Captain Poll

FPL managers set for more tough captaincy choices in Gameweek 9

After weeks of captaincy frustration, Fantasy Premier League managers are set for more tough armband decisions ahead of Gameweek 9.

Manchester City and Liverpool both have relatively challenging away matches next weekend, which could deter us from the usual suspects.

Pep Guardiola’s defending champions travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon, where Crystal Palace have conceded just one goal in four matches this season.

That strike came in the dying embers of a 1-1 draw with Wolves in Gameweek 6, courtesy of Diogo Jota (£6.1m).

Outside of that, the Eagles have kept clean sheets Everton, Aston Villa and Norwich in front of their own fans.

Manchester City assets underwhelmed in their 2-0 defeat to Wolves

Naturally, Manchester City do usually pose a greater threat, with owners of Sergio Aguero (£12.2m), Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) and Kevin de Bruyne (£10.0m) all hoping for both starts and returns this weekend.

But the Citizens’ recent poor performance against Wolves in Gameweek 8 might go some way to putting Fantasy managers off for the captaincy, especially considering Palace’s home defensive record.

Meanwhile, Liverpool travel to Old Trafford, a ground at which they have never won in the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp.

In all competitions, the former Borussia Dortmund manager has drawn three and lost one at Manchester United’s historic stadium during his time in charge of the Reds.

In total, his side has scored three goals there but on their most recent visit, back in February, the match ended 0-0.

Fantasy managers are likely to steer clear of Liverpool attackers for the captaincy in Gameweek 9

While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have been far from special going forward this season, their defence has shown some improvement on last season.

They have two Premier League clean sheets at Old Trafford in 2019/20, against Chelsea and Leicester and have been boasting some relatively impressive defensive underlying statistics.

All of this is likely to leave nagging questions at the back of the mind for Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Sadio Mané (£11.7m) owners when it comes to the armband.

Given Manchester United’s shocking attacking displays of late, perhaps Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) and Andrew Robertson (£6.9m) might receive more consideration than their midfield colleagues?

Aubameyang and Arsenal are likely to find life tough at Sheffield United next Monday

Even those looking at Arsenal assets such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.1m) may have their concerns about a Monday night trip to Sheffield United.

The Blades have conceded just seven goals this season, only Liverpool have allowed fewer, while Chris Wilder has made all the top-six sides work for their results thus far.

Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw in Gameweek 4, while the only reason Klopp’s men scored at Bramall Lane in Gameweek 7 was because of an uncharacteristic error from Dean Henderson (£4.5m).

For all of those reasons, Gameweek 9 could be see a host of differential options top the upcoming captain poll, which you can now vote in (below).

Wilson will be the favourite Bournemouth option ahead of Norwich’s trip to the Vitality Stadium

Naturally, there will be a lot of consideration for Bournemouth assets in Gameweek 9 as they host a Norwich side that conceded five at home to Aston Villa last time out.

Callum Wilson (£7.9m) is expected to be the favourite of these having registered attacking returns in all but one match so far this season.

Those unable to get the England international into their squads may also look to Josh King (£6.3m), who has double-figure hauls in both of his last two matches at the Vitality Stadium – and remains the Cherries’ penalty taker.

Abraham has been in decent statistical form of late

One of just two of Gameweek 8’s top 20 captains to actually deliver attacking returns was Tammy Abraham (£7.7m), who, with each passing week, looks more and more capable of factoring in the conversation for the armband.

After the first eight matches of the 2019/20 campaign, the Chelsea forward is joint-top of the league for goals scored, alongside Aguero (eight).

Abraham is also top of the league for shots on target, which is probably why his bonus score is also looking quite healthy, a total of 11 to his name thus far – more than any other player.

Ahead of Newcastle’s visit to Stamford Bridge, it would be surprising to see Abraham not considered among the best options, especially given the Magpies’ record on the road this season.

In four away matches in 2019/20, Steve Bruce’s men have conceded 11 times, an average of 2.75 per game.

You can now vote in the latest captain poll on our website, either below or in the sidebar on the right.

Joe and David will be speaking about the debate in the captain video, which you can watch on our YouTube channel from 12:30 pm on Monday.

1,741 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Doolittle
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I took a -4 for this team (due to price changes), with a view to maybe WC later in this GW. However, I'm not sure a WC is actually worth it now, or whether I just take the -4 and keep this team. Thoughts?

    Pope/Heaton
    VVD/Otamendi/Soyuncu/Lundstram/Rico
    Sterling/Mane/KDB/Mount/Cantwell
    Vardy/Abraham/Greenwood

    0.8 ITB

    1. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      id stick for a week its as good a team as any

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hold gtg

  2. Bggz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Whos most nailed going forward - Kelly or Rico?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kelly

      1. Bggz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        hideous fixtures though

        1. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rico is nailed too

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        At the very least, there is nothing to suggest he is isn't nailed. Some people say Lloyd Kelly who's only ever played 20 games in the championship, I don't see a threat there when Wilson and the manager have been praising Rico, even calling his left foot a "wand".

        1. Bggz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Good to know

    3. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd get Rico if on WC now

    4. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I have been a season ticket holder for my whole life AND I’m a Rico owner but his games are numbered.

      Regardless of what anyone else says, Lloyd Kelly is an England U21 player and is developing very well.

      Only a matter of time imho

  3. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    got 2 FTs but quite a bit of fixing to do.. should I WC this lot?

    Heaton Button
    VVD Ota TAA Rico Lunds
    KDB STerling Salah McGin Dedonck
    Greenwood Tammy Haller

  4. PraiseJeebus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you captain Vardy?

    1. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 5 months ago

        No

    2. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      What would you do here?

      A) Digne > Lundstram + Pukki > Wilson/King
      B) Something else

      Pope McGovern
      TAA Digne Tomori Soy Rico
      Salah Sterling KdB Mount Cantwell
      Tammy Pukki Greenwood

      1FT, 0.8M ITB