Fantasy Football Files - 2026/27 - Gameweek 9 - 'Action Jackson'

Seeking a sixth head-to-head win on the trot, gameweek 9 saw me up against Josh. Josh was a consistent FPL manager and although he had more classic points than me, I was ahead of him in the ‘Justice League’ table. If he was to beat me however, we would both be on 18 points therefore he would go above due to his classic points which basically act as goal difference of course.

With Joao Pedro out I needed a replacement. The main two players I thought of were Evanilson and Nicolas Jackson who were both in red-hot form. Despite Evanilson being a bigger differential I went with Jackson. I have always mentioned that I am in the minority when I talk of how I always try to check who my next opponent is, and this was evident here. My opponent left me a voice note a couple of days prior to the deadline, not fully disclosing his plans but insinuating what he may do in certain positions in his squad. This did not deter my plans however, but I knew the message would not have been as lengthy if he had checked that he was facing me next. When the deadline passed, I saw that both forwards I considered Josh had transferred them in, I thought ‘damn’, but I did have a feeling that would be the case due to the voice note as he had two free transfers. He also sold Pedro as well as Yoane Wissa. Wissa had disappointed so that would have been an easy decision for him. It was not hard to realise that at home to Brighton, Haaland would be his captain, so I went for a differential captain in Alexander Isak as I knew with Liverpool having Arsenal not many would do that.

The gameweek’s action began at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea welcomed Manchester United. The Red Devils were the better team in the first half as Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo both wasted great chances. I had no players from the Blues after selling Pedro and I knew it would come to bite me in this game. Josh had both Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, and they were the difference in the second period. Rogers scored a tremendous individual goal after being found by Romeo Lavia. Lisandro Martinez then did his best WWE audition taking out Wesley Fofana and received a second yellow for it. Palmer just about scored the penalty as Xabi Alonso’s side won 2-0. I was already in big trouble as they accumulated 17 points.

In the 3pm’s, Bournemouth continued their good run as they defeated Leeds at the Vitality Stadium. My pain increased as James Trafford’s poor pass was seized on by Justin Kluivert who found Evanilson to open the scoring. Amine Adli scored a good second goal and it was assisted by substitute Eli Kroupi Jnr (£7.3m), who will attract major interest when his minutes pick up. The only positives here were that James Tavernier had a rare blank and Tarik Muharemovic was in my opponent’s team too, although Muharemovic did get defensive contribution points again. Hull and Ipswich had a 2-2 draw at the MKM Stadium. Abdoul Ouatarra (£4m) had another goal contribution in a solid October as he assisted the opener for Florentino Luis. The only reason I have not got Ouatarra is because I have Dara O’Shea, so a sideways move right now does not make sense. Hull went 2-1 up, including a free-kick by Ollie McBurnie (£5.5m) who scored a penalty last week. He’s not an exciting name but if he is on some set pieces and he is a defensive contributions threat in regard to forwards, he could be a possible third forward that you are not afraid to bench. I tipped Julio Enciso last week and he got the equaliser for the Tractor boys with a brilliant long range left footed effort. Issa Diop was in my opponent’s team, so I was thankful the Tigers found the net twice.

There was a shock at the Etihad Stadium as Brighton defied the odds and won 1-0. Yasin Ayari who was in my team for a decent amount of last season scored the only goal after City failed to defend a ball into the corridor of uncertainty from FPL favourite Maxim De Cuyper. This victory provided many differentials. Pascal Gross is the only Seagulls player that no one would have had an issue with starting however, anyone who was brave enough to play someone from the Seagulls’ backline benefitted handsomely. Josh and I both left-out Bart Verbruggen, who kept his fifth clean sheet in the last six games, making some tremendous saves in the process. Josh also benched De Cuyper but as the head-to-head stood, he did not need him anyway.

In the 5.30pm contest, Tottenham got an early advantage when Jean-Philippe Mateta was sent off for Crystal Palace. They went on to win 2-0 and it would have been much more if it was not for the returning Dean Henderson. It was not quite the double figure haul from Verbruggen, but Josh and I were thankful of the Antonin Kinsky clean sheet. Jan Paul van Hecke scored the second goal and is looking a bargain currently at £5m.

The 8pm game saw Aston Villa and Fulham share the spoils. The inclusion of Jackson was vindicated for us both as he found the bottom corner on a breakaway. Johan Manzambi assisted him and at £6.2m he continues to look an interesting option in midfield. The goal came after John McGinn (£5.4m) had missed a penalty, do not let that deter you from McGinn as Villa have a decent schedule coming up. Zion Suzuki went from the only reason the Cottagers had not scored to giving them a goal as he fumbled a corner. Oscar Bobb (£5.5m) and Alex Iwobi (£5.4m) looked lively and are alternatives to Josh King.

There was only one match on Sunday, but it was the biggest game of the week as Arsenal travelled to Liverpool. Alisson gave the Gunners an early present with a dreadful pass, that was capitalised on as Declan Rice fed Kai Havertz. The home side then should have had a penalty, hit the bar with a Florian Wirtz free-kick, and Alexis MaAllister missed a huge headed chance. Somehow Andoni Iraola’s men did not register a shot on target despite all their pressure as Mikel Arteta’s side ended their 14-year winless run at Anfield. I was already beaten, with Ezri Konsa in Josh’s team though things worsened as he got 10 points, more than my Liverpool trio put together. This was an embarrassing way for my winning run to end. The penalty incident was extremely annoying as Isak would have taken it as Dominik Szoboszlai was on the bench.

Josh was 31 points ahead now, so it was over despite I had Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall left. On Monday, Everton won 1-0 at Newcastle with another goal for Thierno Barry (£5.6m). Barry misses many chances however, his minutes are guaranteed with him being the Toffees’ only recognised centre forward. Dewsbury-hall had a long-range effort tipped over, as the hope of getting to a pathetic 40 points were dashed, that is how bad my gameweek was as I was destroyed 65-35. Josh now moves over me in the Justice League as I dropped to fifth. After being 24 points above the average last week my rank severely dropped because of this shambles of a gameweek. I thought you were my friend Josh!

@DubulDee