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. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pretty set on this for wc, cash in the bank for Salah -> Bruno if needed. 2 4m defenders not ideal.

    McCarthy
    Chilwell/Cancelo/Targett
    KDB/Fernandes/Ziyech/Grealish
    Vardy/DCL/Bamford
    (Forster/Soucek/Mitchell/Riede)

    Anything need fixing?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think it's a great idea to keep money for bruno -> salah. GTG

  2. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed
    McCarthy
    Chilwell Cresswell Reguilon
    Salah Son Ziyech Grealish Soucek
    Kane DCL

    Nyland Brewster Justin Ferguson
    2.8ITB 1FT

    A) Salah --> KDB
    B) Salah + Son --> KDB + Bruno -4
    C) Salah + Reguilon --> KDB + Cancelo -4
    D) Other?

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

    Start one:
    A. Podence
    B. Targett

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

      A

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

    Sterling likely to play, or will Pep rest him?

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mmmm. That’s the problem. As long as City aren’t scoring too many it’s not a problem... just don’t get him. All changes if they go back to scoring five a game though.

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

        Problem is rather that I have him already ....
        Tempted to get rid snd use £ on KDB next GW

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          He should play..it’s just the odd random thing that is annoying. A lot of FPL players got away with it last year and the heat before because managed to score pts from the random benching...

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

      Think he'll start, he's trained and Pep will put out his strongest side v Spurs

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

        Ferran Torres in form though, pushing for a start

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

          Won't impact Sterling's place, Sterling has been playing LW all season, Torres will take Mahrez's place at RW

  5. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    G2G?

    Martinez
    Coufal Cancelo James Lamptey
    Grealish Bruno (c) Son
    Wilson DCL Kane

    Steer Salah Mitchell Burke

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      ye man

    2. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yes
      good luck

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

      Looks strong, gtg

  6. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    choose 2 to play:

    A) saiss
    B) reguilon
    C) justin

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      AB

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        thanks mate

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

      A C

  7. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is this -4 OK?
    Salah and Son (Have Kane) to KDB/Bruno and Ziyech?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably doing the same move. I'd go KDB if you have a good captain option for this week

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

      They are nice moves but I’m not doing it for free

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

        Why not?

    3. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yes
      this week bruno and then shift to KDB

  8. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which combo would you prefer next few weeks

    A: RJames + Chilwell + Barnes + 1.7m
    B: RJames + Cancelo + Son

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Have you got Ziyech and grealish already?

  9. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Wilson or Coufal?

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      wilson

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

      WIlson

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

    Play

    A) Cancelo (tot)
    B) Ayling (ARS)

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

      A

    2. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      cancelo

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

      Cheers

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

      A

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

    RMWCT:

    Martinez
    Robbo Cancelo Chilwell
    Bruno(C) KDB Ziyech Son Grealish
    DCL Watkins

    Forster Brewster Lewis Bernardo

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I like it, really like the midfield. Was very similar to mine before I decided to sell Robbo and Son.

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

        Cheers pal 🙂 good luck!

  12. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So, some serious tinkering going on with my WC this eve after putting FPL on the backburner over the int break. This is what I've come up with. Thoughts? Obviously selling Salah and Son could come back to bite me but can't have them all.

    McCarthy
    Chilwell, Cancelo, Targett
    Ziyech, Grealish, Bruno(c), KdB, Sterling
    DCL, Adams

    (Forster, Coufal, Brewster, Branthwaithe)

    Was also considering Vardy+Jota instead of Sterling+Adams but I think Sterling/Adams leaves a much easier route back to Salah for GW12.

    1. Motong-Moting
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KdB and Sterling might be overkill.

      1. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah I'm wondering this too, and Sterling is a late contender for a place in my team. But Fulham and Burnley at home are such tantalizing fixtures...

    2. Vlekz
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I probably would do vardy+jota if you are leaving nothing in the bank. Whichever way you look at it, it will be 2 transfers and won't matter if vardy (striker) has to go over sterling(mid)

        1. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Thanks, the problem is I don't think I'd have the funds to do Vardy+Jota to Salah+6.0 forward. Would probably have to do something like Vardy+DCL+Jota to Antonio+Bamford+Salah.

          1. Vlekz
              3 years, 4 months ago

              My bad. Sterling+Adams makes better sense then

      • Motong-Moting
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        RMWCT

        McCarthy
        Cancelo Chilwell Konsa
        KDB Fernandes© Grealish Ziyech
        DCL Kane Bamford
        Forster Kilman Justin Romeu
        1.0 ITB

        Any suggested changes?
        Contemplating Kane > Vardy

        1. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Tough choice regarding Kane or Vardy. Both should do well. Bit of a coin toss really.

          1. Motong-Moting
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            With Kane's consistency, it would be difficult to leave him out even with the fixtures. Maybe would just bite the bullet and keep him.

      • Mane Mane Mane
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Calvert lewin or Grealish for captain?

        1. Neves say Neves
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          DCL imo. Fulham are traaaash

        2. Bury94
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          DCL

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

          Grea

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

          DCL

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

          DCL

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

        Final WC draft:
        Rivals have Chilwell and I'm going different. Bit risky but could pay off.

        McCarthy - Forster
        Cancelo - James - Van Aanholt - Targett - Neco Williams
        Grealish - Ziyech - Mane - KDB - Fernandes
        DCL - Watkins - Brewster.

        0.4m in the bank.

        Good to go?

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

        1) Mane + Bamford
        2) Ziyech + Vardy

        Head says 2. Easier path back to Salah says 1. What do you say?

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

          2

        2. Gandalf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Asked the same question myself earlier today. Going with 2

      • JURGENAUT
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Saiss > Coufal (-4)?

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

          Not a chance.

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

          never, Saiss might even play

      • For Fuchs Sake
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        TAA to who?

        Already have Zuma

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

          Cancelo, PVA, Cresswell, Chilwell.

          1. For Fuchs Sake
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Would you get Chillwell if you have Zuma?

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

        Transfers done.
        -24.

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

          Go on.

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

            Coleman,Jorginho,Salah,Son,Rashford,Kane,Wilson
            >>>
            Dias,Zeiych,KDB,Fernandes,Werner,Vardy

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

              Sod it. I like it.
              Can’t believe you had Coleman.

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

                Yeh that’s what I thought when I got to -16 . Lol

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

                Missed out Soucek on the in side.

            2. Firminooooo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              I am thinking about -4 to bring Rashford in.

        2. For Fuchs Sake
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Prove it

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

            Come back tomorrow and check my link. I guarantee I’ve done it.

        3. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Nice, before pushing WC button

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

            Played in GW2

        4. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          What you drinking?
          I need some 🙂

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

            Lol. Newcastle Brown at the moment.
            Been apathetic about FPL for weeks now. Just shaking it up a little.

      • paatmaan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Salah to Bruno or Ziyech?
        Will WC next week.

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

          Easy B

        2. CFC1990
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I would go Bruno just because of the fixture

      • CFC1990
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Who do you guys prefer between Ayling and Dallas?

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

          Neither, lack of clean sheets is an issue.

      • Michelle Davin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        A)son to bruno
        B)salah to bruno

        1. CFC1990
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Who would play if you keep Salah?

        2. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I did A to catch price rise, B now probably.

      • Vlekz
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Thank you all for helping me with my wc.
          Have a great week(end) ahead. Cheers

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

            Can I have a look?

            1. Vlekz
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Leno
                Chilwell cancelo telles Cresswell
                Kdb (B)runo grealish
                Werner vardy DCL
                Forster I souchek bissouma Ferguson

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

                  Very nice. Good luck.

                  1. Vlekz
                      3 years, 4 months ago

                      Cheers

            2. Kizza_10
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              What do you think is the better option ?

              A. KDB & Kilman

              B. B.Fernandes & Cresswell

              1. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Can you get in KDB next week?

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

                B due to Kilman possibly not playing.

            3. HollywoodXI
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              GTG? Banking a transfer as it stands.

              Martinez
              Chilwell Balbeuna Lamptey Mitchell
              Bruno(c) Son Grealish Zaha
              Kane DCL

              Steer Brewster Lewis Salah

            4. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Salah to Fernandes this week,Son and Kane to Vardy and KDB next week. Looks lovely. Nothing can go wrong...

              “The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley.” Or something.

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

                Ha. All the same moves as me, and in that order.

                1. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Sensible moves 🙂

              2. Vlekz
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  The game would become really interesting if spurs beat city this week

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

                Still torn on Salah news:

                A) Salah to Mane, roll FT
                B) Robbo to Dias, Trossard to Hamez
                C) Salah to KDB, Trossard to Jota
                D) Salah to Bruno, Trossard to Hamez

                If I move Salah, I can aim to turn Son back to him in a few weeks

              4. Will J 256
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Bit of a weird one but which duo do you prefer?
                Watkins
                Cresswell

                DCL
                Mitchell

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

                  If Mitchell will be on your bench, then DCL

                  If Mitchell would have to be in your starting XI, definitely Watkins & Grealish

                2. Baps hunter
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Is Mitchell going to start and does it matter?

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

                Wondering whether to sell Son for Bruno instead of selling Salah.

                Saiss first sub - he might well play, with Coady, Kilman and Ait-Nouri each potentially missing out. Would save a -4 next week.

                A) Saiss/Brewster Bruno

                B) Son Bruno (-4)

              6. g40steve
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Today Salah lost 600k owners & not dropped?
                Gone from 40+% ownership to 30%

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

                  Red flagged

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

                  Can’t get my head around it.