Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 9?

The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) captaincy debate for Gameweek 9 has been completely turned on its head by an injury to Romelu Lukaku (£11.6m) during Wednesday nights UEFA Champions League win over Malmo.

As a result, Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) again looks like the leading armband candidate, but there are other options on the radar too, including Kai Havertz (£8.1m), Son Heung-min (£10.2m), Harry Kane (£12.1m) and the in-form Jamie Vardy (£10.7m).

First, we will assess the fallout of the Gameweek 9 captain poll, before then analysing the best options, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Friday’s 18:30 BST deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Mohamed Salah leads the captain poll for the fifth time this season, having gained 39.47% of total votes from our users at the time of writing.

Kai Havertz currently sits in second, and is backed by 15.97% of FPL managers ahead of his appealing Stamford Bridge encounter against Norwich City, while Jamie Vardy occupies third-place with 11.98%. 

The top-five list is completed by differentials Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) and Harry Kane, with 4.7% and 2.9% respectively.

MOHAMED SALAH

HOW HAS CAPTAIN SENSIBLE PERFORMED SO FAR THIS SEASON?

Gameweek1st2nd3rd
1Salah (17)Fernandes (20)Mane (3)
2Salah (3)Fernandes (1)Mane (8)
3Son (10)Antonio (11)Fernandes (2)
4Ronaldo (13)Salah (8)Lukaku (13)
5Salah (12)Mane (8)Ronaldo (6)
6Ronaldo (2)Salah (7)Antonio (8)
7Lukaku (2)Ronaldo (1)Antonio (2)
8Salah (13)De Bruyne (11)Mane (8)
853 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Start 2:

    Christensen
    White
    Livramento
    Coady

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Christ and Livra

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

      White and Livra.
      Christ may not play.

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

        Christensen is barely ever subbed on. By far the more sensible option is to start him given the CS odds.

        If he doesn't, he'll probably just auto-sub out.

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

      Christensen & Livramento. Coady ahead of White on the bench.

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

      Christensen and Livra with White first on bench

    5. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Christensen, Livramento.

      Coady first sub, though I expect both Wolves and Arsenal will concede.

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

        Great minds... 😉

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Ha, just read your reply and thought it sounded familiar 🙂

  2. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Salalalalalala

  3. BoroPhil
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mendy
    Christensen Cancelo Walker
    ESR Salah(c) Raphinha Mahrez
    Vardy Jimi Antonio

    Livra, White, Luiz, Foster

    GTG - Livra on bench ok? Assume Mahrez might not play anyway + at least one of my defenders.
    0FT, £1.2 ITB

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

    Morning all.

    Sanchez
    TAA / Cancelo / Chilwell
    Salah / Jota / Raphinha / Mbeumo
    Vardy / Antonio / Toney

    Steele // Livramento / White / Bissouma

    A) Start Jota, bench Livramento
    B) Start Livramento, bench Jota
    C) Start Livramento, bench other (?)

    For next week I have money ITB for a straight Jota > Son move (with 0.1m ITB), so that's the next likely move, unless Havertz etc. turns me.

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

      having the same issue. id prob start livra and jota and bench mbuemo/toney

  5. patricio33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I agree. Christ and Livvy.

    1. patricio33
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sorry, meant to be a reply to the top post.

  6. Friday's Press Conference Times
    Skonto Rigga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Morning, all. Twelve pressers today plus I'm guessing an embargoed quote or two from Nuno:

    Frank - 8am
    Klopp - 12.15pm
    Farke - 12.45pm
    Lage - 1pm
    Vieira - 1pm
    Solskjaer - 1pm
    Benitez - 1.15pm
    Guardiola - 1.30pm
    Tuchel - 1.30pm
    Jones - 1.30pm
    Moyes - 2pm
    Rodgers - 2.15pm

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A re-presser of Hasenhuttl to ask again if Armstrong starts? 😉

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

        Good to hear news of a press conference over an hour later

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

          Well did you know that press conference had already taken place? No - now you knwo you can get some useful info on...I dunno, Wissa?

      2. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, that would be helpful. Absolutely no idea what to do with him this week. Feels risky starting him.

        1. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Think I'm going to pull the trigger on a -4 to Toney, even if he starts this week I think he'll remain a headache.

  7. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Proud Alonso and James owner......if neither start I'm planning a rage -4 of Alonso>TAA and James>Reguillon

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      think james starts

    2. Spark Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Jealous you have James. Have been tempted myself but have had other fires. Hope he starts for you, massive upside.

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Well he only owes me 14 points from last week's Rudiger>

    3. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think both start

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        now you're talking dirty to me

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

          Lol

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

    Play Livra (BUR) or White (AVL)?

    Sanchez
    Cancelo Christensen ________
    Salah (c) Havertz Raphinha Gray
    Antonio Vardy Ronaldo

    1. patricio33
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Livra

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

      Livra

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

      Livra all day. Can see Villa scoring v Arsenal

  9. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Start two out of these;

    - Toney - Potential goal vs weak Leicester defence
    - Gray - Playing Watford, slightly off the boil
    - Gallagher - Playing Newcastle, slightly of the boil
    - TAA - Hasn't had much offensive output lately

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

      Have to start TAA. Toney just but personally I have Gallagher. Think he could get something against Newcastle.

    2. Rog.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      You must have a ridiculous team. I’d want to start them all. If I had to chose Gallagher and Toney but would also want TAA

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

      TAA and Toney

  10. Spark Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sa (Steele)
    Rudi Cancelo TAA Livra (Shaw)
    Salah Saka Raph Gallagher Benhrama
    Vardy Antonio (Street)

    Have already brought in Vards for Ronaldo, Havertz in for Saka on a -4 or just play Livra and have Shaw come in if Saka is out?

  11. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you put first on bench?

    A- King
    B- White

    1. Water_Pink
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      White

  12. jennmenn
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hellu!
    Would you guys BB Mbeumo, Broja, Duffy and Foster this week?

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

      Na. Plenty of other opportunities to BB later in the season.

  13. XX SMICER XX
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Who should be my first sub:
    A. Townsend vs WAT
    B. Livramento vs BUR

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Likely required due to Alonso in my starting XI

    2. Spark Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Bench Livra there but not much in it.

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

    I will just leave this here
    5 goals in premier league last season.
    Lewis Dunk
    Kurt Zouma
    Callum Robinson
    Bobby Reid
    4 goals
    Kai Havertz

  15. Reckoner.
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Got a real benching headache this week. Got to bench 2:

    1) Diaz away to Brighton (have Cancelo starting)
    2) Mbeumo home to Leicester
    3) Rodrigo home to Wolves
    4) Livramento home to Burnley

    Currently benching Rodrigo & Livramento, Rodrigo was a couple of week punt before getting Toney btw if anyones wondering why the hell I have him!

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

      Think that's quite an easy choice. Bench Rodrigo. Wolves defense have the 2nd best xGC across the season (I think) & Rodrigo despite looking okay at times, has done absolutely nothing so far.

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If it has to be from those four, I'd bench Rodrigo and Livramento.

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

        Thanks, feels wierd benching the attacker but think you are right.

        Rodrigo 1st bench ahead of Livramento right?

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah, not ideal, absolutely nobody else you can bench?

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

            No not really.

  16. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Chances of Grealish to start ?

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

      I just hope so, bought him last week as my Man City representative for their decent games. Promptly dropped, of course. Just hoping that Pep hasn't suddenly seen something he doesn't like and he's currently out of favour. Pro can really be like that. One worry is that he seems to be back in love with Bernardo Silva.

  17. drughi
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Start one out of

    A. lonso
    B. enrahma

    1. Killitzer
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Alonso.

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      lonso

  18. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Help. Hit the early transfer with Ronaldo to Vardy and now Lukaku is out.

    Sanchez Steele
    Rudiger Livra Duffy White Marcal
    Salah Gray Foden Raphinha McArthur
    Vardy Antonio Lukaku
    £2m itb

    1. Save and hope for quick return for Lukaku
    2. Lukaku ➡️ Kane
    3. Lukaku ➡️ Aubameyang
    4. Upgrade McArthur to £6.5 mid

    Cheers for any input !

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

      Lukaku > Kane

    2. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A assuming it’s an ft

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I meant 2 as well lol

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

      2

    4. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      3

  19. clueless2
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    ESR to Havertz for a hit?

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

      Not for a hit no

    2. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I would. Havertz 7+ (-4)
      ESR 2 points

      1. clueless2
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks. Plus Havertz probably gets more in the next couple of GWs.

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

    u can tell I WC last week when this team looked decent….

    G2G?

    Cancelo, Dias, Christensen, TAA
    Mount, (S)alah, Raphina,
    Armstrong, Kane, Antonio

    Foster, Liv, ESR, Brownhill

    ESR over Armstrong?

    TIA

  21. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bench two:

    A: Dias
    B: Trent
    C: Livramento
    D: Saka
    E: Mbeumo

    Currently on CE

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

      CD sorry idiot

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

      CE

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

        CD sorry

  22. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Have 2 FT and 1.2 ITB. Which option looks best?

    A - Doucoure & Benrahma > Townsend & Raph (and do CR7 > Vardy next week)
    B - Doucoure & CR7 > Townsend & Edouard (and do Perica > Vardy next week)
    C - Other suggestion?

    Sanchez
    Cancelo - Rudiger - Livra - Duffy
    Salah (c) - Bruno - Benrahma - Doucoure
    CR7 - Antonio

    Foster - Coufal - Gilmour - Perica

  23. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Play 2 out of this 3….

    A Marcal
    B White
    C Matip

    Cheers!

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

      Marcal and White

  24. TheGrumpyManager
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Feel risky and wanna captain Mount. Anyone else?

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

      More chance of winning powerball, Grumps.

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

    1. play josh king vs EVE

    2. take a -4 for Rondon

    3. take a -4 for Edouard

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

      Play King I guess

      Edouard is a good call imo but given City in 10 now may not be the right week to get him in for a hit. One to monitor.

  26. MallettMan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Can't believe I've been persuaded into putting Havertz in

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

      Don’t forget to come back and lay blame.

  27. adibo
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Auba or harry for the (c)?

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

      Auba has scored in last 3 home games. I’m tempted

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

      I bought auba for lukaku last night and will captain him too. Feels a good week for a differential captian punt

  28. Mings the Merciless
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    It's a working theory, based on no actual evidence or understanding of football, but...
    Chelsea defenders score the goals, but now they have no forwards to remind them of which goal to shoot at...it could be an own-goal goal-fest. Or not.

  29. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Am I GTG?

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Dias James
    Salah(c) Mahrez Raphinha Mbeumo
    Vardy Antonio
    Foster Livramento Hwang Brownhill

  30. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    2ft 0.1itb. Thoughts?

    Guaita
    Cresswell Cancelo Rudiger
    Salah Jota Grealish Raphinha Sarr
    Lukaku* Antonio

    Foster Reguilon Lowton Davis*

    A) Lukaku, Jota to Edouard, KDB -4
    B) Lukaku, Jota to Son, Jimenez -4
    C) Lukaku to Vardy

    Something else? Feel like i should have money to spend but no standout options.