Scout Picks

Gameweek 9 Scout Picks built on Chelsea and Everton attacking double-ups

Attacking double-ups for Chelsea and Everton form the spine of the Gameweek 9 Scout Picks XI.

They face Newcastle and Fulham respectively in two of the most favourable fixtures this weekend.

As ever, we have chosen our team from DavidNealeTom and Andy‘s Scout Squad submissions, released earlier this week.

We line up in the traditional 3-4-3 formation, coming in bang-on our budget of £83.0m.

Goalkeeper

Vicente Guaita (£5.0m) gets his first Scout Picks appearance of the campaign ahead of a Monday-night trip to Turf Moor. Will it prove to be his happy place? Well, Burnley remain this season’s lowest scorers after eight Gameweeks and, over the last four, are bottom of the league for shots on target (eight).

Defenders

During that same period, no club has registered fewer total attempts on goal than Newcastle (27), boosting Chelsea’s clean sheet chances in Gameweek 9. The Blues themselves have secured shut-outs in three of their last five while no Premier League defender can match Ben Chilwell (£6.0m) for key passes since Gameweek 5.

No team has conceded fewer big chances in the last four matches than Manchester United, which is why we’ve chosen Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m) for the Gameweek 9 Scout Picks. He stands in for Harry Maguire, who we initially chose but had to replace due to an injury doubt. Either way, Wan-Bissaka still stands to benefit from United’s improved defence and the fact that West Bromwich Albion are bottom of the league for big chances of their own since Gameweek 5.

Aaron Cresswell (£5.1m) went close to match Chilwell’s creativity output over the last four matches, registering just one fewer key pass than his Chelsea counterpart. A role in corners and free-kicks for West Ham is good news considering upcoming opponents Sheffield United have given up the most chances from set-plays and the second-most headed attempts since Gameweek 5.

Midfielders

Naturally, the Gameweek 9 captain poll winner Bruno Fernandes (£10.6m) makes it into the Scout Picks for a home match against West Bromwich Albion. Since Gameweek 2, no midfielder created more chances than Manchester United’s key man and he remains a persistent shooter, registering the third-highest number of shots over the same period.

Hakim Ziyech (£8.2m) has made a blistering start to life in the Premier League. In just two starts he already has four goal involvements, three of those assists. That output has looked sustainable too, considering that, in the last four matches, Ziyech is joint-top of the league for big chances created – and he’s only started two in that period. Meanwhile, he faces a Newcastle side in Gameweek 9 that has conceded the third-highest number of chances from set pieces in 2020/21.

James Rodríguez (£7.9m) could be back with a bang in Gameweek 9 as he faces a Fulham defence that has conceded at least twice in three of their four home matches this season. Crucially, no team has given up more headed attempts than them since Gameweek 5, perfect for Everton’s corner and free-kick taker.

Only Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah have more points among midfielders than Jack Grealish (£7.5m) this season and we expect him to continue his impressive form against Brighton. The Seagulls’ possession-based style means they don’t give up many chances, but their susceptibility to the counter-attack means they still only have two clean sheets from a possible eight this season. Meanwhile, Grealish has created the joint-highest number of big chances in the last four matches and is joint-third for big chances of his own.

Forwards

Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) could benefit from Liverpool’s defensive shortages in Gameweek 9. The Reds are missing key personnel at the back right now while Leicester’s main man is joint-top of the league for big chances in the last four matches. On top of that, only two players have registered more shots on target than Vardy in that time.

Timo Werner (£9.4m) is really starting to find his feet at Chelsea. In the last four matches, just two players have boasted superior xG non penalty figures than the German international, who has recently secured spot-kick duty anyway. He faces a Newcastle side that has averaged two goals conceded per match since Gameweek 5 and who have given up more chances down their right-hand side than any other Premier League club in that time, 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m) could have an enjoyable Gameweek 9 meeting with Fulham’s defence, which looks tailor-made to suffer at his hands. as already mentioned, the Cottagers have conceded the joint-most number of headed attempts in the last four matches, while the majority of Calvert-Lewin’s shots this season have come from the air.

Substitutes

Selected by three of our Scout Squad pundits for Gameweek 9, top-scoring FPL goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (£4.8m) takes a place on the bench.

Matt Targett (£4.5m) is a cheaper alternative route into the Aston Villa back-line. None of his defensive colleagues has matched his five key passes over the last four matches.

Vladimir Coufal (£4.5m) is another way to invest in West Ham’s defence for a trip to Sheffield United. He is second-only to Cresswell for crosses among all Hammers players over the last four matches.

Diogo Jota (£6.5m) looks more nailed-on to start than ever with Salah absent from Liverpool’s Gameweek 9 plans. The former Wolves man has found the net in each of his last three Premier League matches at Anfield.

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

We choose the Scout Picks captain using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the skipper we choose each Gameweek is known only to those with a valid Fantasy Football Scout subscription and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Gameweek 9:

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The Community Member who beats our team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

THFC4LIFE managed 62 points for the Community Champions in Gameweek 8 but the Scout Picks went 6-2 up for the season with a healthy score of 78.

claretparrot takes us on for Gameweek 9, opting for a 3-5-2 line-up of Guaita; Zouma, Cresswell, Wan-Bissaka; B Fernandes (vc), Rashford, Grealish, Richarlison, Ziyech; Calvert-Lewin (c), Vardy.

AA33 is the current leader, defeating the Scout Picks by a 53-point margin in Gameweek 2.

3,825 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this wildcard team:

    McCarthy
    Cancelo - James - Neco Williams
    Grealish - Ziyech - KDB - Fernandes - Mane
    DCL - Watkins

    Forster - Targett - Justin - Brewster

    Have 1.2m ITB.

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Double Southampton defence?
      Justin will be an issue very shortly too

      1. ball c
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Just McCarthy as GK and Forster back up GK.

        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Fail! Thought Targett played for Sou 😆

      2. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah Justin and Neco too short term. Just get Kilman.

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice but would get Chilwell if you can.

  2. Matty172
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My WC team currently,
    McCarthy
    Telles PVA Digne
    Bruno Grealish Mané JRod Ziyech
    DCL Watkins
    (Forster Targett Cancelo Brewster)

    Debating the switch from Mané to Vardy. Thoughts?

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Double Southampton defence?

      1. Matty172
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Nah it’s Man Utd, Palace, Everton currently

        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          See above. Targett plays fir Southampton in my brain 😆

  3. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Fellow Saiss owners you keeping or selling?

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

      Sold

    2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sold ages ago. Though he may play this week so not urgent to sell right now

    3. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Selling next week as also own Kilman.

  4. Slim25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2 ft's
    Martinez
    Digne, Chilwell, Semedo
    Grealish, Rodriquez, Son, Zaha
    Brewster, Kane, DCL
    (Button, Lamptey, Salah, Mitchell)

    A > Salah & Brewster > Bruno & Watkins
    B > Digne & Brewster > KWP & Watkins (Keep Salah)

  5. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Trent confirmed out then?

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

      Yes

  6. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What to do here? 2FT 0.1ITB
    Martinez (Foster)
    Chilwell Lamptey Kilman (KWP Mitchell)
    Salah* Sterling Son Barkley (Burke)
    Werner DCL Jimenez

    Plan initially was Jimenez, Son > Watkins, KDB
    but with the salah covid thing to I do him to Mane on top for a hit or change the plan completely?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Salah to bruno?

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        and leave jimenez?

  7. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy Fodder
    Chillwell Lampty Coufal Mitchell Taylor
    Son ziyech Bruno St Max BIssouma
    DCL Kane Werner
    0FT 3.9ITB

    A) St Max -> Grealish for -4
    B) play Taylor (flagged, meaning I may get st max off my bench)

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A. , long term investment

      1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thank you. Would you advise the same if I told you I was WCing next week and the -4 would have to pay off this week?

  8. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you captain?

    A) Rashford (WBA)
    B) Werner (new)

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Werner just about.

    2. Party time
        3 years, 4 months ago

        😆 strange

      • Andriy Shevchenko is Back
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Werner. Rashford flagged and has been underwhelming to date. Off the pitch he’s a hero of course

        1. Party time
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Double digit returns off the pitch

        2. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A

        3. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Timo

      • gomez123
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Play A) Lamptey or B) Dallas

        1. Hart-ake
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Lamp

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

          B

        3. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Lamps

      • OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        If you have DCL would u get Ziyech or Jrod ?

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Haha! See my question below pal. I have the same dilemma..

          1. OptimusBlack
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            LOL.

        2. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Z

        3. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Definitely Ziyech. Man is on fire for club and country

        4. Hart-ake
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ziyech

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

          Cheers

      • Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Which trio is better -

        A. Chilwell, Ziyech, Bruno
        B. Robbo, JRod, Vardy

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A, i have that below, will be bringing in KDB & Vardy next GW.

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

          A

        3. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A

        4. OptimusBlack
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A

      • Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Jesus, have 9 players out my 11 playing tomorrow

        Martinez
        Chillwell - Cancelo - James
        Soucek - Son - Bruno (c) - Ziyech - Rashford
        Kane - DCL
        _____________________________________
        Forster: Mitchell: Brewster: Dunne

        Ended up doubling up on Utd mids ready for maybe Rash > KDB next GW for those that helped before so cheers guys.

        1. Tev
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Be very surprised if this team gets a red arrow this week, GL

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Cheers man, however i am on a -16! But all players i've removed won't be playing, so still....has to be an up i'd imagine.

            1. AnfieldLad
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              -16? Wow that’s brave

              1. Salah’s Sonnet
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Aye, had no choice, have to laugh at this season.

          2. caldracula
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Will be hard to get a green starting 16 points behind

            1. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Not if they do well, besides, what are greens? 🙂

        2. Il Capitano
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Best of luck

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Cheers IC

      • Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        On wc, which GK would you choose?

        A Mccarthy (0.3 cheaper, back up in Forster in case injury/covid, mixed fixtures)

        B Martinez (nice fixtures, one extra game DGW)

        1. AnfieldLad
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I’d have McCarthy Forster + Targett

        2. caldracula
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          B

      • United84
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Best Foden replacement (Not Grealish)
        A Zaha
        B Jota
        C J Rodriguez
        D Ziyech (cant get kdb nxt gw)

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          D

        2. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          C

      • AnfieldLad
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        McCarthy
        Chilwell Cancelo Kilman (Shaw* Ferg*)
        Bruno(c) Son Grealish Soucek
        Kane DCL Werner
        (-4) 2.7ITB

        Hit taken and no back up for Kilman, still G2g? Or take another hit? Or WC?

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Gtg

      • BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        A) Zieych + Vardy + Kane
        B) Son + Vardy + Werner

        1. BobbyDoesNotLook
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Mentioned Vardy since either Son or Kane is removed to get Vardy. Also own Werner atm.

        2. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A

        3. caldracula
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Tough one that, A

      • SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Guys what to do here

        Martinez
        Robbo chilly tariq
        Salah * son Jack Hakim
        Kane dcl bamford

        1ft 0.5 itb

        A) save and start kwp/walker
        B) salah to bruno
        C) salah to kdb

        Tia

        1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          B

          1. BobbyDoesNotLook
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Good to have you back

      • Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Had a few too many glasses of wine too early and ended up making a transfer that was really not in my initial plans at all..

        What do you think of it?

        Salah + Barnes -> Bruno + Ziyech

        Money ITB to do Jimmy to Vardy next gw, likely getting Salah back in gw12

        1. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Great

        2. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I’m thinking about Jorginho,Salah > Ziyech,Bruno -4 and double in up with Rashford.

        3. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          What was your initial plan?

          Good transfers both there. I went Salah to Ziyech with my FT.

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

            There were a lot of options, most involved selling Jimmy and taking a hit to remove Salah. but mostly none of them involved Ziyech as I haven't watched him play for Chelsea once.. usually don't buy players based on hype when I haven't seen them myself.

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Me neither other than some YouTube snippets and bits on Match of the Day. and memories of him in CL with Ajax. But early games are good and I had similar trepidation when Eriksen came to Spurs.

        4. Big Ronnie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Good moves

      • The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Anyone doubling up on Rashford and Bruno?

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          No plans to but depends on Rashford's form.

          1. The 12th Man
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Salah to Bruno then Rashford > KDB next week it would be.

      • Cahill
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        If I get Bruno I can’t get KDB/Sterling next week.

        Ok to settle for Rash?

        1. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah

        2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          If you have him already, yes. If you’re bringing in one, then I’d go Bruno and find another way to get Kdb in

      • FCSB
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Who is the better captain pick out of:

        1. DCL (ful)
        2. KDB (tot)
        3. Ziyech (new)
        4. Jota (LEI)

        Thanks

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          DCL

        2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Eco

          1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Which is clearly code for DCL

            1. FCSB
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Haha thanks mate

              1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Any time 🙂

      • jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        1) Ziyech + Vardy
        2) Mane + Bamford

        Either decision leaves little in the bank, and I'd prefer a direct shot back to Salah. Without Mane, it's either 2FTs or a hit. Admittedly, I'm on #2, but curious about other thoughts.

      • fc_skrald
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Welcome back to my team mr Patrick van Aanholt - hope you can forgive me for not owning you for more than a season!

      • pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Martial fit?

      • Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I'm slowly getting less convinced with Bruno captain and leaning towards DCL. Anyone else feeling the same with Bruno

        1. Big Ronnie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Sticking with Bruno, the week he scores big at OT

        2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Still stuck on Bruno and I have both. What’s your thinking?

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            more of a gut feeling and been delivering throughout the season

            1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              You should absolutely go with your gut feeling

      • 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Evening all!! And best wishes for the weekend!!! Quick fire question of extreme excitement.........
        ‘Saiss will start’.......
        A- Yes
        Or
        B-No
        Many thanks!!

      • Zlatan F.C
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Right guys not sure whether to go Salah to Bruno or KDB. I want KDB next GW and I'll end up swapping Bruno for Salah in GW 12 so is it really worth going Bruno this GW?

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I think you're undervaluing Bruno on current form. I'd rate him above a fit Salah and De Bruyne so far though I think De Bruyne will light it up very soon.

      • Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Was settled on my WC team with option A below but then with the news Castagne and Pereira are nearing comebacks had a tinker, would you prefer A or B?

        Martinez, £4m
        Chilwell, Cancelo, Coufal, xxx, xxx
        Ziyech, KDB, Grealish, Bruno, xxx
        DCL, Watkins, Vardy

        A) Justin, Lamptey & Soucek
        B) Castagne, Mitchell & Bissouma

        1. Robben Mee Blind
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A

      • Ha.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Play

        A. Lamptey
        B. KDB (-4)

        Captain

        1. Grealish
        2. Bruno

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

          A2

        2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A2

        3. manu4life99
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          B2

      • Totti
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        didn't follow the press conference

        any news will saiss start?
        and what about kilman and coady are they fit?