The Scout Picks – Gameweek 9

Finally the domestic actions returns after a two-week break that’s cruelly deprived us of Sergio Aguero’s services just after the City striker had found his form. This week, we double up on Chelsea, Arsenal, City and Southampton and continue with a 3-5-2 formation after bringing home 84 points in the previous Gameweek.

We’ve now increased the initial budget from 82.5 to 83.0 to factor in price rises over the first eight rounds of fixtures.

Chelsea’s Asmir Begovic is handed the keeper’s jersey for the visit of a Villa side that’s drawn blanks in two of the last three Gameweeks. Granted, the Blues have hardly been at their best in recent weeks but with concerns over the make-up of their defence in light of Branislav Ivanovic’s injury, Begovic – at just 5.0 – offers a reliable option between the posts.

Arsenal’s trip to Watford brings Gabriel Paulista into our defence. With Laurent Koscielny still a real doubt, the Brazilian looks less prone to rotation than the Gunners’ full-backs ahead of the midweek Champions League clash against Bayern. Arsene Wenger’s side have conceded in only one of Gabriel’s five league appearances and will be looking for another clean sheet against a Hornets attack that’s mustered a single goal in front of their own fans so far.

We’re backing West Brom to rediscover their resilience as Sunderland pay visit to the Hawthorns. Craig Dawson’s potential for points at both ends of the pitch has seen the Baggies right-back produce a goal and three clean sheets in the last five Gameweeks and with the visitors looking to tighten up under Sam Allardyce, the Baggies could be in line for a fifth shut-out of the season.

Passed fit after overcoming a knee knock, Daryl Janmaat is selected for Newcastle’s home encounter with Norwich. The Dutchman has fired nine attempts on goal over the last four and has produced six attempts on target, suggesting his raids down the right will pose plenty of problems to a Canaries defence that’s yet to keep out their opponents.

Three goals and a pair of assists in his first trio of starts for City ensures Kevin de Bruyne continues in our Scout Picks. With Sergio Aguero and David Silva both ruled out, the Belgian’s eye for goal looks key as Bournemouth roll up to the Etihad – leader of this week’s Captain Poll, he’s served up double-figures in both his previous home appearances.

Chelsea’s home clash with Villa hands Eden Hazard the chance to start justifying his lofty price tag. The Belgian has served up points in each of his last three now, and also netted in both his nation’s matches over the break, suggesting he’s belatedly finding his form as Tim Sherwood’s strugglers roll up to the Bridge. Given that Villa have conceded eight times in their last three road trips, Jose Mourinho’s men will be looking to get back to winning ways tomorrow.

Two goals and three assists against United, Swansea and Chelsea in the last three Gameweeks brings Sadio Mane into our midfield. Still owned by a mere 7% of FPL managers, the Senegal international looks a ready-made differential as Southampton face a Leicester rearguard that’s been breached in every match under Claudio Ranieri.

Nine goals and two assists in his last five appearances for club and country sums up Alexis Sanchez’ sensational return to form. Yes, he arrived back late from Chile duties and has a midweek clash with Bayern to follow but we feel he’s far too pivotal for Arsene Wenger to rest as the Gunners head to Watford looking for a third straight league win.

Passed fit by Garry Monk earlier today, Swansea’s Andre Ayew is afforded the final slot in our five-man midfield. Whilst Bafetimbi Gomis has now gone four matches without scoring, the Ghana international netted his fourth strike of the season against Spurs last time out to move into fifth spot in the midfield standings. Ayew welcomes a Stoke side that’s conceded more big chances (19) away from home than any side, suggesting he could be in the points yet again.

Leicester’s man of the moment Jamie Vardy gets the nod for the trip to Southampton. Having blanked in just one of the first eight Gameweeks, the England international is up against a defence that’s already conceded three times to Everton and United in front of their own supporters.

We’re also backing Graziano Pelle for the St Mary’s match. The Italian has played a part in ten of his side’s 13 goals this term, courtesy of five strikes and as many assists, and continued his recent showing by firing the winner against Norway over the recent international break.

Swansea’s Federico Fernandez warms the bench due to his strong attacking stats. The centre-half has registered six attempts, with five inside the box, whereas the rest of his defensive team-mates have managed a combined single attempt on goal. With visitors Stoke scoring once in their last two road trips, Fernandez looks a solid option.

Georginio Wijnaldum is drafted in for Newcastle’s home clash with Norwich. The Dutchman has bagged a goal and assist against Chelsea and City over the last two matches and found the net over the recent international break, highlighting his form as he prepares to host the Canaries’ porous backline.

Sergio Aguero’s injury absence afford Wilfried Bony the chance of a rare start as City host Bournemouth at the Etihad. At a price of just 8.2 and owned by just 1% of FPL managers, the Ivorian seems an ideal differential as he looks to rediscover the form that produced 28 goals in a season-and-a-half at Swansea.

The Community Champion

Having scrapped the weekly vote idea from last season, we now operate a lottery system to pick our weekly candidates. The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

Last time out, we defeated Community Champion Supersonic, who opted to go without the five-goal Sergio Aguero for City’s 6-1 win over Newcastle. Massive still retains top spot, then – he beat us by 16 points in Gameweek 6 and stays in the lead to claim the £100 Amazon voucher.

The Community Champion for Gameweek 9, as selected by our lottery, is Meinhoff. He’s opted for five of the same starting XI, with his picks as follows: Myhill, Janmaat, Azpilicueta, Monreal, De Bruyne, Ramsey, Mane, Ayew, Hazard, Bony, Lukaku