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. madeon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Vardy + Zaha
    B) KDB + Jota?

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

      A

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

      A

    5. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

      A

  2. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Already Taken a -4. 4m itb, thoughts please?

    a) Salah to KDB for another -4 then get Salah back when fit for Hamez for free?
    b) Play one of Brewster/Mitchel/Ayling and keep Salah?

    Martinez
    Zouma Lamptey Coufal
    Bruno Hamez Grealish Barkley Salah**
    Kane DCL

    Brewster Mitchell Ayling

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

      Problem is we have no idea when he will be fit. Playing Ayling could be OK for this GW and give you more time to decide on Salah

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

      B

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

    Who to start?

    A. Ayling
    B. Kilman

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

      A

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B but not sure if he will play.

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  4. 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

  5. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What's your reason for getting rid of Kane and/or Son?
    A) Tough fixtures = low ceiling for goals/points for both
    B) Better form options available

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

      A

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry, incorrect answer

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

          I just think KDB, Vardy, Bruno/Ziyech can get more

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

      FPL fun

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

      Would it mainly be ppl on WCs getting rid?

      Alot of flags flying around and doubts must take transfer priority

    4. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keeping for form

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ding ding ding the boys a winner. Correct answer, well done mate

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

          Boring 😉

          1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Ah you're no craic

  6. Sir Edo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    FPL Black Box in 5 minutes, time to brush teeth and take your place in the bed, loong FPL weekend to come. Stay fresh!

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

      Just in case you dont read back. Thanks for the replies!!!

      Pva incoming

      1. Sir Edo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Great news!
        Unlucky if goals won’t come soon for him..

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bed???? Crazy. It's Friday night!!

      1. Sir Edo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Four transfers already locked in! 🙂

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

    Salah, Maupay and Stephens to Bruno, Ziyech and Brewster(-4)?

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

      Reads good

    2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Change to 3-5-2? Absolutely if so

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

      Who are you captaining? Decent moves on paper.

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

    Really considering no Spurs attack on WC

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

      yeah I wouldn't on a WC.

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

      You got to get rid and plan for future fixtures on WC

    3. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would be tempted to keep Kane, he's in such good form.

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

    Am I good to save a ft?

    McCarthy
    Chilwell - Lamptey - Balbuena - Saiss
    Bruno - Son - Grealish - Barnes
    Werner - DCL

    Forster - Brewster - Mitchell - Salah

    I'd like to do Saiss -> Castagne but Castagne won't probably start this gw and Saiss might play if Coady or Ait Nouri is out.

  10. The Son-dance Kid
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Not seeing many WCs with Che Adams on here. Any glaring reason I'm missing?

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

      Prefer Bamford or Watkins

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

      Loosing competition to Watkins Bamford

    3. The Son-dance Kid
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks, so nothing glaring, just preference of the other two.
      Personally I prefer Adams over Bamford due to fixtures over the next 6 (only slightly), and not comfortable on doubling up Watkins with Grealish.
      Good to hear there isn't a obvious 'you're crazy' reason for picking Adams

  11. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Please help! What to do With Salah?

    A) Bench
    B) swap for Mane/KDB -8?

    Already own Bruno/Son/Grealish.

    Thanks all!

    1. Jon Wills
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      a

  12. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So everyone captaining Bruno or what?

    Who's your captain and why?

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno. Only one with half decent fixture in my team. Most probably blank but I’d imagine quite a few have captained him also so all in the same boat! Will enjoy the ride together!

  13. 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)

    What option?
    A; Salah > Bruno (keep 1 ft)
    B; Salah & Brewster > Bruno & Watkins
    C; Salah & Son > Bruno & Ziyech

  14. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pick 2 to own on WC
    A) KDB
    B) Bruno
    C) Mane

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

      A and B

    2. Jon Wills
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      a b

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A & B

  15. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Podence to Grealish worth a -4?

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

      I would say yes

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, Podence not nailed anymore and even when he starts Wolves look tootheless and he gets subbed at 60mins.

    3. The Son-dance Kid
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. Grealish a really good long term pick

  16. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you rather do
    1) Son to Grealish or
    2) Jiminez to Watkins

    The other transfer is Mahrez -> KDB

    And who would you captain
    a) Werner or
    b) Bruno

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

      Do both

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

        And b

      2. Jolly Good
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        For a -4... I’d rather get Ziyech then instead of Grealish

  17. 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. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

        Cheers big man

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

      B

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

        Cheers

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

      What is your Salah return plan?

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

        At the moment DCL and Bruno to Salah and £6.5 forward in GW12

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

      A

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

        Cheers

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

    Is Vassilev to Watkins worth a -4 to play 343? or stick with 442 for now?

    5.0itb 0ft
    Martinez
    Chilwell Taylor Cancelo Justin
    Grealish Son Rodriguez Bruno
    DCL Kane
    (Peacock Ayling Bissouma Vassilev*)

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

      I feel this is a hit waiting to happen and its better to do it now at the start of Villa's good fixtures

  19. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah price prediction for gw 12?

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

      12.2

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

      Hopefully under 12

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

      Who knows he has dropped 200000 in the last two hours yet only one red arrow & gone from -96 to -91?
      Never known a player lose 1mill & 15% ownership & not drop .2 or .3?

      1. The Son-dance Kid
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Son dropped like a log with similar sales GW2 didnt he

  20. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you take Salah out for free for Ziyech?

    Current team:
    McCarthy
    Robertson Semedo Chillwell Konsa
    Fernandes Grealish Zaha
    Kane DCL Bamford

    Subs: Salah, Lampety, Anguissa

    1. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No as you have playing 11
      Hold one more week

    2. Jon Wills
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don't know when Salah will be back, so probably yes.
      One thing to bear in mind this week is you may end up with quite a few points on the bench.
      I have Lamptey and he plays every game.

  21. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    One spot; pick one

    A) Chilwell
    B) Cancelo

    1. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Chilwell 100%

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

      Chilwell

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  22. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford or James Rodriguez captain?

  23. Andy W
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Grealish or J Rod? I have both DCL and Watkins

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Jack in the box

  24. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    First sub?
    1) Bissouma (avl)
    2) Konsa (BHA)

  25. Johnny too hotty
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Son and Trent out
    Bruno and chilwell in
    Keeping salah

    Easy decision. Or bad move ?

    Oh what a lady, oh what a night.

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Easy decision

  26. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Martinez, Forster
    Robertson, Chilwell, Semedo, Dallas, 3.9
    Salah, Son, Zieych, Grealish, Stephens
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    2 FT, 1.0 ITB

    A) Robbo + Son > Cancelo + KDB
    B) Son + Salah > Bruno(C) + KDB
    C) Son > Bruno (C)
    D) Salah > Bruno/KDB

  27. JaydenLFC87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If you can only have one this weekend??

    A) Fernandes

    B) Grealish

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  28. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wildcard Team G2G?

    Martinez
    Kilman, Chilwell, Cancelo
    Bruno (c), Mane (vc), KDB, Grealish
    DCL, Bamford, Watkins

    Ryan, Soucek, Coufal, Justin - 0.1m ITB

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

      I’d start coufal over Kilman..

    2. The Son-dance Kid
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeh not bad. You could consider a heavy hitter up front a downgrade a midfielder for future flexibility. Only a suggestion though

  29. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Podence to Grealish for a -4?

  30. Millie7
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mcarthy
    Coady* - Chilwell- Taylor*
    Fernandes - Ziyech - Soucek -Bissouma
    Kane - DCL - Watkins

    Nyland - TAA* - Mitchell - Salah*

    Wildcard needed yes??