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    Destiny Udogie Tottenham’s most-selected defender but worst performer among first-choice back four

    TOTTENHAM continued their impressive start to the season with a 2-0 win over Fulham on Monday night.Dream Team favourites Son Heung-min (£4.8m) and James Maddison (£4.3m) were both on the scoresheet on home soil but gaffers would have been disappointed by Destiny Udogie’s (£3m) premature exit.

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    Spurs continue to top the Premier League tableCredit: Dream Team
    The energetic left-back was substituted before the hour mark, meaning he fell just short of the necessary minutes required to qualify for a clean sheet, not to mention his second appearance point.
    Speaking after the game, Ange Postecoglou said: “Destiny just felt a bit of tightness at half-time. We said we’d give it 10-15 minutes so… once we got the second goal, it made sense to take him off.”
    Udogie’s backers will be relieved that the 20-year-old was not hooked because he disappointed the Aussie tactician and it doesn’t sound as if his niggle is anything to worry about in the long run.
    While his one-point haul in Gameweek 9 may have been something of a one-off, it’s simply a fact that the Italy international has fewer total points than the rest of Spurs’ first-choice back four.
    TOTAL SEASON POINTS

    Cristian Romero (£3.7m) – 60pts
    Pedro Porro (£3.1m) – 55pts
    Micky van de Ven (£2.8m) – 53 pts
    Destiny Udogie (£3m) – 48 pts

    Dream Team’s ninth-most popular defenderCredit: Rex
    There’s not much in it but Udogie is ranked fourth among his fellow regular starters, which is curious as he’s actually the most selected of the quartet among Dream Team managers.
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    DREAM TEAM OWNERSHIP

    Udogie – 9.3%
    Romero – 9.2%
    Van de Ven – 4.7%
    Porro – 4%

    There’s a cigarette paper between Udogie and Romero in terms of popularity but the World Cup winner is now 12 points ahead of his team-mate in the rankings.
    It’s worth repeating that Udogie is still a perfectly viable selection but gaffers should ensure they’re backing the correct Spurs defender if they decide upon such a strategy.
    Postecoglou’s men are scheduled to play Crystal Palace in Gameweek 10 and will therefore be hopeful of another clean sheet.
    Only Bournemouth have scored fewer goals than the Eagles in the Premier League so far this season and with Eberechi Eze (£3.6m) injured they’re even less potent in attack.

    An impressive start to life in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
    Assuming Udogie’s ‘tightness’ is nothing to worry about, he should enjoy himself against Roy Hodgson’s men but gaffers might consider a switch to Romero if possible.
    The Argentine centre-back has earned ten bonus points this term, the fourth-best tally among defenders.
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    And of course, Dream Team bosses should be aware that Spurs assets don’t have European (or Carabao Cup) fixtures to bolster their schedule.
    Not that Maddison or Son have been hindered so far.

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    Only Kieran Trippier has earned more bonus points among defenders than underrated Dream Team gem Ezri Konsa

    ASTON VILLA fans have felt Ezri Konsa (£3m) is worthy of a place in the England squad for a long while now.And they may have a point.
    The 26-year-old has been in excellent form again this season and it’s not only Gareth Southgate who is guilty of underrating the reliable defender.
    With an ownership of just 1.8%, the overwhelming majority of Dream Team managers have overlooked Konsa as well – perhaps to their detriment.

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    What more does he have to do?Credit: Dream Team
    The ex-Brentford centre-back is joint-eighth among defenders in the rankings right now having collected 55 points in total.
    To put that into perspective, he’s just seven points behind Matty Cash (£3.2m), who is one of the most-selected players in the game with an ownership of 23.8%.
    Konsa has contributed to three clean sheets and he registered an assist against West Ham at the weekend but the secret to his success is his ability to earn bonus points, 17 of them to be precise.
    In fact, only Kieran Trippier (£5.6m) has amassed more bonus points (18) among defenders this season than the Villa fan favourite.
    And the pair are in a league of their own in this regard as the next-best defender is Antonee Robinson (£2.3m), who has pocketed 11 bonus points.
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    In the context of all players, only James Ward-Prowse (£4.3m), James Maddison (£4.3m) and Eberechi Eze (£3.6m) are above Trippier and Konsa when ranking all assets by bonus points.

    A class actCredit: Getty
    The latter ranks highly in his position for fouls won, pass completion and blocks, a reflection of the all-round game praised by the Villa Park faithful.
    Both Pau Torres (£2.8m) and Lucas Digne (£2.6m) are more than twice as popular as Konsa in Dream Team and so gaffers would do well to make sure they’re backing the optimum Villa defenders.
    It’s a good time to employ such a strategy too.
    Unai Emery’s side face Luton, Nottingham Forest and Fulham in their next three league games around two Europa Conference League meetings with AZ Alkmaar.
    The Villains are the Premier League’s second-top scorers in 2023/24 and are just one point off the top four after their impressive 4-1 win over the Hammers on Sunday.

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    Away day specialist Jarrod Bowen now second among Dream Team midfielders this season

    JARROD BOWEN (£4.8m) loves an away day.West Ham lost 4-1 at Villa Park on Sunday but their No20 grabbed a slice of history in consolation.
    The England international scored the Hammers’ lone goal, meaning he’s been on the score sheet in his first five away fixtures of the season.
    Only two other players have achieved this in the Premier League era, Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah (£6.6m).
    79 points and countingCredit: Dream Team
    Despite his side’s defeat, Bowen pouched 12 points in the realm of Dream Team to take his overall tally for the season to 79.
    Bukayo Saka (£6.4m) is the only midfielder with more points (93) to his name at the time of writing.
    Bowen has scored six and provided two assists in all competitions this season and no asset in his position has registered more shots on target (14).
    His success should not come as a surprise to Dream Team managers as he’s spent a lot of time among the game’s top midfielders in the last couple of years.
    What is notable, however, is the relatively difficult fixtures Bowen has already ticked off this campaign.
    David Moyes’ side have faced Chelsea, Brighton, Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle and Aston Villa in their first nine league fixtures.
    Most read in Football
    Hammer time!Credit: Getty
    The 12.1% of gaffers currently backing the 26-year-old will be hopeful of even greater returns in the coming weeks as the West Ham’s next five opponents in the top flight are: Everton, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and Crystal Palace.
    The club also remain active in the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
    To put it plainly, Bowen has been great and should continue to provide plentiful returns for the foreseeable future.

    One aspect that may confuse this matter for gaffers contemplating Bowen’s viability is that many of them will already have James Ward-Prowse (£4.3m) in their XI.
    The set-piece specialist completes the midfield podium, he’s just two points behind his team-mate on 77, and is actually more popular with an ownership of 19.5%.
    In fact, Ward-Prowse is the fifth-most selected player in his position.
    Instinctively, some gaffers may feel two West Ham midfielders is excessive but if both players are thriving and the fixtures look good then there’s no need to shy away from such a strategy.

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    Bryan Mbeumo delivers in Last Chance Saloon to re-enter top ten Dream Team midfielders

    THERE was a sense Bryan Mbeumo (£3.4m) was on his last life in the world of Dream Team prior to Gameweek 9.Brentford’s No19 was a relatively popular man before the season got underway and his ownership more than doubled after he provided 24 points from his first two outings.
    However, his returns dropped off a cliff after the first international break when he mustered just 15 points from five games between Gameweeks 5 and 8.
    Just in timeCredit: Dream Team
    A favourable match-up in the form of Burnley at home represented a visit to the Last Chance Saloon on Saturday – failure to produce healthy returns would have likely reduced his ownership to a season-low.
    But Mbeumo delivered a 15-point haul for his patient owners and re-entered the top ten midfielders in doing so.
    The Cameroon international provided the assist for Yoane Wissa’s (£2.3m) opener against the Clarets and then doubled his side’s lead with a goal of his own in the second half, a fantastic finish at that.
    Thomas Frank’s men needed a comfortable win and they got just that in the form of a 3-0 victory in West London – Mbeumo registered four shots on target throughout the contest.
    Douglas Luiz (£3.1m) and Chris Wood (£1.6m) are the only players to have earned more points than Mbeumo in Gameweek 9 so far – the former pair bagged a brace each for their respective clubs at the weekend.
    Mbeumo turned on the style against BurnleyCredit: Getty
    Having lost plenty of ground in recent weeks, the 24-year-old is suddenly level with Phil Foden (£4.7m) on 67 points.
    In fact, only five midfielders – James Maddison (£4.3m), Martin Odegaard (£5.1m), James Ward-Prowse (£4.3m), Jarrod Bowen (£4.8m) and Bukayo Saka (£6.4m) – are above Mbeumo in the rankings after the latest round of Premier League fixtures.
    Most read in Dream Team
    The question now is whether he can maintain momentum going forward.
    With all due respect to Vincent Kompany’s side, they are cannon fodder in the realm of Dream Team right now having conceded 23 goals in nine league games since promotion.
    Brenford face considerably tougher tests in the coming weeks; their next four opponents are Chelsea, West Ham, Liverpool and Arsenal.
    It may the case that Mbeumo owners, having benefited from his exhibition against Burnley, are better off finding a replacement in the near future with a view to bringing him back in when his fixtures flip.

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    1.6%-owned Douglas Luiz matching Bukayo Saka, Callum Wilson and Ollie Watkins for goals this season

    ASTON VILLA’S 5-1 defeat to Newcastle on the opening weekend of the season feels a long time ago.Since their humbling at St James’ Park, Unai Emery’s team have won six of their eight league games, scoring 22 goals in the process, and are three points above the Magpies in the table on the cusp of the top four.
    The Villains are a force to be reckoned with at home having extended their 100% record at Villa Park with a 4-1 win over West Ham on Sunday – their previous home league fixture was a 6-1 victory against Brighton.
    A hidden gemCredit: Dream Team
    Naturally, this upsurge in domestic form, coupled with Europa Conference League outings, has resulted in a deluge of Dream Team points.
    Gaffers have long been aware of the impressive returns delivered by the likes of Matty Cash (£3.2m), Ollie Watkins (£4.5m) and Moussa Diaby (£3.4m) but Douglas Luiz’s (£3.1m) success has come as a pleasant surprise.
    Primarily a combative midfielder, the 25-year-old has bagged five goals already this campaign (six if we include the European play-offs but those fixtures didn’t count in the world of Dream Team).
    This puts him level with Bukayo Saka (£6.4m), Callum Wilson (£4.2m) and team-mate Watkins in the all-important metric.
    And the list of players Luiz is outscoring includes big names such as Darwin Nunez (£4m), Martin Odegaard (£5.1m) and Bruno Fernandes (£5.7m).
    Luiz is one of several players loving life under EmeryCredit: Reuters
    Granted, three of the Brazilian’s goals have come from the penalty spot but Dream Team bosses should be aware of the most prolific spot-kick takers – they all count.
    Emery’s attacking approach, particularly at home, allows Luiz the freedom to get forward more often and he’s proved to be an effective shooter around the edge of the box.
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    Having scored just five goals in 111 appearances across his first three seasons at the club, he’s notched his most recent 13 goals in little over a year.
    Luiz’s 16-point haul at the Hammers’ expense is the joint-best haul of Gameweek 9 at the time of writing, alongside Chris Wood (£1.6m) who also scored a brace at the weekend.

    Villa are very strong at home this seasonCredit: Alamy
    Incredibly, the former Vasco de Gama midfielder is now Villa’s second-best performer in 2023/24.
    His overall total of 65 points puts him above the aforementioned Diaby (55 pts) and Cash (62 pts) with only Watkins (76 pts) denying him number one rank among Emery’s squad.
    In the broader scheme of things, Luiz is now joint-ninth among all midfielders, level with Fernandes and Anthony Gordon (£3.2m) – two assets significantly more popular than him.
    In fact, with an ownership of 1.6%, Luiz appears in fewer teams than Sandro Tonali (£2.2m), Mason Mount (£3.2m) and James Garner (£2.2m) among others.
    Villa’s No6 is likely to be a relatively popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 10, especially with a home fixture against Luton in diary.

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    Injuries & suspensions update ahead of Gameweek 9: Andy Robertson set for surgery, Casemiro sidelined

    Dream Team brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news ahead of Gameweek 9 in one easily digestible dose.Andy Robertson (£3.9m) is set to undergo surgery on his shoulder after injuring himself on Scotland duty.
    The Liverpool left-back may not return until after Christmas with Kostas Tsimikas (£2.7m) most likely to deputise for the foreseeable future, starting with this weekend’s Merseyside derby.
    As for Everton, all their internationals have returned fully fit while Idrissa Gueye (£2.2m) is available again after sitting out Gameweek 8.

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    Robertson may miss the next three monthsCredit: Dream Team
    Kaoru Mitoma (£3.9m) withdrew from Japan’s squad with fatigue/illness but Roberto De Zerbi did not mention the skilful winger when discussing Brighton absentees.
    However, Tariq Lamptey (£2.1m) has joined Pervis Estupinan (£3.2m) in the treatment room, leaving the Seagulls slightly short at full-back for their trip to Manchester City.
    Rodri’s (£3.9m) return from suspension and John Stones’ (£5m) comeback from injury means the treble-winners’ only absentee right now is Kevin De Bruyne (£6.7m).
    Casemiro (£4.2m) is not available for Manchester United’s trip to Sheffield United on Saturday night after picking up a “short term” injury during the international break.
    It’s not yet known whether the Brazilian midfielder will feature against Copenhagen in midweek.
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    In better news for the Red Devils, Raphael Varane (£3.4m) and Sergio Reguilon (£2m) have returned to full fitness, somewhat alleviating Erik ten Hag’s injury crisis in defence.
    Mikel Arteta continues to keep his cards close to his chest in regards to Bukayo Saka’s conditionCredit: Rex
    The uncertainty around Bukayo Saka’s (£6.4m) condition rumbles on with Mikel Arteta telling reporters: “He’s been working so hard to be fit for this game. Let’s see where he is today.”
    Arsenal’s gaffer also confirmed that William Saliba (£3.5m) continues to be hampered by a persistent toe injury but the Frenchman should be fine if he comes through the week’s final training session unscathed.
    Mauricio Pochettino told journalists that both Enzo Fernandez (£3.1m) and Moises Caicedo (£2.4m) “are ready” after World Cup qualifiers in South America.
    Reece James (£4.5m) has trained with Chelsea in recent days but will be assessed before his involvement against the Gunners is confirmed – the same is true for Axel Disasi (£3.5m) and Nicolas Jackson (£2.6m).
    Beniot Badiashile (£3m) may also be included in the Blues’ matchday squad for the first time this season.
    A late call will be made on Alexander Isak (£4m) but the Newcastle striker hasn’t trained since he was forced to remove himself from Sweden’s squad.
    It’s not known whether Sven Botman (£4.1m) has recovered from his injury but Eddie Howe is hopeful Joelinton (£2.7m) will be able to play some part against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
    Isak features in 16.3% of Dream TeamsCredit: Rex
    Wolves’ disciplinary issues continue to impact Gary O’Neil’s team selections.
    Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (£1.8m) is set to return from his red card back in Gameweek 6 but Mario Lemina (£1.9m) and Nelson Semedo (£2.4m) are now suspended.
    Ange Postecoglou said in his press conference that all of Tottenham’s international players “should be available” for his side’s game against Fulham on Monday night.
    Son Heung-min (£4.8m) appeared in discomfort on South Korea duty but the 19.7%-owned forward is evidently okay to participate in Gameweek 9.

    ARSENAL
    Injuries: Jurrien Timber, Leandro Trossard (doubt), Bukayo Saka (doubt), William Saliba (doubt)
    Suspensions: None
    ASTON VILLA
    Injuries: Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, Tim Iroegbunam (doubt), Jacob Ramsey, Alex Moreno
    Suspensions: None
    BOURNEMOUTH
    Injuries: Alex Scott, Ryan Fredericks, Emiliano Marcondes, Chris Mepham, Lloyd Kelly, Tyler Adams
    Suspensions: None
    BRENTFORD
    Injuries: Josh Dasilva, Shandon Baptiste, Rico Henry, Mikkel Damsgaard, Ben Mee (doubt), Kevin Schade, Keane Lewis-Potter, Ethan Pinnock (doubt)
    Suspensions: Ivan Toney, Aaron Hickey
    BRIGHTON
    Injuries: Julio Enciso, Pervis Estupinan, Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey, Igor Julio (doubt)
    Suspensions: None
    BURNLEY
    Injuries: Michael Obafemi, Hjalmar Ekdal, Nathan Redmond (doubt), Manuel Benson (doubt), Johan Berg Gudmundsson (doubt), Ameen Al-Dakhil (doubt), Jordan Beyer
    Suspensions: None
    CHELSEA
    Injuries: Trevoh Chalobah, Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia, Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja
    Suspensions: None
    CRYSTAL PALACE
    Injuries: Michael Olise, James Tomkins, Dean Henderson, Eberechi Eze, Nathan Ferguson, Jeffrey Schlupp
    Suspensions: None
    EVERTON
    Injuries: Seamus Coleman, Dele Alli, Andre Gomes
    Suspensions: None
    FULHAM
    Injuries: Tosin Adarabioyo, Adama Traore, Kenny Tete, Issa Diop
    Suspensions: None
    LIVERPOOL
    Injuries: Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, Cody Gakpo, Andy Robertson
    Suspensions: Curtis Jones
    LUTON
    Injuries: Dan Potts, Jordan Clark, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Amari’i Bell (doubt), Mads Andersen
    Suspensions: None
    MANCHESTER CITY
    Injuries: Kevin De Bruyne
    Suspensions: None
    MANCHESTER UNITED
    Injuries: Luke Shaw, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro
    Suspensions: None
    NEWCASTLE
    Injuries: Joe Willock, Emil Krath, Harvey Barnes, Sven Botman (doubt), Alexander Isak (doubt), Joelinton (doubt)
    Suspensions: None
    NOTTINGHAM FOREST
    Injuries: Danilo, Nuno Tavares, Ola Aina, Serge Aurier (doubt), Taiwo Awoniyi, Gonzalo Montiel, Felipe
    Suspensions: None
    SHEFFIELD UNITED
    Injuries: Rhys Norrington-Davies, Daniel Jebbison, Max Lowe, Ben Osborn (doubt), Will Osula, George Baldock, John Egan, Chris Basham, Tom Davies
    Suspensions: None
    TOTTENHAM
    Injuries: Ivan Perisic, Rodrigo Bentacur, Ryan Sessegnon, Alfie Whiteman, Brennan Johnson, Manor Solomon
    Suspensions: Yves Bissouma
    WEST HAM
    Injuries: Aaron Cresswell (doubt), Ben Johnson (doubt)
    Suspensions: None
    WOLVES
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    Injuries: Hugo Bueno, Rayan Ait-Nouri (doubt)
    Suspensions: Nelson Semdo, Mario Lemina

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    Captaincy options for Gameweek 9 – Bruno Fernandes among leading alternatives to Erling Haaland

    ERLING HAALAND (£7.7m) remains Dream Team’s most-popular captain by a wide margin but gaffers who have taken him on have been rewarded for their bravery of late.In fact, all the alternatives we put forward for Gameweek 8 outscored Manchester City’s No9 and would therefore have been a better option for the armband.
    Dream Team bosses who backed Mohamed Salah (£6.5m) watched on with glee as he registered 14 points (doubled to 28) against Brighton while Haaland mustered just three against Arsenal.
    We also suggested James Maddison (£4.3m) as a strong option because of his favourable fixture against Luton – he obliged with an eight-point return.

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    An ominous presenceCredit: Getty
    Looking forward to Gameweek 9, Haaland is a perfectly viable choice for captain as he’s set to take on Brighton, who have conceded 16 goals in eight league games, and Young Boys, who have earned just one point from their first two Champions League fixtures.
    However, the Norwegian poacher has scraped together ten points across his last three outings and he hasn’t returned a double-digit haul since his trip to the London Stadium in mid-September.
    With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some tempting alternatives.
    Bruno Fernandes (£5.8m)
    Due a big haulCredit: Dream Team
    Manchester United have not been at their best this season but they have the luxury of the most-favourable Premier League match-up possible this weekend in the form of Sheffield United.
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    The Blades have played eight, drawn one, lost seven in the top flight since promotion and the wounds inflicted by Newcastle during that 8-0 mauling at Bramall Lane are yet to fully heal.
    Wes Foderingham (£1.9m) has been forced to make 45 saves in the league already, nine more than the next busiest goalkeeper, and he’s also picked the ball out of his net 22 times, meaning Paul Heckingbottom’s side hold the worst defensive record at this stage.
    Fernandes leads the way among United players for both shots on target and big chances created so he seems the man most likely to take advantage of Sheffield United’s woes on Saturday.
    Plus, the Red Devils welcome Copenhagen to Old Trafford in midweek.
    The Portuguese midfielder averages a shade under six points-per-game this season so even if he maintains that rate he would return 24 points as captain this coming Gameweek and that doesn’t even account for additional points likely to be conceded by the Blades.
    Mohamed Salah (£6.5m)
    Mr ConsistentCredit: Getty
    Liverpool’s main man provided the goods last time out and he’ll be licking his lips at the prospect of Saturday’s Merseyside derby.
    Salah has notched four goals and an assist in his last six games against Everton.
    The Egyptian superstar has raced to ten goal involvements this season (six goals, four assists) and he can count himself unlucky not to have more given he’s created TEN big chances – no other player has registered more than seven.
    Jurgen Klopp’s side are also scheduled to play Toulouse in the Europa League but Salah’s minutes are uncertain – he’s played 61 of a possible 180 minutes in Europe this term.
    Not that Salah needs many minutes to cash in on Thursday nights, he’s earned 12 points in the competition so far.
    Kieran Trippier (£5.6m)
    Dream Team’s best defenderCredit: Getty
    Saturday’s visitors to St James’ Park, Crystal Palace, have enjoyed a positive start to the season and are currently just one point behind Newcastle in the table.
    However, the Eagles have scored just seven goals in the league – only Luton, Bournemouth and Sheffield United have a worse attacking record – and with key man Eberechi Eze (£3.6m) injured, Eddie Howe’s men will feel confident of a clean sheet.
    Defensive returns are only one aspect of Trippier’s game.
    Only Ollie Watkins (£4.3m) has more assists (seven) than the 33-year-old right-back’s six at the time of writing.
    To hammer the point home, Trippier is also the defender with the most bonus points (15) after eight Gameweeks.
    A clean sheet looks less likely against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night but the Magpies will have home advantage in that clash and they beat PSG in fine style last time out in the Champions League.
    Trippier has amassed 60 points across the last four Gameweeks!

    With Arsenal, Aston Villa, West Ham and Brighton also pulling double duty in Gameweek 9, there is no shortage of captaincy options.
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    Gaffers may even be tempted to activate their Max Captain Booster to ensure the optimum choice.

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    Booster strategies for Gameweek 9: Dream Team bosses spoiled for choice ahead of midweek European fixtures

    IF you haven’t played a Booster yet this season then Gameweek 9 is a great time to pop your cherry.With no fewer than eight teams set to pull double duty, all three Boosters are viable if deployed in combination with a well-crafted XI.

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    Goals for Hojlund this week?Credit: Dream Team
    12th Man
    Dream Team gaffers are spoiled for choice up front right now with Julian Alvarez (£4.7m), Erling Haaland (£7.7m), Mohamed Salah (£6.5m), Alexander Isak (£4m), Ollie Watkins (£4.3m) and Son Heung-min (£4.8m) all boasting impressive points tallies.
    With the exception of Tottenham’s captain, all those forwards have two fixtures to fulfil this coming Gameweek and the temptation to use the 12th Man Booster to select FOUR in-form strikers is strong.
    Say your current front three is Haaland, Alvarez and Salah, selecting Isak (vs Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund) or Watkins (vs West Ham, AZ Alkmaar) as your 12th Man would ensure maximum firepower across multiple fixtures, most of them favourable.
    Rasmus Hojlund (£3.9m) is another appealing candidate for this role.
    Manchester United haven’t been at their best this season but a trip to Bramall Lane this Saturday represents the most friendly match-up in the Premier League right now.
    Sheffield United have conceded 22 goals in eight league games since promotion with Wes Foderingham (£1.9m) having been by far the busiest goalkeeper in the top flight – he’s been forced to make 45 saves on top of the 22 times he’s picked the ball out of his net.
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    The Blades are vulnerable to crosses from open play and set-pieces so the Red Devils’ 6ft 3in striker should enjoy himself.
    And Hojlund will be looking forward to Copenhagen’s visit to Old Trafford in midweek too – narrative demands a goal against his former club, surely?

    Max Captain
    Is Haaland still the best choice for captain?Credit: Getty
    This Booster is best activated when there’s plentiful points up for grabs but it’s hard to identify a standout candidate for captain amid several decent options.
    Gameweek 9 seems to fit the bill as the traditional choice, Haaland, has gone three games without a goal – if you took him on in Gameweek 8 by strapping the armband to Salah then you were handsomely rewarded.
    That being said, Manchester City’s No9 could easily feast against Brighton (averaging two conceded goals per league game in 2023/24) and Young Boys.
    But the European fixtures mean there are a host of viable captains of similar pedigree – Bruno Fernandes (£5.8m), Alvarez, Salah, Kieran Trippier (£5.6m), Martin Odegaard (£5.1m) and several others appear well placed to provide heathy returns.
    Activating Max Captain removes this dilemma and essentially guarantees a prosperous Gameweek.
    Looking ahead, Gameweek 11 also seems like a good time to pull this particular lever but if you want to come out swinging from the international break then crack on this week.
    Park the Bus
    There’s a lot to be said for doubling this man’s points on current formCredit: Getty
    Dream Team’s most-powerful Booster doubles all your defenders’ points for one Gameweek only.
    Hypothetically, what would the perfect back five look like to complement Park the Bus in Gameweek 9?
    Matty Cash (£3.1m), Kieran Trippier (£5.6m), Diogo Dalot (£3.1m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.5m) and Ben White (£4.5m) would be quite the quintet.
    Granted, that’s a costly back line that might not be feasible but you could opt for cheaper alternatives while targeting the same fixtures.
    For example, Alexander-Arnold is pricey but Kostas Tsimikas (£2.7m) is very affordable and looks set for a run as Liverpool’s starting left-back while Andy Robertson (£3.9m) is sidelined.
    Park the Bus is so strong because of the ginormous potential returns of a back five who all get their points doubled across two fixtures each.
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    Such an outcome is possible this coming Gameweek but you need to make sure your team is just right.
    If your XI is not quite there, be patient and wait for a better opportunity later in the campaign.

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