Podcast

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 9?

Deputy Editor Tom joined Scoutcast regular Joe earlier today to look at the best captaincy candidates for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) in Gameweek 9.

You can watch the video either embedded in this article below or on our YouTube channel.

Chelsea certainly have the most appealing fixture as they host Norwich City in Saturday’s early kick-off. 

That’s why it is no surprise to see Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m) top of the latest poll. Even team-mate Timo Werner (£8.6m) makes a rare appearance in the current top five!

However, Mohamed Salah’s (£12.8m) form, paired with Manchester United’s recent defensive struggles, ensure that this week’s captaincy decision maybe isn’t quite as clear-cut as we first thought.

In our video, we also discuss some of the less considered options, such as Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m), Jamie Vardy (£10.6m), Son Heung-min (£10.1m) and Harry Kane (£12.1m), all of whom have under 3% backing in the poll.

You can cast your vote on the widget of our home page or below, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified of future episodes.

Don’t forget to check back for our Captain Sensible article later in the week, which will delve into even more detail on the main runners and riders.

864 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What you reckon chances of Saka being ok for Friday are? Contemplating taking another hit to deal with him.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Whatever you do, do it before there's concrete news

        1. Kay317
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Solid advice. Ta

      • Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Well I own Saka too and we should find out before the deadline. Pepe is trash, so if Saka is out we’re in trouble.

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I know crazy to lose TAA but him
      to chilwell frees up a lot of cash?’

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yes it does.

      2. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Trouble is you're bringing in a player who's not by any means guaranteed to play.

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yeh but guess if doesn’t play in CL has great chance of playing v Norwich but agree risky move

      3. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Why is it crazy to lose Trent? Is he worth 7.5M? If not, why keep

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Prefer to keep but was hoping for more from him really

      4. F4L
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        after being so confident in TAA, I'm starting to have my doubts, he was priced this season by FPL towers in the belief that their defence would revert back to 19/20 form; currently there looks to be little improvement on last season.

        It's one to keep and eye on but still too early to sell unless imo

      5. BENOIT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I'm not sure there is a better pick in the whole game.

    3. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Will Cancelo start on Saturday?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Hopefully for his owners.

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I usually charge for this but yes

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            I would like to subscribe to your Patreon.

        • Kay317
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          No one knows. Not even Pep I reckon. I have him and going with no though, walker had a rest, zinchenko is back, could well be Cancelo's turn to have a rest.

        • Bonus magnet
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          13% chance

        • Londongeezaa
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          The worst part will be when he cameos for 15mins for a 1 pointer and blocks your bench points.

        • Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Why not?

        • Amartey Partey
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yes. He will be rested for the League Cup game next week.

      3. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Was there any good football on today?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Bournemouth beat Stoke.

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            And on a Tuesday night. Something Messi could only dream of.

          2. F4L
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Bournemouth are killing it, very impressive

        2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          My team went 17 games without a win at home and lost after being 1-0 up after 91 minutes

          1. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            We go again next week? Right? Right!!!

            1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Beyond caring now which is very sad

          2. g40steve
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Forest got 2 late goals & looking good

            1. Not again Shirley
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Amazing new manager bounce. Hope it lasts.

        3. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          "Escape to Victory" was on TCM movies

      4. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        You reckon the Zambian Witchdoctor has applied the opposite curse to Salah?
        So now he’ll continue to score one every game instead

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Its called Karma, or regression to the mean

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Still bizarre how he blanked for so long though

            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Hardly, that was the curse

              1. Big boy Bowen
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 5 months ago

                We say that tongue in cheek, I doubt many of us actually believe in curses…

                1. Ginkapo FPL
                  • 12 Years
                  2 years, 5 months ago

                  You wont become fol number one with that attitude

                  1. Big boy Bowen
                    • 7 Years
                    2 years, 5 months ago

                    Lol, though I do believe I’m cursed this season haha

      5. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Reports superleague is back on...

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Link?

            1. Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Thank you.

        2. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Great, my woeful fpl season can transform into a woeful super league fpl season

        3. F4L
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Newcastle instead of Arsenal?

        4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Barca need it before they get relegated

          1. circusmonkey
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Apparently they can't even afford to fix the lights.

        5. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Utd up for it presumably after another shite season on the cards

        6. Bonus magnet
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Rugby super league ?

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            They only finished 10 days ago. Let them have a bit of a break, bit tougher than just kicking a ball around.

        7. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Have you read the proposals? They have basically proposed the champions league this time

          1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Weird. The Champions League already exist.

            1. Tempestic
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Oh yeh

        8. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Newcastle included?

        9. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          You lost me at "mirror"

      6. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Peter Walton has gone rouge.

        1. BENOIT
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          With embarrassment?

      7. Meechoo115
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Right bench order and save the FT? Zero itb

        Ramsdale
        Trent. Dias. Cancelo. James
        Salah. Mount. Raph. Mbuemo
        Antonio. Kaku c

        Foster. Livra. Armstrong. Brownhill

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          That'll do Meechoo, that'll do

          1. Meechoo115
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks fulchestero thanks !!

            I’m confident in the Chelsea lads basically

            1. Fulchester's New Centr…
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Livra (ex-Blue) makes everything seem safe

              1. Meechoo115
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 2 Years
                2 years, 5 months ago

                James smells of cameos though. Worth doing a switcheroo to chilly?

                1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                  • 6 Years
                  2 years, 5 months ago

                  Certainly avoids cameos.
                  James PPG is terrible even though ceiling is so high.

      8. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Can anyone confirm if Benzema should have been awarded the assist for Madrid’s third goal?

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Should have been White

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Lol

          2. Paqueta Rice
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            From bbc sport

            “ Goal! Shakhtar Donetsk 0, Real Madrid 3. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the top left corner. Assisted by Karim Benzema. “

      9. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Evening all!!! Doucoure to Mbeumo an easy one??!!!!!

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Tre

        2. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah

        3. Meechoo115
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yes

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers everyone!!! Transaction complete!!! Just incase Mbeumo goes up tonight!!

        4. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Just made this move before he potentially goes up

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Same here mate, a bit gutted only got him in last week and was looking forward to my Doucoure and Townsend double up this weekend!!

        5. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yas

      10. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Super League anthem revealed

        https://youtu.be/2yWItRfjg8w

      11. Assisting the assister
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        WC this?
        Sanchez
        TAA Cancelo Marcal Liv Rudiger
        Salah Greenwood Sarr Blankrahma Raph
        Vardy Antonio Obafemi

        Can then bring in Son Mbeumo Toney etc. Go for it?

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          No way. Brentford players aren't must have this week. Spurs still look average and tough fixtures. I'm probably getting rid of Toney on WC this week. Mbuemo is enough. Waste of WC for 3 players in

        2. Gunners in Haaland
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I would say yes.
          Marcal, Greenwood, Benrahma, Obafemi, Sarr, Antonio out

      12. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Know the new penalty rules people…

        This will be especially noticeable on penalties, with Riley saying "contact on its own is only part of what the referee should look for; consider consequence and the motivation of the player as well."

        What does this mean? The principles established are:
        - The referee should look for contact and establish clear contact
        - Ask if that contact by the defender has a consequence
        - Has the attacker used that contact to try and win a foul or penalty?
        - Contact alone is not sufficient

        This means that if an attacker goes to ground, the manner in which he goes to ground has to match the contact from the defender. So an attacker throwing himself to the ground because of minimal contact should no longer be a penalty.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I include Peter Walton in this.

        2. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Ah good so the ole stick your leg out to catch a defenders leg technique will get caught.

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Just as I bring in Vardy this week

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Well you really should have waited just in case there were some penalty rule updates.

      13. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        With Veltman very likely to drop either tonight or soon, I'm looking at potentially upgrading him to Christensen (or someone 5.1m or less). Worth going early?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Wait until the European games have concluded if you can

      14. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I honestly don't know how people play UCL Fantasy too. Playing FPL is stressful enough on it's own.

        1. 11 smelly shirts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I love playing fantasy football and wonder why people consider it stressful. If it would be stressful to me I would stop playing

          1. Amartey Partey
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            I play because I love it too.

      15. Leviosalah
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Buy Son or Townsend?

        1. Kane5
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Depends on make up of rest of your team but surely Son

        2. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Son

        3. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Son

      16. Kane5
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I brought Armstrong in last week on a WC (not sure what I was thinking) and now think he is going to get benched again. Was planning on going him to Toney next week anyway. Should I just pull the trigger this week?

        1. SouthCoastSaint
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yes. I can’t see how Ralph drops Broja. Favouring 1 out and out striker this year and can’t see him changing it. Broja did limp off so might be worth waiting for press conf

          1. Kane5
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Thank you for the insight, appreciate it. Ah ok I didn't know that about Broja, will wait and see for team news. Cheers

        2. 11 smelly shirts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Soton are playing BUR, Wat, AVL and Nor in their next four. Guess that's part of the reason you brought him in. I'd put him first player on my bench if I would own him (I'm a happy Toney owner)

          1. Kane5
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah I liked the draw but didn't realise he was a chance to get dropped. Yeah true might put him first reserve. Very nice with Toney, hopefully he bangs next few weeks

      17. SouthCoastSaint
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Haven’t taken a hit all season but found myself with double wolves defence, ronaldo, saka, mahrez, sissoko and Armstrong.

        Looking at Mbeumo, Toney, Lukaku, Chilwell.

        Of course I’ll wait for pressers but with 1 transfer, is a -12 too mental?

        (No wildcard and around the 190k mark)

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I've had Toney since the start. Cannot understand the obssession now to get him especially this week. Must be group think. I'm probably getting rid on WC this week. Mbuemo is enough and not a must have vs Leicester. 2 Brentford players this week for -8 lol

          1. SouthCoastSaint
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            They start a rather tasty run of fixtures, have been the surprise package this season, unlucky to lose against Chelsea, beat West Ham away, ran liverpool close. Leicester also of europe Thursday.

            Toney even on pens - surely mad to consider swapping him out?

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Played every game and 2 goals and 2 assists. Mbuemo played every game 2 goals 0 assists. Not screaming out double up vs Leicester this week

        2. 11 smelly shirts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          -12 is something I'd only do around a TC or BB (and even then it's very unlikely). Are you sure your replacements are returning more than the minus points?

          1. SouthCoastSaint
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            In my opinion, a -12 can only really be judged by the following 4 game weeks or so. The most I’ve ever done is -8 but stupid inclusion of Armstrong on wc and idiotic Mahrez punt has put me in a sticky spot

            1. Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah it's all about long term gains. The only short term thing to worry about (if you're bothered) is your H2H games.

              1. SouthCoastSaint
                • 12 Years
                2 years, 5 months ago

                Nah none of them this year

        3. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Ronaldo can still score a goal. Chelsea aren't scoring enough goals to cover the hit (at least on current form)

          1. SouthCoastSaint
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Will hope Lukaku plays vs Malmö to make holding ronaldo a bit easier

      18. grooveymatt65
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        hey guys this is my team:

        Ramsdale Elliot

        Cancelo Rudiger Livramento Duffy Johnson

        Salah Sarr Benrahma Raphinha Brownhill

        (c) Lukaku Ronaldo Antonio

        0.0 itb 2ft

        what could I do from the below?

        1. Ronaldo and Benrahma to Vardy and Foden for free

        2. Ronaldo and Benrahma to Toney and Son for free

        3. Ronaldo, Benrahma and Sarr to Toney, Son and Foden for -4

        3. Just Ronaldo to Vardy for free

        4. Ronaldo, Benrahma and Duffy to Toney, Son and Chillwell/Dias for -4

        5. Save

        thanks 🙂

        1. Crunchie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          i like 4

      19. jonnybhoy
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Hi guys thoughts my team please

        Foster
        Tomiyasu Rudiger* Azpil Livra
        Salah Gallagher Gray
        Vardy Antonio Ronaldo

        Sanchez Sarr McCarthy Manquillo

        2FT 2.9m ITB any suggestions?

        A) Ronaldo/Rudiger to Lukaku(C)/TAA
        B) Ronaldo/Sarr to Lukaku(C) Raph
        C) Something else

        1. Crunchie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          C Just Ronaldo to Lukaku this week. Can't see Raph outscoring Gallagher/Gray this week then moving Gray/Sarr on depending on what you see this week. Rudiger is fit

      20. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I know that's what the captain poll is for so I won't ask who you're giving the armband to but Liverpool have scored 3+ goals in every away so far this season (incl UCL) and Chelsea plucking 1 goal per match (usually from a defender).

        Tough decision this week

        Lukaku - early kick off, the team lack creativity, but it's Norwich
        Salah - the man is on fire, no shortage of team goals, and it's United, extra days rest

        1. SouthCoastSaint
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Unless Lukaku is rested for Malmö, I dont get captaining him.

          Not on pens and surely chelsea clean sheet likely/ he would struggle for bonus if he scored?

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            If I capped him I would be expecting a brace+, so baps likely to come with it.

            Though it never quite works out like that. Cue yellow card and blank.

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

            We don't know he's not on pens if Jorginho isn't on the field?

          3. Qaiss
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            So if you didn’t own, didn’t want to captain and had Ronaldo instead, would you bother getting him at all?

            Unfortunately the Norwich game has Lukaku brace written all over it.

            1. FPL_Crisis
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              think i still would for free based on upcoming fixtures but can see why people are hesitant

        2. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Salah

        3. Qui-Gon-Joe
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I think they'll both haul, just more certain that Salah will.

      21. sandman58
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        As long as u have Liveramento to cover and soften the blow mate

      22. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Any reason why I should wait to pull the trigger on the following move?

        Greenwood >Son

        ???

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Potential injuries before deadline.

        2. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Spurs not that good and tough 3 fixtures

        3. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I’ll wait till Friday. Cheers lads

      23. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Is this team good to go?

        Foster (Sánchez)
        Cancelo, Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger (Marcal) (White)
        Salah, Benrahma, Greenwood, Raphinha (Gilmour)
        Lukaku, Antonio, Saint-Maximin

        Which player I should transfer out?

        Thanks!

      24. baines is god
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        learnings from tonight

        1-City are seriously bloody good
        2-Guardiola subbed off Foden and KDB early, they'll both start vs Brighton
        3-Mahrez played really well, but I still think Jesus will play on the right wing ahead of him
        4-I expect a Rodri KDB Bernardo Grealish Foden Jesus front 6, but Gundogan will be reintroduced at some point
        5-Liverpool are bloody good, winning 3-2 against the La Liga champions away without even playing well by their standards is incredible
        6-Jota will probably bench league fixtures until the next international break given how well the front 3 are playing

      25. Qui-Gon-Joe
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Maverick captain option for those thinking of selling Ron for Rom this week... Get Firmino (C)

      26. Qui-Gon-Joe
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I've still got Alonso. Selling for Chilwell seems the most sideways move possible. Should I?

      27. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Does Chelsea line up give any hope chabolah plays v Norwich ? Is he not worth the risk anyway even if plays v Norwich