Top 5 Captain Picks for Gameweek 9: A Blend of Surprise and Adventure GW – 9
As Gameweek 9 of Fantasy Premier League kicks off, the competition among FPL managers is heating up. Every transfer or captaincy decision can make a noticeable difference in your overall rank.
At Fantasy 24 Club, we spotlight the players with the potential to truly impact this week’s outcomes, guiding you toward strategic picks that could give you a winning edge.
But it’s not all about the big-name stars. Smart managers will also want to check out our list of the best players under £7 million, uncovering hidden gems who can deliver serious value. And don’t overlook the dark horse clubs — the unexpected teams and players who might just spring a surprise and shake up the leaderboard this season.
Best Captain Picks for Gameweek 9
Antoine Semenyo (£7.9m)
With 72 points so far, Antoine Semenyo continues to cement his status as one of the season’s biggest surprises — a breakout star who’s become a core pick in many FPL squads. Heading into Gameweek 9, he faces Nottingham Forest, a side struggling for form after the managerial carousel of Nuno Espírito Santo, Postecoglou, and Dyche — making this a prime opportunity for the Bournemouth forward to keep his hot streak alive.
Thanks to his intelligent movement inside the box and his increasingly advanced attacking role, Semenyo stands out as a bold yet tempting captaincy choice — especially for managers looking to make up serious ground on their rivals.
Erling Haaland (£14.7m)
The Norwegian machine keeps smashing records, as usual. After just eight gameweeks, Haaland has already racked up 84 points from 11 goals — reaffirming his place as the standout captaincy option for the third straight season.
In Gameweek 9, Manchester City face Aston Villa in what looks like another promising fixture for Haaland — a striker who simply can’t stop scoring, no matter the opponent or venue. Quite frankly, going without him as your captain has become a risk only the boldest managers dare to take.
Nick Woltemade (£7.4m)
Rising faster than any other forward this season, Woltemade continues to evolve and deliver for Newcastle, netting four crucial goals so far. He’s been their savior in front of goal — and what makes him even more appealing is his low ownership, still under 20%.
Captaining him might be a daring move, but one that could pay off handsomely, especially with Newcastle’s Gameweek 9 fixture looking favorable — a clash against Brighton that offers a real opportunity for another standout performance.
Larsen (£6.4m)
It might come as a surprise to see Larsen on this week’s captaincy shortlist, but the Wolves forward has made a strong comeback from injury and now stands as the club’s last real hope of staying up this season. With an ownership of just 5%, he’s a massive differential — and the best part is his upcoming fixture against Burnley, statistically the weakest defense in the league.
Backing Larsen as your captain is a bold move, but one that could reward you with some truly standout points.
Mohamed Salah (£14.5m)
Mohamed Salah heads into Gameweek 9 with a golden opportunity to get back on the scoresheet as Liverpool take on Brentford — a fixture that could reignite the Egyptian star’s season. After collecting just 36 points so far, Salah looks hungry to rediscover his spark against one of the weakest defenses in the Premier League this year.
With his ownership noticeably lower than usual, Salah could be the perfect differential captain for bold managers chasing a real climb in the rankings. All signs point toward a potential goal-fest that could thrust Salah right back into the Fantasy spotlight.
Gameweek 9 of Fantasy Premier League presents a golden opportunity for any manager looking to climb the ranks. Between big-name stars like Haaland and Salah, and bold surprises such as Semenyo, Woltemade, and Larsen, the captaincy choices this week cater to every type of strategy.
Choosing the right captain — whether a reliable performer or a daring differential — can make all the difference and bring you closer to the top. A mix of smart risk-taking and close performance tracking is the key to success in this crucial gameweek.