Fantasy Premier League GW9 Round-Up: Haaland’s Dilemma and Mbeumo’s Triumph
Well, well, well! Hold onto your hats, Fantasy Premier League managers, because the mixed emotions following Gameweek 9 are like a bad soap opera: thrilling, frustrating, and just a bit ludicrous. A staggeringly brave 308,746 of you decided to put your trust, and your Triple-Captain chip, into the hands of Erling Haaland (£15.4m). In a plot twist nobody saw coming (except for perhaps Haaland’s entire family), the Norwegian delivered just one goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Southampton, despite having the sort of game where he could’ve filled his boots with goals—if only football was fair, eh?
Haaland netted early on (five minutes in, to be precise), but what followed? Seven shots in the box and three big chances missed. It’s like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet and deciding to nibble just the crust off a tiny slice of bread. With an Expected Goals (xG) tally of 2.33, backing Haaland only yielded six points for his loyal supporters compared to the whopping 17 he netted earlier in the season. You’d have been better off captaining a house cat! Meow!
The Captains’ Table: A Tale of Two Players
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the captains, shall we? A season-high 6.72 million managers handed the armband to Haaland, which is an impressive 63.3% of all teams. It’s like a club where the dress code didn’t suit anyone and yet everyone showed up in the same outfit. Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), on the other hand, was the backup plan for 847,530 managers, bravely taking on the daunting task of facing Arsenal. With a history against the Gunners that leaves even the bravest fans shaking in their boots (14 attacking returns in 14 matches!), Salah seems like an old reliable car. Sure, it might not win races anymore, but most of the time it gets you from A to B without falling apart.
GW9’s Most-Captained Players
| Player | Captained by | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Haaland | 6,413,514 | 6 |
| Salah | 847,530 | – |
| Palmer | 737,293 | – |
| Watkins | 417,601 | 2 |
| Mbeumo | 173,419 | 15 |
Mbeumo: The New Sensation
Speaking of Mbeumo (£7.6m), our dear friend took the spotlight this GW9. Revolutionary as ever, he netted two goals during Brentford’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Ipswich Town—earning a spectacular 15 points. With 663,791 new owners scrambling to claim their piece of his glory, Mbeumo is the fourth most-owned player in Fantasy right now. It seems like everyone suddenly loves a great bargain, like finding an incredible deal on a TV right before the Super Bowl!
Top-Bought Players of GW9
| Player | Bought by | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Mbeumo | 663,791 | 15 |
| Gvardiol | 593,289 | 6 |
| Palmer | 464,228 | – |
| Son | 414,539 | – |
| Jimenez | 376,409 | 2 |
Frustration for Son’s New Owners
Now, let’s talk about Son Heung-min (£9.9m). Over 414,000 managers rushed to bring him on board this week, perhaps hoping to revel in his attacking prowess. However, according to his manager, he is “unlikely” to feature in the weekend’s match against Crystal Palace. Oops! Looks like some managers bet on the wrong horse this time!
Most-Sold Players
On the flip side, let’s highlight the players who’ve become more ‘sellable’ than a dodgy phone at a flea market. Liverpool’s duo—Luis Diaz (£7.9m) and Diogo Jota (£7.3m)—have been shipped out faster than you can say “rotation risks.” And let’s not forget William Saliba (£6.0m), who has been sent packing after his dramatic red card. Following that incident, 866,000 managers surely learned the hard way that football can be as unpredictable as a cat on a hot tin roof!
GW9’s Most-Sold Players
| Player | Transferred out by | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Saka | 1,177,491 | – |
| Saliba | 866,279 | 0 |
| Diaz | 529,148 | – |
| Jota | 263,663 | – |
| Havertz | 256,829 | – |
So there you have it, mates! A week filled with hope, heartbreak, and hair-pulling madness. If managing your Fantasy team has become comparable to running a marathon while herding cats, you’re not alone. But chin up! Each game week is another chance to redeem yourself or, at the very least, acknowledge that your crystal ball for predictions might need a bit of a polish.
In an emotional rollercoaster, the 308,746 Fantasy Premier League managers who decided to Triple-Captain Erling Haaland (£15.4m) during Gameweek 9 experienced a blend of excitement and disappointment.
The Norwegian striker, who had been on a frustrating three-match goal drought, managed to find the back of the net, securing the only goal in Manchester City’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Southampton. However, his performance left fans wishing for more in terms of goals.
After scoring just five minutes into the match, Haaland unleashed seven additional shots within the penalty area, including three significant opportunities where he was highly expected to score. Despite an impressive total Expected Goals (xG) of 2.33 by the final whistle, his fantasy supporters were left with only six points.
This modest return was a stark contrast to the explosive 17 points he achieved during Gameweek 2, when he netted a hat-trick against Ipswich Town, granting over 477,000 managers a staggering 51-point haul with the captaincy chip utilized.
Gameweek 9 saw a record-breaking 6.72 million managers placing the captain armband on Haaland, a remarkable 63.3% share of all teams participating in the Fantasy Premier League.
Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) remains the second most popular captain choice among Fantasy managers, despite facing a challenging matchup in his trip to Arsenal. Historically, the Egyptian forward has proved invaluable against the Gunners—securing returns in 10 out of his 14 appearances and accumulating an impressive 14 attacking returns, complemented by six bonus points during those contests.
GW9 most-captained players
| Player | Captained by | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Haaland | 6,413,514 | 6 |
| Salah | 847,530 | – |
| Palmer | 737,293 | – |
| Watkins | 417,601 | 2 |
| Mbeumo | 173,419 | 15 |
Who are the most-bought players?
The standout transfer target for Gameweek 9 was undoubtedly Bryan Mbeumo (£7.6m). His astounding performance delighted his 663,791 new managers as he scored two goals in Brentford’s thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over Ipswich Town.
Mbeumo’s impressive display earned him the maximum three bonus points, contributing to a phenomenal 15-point haul. He now ranks as the fourth most-owned player in Fantasy, having amassed 55 points in home matches this season—the highest of any competitor.
In support of Haaland, his teammate Josko Gvardiol (£6.1m) came through for his 593,289 new owners by securing a clean sheet, marking only his second shutout of the season. He garnered maximum bonus points, having accumulated 29 points over the last four Gameweeks, leading the pack among defenders during that stretch.
Cole Palmer (£10.9m) has quickly become a popular choice among managers seeking a replacement for Bukayo Saka (£10.0m), who faces an injury concern ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool. Palmer’s skills were on display last season when Chelsea faced Newcastle United, where he achieved a stellar 13-point return courtesy of a goal, an assist, and the maximum bonus.
GW9 most-bought players
| Player | Bought by | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Mbeumo | 663,791 | 15 |
| Gvardiol | 593,289 | 6 |
| Palmer | 464,228 | – |
| Son | 414,539 | – |
| Jimenez | 376,409 | 2 |
Frustration for Son’s new owners?
Son Heung-min (£9.9m) ranks as the fourth most-bought player for Gameweek 9. Yet, over 414,000 new owners of the South Korean forward are expected to face disappointment this week.
Manager Ange Postecoglou revealed in a Friday press conference that Son is “unlikely” to play during Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Crystal Palace.
Rounding up the top five recruits is a resurgent Raul Jimenez (£5.7m), who has consistently produced attacking returns in each of his five starts this season—attracting over 376,000 managers to select him for Fulham’s encounter with Everton.
Unfortunately for his new supporters, the Mexican striker, despite registering a match-high three shots, was unable to capitalize, ending the match in a 1-1 draw without finding the net.
Who are the most-sold players?
Liverpool’s duo, Luis Diaz (£7.9m) and Diogo Jota (£7.3m), have suffered significant sell-offs as managers grow concerned about their rotation and injury status impacting their playing time.
A staggering 866,000 managers promptly transferred out William Saliba (£6.0m) following his red card in Gameweek 8, which has left the French defender suspended for the upcoming fixture in Gameweek 9.
Additionally, another Arsenal player feeling the pinch is Kai Havertz (£8.2m), who has seen his ownership drop as tougher fixtures loom for Mikel Arteta’s squad. In fact, only one of their next seven matches is rated at a difficulty level of two in the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR).
GW9 most-sold players
| Player | Transferred out by | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Saka | 1,177,491 | – |
| Saliba | 866,279 | 0 |
| Diaz | 529,148 | – |
| Jota | 263,663 | – |
| Havertz | 256,829 | – |
Fantasy.premierleague.com”>Fantasy Premier League fixture difficulty rating.
This week has certainly been a mixed bag for Fantasy Premier League managers, filled with highs, lows, and unexpected twists. While some new signings have thrived and rewarded their owners, others have led to frustration, highlighting the unpredictable nature of fantasy football.
Conclusion
As we look ahead to the upcoming game weeks, it’s essential for managers to keep a close eye on player performances and injury updates. Balancing excitement with practicality will be key to navigating the challenges of the Fantasy Premier League. Remember, it’s not just about making the right transfers but also about timing and making well-informed decisions!
So gear up, strategize, and may the fantasy odds be ever in your favor!
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As managers deal with the whims of Fantasy Premier League, it’s clear that staying ahead in this game requires both strategy and a bit of luck. Tune in for more insights as we head into the next game week, hoping for fewer surprises and more points!