Best FPL Captain for Gameweek 9: Top Three Picks (2026/27)

Looking for the best Fantasy Premier League captain for Gameweek 9?

Each week, we analyse the leading FPL captaincy options to help you maximise your points and climb your mini-leagues.

For Gameweek 9, we have selected three standout choices:

1. 1️⃣ Fix’s highest-projected captain
2. 2️⃣ A safe option with more than 20% ownership
3. 3️⃣ A bold differential captain with under 20% ownership

These picks cover every type of FPL manager, whether you prefer to follow the crowd or chase early gains with a differential.

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FPL Gameweek 9 Captain Picks

Erling Haaland (BHA) — Highest-Projected Score

Erling Haaland leads the scoring charts with nine goals, three clear of second-placed Alexander Isak (six). The Norwegian international also dominates the underlying stats, ranking top for shots in the box (29), shots on target (15) and Expected Goals (xG, 6.88).

Manchester City have scored 20 goals this season, second only to Brighton (23). They also rank top for both shots on target (44) and xG (17.67).

Their visitors Brighton have conceded just seven goals this season, the third-fewest in the league, and kept five clean sheets. However, the Seagulls rank sixth for shots conceded (89) and as low as 10th for Expected Goals Conceded (xGC, 12.83).

Our Player Points Projections tool predicts 6.3 FPL points for Erling Haaland in Gameweek 9.

Bryan Mbeumo (che) — The High-Ownership Alternative

Bryan Mbeumo has scored four goals this season, with only Marcus Tavernier (five) netting more among midfielders.

The Cameroon international is also joint-top among midfielders for shots on target (11) and trails only Rayan (nine) for big chances (eight).

As the image below from our Match Centre shows, Mbeumo leads Manchester United’s players for goals (two), xG (1.8) and shots on target (seven) over their last five league matches. Only Diogo Dalot (nine) has attempted more assists than his eight.

Manchester United have scored 10 goals this season, ranking 10th. However, the Red Devils rank top for shots (155) and fifth for shots on target (40).

Their hosts Chelsea have conceded 15 goals, with only Ipswich Town (16) and Crystal Palace (19) conceding more. The Blues rank 11th for shots in the box conceded (104) and 17th for xGC (15.31).

Our Player Points Projections tool predicts 4.7 FPL points for Bryan Mbeumo in Gameweek 9.

Nicolas Jackson (FUL) — The Differential Captain

After a slow start to the season, Nicolas Jackson has scored four goals in as many Gameweeks. Only Haaland (five) has scored more over that period.

As the image below from our Opta Stats Sandbox shows, the Senegal international ranks second among forwards for shots in the box (13), shots on target (seven) and xG (3.30) over those four Gameweeks.

Aston Villa have scored eight goals over the last four Gameweeks, with only Brighton (10) and Manchester City (12) proving more prolific. The Midlands side also rank fourth for both shots in the box (41) and xG (7.70) over that period.

Their visitors Fulham have conceded 10 goals and kept three clean sheets this season. The Cottagers rank 10th for shots in the box conceded (71) and eighth for xGC (12.13).

Our Player Points Projections tool predicts 4.3 FPL points for Nicolas Jackson in Gameweek 9.

Your next FPL move starts here.

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