bounce and ten goals scored in their last 5 games before Spurs halted them and then they conspired to miss two penalties and gift Everton a draw.
Ok, reasons to believe… What about that in the five games this season where he’s played more than 80 minutes, Sergio has 5 goals. That’s not bad. If I do some quick maths on that… wait… nearly there… Yep. That’s almost a goal a game! Just hope he doesn’t take any penalties.
Finally, for those of you nervous about what happened a year ago, I can tell you that there were ten goals scored in the two games between these teams last season. Sergio played a total of 62 mins and didn’t score. Man, I’m smashing it with these stats. Here’s another… The owner of Man City has two wives. And one of them is his second cousin. What is the world coming to?
Pick nose: The pick that will have you saying “wait a minute, this guy really knows his stuff. Or, maybe he’s just looked at the scores from last gameweek”. Yes, it’s Mr Joseph Allen. Stoke Player. Playing against the Hull City Tiger Cats.
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[/three_fifth]I respect anyone that chooses to go to Stoke. It’s a place where dreams go to fade. Where people actually look at Birmingham and say “that looks like a nice place to live”. It’s where Orcs come from. You get the point.
In addition a desire to return to the gutter, it appears that the white George Weah’s cousin has actually found some form of late. He’s scored four goals in his last three outings, all of which were to Premier league football matches. There really are no other options for outings when you live in Stoke. He’s picked up two clean sheets (worth four points when captained), and has amassed seven bonus points. Incredible.
Fixture wise, those of you that don’t do your research are probably rubbing your hands with glee at this point. Stoke play against Hull, a team that were just beaten 6-1 by Bournemouth! Bournemouth!?! I didn’t even realise they were in the Premier league. But wait. Remember I told you earlier about research and stuff?
Well get this… And here’s the note of caution… The last time Hull lost 6-1, the very next game they bounced right back and won 2-1! Now, take that for whatever you think is best. It was in 1999 and it was when Hull played Carlisle United, but don’t you ever say I don’t take this gig seriously.
PS. Goal scorer that day was John Eyre, who is now Hull’s kit man! You couldn’t make this sh*t up.
Picachu. The pick for those people that just want a gentle prod in a general direction and be left to make the wrong choice all on their own. The Liverpool Midfield. Liverpool players. Playing against West Bromwich of the Albion.
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[/three_fifth]It would be sloppy of me to close out this fine piece of literature with a list of four to five players, so I’ll narrow it down for you. If you don’t own Theo, Sanchez, Aguero or Allen, then firstly, why are you even still playing? And why are you reading this?! Are you lost? Looking for love? Anyway, if you don’t own any of those above, then maybe you own Coutinho or Milner.
No one really knows where the goals are going to come from at Liverpool. All we know is that there will probably be some. They’ve banged in 14 in their last five games and seven of those have either been scored by or assisted by Coutinho (1G 3A) or Milner (3G, 0A).
So grab one of them. Or Mane. Or Lallana. Or Firmino. Honestly, just make your own mind up. Or post some stuff in the forum below, meet some nice people and steal their ideas. Whatever you do, know that I will be sticking with Theo until he breaks. Thanks for reading. I have to go now, my bath has got cold.
Anyone about? Got the baby back to sleep about an hour ago but need rocking myself. Wide awake looking at my fantasy team and at this time of the morning I’m actually considering a -4 points hit for a defender! !!
My team for what it’s worth
Hey db, hits for defenders rarely pay for themselves, in the short term anyway. And that defense looks fine to me for this week. It’s your midfield that stands out as needing some improvement. It’s hard to get a balanced team with so much money tied up in your front line, and if that were my team I’d be looking to free up funds by selling one of your premium forwards (Ibra for me) and bringing in a budget friendly 3rd striker, someone like Austin, Wilson, or maybe Deeney. That should give you a big chunk of money to upgrade Matic and either Capoue/Barry over the coming weeks so you aren’t relying on playing them every time.. I think Capoue’s time as a consistent, viable 4th mid has come to an end so I’d be looking to strengthen there and have Capoue/Barry as your 1st sub.
Best of luck with your team, and best of luck with the baby! I’ve got a 13 month old myself, so I feel your pain with the sleep routine.
Thanks Red, very sound advice there and much appreciated. Yes you are right, I know that Ibra is slacking, in fact he should have gone with this week’s free transfer but I saw a good opportunity to make some funds on the purchase of Walcott, I’ve certainly increased the team value, hopefully he produces some points before getting injured!
The worst thing is the broken sleep. Not that I enjoy not sleeping at all, but there’s something about only getting a couple of hours a time even if all the 2 hour sleeps equate to 8 hrs, over time it f$#@s you up.
hello doctors fpl, do you guys mind to take a little look on my team.
i really have no idea what to do on this team.
i do have 2FT and 0.5 ITB
my team looks like this..
I’d ship out capoue and Son if I was you. Sterling be a god re placentga with a bench warmer if your funds would stretch that far
Hey NewbDoe, it looks like Baines has hit a set-back in his recovery and will be out for at least this gw and I’ve heard possibly longer. Since you already have Kosc and Walker I’d consider selling Baines for a budget defender with good points potential like Holebas or Pieters, and bank the savings. I just did Baines out for Holebas before the price changes last night, as I got Baines in on my WC weeks ago and he’s sat the bench injured ever since! If you’re happy enough keeping Rashford (who has Chelsea away this week), you could bank the other FT and have 2 FT to play with next week. Best of luck whatever you decide!
Thank you db and red
As for now, i consider to downgrade baines to 4.5ish def
And maybe take the second ft for upgradng son if necesary
Onxe again thanks docs
NewB,
Rashford seems to be a problem. Mourinho played him as part of a “Back 6” against Liverpool and he was really nowhere near producing anything. I’d look at the Baines -> Holebas/Pieters and do Rash -> Benteke.
He needed to blunt that attack. I won’t be to worried about his performances in future games if selected
Chins, my friend, you are a cunning linguist. Many thanks for the read.
Hello Doctors FPL,
Give me some advice, please!
I really have no idea what to do on this team.
I do have 1 FT and 0.1 ITB
My team looks like this….
Hazard and Ozil to Walcott and KDB work there wazzalam? Risky to take a hit but I’d be really nervous about no City coverage! Or you could just do Haz -> Sterling
‘That said, Man City are on somewhat of a hot streak, with three wins on the bounce and ten goals scored in their last five games.’
They’ve won two, and after Barcelona – will have won only one in their last 5.
I know what he means, it just reads as if it was 3 on the bounce recently, he means a run of 5 league games which included that stat. Technically they’ve drawn and lost in the last 2. Slight reword required.
Ah, But a fantastic read nonetheless.
Still not sure about who to captain though. :\
Great job Chins. Enjoyed the entire article mate. Full of fun and humor. 😉