FPL Gameweek 9 has concluded &#8211; and here are the key talking points from the weekend&#8217;s games.

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<h2>FPL Gameweek 9 captaincy: Haaland leads the way, Salah second</h2>
Erling Haaland (£14.0m) saw off competition from Mohamed Salah (12.7m) to be the captaincy pick of choice of the top 250,000 FPL managers.
The Manchester City forward was preferred by nearly 58% of managers, with Salah second on 22.6%.
Haaland was back in the goals after going two league games without finding the back of the net, also picking up two bonus points.
But those with the armband on Salah were the happier bunch, with the Egyptian doubling Haaland&#8217;s score. His 16 pointer included two goals, a clean sheet point and three bonus.
Around 10% combined opted for either Son Heung-min (£9.5m) or James Maddison (£8.1m). Both returned, scoring 14 and nine points respectively.
<div id="attachment_58942" style="width: 910px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-58942" class="size-full wp-image-58942" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GW9-captaincy.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GW9-captaincy.jpg 900w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GW9-captaincy-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GW9-captaincy-768x624.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GW9-captaincy-610x495.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />Gameweek 9 captaincy picks &#8211; top 250k</div>
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<h2>FPL Gameweek 9: Match Centre</h2>
Our gameweek reviews are not intended to provide details of every goal and assist. You can see this, plus bonus scores, FPL points and more in our slick <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-match-centre">Match Centre</a>.
The Match Centre is updated live, with the latest information as games happen, so be sure to bookmark it and follow the action in future gameweeks!
<div id="attachment_55901" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-55901" class="size-full wp-image-55901" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hub-match-centre.png" alt="" width="1200" height="628" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hub-match-centre.png 1200w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hub-match-centre-300x157.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hub-match-centre-1024x536.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hub-match-centre-768x402.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hub-match-centre-610x319.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hub-match-centre-1080x565.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />Hub Match Centre</div>
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<h2>FPL Gameweek 9 injuries: Saka returns, Botman out, March knee injury</h2>
Chelsea&#8217;s Reece James (£5.3m) has not played since FPL Gameweek 1 but made his return following a knee complaint at the weekend, playing six minutes.
And there was further good news for England fans.
Bukayo Saka (£8.5m) was ruled out of Gameweek 8 with a hamstring strain , missing Arsenal&#8217;s game with City and international duty with England.
But the midfielder returned to the Gunners&#8217; starting lineup on Saturday and he played a full 90 minutes against Arsenal, grabbing an assist.
In a further boost for Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side, William Saliba (£5.2m) played the whole game after withdrawing from the France squad with a chronic toe problem.
Leandro Trossard (£6.5m) also came off the bench and scored, having missed international action because of a niggling hamstring issue.
Post-match, Arteta said:
<blockquote>&#8220;He had an injury that he wasn&#8217;t fit enough to play the last few games, then he played Man City and he had to come off, and he worked really hard during the international break to be able to be fit again.&#8221;</blockquote>
<div id="attachment_53156" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-53156" class="size-full wp-image-53156" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Saka-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Saka-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Saka-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Saka-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Saka-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Saka-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Saka-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Saka-610x407.jpg 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Saka-1080x720.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />Bukayo Saka. Picture by Getty Images</div>
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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted Sven Botman (£4.7m) was still at least a couple of weeks away from returning from a knee injury.
In the aftermath of the Magpies&#8217; 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, Howe gave a more complete picture of Botman&#8217;s fitness than he did in his pre-match briefing:
<blockquote>&#8220;Sven wasn’t close today. I couldn’t really say that in the build-up to the game, but he hasn’t trained with us yet. He’s got a bit of a way to go.
&#8220;We’re hopeful it won’t be too long, but he certainly won’t be available in the next couple of weeks.”</blockquote>
Elsewhere, Brighton could have lost Solly March (£6.3m) for a &#8216;long time&#8217; to a knee injury, according to boss Roberto De Zerbi.
The Englishman suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury back in 2015 and the Seagulls will be hoping it is not a repeat situation.
Danny Welbeck (£5.8m) was also forced off with a muscle problem and De Zerbi likened his team&#8217;s schedule &#8211; with Europa League action for the first time &#8211; to &#8216;playing a different sport&#8217;. He said:
<blockquote>
&#8220;It&#8217;s tough because we play against Ajax &#8211; a crucial game &#8211; without [Pervis] Estupinan, [Tariq] Lamptey, March and Welbeck,&#8221; added De Zerbi.
&#8220;We need more players. We are not used to playing in European competition. We have to find a solution to play and compete in every competition.&#8221;
</blockquote>
<div id="attachment_52574" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-52574" class="size-full wp-image-52574" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1243698374-1.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1243698374-1.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1243698374-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1243698374-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-1243698374-1-610x407.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Solly March. Picture by Getty Images</div>
De Zerbi is not the only manager with mounting injury issues, with Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper confirming Callum Hudson-Odoi (£4.9m) would be out for six weeks with a pulled hamstring. Divock Origi (£5.0m) will also be absent for &#8216;a good few weeks&#8217; thanks to a hip problem.
Finally, City goalkeeper Ederson (£5.6m) was a surprise omission from the starting 11 against Brighton. Pep Guardiola said tiredness was to blame after a busy international schedule for Brazil.
See our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/premier-league-predicted-lineups">predicted lineups and team news</a> article later this week to catch up on all the team news before Gameweek 10.
<h2>FPL Gameweek 9: Mbeumo sinks struggling Burnley</h2>
Bryan Mbeumo (£6.7m) had blanked in his last four league games going into Brentford&#8217;s home game against Burnley.
But he put in one of the performances of the weekend against the Clarets, playing as part of a front three with Neal Maupay (£4.9m) and Yoane Wissa (£5.9m).
The Bees midfielder, in 20.2% of FPL teams, might be a popular transfer out for those playing their Wildcard in Gameweek 10.
Hub founder <a href="https://twitter.com/FFH_Will/status/1716377462899200206/photo/1">Will Thomas</a> however noted Mbeumo was third for expected points per appearance (6.26) behind only Haaland (6.7) and Salah (7.31).
His return to form could convince FPL managers to keep hold of him for a little longer.
<div id="attachment_58944" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-58944" class="size-full wp-image-58944" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mbeumo-stats-2.jpg" alt="" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mbeumo-stats-2.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mbeumo-stats-2-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mbeumo-stats-2-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mbeumo-stats-2-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Bryan Mbeumo&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
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<h2>FPL Gameweek 9: Budget midfielders impress again</h2>
Cole Palmer (£4.9m) was used as a false nine for Chelsea as Nicolas Jackson (£6.9m) was named on the bench for the Arsenal game.
Palmer was on penalties and he scored from the spot for the second time in two games &#8211; but not before a debate with Raheem Sterling (£7.0m).
Sterling took the ball from Palmer in the lead up to the spot-kick, only to hand it back to Palmer after an apparent intervention from Enzo Fernandez (£4.9m).
Douglas Luiz (£5.5m) also converted from the spot in Aston Villa&#8217;s 4-1 win over West Ham.
The Brazilian broke a 17 year record, scoring in six straight league games at Villa Park, and he was on the scoresheet twice against the Hammers, picking up 15 FPL points.
Luiz now has five goals this season, with three coming from penalty duties.
<div id="attachment_58945" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-58945" class="size-full wp-image-58945" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Luiz-stats.jpg" alt="" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Luiz-stats.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Luiz-stats-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Luiz-stats-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Luiz-stats-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Douglas Luiz&#8217;s <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
<div class="mceTemp"></div>
The budget midfield options have been growing in recent gameweeks.
Pedro Neto (£5.8m) recorded his seventh assist of the season in Gameweek 9, while Anthony Gordon (£5.6m) scored for Newcastle.
Gordon also missed a big chance, hitting the bar shortly before grabbing his goal.
March&#8217;s injury could meanwhile open the door for Simon Adingra (£5.0m) to join the growing shortlist of cheap midfielders.
Adingra has started four of the last five league games and is a versatile player who can play on either side. He was profiled in our pre-season look at Brighton&#8217;s next <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/next-brighton-fpl-stars-analysed">potential stars</a>.
<div id="attachment_58946" style="width: 910px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-58946" class="size-full wp-image-58946" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Neto-v-Gordon.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Neto-v-Gordon.jpg 900w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Neto-v-Gordon-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Neto-v-Gordon-768x624.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Neto-v-Gordon-610x495.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />Pedro Neto v Anthony Gordon</div>
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<h2>Key FPL Gameweek 9 stats</h2>
Here are the gameweek&#8217;s player and team leaders in full. There were no changes to this list following the Spurs v Fulham game.
<h3>Opta stats leaders for FPL Gameweek 9: Players</h3>
<ul>
<li>Shots &#8211; Chris Wood &#8211; 7</li>
<li>Shots on target &#8211; Bryan Mbeumo, Chris Wood, Matheus Cunha &#8211; 4</li>
<li>Shots in the box &#8211; Chris Wood &#8211; 7</li>
<li>Big chances &#8211; Chris Wood &#8211; 3</li>
<li>Goals &#8211; Mohamed Salah, Chris Wood and Douglas Luiz &#8211; 2</li>
<li>xG &#8211; Chris Wood &#8211; 1.75</li>
<li>Non-penalty xG (NpxG) &#8211; Chris Wood &#8211; 1.75</li>
<li>Key passes &#8211; Bruno Fernandes &#8211; 5</li>
<li>Big chances created &#8211; Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga &#8211; 2</li>
<li>Assists &#8211; Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga &#8211; 2</li>
<li>Expected assists (xA) &#8211; Bryan Mbeumo &#8211; 1.15</li>
<li>FPL points &#8211; Jacob Murphy &#8211; 17</li>
<li>Expected points (xPts) &#8211; Chris Wood &#8211; 10.83</li>
</ul>
<div id="attachment_58941" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-58941" class="size-full wp-image-58941" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Chris-Wood-GW9.jpg" alt="" width="897" height="731" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Chris-Wood-GW9.jpg 897w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Chris-Wood-GW9-300x244.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Chris-Wood-GW9-768x626.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Chris-Wood-GW9-610x497.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" />Chris Wood&#8217;s Gameweek 9 <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c="1" title="FPL Stats by OPTA - Player and Team Stats">stats</a></div>
<h3></h3>
<h3 class="mceTemp">Opta stats leaders for FPL Gameweek 9: Teams</h3>
<ul>
<li>Most shots &#8211; Liverpool &#8211; 26</li>
<li>Highest xG &#8211; Brentford &#8211; 3.13</li>
<li>Highest xGC &#8211; Burnley &#8211; 3.2</li>
<li>Lowest xG &#8211; Everton &#8211; 0.13</li>
<li>Lowest xGC &#8211; Liverpool &#8211; 0.1</li>
<li>Most FPL points &#8211; Newcastle &#8211; 85</li>
</ul>
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FPL Gameweek 9 review: Botman and March injury latest, Luiz record, Palmer on penalties again

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