The Scout Squad – Gameweek 9

Our midweek regular returns this evening as we give you an early heads-up on our Scout Picks thinking for the Gameweek ahead. This list of 22 players also includes some names in contention for a place in our Spot the Differential article, though will, of course, be subject to change, depending on the injury situation as the week unfolds.

For Gameweek 9, here’s who is currently in our thinking…

Goalkeepers

We’re eyeing up a trusted pair of hands and a potential gamble in this position.

Boaz Myhill (4.7) lies second in the Fantasy Premier League keeper rankings behind Heurelho Gomes, having chalked up seven save points and six bonus points this term. A home tie against Sunderland – who drew blanks in their last two road clashes – looks conducive to West Bromwich Albion’s fourth clean sheet in six, despite recent form and injuries in the Baggies backline. We have Craig Dawson as an additional rearguard asset, should we opt for our second keeper option.

That brings in a new and unexpected name to the Scout Picks Squad, as Rob Elliot is considered in the light of Tim Krul’s season-ending knee injury. The Toon welcome a Norwich City outfit that’s chalked up just three goals in their previous three road encounters and, with a price tag of 4.0, Elliot already looks a viable short-term option whilst Karl Darlow remains sidelined with an ankle problem – reports today confirm that this will be at least another three weeks.

Defenders

Daryl Janmaat would be our preferred coverage of the Magpies’ dubious potential this weekend. Over the last four Gameweeks, no defender has amassed more attempts (nine), shots inside the box (five) and on target (six), underlining his attacking threat against a Canaries defence that’s failed to tally a single clean sheet. At 4.9, we’re waiting on Janmaat’s availability following his withdrawal from the Dutch squad through injury – the club today indicated that they were confident that Janmaat would be in contention.

It’s a similar story with Aleksandar Kolarov who is also an injury doubt. He’s bagged two goals in as many outings for Serbia during the international break, reaffirming his attacking prowess from left-back. No team has fashioned more attempts at home (86) than Manchester City, which suggests that the 6.2-priced defender will be afforded shooting opportunities when Bournemouth pay a visit. However, we’re waiting on an update from the Etihad following a hamstring injury sustained whilst on duty; we may well draft in Vincent Kompany to replace the Serb if the City skipper is cleared for the Cherries encounter.

Cezar Azpilicueta (6.0) at least presents a safe route into the Chelsea rearguard as they prepare to fend off a Villa attack that’s drawn two blanks and ranked second-bottom for big chances (three) in the last trio of Gameweeks. We may yet swap out Azpilicueta and call on Kurt Zouma, at 5.5, if we’re convinced that Jose Mourinho will recall the Frenchman following the Saints reverse – we expect this to be the case; Zouma may even get the call at right-back following confirmation of Branislav Ivanovic’s absence.

The aforementioned Craig Dawson, meanwhile, boasts security of starts in the Baggies’ rearguard and ranks among the top five defenders for attempts (seven) and shots inside the (five) across the season.

Valued at just 4.9, Gabriel serves as the cut-price route into Arsenal’s defence ahead of a trip to Watford, who rank bottom over the last four Gameweeks for shots on target (eight). We’re opting for the Brazilian, over our preferred Watchlist candidate, Hector Bellerin, due to the nagging doubt over rotation on the eve of Arsenal’s now vital Champions League clash with Bayern on Tuesday.

Federico Fernandez (5.0) completes our defensive selection. Aside from Kyle Naughton, he is the only other Swansea defender to fashion an attempt this term (six attempts, five shots inside the box), rendering Fernandez the choice pick ahead of a home tie against Stoke City. Up until Gameweek 8, Naughton was our weapon of choice in the Swans’ rearguard but his absence against Spurs now casts short-term doubt over his security of starts after Angel Rangel impressed at right-back in the 2-2 stalemate.

Midfielders

Alexis Sanchez (11.2) banished his barren spell in spectacular fashion over the last two Gameweeks with a five-goal haul. Considering that Arsenal have carded 11 more shots inside the box (58) than any other outfit on their travels, the Hornets’ organised defence are in for a stern test of their credentials. Although there is some concern over possible rotation in the Gunners’ lineup with the Bayern tie in mind, we feel that Sanchez is too vital to the Arsenal cause for Arsene Wenger to risk a teamsheet surprise. We’re not so certain on Theo Walcott, though.

Elsewhere in the big-hitter bracket, Kevin De Bruyne (10.3) has notched three goals and two assists in his last three outings and could profit from the fact that Bournemouth have surrendered the second most big chances (11) away from home. With Sergio Aguero almost certainly out of the equation, the in-form Belgian looks a Scout Picks no-brainer and a leading captain candidate.

Eden Hazard (11.3) has delivered attacking returns in each of his previous three starts (one goal and three assists) and ranks third among midfielders for key passes (15) since Gameweek 5. The Villains are likely to aid the Belgian’s pursuit of goals, having shipped eight in their previous three away matches. We’re not certain if we’ll opt for Chelsea attacking cover and, if so, whether Hazard will get the nod over Diego Costa. Right now, we’re looking to work Hazard’s lofty price tag into our Picks XI.

Dimitri Payet (8.1) racked up three more key passes (23) than any of his counterparts over the last four Gameweeks, which bodes well for the Hammers’ trip to Selhurst Park. In opposition, Yohan Cabaye ranks fifth among midfielders for attempts (eight) over the last two Gameweeks and is well placed for profit against a Hammers side that’s placed third for shots conceded inside the box (43) away from home.

Following two impressive displays in an England shirt, Ross Barkley’s form is currently hard to ignore. He’ll be looking to impress again on the big stage and punish a Manchester United team that has seen their defence breached on seven occasions in their previous three trips away from Old Trafford.

Swansea’s Andre Ayew (7.2) will be encouraged by the revelation that Stoke have conceded eight more big chances (19) than any team away from home, while our final midfield slot goes to Sadio Mane (7.9). The Senegal international has recorded two goals and three assists in as many starts and now enjoys a home clash against a Leicester City side that’s conceded 10 times in four matches. Mane or Graziano Pelle look certain to make the Picks XI come Friday.

Forwards

Pelle (8.1) is the league’s top-scoring forward (54) this season, having tallied five goals and assists. Moreover, the Italy international sits atop the summit of the forwards leaderboard over the last six Gameweeks for attempts (25) and shots inside the box (23).

Jamie Vardy (6.7) will be in opposition at St Mary’s and goes into the match having drawn just one blank in eight outings this campaign, netting six goals in his previous five starts. Only Arsenal (10) netted more than the Foxes (nine) over the last four Gameweeks, suggesting that the Saints could struggle to register a shut-out.

In the last four Gameweeks, only two forwards mustered more shots on target than Romelu Lukaku (seven). The 8.3-priced striker bagged three goals and two assists over that period so should enter the Red Devils head-to-head brimming with confidence. In the absence of Sergio Aguero, Wilfried Bony (8.2) will spearhead a Sky Blues attack that recorded 16 more attempts (93) than any side over the last four Gameweeks. It might be too simplistic to switch Bony in for Aguero but, right now, we’re sorely tempted.

The fact is, viable options elsewhere are far from plentiful. Certainly Diego Costa (10.9) will be desperate to find form following his three-match suspension but Chelsea’s lack of confidence has to be factor that casts doubt over his potential. Having said that, only two teams allowed more shots inside the box (22) than Villa across the past two Gameweeks, exposing a vulnerability that Costa could eagerly exploit.

Our final squad spot is an even bigger gamble. Newcastle’s Aleksandar Mitrovic (6.2) opened his account last time out against Man City so will fancy his chances against Norwich’s more generous defence this Gameweek – if he can ensure he remains on the pitch.

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.

Gameweek 8 Community Champion Supersonic was brought down to earth with a bump after his gamble to go without Sergio Aguero failed to pay off and he mustered just 46 points, which was 38 points behind the Scout Picks. 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 is now in his sixth season, with last year’s rank of 14,627 his highest.