Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 9

Welcome back from the international break, hopefully all those little niggly injuries that forced you to miss a day or two off work have cleared up and you are, like Premier League players up and down the land, raring to go for Gameweek 9. 

Over the two-week period Fantasy Football Scout has had a little makeover. You may have noticed drop-down menus appearing and the addition of an entire new section. Pro Pundits provides a platform for some of the leading voices and rising stars from across the Fantasy world to share their insights.

Learning from the best is an excellent way to improve as an FPL manager. Whether that’s by tracking the moves of The Great and The Good – it is noteworthy that Greyhead achieved his best-ever FPL rank last season of 85th overall – or hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth. 

Opening their equine gobs this week are Scoutcast regular Az, six-time top 5,000 veteran Utkarsh Dalmia (aka Zophar), community influencer Ash (aka the Chief), and former FPL winner Simon March.

Az has set his black box to record and will share his musings as the season progresses; Zophar talks us through his Wildcard choices; Ash considered replacement ‘keepers given the likely return of Alisson; and Simon prepares to leave the ‘Pukki Party’.

Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 9?

FPL managers face a tricky choice ahead of Saturday’s 11:30 BST deadline. For the first time this season, the leading pair in the captain poll do not play for either Manchester City or Liverpool. Form and enticing fixtures propel Tammy Abraham and Callum Wilson to the forefront of managers’ thoughts. 

David concludes in his Captain Sensible article:

Abraham’s statistical form over the last four weeks has been hugely impressive in terms of shot volume, placement, accuracy and quality, while Newcastle look particularly susceptible away from home under Steve Bruce. Meanwhile, Wilson is the standout Bournemouth option as Norwich come to the Vitality Stadium. While shooting less often than Abraham, his chances tend to be slightly more accurate and of higher quality when they do arrive.

The reason for Liverpool and Man City players being largely overlooked is down to uncertainty and unfavourable fixtures. How much can we trust Pep? Will Sterling or Aguero even start? And will Liverpool experience another hard-fought match against Manchester United? 

In the Captain Video for Gameweek 9, David explained why the league leaders might be in for a difficult afternoon on Sunday:

Man United … are potentially capable of frustrating Liverpool based on some decent defensive stats – they have conceded only 6 big chances in the last four … and Liverpool have a history of coming to Old Trafford and struggling … we can’t guarantee there will be an open enough game for Salah and Mane.

David also reminded us of Manchester City’s recent travails at Selhurst Park and noted that both Sterling and Aguero have room for improvement, while De Bruyne is returning from injury. He concluded:

If we are talking question marks there are just loads of them – the players I can’t trust, the fixture I can’t trust, so no Man City I can’t really captain one of their players this week.

Should we be worried about Sterling?

Questions were being asked in this week’s FPL Question Time about Manchester City players, with Fusen worried about Sterling’s form following one goal and no assists in his last four starts. Gregor, who has three top 1,000 finishes and came 29th in the world in 2016/17, replied:

I think he’s a keeper for now. Fourteen points over the last five Gameweeks is bitterly disappointing but given the strength of Manchester City’s next three fixtures, their need for wins and their emphasis to go on the attack, I think the returns should be just around the corner.

Neale concurred:

Sterling has always been … prone to as many frustrating blanks as he is double-digit hauls. I think back to Gameweeks 15-22 last season when he didn’t score more than six FPL points in a single fixture and remember a similar twitchiness to what we’re experiencing now … [I’ve kept him because] he has scored 463 points and banked 67 attacking returns in the last two seasons combined.

Sterling is included in the Scout Picks for Gameweek 9.

In Case You Missed It

In a community article, Hedge examined the lack of clean sheets so far this season, finding that the ‘big six’ have averaged just 1.8 shut-outs in the opening eight Gameweeks. Although his research suggests that the number of clean sheets will improve. 

Meanwhile in his members-only piece, Neale focused on defenders with attacking involvement. He picked out a few budget and premium-priced players worthy of consideration.

Neale also brought us all the treatment room latest in two quote-laden round-ups. There was good news for De Bruyne owners as Pep announced that the Belgian is back in training. And Rotation’s Alter Ego once again provided us with his handy summary for each team. Could Lacazette feature on Monday night?

Leicester City were given top-billing in Neale’s Frisking the Fixtures update: 

Between Gameweeks 9 and 17, the Foxes meet only one of the ‘big six’ – and that is a home fixture against an Arsenal side not renowned for their defensive aptitude.

Although Jamie Vardy surprised FFS community writer some witty pun when he used expected goals to review striker performance. The Foxes forward has an xG90 of 0.27 – the lowest he’s ever had across his 6 seasons at Leicester.

G-Whizz not only shared his thoughts with us in FPL Question Time this week but also posted the Gameweek 9 DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds. Chelsea and Leicester City have, respectively, a 48% and 46% chance of clean sheets in their home matches today.

And Meltens kindly previewed Gameweek 28 in Fantasy Allsvenskan. Impressively, with three Gameweeks to go there are four managers from the FFS mini-league in the top 10 overall. Well done to them!

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

Community Competitions

In the Pundits Playoff Community Tournament the squads have been announced and Matchday 1 is about to take place. There is still time to vote for your favourite team avatar, please do so via this link. The entry from “A Whole Lawro B*llocks” looks particularly good to me. 

For a full update on all FFS mini-leagues and community competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up. 

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. A link has also been added to the ‘Scout Leagues’ section on the home page

The fixtures for Gameweek 9 can be found below:


Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

Best of luck for Gameweek 9!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,509 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Start Otamendi or Soyunchu? And why?

    1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tough one. Ota has a higher ceiling, I think I'd play him based on that

  2. TAT
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Bench Rico, Söyüncü or Boly?

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

      Rico

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I'm on Rico at the moment. Would be bloody typical if he returns when I bench him though.

    2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rico

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Looks like I'm doing that! 🙂

  3. imvs
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    pope button
    otamendi robbo TAA pereira lundstram
    mcginn salah KDB cantwell mount
    abraham aubameyang greenwood
    Bench
    A- button greenwood mcginn cantwell
    B - button greenwood robbo cantwell
    Suggestions please

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

    Play rico or soyu?

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Soya

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

      rico. Not convinced Norwich will score and Rico attacking threat

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

        This

    3. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Soya gets the nod in my team. Barnes may be injures for Burnley and Leicester only conceded 2 at home so far

  5. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Fell asleep and didn't do my transfers, 0.5 price swing.

    Any way, can anyone give me a nice pick in midfield for the next few weeks?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      £8m or less

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Hudson Odoi

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah really looking at him.
          Thanks.

      2. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Looking at Maddison myself for Leicester fixtures

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          He's one too, then Traore

          1. AC Yew
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Yes fixtures are nice too

      3. Lumberjack
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Mount then Maddison

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks, as I have Mount, one other?

          1. Lumberjack
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Still like McGinn

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

      Traore, CHO or Maddison are the ones depending on budget.

  6. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Arent norwich players back? (They will be more solid at the back)

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Krul back in goal aswell

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Believe they will start finding for again. Hoping Pukki goes wild today!

  7. SB8
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you (C)?
    A) Kane
    B) Wilson

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      b

    2. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      b

    3. Stef rocks
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

    Gritted teeth for West Ham player owners...

    https://twitter.com/ExWHUemployee/status/1185483347323170817?s=19

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hopefully it's not Yarmolenko

    2. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      oh my...

    3. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yikes

  9. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Expecting to see s revitalised Norwich today given how well they did after the last break. Bournemouth are tolls too, so has the making of a decent game.

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

      I really need this to happen

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      4-3 BOU

    3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      morning mate, Can you help
      I need to bench one.....

      A. Lund
      B. Rico
      C. Lowton

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        B

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A Pukki hattrick and a Wilson red card would be the perfect revenge on the kneejerkers

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

      Im expecting a confirmation of their collapse and relegation status

    6. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No, thank you

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

    Choose two to play:

    Boly
    Söyu
    Rico

    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Boly and Soy

    2. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      first two

    3. Stef rocks
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Easy A and B

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

    Who to captain? Best to worst

    A) kane
    B) aguero
    C) sterling

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

      Kane for me. Sterling VC

  12. Lumberjack
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A - Auba & Maddison
    B - Sterling & McGinn

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

      Very tough A short term B long term

      1. Lumberjack
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah coin toss I think! Thanks

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

      a

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

    Since his return to the Bournemouth side in Gameweek 5, Diego Rico (£4.2m) has created more big chances (four) than any other defender.

    Current Defence VVD, Otamendi, Digne.

    Thinking of dropping Otamendi for Rico?? (Could be a 1 min sub)! ?

    Nuts?

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

      A little nuts bourmouth dont generally keep clean sheets so only really attacking points even a cs could be only 4 points

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

        Just tired of the Otamendi 1 point lol

  14. _werre_
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Maddison over Mount?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Both

    2. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No not for me

    3. Kryten
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Both but mount 1st because of the value and coverage

  15. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    All set?

    Pope
    TAA, Soy, Ota, Aurier
    Salah, Sterling, KDB(vc), Mount
    Pukki, Abraham(c)

    Button, Cantwell, Lundstram, Greenwood

  16. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Give the nod to Connolly or Cantwell?

    1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Connolly

  17. Tingate
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Went a bit heavy on Man City & Chelsea but hope it pays off in the next three.

    Ryan
    TAA - Pereira - Rico
    KDB - CHO - Mount - Sterling
    Wilson (C) - Aguero - Abraham

    McGovern - Lundstram - Dunk - Dendoncker.

  18. Mesh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Son to Mount for free?

    1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      i say yes

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

      No not against Watford. Wait a week

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

        There's reports of Son not starting though.

        1. Stef rocks
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Get Mahrez instead of dilva

  19. Alonso The Great Midfielder
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    So last i decide to go Kane instead of aguero in wc
    1)Should i get dsilva to partner with KDB or just get Yarmo?
    2)Should i keep ota and pereiera or downgrade to cheaper one(soyuncu or tomori) and left only taa for premium defender??

  20. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Start Soyunchu or Otamendi?

    1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      both cant?

  21. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Puki to jimenez which means gw10 abraham (have mount) to vardy ? Y or N

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

      no...

  22. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Your thoughts on © Aubameyang?

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He's just 1 goal away from hitting 50 for us.

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

      He plays last but think he will blank. 1-0 Blades

    3. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Its sheffield that too at their own stadium. For me probably among top 3 defences this season so look elsewhere

  23. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A. Aguero and aurier (possibly Bench)
    B. Vardy and otam

    B makes more sense but triple city is tempting

    1. Football Heaven
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Would ship aurier next week anyway btw

  24. UKG
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Vardy or Maddison on wc? If I go Maddison it basically enabled me to play 352 and get TAA in long term

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Go maddison. Wealth of options in mid price fwd

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

      I've gone maddi in 343, planning on getting vardy in near future

  25. HNI
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    People would probably be saying again that they shouldnt have underestimated Norwich after they dont lose to Bou today. Tettey is back and the stability he brings to defence behind him was same reason Mancity were beaten inspite of raging injuries all round. I myself had captained Sterling that match. Dont rule out a Norwich win even as Bou has third worst defence in the league

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I think Norwich win today too. Bournemouth are very overrated IRL and on the platform. Their defence isn't much better than Norwich.

      1. HNI
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        And I had triple Bou in gw1. So I saw many of their matches. very inconsistent. Norwich play with heart and win/lose they are one of best teams to watch this season.

    2. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I hope so as a fellow Pukki 'holder'

  26. Bis_78
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain...
    A Sterling
    B Aubameyang
    C Abraham
    D De Bruyne
    E Trent Alexander-Arnold
    F Son

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      c

  27. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Start:
    1) Cantwell
    2) Pukki

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

      Pukki essy

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

      Come on...

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

      Both

      1. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Wish I could.

    4. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      The one who takes penalty..As obvious as it gets

  28. imvs
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    pope button
    otamendi robbo TAA pereira lundstram
    mcginn salah KDB cantwell mount
    abraham aubameyang greenwood
    Bench
    A ... Greenwood button robbo cantwell
    B... Greenwd button cantwell mcginn
    Any other suggestions ?

  29. joelsprylar
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain Sterling or Abraham?

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

      Both good options you decide

    2. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      When in doubt go with the better team and motive

  30. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    POPE (Button)
    TAA - OTA - SOY (Dunk, Lund)
    PEPE - MANE - STER - MOUNT - CANTWELL
    ABRA (C) - HALLER - (Ayew)

    still got 3m in the bank. What should I do?

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

      Cantwell to Madison or haller to Wilson

    2. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Haller to Vardy