Scout Picks

Scout Picks put faith in mid-price assets for Gameweek 9

The Scout Picks selection for Gameweek 9 has gone heavy on mid-price options in midfield and attack.

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have endured a difficult few weeks as the premium assets have failed to deliver.

For that reason, we have looked at the mid-price players who have been pulling the points in of late.

After sifting through the Scout Squad selections submitted by David, Neale, Paul and Geoff, we have come up with the best XI for Gameweek 9.

We line up in the traditional 3-4-3 formation and are bang on our £83.0m budget.

Goalkeeper

Leno could be set for a decent score at Bramall Lane on Monday night

Arsenal may be without a clean sheet since their opening weekend trip to Newcastle, but a visit to Sheffield United on Monday night gives them as good a chance as any to get themselves another one. Over the last four matches, the Blades have been in the bottom five for total shots, efforts on target and big chances while Bernd Leno (£5.0m) is top of the league for saves made in 2019/20 (34).

Defenders

Another Gameweek. Another appearance in the Scout Picks for Alexander-Arnold

As we say almost every week, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) is very much an auto-include for the Scout Picks. Given Manchester United’s recent troubles, such as ranking bottom of the league for xG from open play since Gameweek 5, Liverpool’s clean sheet potential at Old Trafford is relatively strong. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold himself remains joint-top for assists among defenders this season (three). 

Marcos Alonso (£6.2m) is our chosen representative from the Chelsea defence as Gameweek 9 could see the return of a previous Fantasy legend. Newcastle come to Stamford Bridge bottom of the league for big chances in away matches this season, while Frank Lampard’s men sit in the top-five for fewest shots in the box conceded at home. Furthermore, Alonso himself has registered more penalty box touches than any other defender over the last four Gameweeks and his aerial ability could punish Newcastle’s vulnerability to crosses.

Currently level with Alexander-Arnold for total FPL score (40), Ricardo Pereira (£6.2m) gets into the Scout Picks ahead of a home meeting with Burnley. Leicester’s defence has shown plenty of promise in recent weeks, facing the fewest number of shots on target in their home matches this season. Meanwhile, Pereira himself has a goal in each of his last two Premier League outings at the King Power Stadium.

Midfielders

Sterling keeps his place in the Scout Picks despite Manchester City’s recent defeat to Wolves

We are backing a return to Premier League form for Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) in Gameweek 9. After his impressive and inspiring performance for England in Bulgaria on Monday night, Pep Guardiola is likely to turn to him to get Manchester City’s season back on track. Crystal Palace might be tough to break down at home, but Sterling still managed to score twice on his most recent trip to Selhurst Park in April.

There was some support for Leicester attack in the Scout Picks, but we did not have the room in our packed forward line (more to come on that soon). We, therefore, turned to James Maddison (£7.2m) as the next best thing, as he has goals in each of his last two starts and has a better minutes per shot in the box than colleague Jamie Vardy this season.

Mason Mount (£6.8m) continues to offer great value this season. As Newcastle coming to Stamford Bridge with a relatively poor record on the road this season (2.75 goals conceded per game), we are expecting more big things from the Chelsea man. Of midfielders priced under £7.0m, only one has managed more shots on target than Mount, and just four have created more chances.

The only midfielder priced under £7.0m with more shots on target than Mount? That would be birthday-boy John McGinn (£5.8m), who is set to face Brighton this weekend. The Aston Villa man scored a hat-trick for Scotland over the international break and has two in his last three Premier League outings.

Forwards

Kane has a favourable fixture to get his Spurs side back on track this weekend

While Harry Kane (£10.9m) has not impressed many in recent weeks, he still has attacking returns in four of his last five Premier League matches. It’s not blistering form by any means but a home meeting with Watford could be the ideal fixture to help Spurs get back on track. The Hornets are yet to register a clean sheet away from home this season and have conceded the highest number of big chances on the road too.

Meanwhile, no team has given up as many big chances as Norwich in the last four Gameweeks, paving the way for Callum Wilson (£7.9m) to join the Scout Picks. The Bournemouth man has attacking returns in every match bar one this season and since Gameweek 5, is joint-top of the league for big chances received.

Only Manchester City have fashioned more big chances than Chelsea over the last four Gameweeks, which is why we’ve gone with a double-up on Lampard’s attack for the visit of Newcastle to Stamford Bridge. Tammy Abraham (£7.7m) is a pretty impressive Fantasy asset right now, top of the league for shots on target over the last four Gameweeks.

Substitutes

While Spurs’ defensive potential has not been too strong in recent weeks, Watford are struggling to find the net even after their managerial change. For that reason, an injury to Spurs’ captain should see Paulo Gazzaniga (£4.4m) present an interesting option this weekend.

We had originally planned to double-up on the Chelsea defence by selecting Fikayo Tomori (£4.7m) in the starting XI but dropped him to the bench so we could have both Mount and Abraham.

Diego Rico (£4.2m) has been included on the bench for what he can do going forward rather than defensive. Over the last four Gameweeks, the Bournemouth left-back sits behind only Alexander-Arnold for chances created and has actually fashioned more considered to be big by Opta than the Liverpool man.

Neale’s differential selection Adama Traoré (£5.0m) makes it onto the Scout Picks’ bench for a meeting with Southampton. The Saints have been defensive unreliable once again this season while Traoré should get the chance to start again after his match-winning performance at Manchester City.

The Captain

The Scout Picks now has a captain for the 2019/20 campaign.

This skipper is chosen using the conclusions of the latest Captain Sensible article and a four-way vote between David, Neale, Paul and Geoff.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the captain we choose each Gameweek will be known only to those who have signed up to Membership for the 2019/20 season.

It will be revealed to the public only when the deadline for the Gameweek has passed.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 9 is Hasselbaink Forever.

They have gone for a 3-4-3 of Schmeichel; R Pereira, Chilwell, Azpilicueta; Sterling, de Bruyne, Hudson-Odoi, McGinn; Kane, C Wilson, Abraham (c).

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.

It was a win for the Community Champion in Gameweek 8 as Vobinho in Wengerland won by a 48-40 scoreline.

irfansheikh‘s winning margin of 16 points from Gameweek 7 is the latest score to beat for the 2019/20 season.

1,045 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    All this hype about pro pundits and it ends up being such a dud.. disappointed.

    1. Earn your Spurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Glad to see you've given it time before leaping to condemn

    2. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Perhaps give it a little time? Jeez

      1. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Fine will do.. but usually expect the launch to carry some content..

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      ?

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      What hype? Pro pundits? Some twitter bollocks?

  2. Thomas M.
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    any change needed?
    Pope Button
    TAA / Soy / Ota / Rico / Lundstram
    Mane / KDB / Mount / CHO / Donk
    Vardy / Wilson / Tammy

    3.5 ITB on WC.

    1. Takamba
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      That's a lot in the bank, Vardy -> Kane, then to Aguero next week

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I brought in Vardy for a hit and you want him to sell...

        1. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          me too!

        2. Takamba
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          He's on a wildcard, you're not. I prefer Kane to Vardy this week, especially if you have a spare £3.5m

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I didn’t notice that he was on WC. Treble Chelsea attack I’m not gone on either.

          2. Dthinger
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            still, with 3.5 in the bank, seem like Wilson could make way instead

      2. Thomas M.
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        thinking of Wilson -> Auba maybe in 2 weeks

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      3.5 ITB?! spend more money!

      You could get Kane instead of Wilson and still have money left to upgrade your keeper or a defender

  3. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    anyone else playing Rico over Soyuncu?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No but I was tempted to over Otamendi! Just benching Rico currently

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nope!!

  4. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Are there any players who will drop or rise tonight???

    1. Stokelona
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure whether serious or not

      1. gooner_112233445566
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Reading that salah might drop?? On wc so don’t know whether to get him now or wait till tomrorow?

        1. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Looks like Mane rise tonight and 50/50 salah drops tonight.

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      fplstatistics.co.uk

  5. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Yep

  6. Takamba
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Kane this week, keeping £1.3m to upgrade to Aguero next week

    OR

    B) Just go for Aguero now

    Typically, I'd normally be fan of B, as hate planning transfers on a Wildcard, but looks a perfect way to take advantage of the Watford match up.

    Any more thoughts appreciated...

    1. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B for me - if you are fairly risk free elsewhere you can go A though

  7. Alli
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Digne, Pukki > Söyüncü/Tomori, Wilson
    B) Salah, Pukki > Mané, Wilson

    2 FT - 0.2 ITB

    Ryan - Heaton
    VVD - Otamendi - Diop - Digne - Dunk
    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Cantwell - Mount
    Pukki - Tammy - Greenwood

    1. Takamba
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A, easy

    2. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thinking B myself. West ham defence not great

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B"'s better than A but I wouldn't do either

  8. Crunchie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Heaton (Pope)
    VVD,Digne,Otamendi,Rico,.Lund
    Salah,KDB,Mount,McGinn,Dendo
    Aguero,Pukki,Abraham

    Was going to WC this week, but perhaps wait a week Wilson to Vardy,. (Dropping McGinn and Heaton to a 4.0) and Salah to Mane next week, if the same happens. But then the Salah scare mmm

    Bit worried about no Liverpool Full backs and having a City defence (although i would be happy with Mendy if he was less of a rotation risk).

    A. Salah/ Pukki to Mane/Wilson
    B. Digne(or Otamendi) (toss of a coin)/Pukki to Soy/Tomori (toss of a coin)/Wilson
    C. Pukki to King.
    D. Hold but may WC next week for some more Chelsea Leicester and an Auba/Sterling

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I expect Sterling to haul more than Salah soon for some reason

  9. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain?

    Pope
    Otamendi, Soyuncu, Aurier
    Salah, Sterling, Mahrez, Mount
    Vardy, Abraham, Haller

    Button, Rico, Cantwell, Lundstram .6itb -4

    1. Thomas M.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I have the C on Tammy atm...

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks. Yeah I keep swapping between him and Vardy.

    2. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Abraham

  10. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I'd almost ignored keeper choice on wildcard. What do we think of the following picks? On wc.
    A. Gazziniga (money saver, in theory a bargain...)
    B. Patricio (great fixtures and reliable)
    C. Schmeichel (great fixtures, allows Soy's spot for a player with a higher ceiling)

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      b or c out of them, probably b, but could just go pope and save the money

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Have him currently - might do

  11. Teror
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play Digne or VVD?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tough - VVD based on Allison return

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      VVD but got to be both really innit

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Obvious VVD. Who is going to score for United?

    4. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Vvd

  12. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    bottomed, any thoughts chaps?

    WC team, GTG??

    Lascelles or Kelly +0.3?

    plan is to bring in taa+vvd/robbo gw13, funded by whichever of vardy/Wilson isn't performing

    Pope
    Pereira/Tomori/Rico
    Mane/Sterling/KDB/Mount
    Abraham(c)/Wilson(vc)/Vardy

    McGovern/Lascelles/Lundstram/Dendoncker

  13. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    So where are all my Sterling captainers? rolling the dice one more time! Still looks good and has a good record vs Palace. City bounced back nicely after their loss to Norwich last time. Thoughts?

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Could well do. I have KDB and sterling. I'm Expecting sterling to start for sure but does KDB ?

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Considered it, but I'm expecting Palace to be quite tight.

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        hmm maybe Tammy is safest. Most seem to be going him now. Vardy is tempting too

  14. ste2510
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with 2ft 0.6itb
    Ederson
    Pieters Soy Dunk
    Mané Sterling Mount McGinn
    Tammy Pukki Aguero

    Ryan Kelly Lund Cantwell

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Happy with Aguero? I'm really not sure if I should downgrade him to Jimenez or Wilson leaving money ITB to bring in KdB next week.

  15. FPL Ultras
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Good evening everyone.

    Here is my Wildcard team:

    Patricio,
    TAA, Dunk, Rico
    KDB, Sterling, Maddison, Mount
    Auba, Vardy, Abraham (c)

    I have gone fixtures, not form.

    No L'pool attack. Do you think it is an issue?

    Any thoughts appreciated.

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nice team considering no Liverpool attack.

      1. FPL Ultras
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I moved Mane out for KDB.

    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I dont have any pool either

      1. FPL Ultras
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Based on fixtures I guess it makes sense!

      2. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        me neither. Did Salah to KDB. Captain Beric?

        1. beric
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Kdb, you?

          1. Rinseboy
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            ohhh that's very nice. I hadn't even really considered him! Was set on Sterling but now tempted to switch to Tammy and follow the crowd or even Vardy. tough

            1. beric
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Id go sterling out of them mate, or go for kevin with me!

              1. Rinseboy
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                cheers. Concerns hardly one is going Sterling or a city player at all for that matter. What have I missed?!

                1. beric
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Dont follow the crowd, follow the champions

                  1. Rinseboy
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    Haha. True true big man. Good luck

                    1. beric
                      • 12 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      You too mate

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd have Mané over Aubameyang.

      1. FPL Ultras
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Why is that? Auba has provided returns in all games (except last one)

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Liverpool create more chances for Mané than Arsenal do for Aubameyang.

          1. FPL Ultras
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Agree on that. But what about fixtures? I have gone Auba just for this reason.

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Fixtures only really matter for clean sheets. Liverpool will score goals against anyone.

    4. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes. Mane over Auba

  16. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A. Auba + Maddison or
    B. Kun + Yarmolenko? Cheers.

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

      Maybe I am biased because both are in my team

  17. *Reformed-Character*
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez & Pukki to Wilson & Mount for -4

    Or

    Pukki to King for free

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why sell Pukki? Bournemouth aren't Fort Knox.

      1. *Reformed-Character*
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Norwich are in absolute dismay tho!

      2. beric
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        This

  18. dee_top
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who to cap:
    A) Tammy Abraham
    B) Calum Wilson

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  19. jamiet
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What Option to choose

    Option A - Son & Greenwood > Hudson Odoi & C Wilson
    Option B - Son & Greenwood > Tielemans & Abraham

    Current Team

    Pope (Button)
    Robertson, Tomori, Söyüncü (Rico, Lundstram)
    Salah, Mount, Son, Yarmolenko (Cantwell)
    Agüero (c), Aubameyang (Greenwood)

    any help would be great

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dont like either tbh

    2. *Reformed-Character*
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A is decent

  20. SALVA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    G2G?

    Pope
    TAA/Söuy/Dunk
    Sterling/KdB/Mane/Maddison/Mount
    Abraham/Wilson

    McGovern Rico,Lund,Conolly

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Think id start rico over dunk but yeah looks good

  21. Mata of opinion
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys,
    Front 8 of:
    KDB, Mane, Son, Mcginn, Mount
    Callum Wilson, Pukki, Abraham

    Currently benched Pukki but thinking of changing to Son. Any thoughts?

    1. TANGUY TUESDAYS
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki or McGinn surely. No point having Son if you're going to bench him!
      I'm I a similar situation, I need to choose between benching J.King, or McGinn. Any thoughts?

    2. Mata of opinion
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Read Son is a doubt for the game as he came back late from international duty? Mcginn has been in decent form recently. But the Bournemouth fixture looks too good!

      1. TANGUY TUESDAYS
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        That's interesting, cheers for the heads up

  22. smegger61
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Where did Leno come from as a Scout Picks team selection? He was not 1 of the 12 picks from the 4 guys contributing

  23. liamjames89
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A or B guys...

    A) Pereira, Mount, Vardy
    B) Soyuncu, Hudson-Odoi, Auba

  24. TANGUY TUESDAYS
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who to bench out of J.King or McGinn?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      McGinn

  25. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    lost on previous article, any thoughts chaps? thanks in advance for any comments

    WC team, GTG??

    Lascelles or Kelly +0.3?

    plan is to bring in taa+vvd/robbo gw13, funded by whichever of vardy/Wilson isn't performing

    Pope
    Pereira/Tomori/Rico
    Mane/Sterling/KDB/Mount
    Abraham(c)/Wilson(vc)/Vardy

    McGovern/Lascelles/Lundstram/Dendoncker

  26. Ibracadebruyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    With both Mo and Sonny being doubts in my team and Rico as only decent benchplayer...

    A. Son to KDB
    B. Son + Greenwood to Traore + Tammy/Wilson (-4)
    C. Save FT

    Cheers!

  27. 404_FC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    WC

    Pope
    Pereira / Taa / Rico
    Mane / KDB / Mount / Maddison
    Wilson / Tammy / Kane (C)

    Mcgov / Lund / Kelly / Saka

    g2g?
    1.3itb

    kane to (C) aguero next week

  28. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Start Cantwell or Lundstram?

  29. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which LIV defender is beat going forward?

    A) VVD
    B) TAA

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  30. GuillermoDickero
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A or B gents? Got 2 FTs

    A) VVD, Salah, Pukki ---> Tomori, Mane, Vardy

    B) Otamendi, Salah, Pukki ---> Ota, Mane, Vardy