My FPL Gameweek 9 Team Selection

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FPL GW9 Team Selection | Haaland captain? Calafiori fit? | Fantasy Premier League 26/27

My starting eleven

Bench, in order

Transfers

• João Pedro out, Jackson in: João Pedro is injured for at least 2 Gameweeks. Because of that, I'll take the opportunity to try and get points from Jackson.
• Gibbs-White out, Tavernier in: If Gibbs-White is injured, there's a chance I'll make this transfer as well.

Intro

About half of managers own Calafiori, and I've put him on my bench for Gameweek nine. The armband goes to Haaland. Here's my eleven, line by line and the bench order he's part of.

Last week

A quick look back first. Gameweek eight gave me fifty two points, seven above the average, so a solid week rather than a great one. Konsa was the standout with fourteen points, Kinsky chipped in nine, and Haaland brought eight before the captaincy doubled it to sixteen. The weak spot was Gibbs-White on two points, and he comes up again later.

Intro

That leaves me on five hundred and thirty five points, ranked around seven hundred and twenty two thousand, with nothing in the bank. I've already made one transfer this week, which I'll explain shortly. The Free Hit is the only chip I have left, and it has to be played by Gameweek nineteen. My model has this eleven on about forty nine points, with the captain doubled.

Goalkeeper and defence

In goal, it's Kinsky. Tottenham are at home to Crystal Palace, and I like it because Palace have scored just nine goals in eight games, so they don't create much. They've also conceded nineteen, the most in the league, which tells you Tottenham should have plenty of the ball. He's on three point nine expected points, and his next five fixtures stay kind.

Gvardiol starts at the back. Manchester City are at home to Brighton, and that worries me a little, because Brighton have scored twenty three goals, the most in the league. A clean sheet is a big ask against that attack. He's managed one point last week and his form has dropped off, so my model only has him on two point eight expected points. The news is he was given midweek off as planned rest, not an injury.

Next is Munoz, away at Brentford. That's a tricky one for a defender, because Brentford have scored fourteen, fourth best in the league, so I'm leaning on his attacking threat more than a clean sheet. He did get seven points last week, and he's on three point two expected points. After this, Manchester City and Chelsea come up, so this is a game he really needs to deliver in.

Davis is the third defender, and since only three start, he stays. Ipswich are away at Hull City, and Hull have scored only nine goals in eight games, which gives him a real shot at a clean sheet. He's been quiet for me lately, but at four million with two goals and two assists already, he's earned patience. The model gives him three point six expected points, more than either of my other starting defenders.

Midfield

Into midfield, and Palmer. He was sent off last weekend, but the news is that he's available for this one. Chelsea are at home to Manchester United, who haven't kept a single clean sheet this season and have conceded thirteen. He's on penalties, and that matters in a game like this. The form hasn't been there, though, so four point three expected points feels fair rather than exciting.

Rogers is in the same Chelsea side, so the same reasoning applies. Manchester United haven't kept a clean sheet all season, which is the main reason I'm keeping faith. One point last week isn't good enough, and I want more from him. He's on three point eight expected points, and with about half of managers owning him, I'd rather not be the one without him if he hauls.

I'm also going with Gibbs-White. He's away at Brentford, which I'm fine with. He takes the penalties, which always helps. He's on thin ice. The model gives him three point two expected points. His fixtures toughen up from here.

Dewsbury-Hall has been one of my steadiest players. Everton are away at Newcastle United, and I'm happy with that, because Newcastle have conceded fourteen, among the worst in the league. He's averaging close to six points a game and he's on four expected points. Almost nobody owns him, so every return is ground I make up on the crowd.

Attack

Up front, Calvert-Lewin. Leeds are away at Bournemouth, who've conceded thirteen goals in eight games, so there's room for him to score. He's on penalties too. He's been quiet lately with two points last week, but three point four expected points is enough to start him, and Tottenham at home follows.

Haaland, of course, starts. Manchester City are at home to Brighton, and that's harder than it looks, because Brighton have only conceded seven, third fewest, with five clean sheets. Still, he's got nine goals, sixty six points and the penalties. The news is that he was rested midweek, with his flag at a hundred percent. Most managers own him, so he won't gain me ground, but I can't afford to be without him.

Jackson is the new arrival. Aston Villa are at home to Fulham, who've conceded ten in eight, mid table, and have scored only eight themselves, so Villa should control the game. He got thirteen points last week, and he's the most bought player this week by a distance. Four expected points on my numbers, with Fulham the kindest of his next five.

Captain

But is Haaland really the right captain against one of the best defences in the league? I think so. Brighton have conceded just seven in eight, but he's on six point five expected points, more than two clear of anyone else in my team. The next best is Palmer on four point three, with Jackson and Dewsbury-Hall on four. Most of what I've read this week backs Haaland too, with Jackson the main alternative. Dewsbury-Hall is my vice, so he takes the armband if Haaland doesn't play.

Bench

On the bench, Dubravka is my backup keeper. First off is Calafiori, away at Liverpool, flagged with a hip injury and rated seventy five percent to play. Second is Konsa, also away at Liverpool. It stings to bench a man coming off fourteen points, but Liverpool have conceded only eight all season. Third is Gross, away at Manchester City.

Team news

On team news, the one flag that matters is Calafiori. If he's fit, he's first off my bench, but at seventy five percent with a hip injury, I don't want to rely on him starting at Liverpool. I'll check again before the deadline, and you should do the same.

Transfer

My transfer is Joao Pedro out, Jackson in. He's injured for at least two gameweeks, and the news is that the Chelsea manager said he'll be out for a few weeks with a thigh injury. Rather than wait, I'm taking the chance to get points from Jackson, who's been in form, with Fulham at home this week.

Wildcard draft

I don't have my Wildcard any more, but if I did, this is the team I'd build. It's set up for the next five gameweeks, with the money in the starters and a cheap bench. The players I like most are Haaland, Gabriel and Mbeumo, and Haaland would still get the armband.

Free Hit draft

The Free Hit is the one chip I still have, and it has to be played by Gameweek nineteen. This draft is built for this gameweek only, with my own team coming back the week after. Haaland, Gabriel and Mbeumo are the ones I like most, and Haaland would wear the armband.

Outro

So that's Gameweek nine: Calafiori on the bench, Jackson in, and Haaland captain. As for my own calls, since Gameweek eight, four of my five have landed. Who's getting your armband, Haaland or Dewsbury-Hall?

More for Gameweek 9

• GW9 captain picks
• GW9 transfer tips
• GW9 differentials
• The full Gameweek 9 guide
• Plan your own team

The team, the captain, the transfers and the reasons are my own decisions. Fixtures, prices and ownership are FPL's; projected points (xPts) come from the FPL Dave engine and are estimates, not guarantees.