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

    Sorry to repost
    McCarthy
    Chilwell Reguilon Lascelles
    Grealish Bruno Son Oriol Romeu
    Mitro Jimi Wilson
    Justin - Mitchell - Salah - 2.3 & 1FT
    A. Roll & do my planned Son - KDB next week
    B.Salah - James Rodriguez
    C.Salah- Rashford
    D. Something better?
    Thank you in advance

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

      What about Salah to Ziyech. Leave room for KDB (as you plan) + upgrade attacker to Vardy for GW 10?

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

        Ziyech seems very popular on here but I must confess I've not really seen him or Chelsea much this season. The move to upgrade to Vardy is a very good shout for GW10

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

      Needs vardy

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

      Very nice
      Prefer Vardy over Mane especially because of the Fulham fixture

      Why Kilman in all WC teams?
      The fixtures are not great
      What am I missing?

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

        I think because he's cheap. Good 5th defender. better than a non-playing 4.0 defender as is previous years popular strategy, due to covid etc

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

          There are better nailed-on defenders just 0.2-0.3 more imo

          My WC defense is:
          Chilwell Cancelo PvA Justin KWP

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

      Justin likely will lose his place soon I prefer Lamptey in that price bracket
      Kilman has poor fixtures long term and may still lose his place to Saiss.

      Mane vs Vardy is a tough call tbh, Mane does allow an easy swap to Salah but u need to leave 0.3 itb for that 0.4 to be safe.

  3. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Replace Salah with;

    A) Mane
    B) Sterling
    C) Fernandes

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

      C

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

      A

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

    Don’t see Jota in too many WC teams.. too big a risk long term? Looking good to me..

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

      Looks good and great value he is just not guaranteed to be nailed as much as Salah/Mane etc.

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Pretty nailed now with Salah And pools list of injuries

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

          what if Salah is back in 2 weeks though?

          1. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Short term fix only

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

      the problem is he is likely back on the bench as soon as Salah is back, so hes good as an extremely short term pick or if ur squad is strong enough to cover when he doesnt play or are fine with 20-30 min appearances.

      If Salah is back for Brighton then he doesnt seem worth the risk but at that price range not much around, him and foden stand out and both have the same issues

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

    Will Riedwald lose his place once Mili is back? I can see they both played together twice before his suspension

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Or kouyate stepping out of defence now their cbs have returned. Decided to throw Bissouma back instead today.

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

      No. I think he recently signed a new contract and he is versatile that can play in defence as well

  6. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it crazy to cap Rashford over Bruno?

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

      Not at all

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

      No

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

    a) Ziyech or
    b) Grealish

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

      Jack

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

      Both.

  8. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mark and I are gonna be... erm.. live!
    In a few mins!
    Maybe!

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGJ8-xqhOLwyJNuPMsVoQWQ?view_as=subscriber

    Sub here and you'll get a notification when we are! 😀

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

      Cool good luck this GW Az

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

      wouhouuu

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

        Links say video removed by uploaded?

        1. Az
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          its not going well

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

            You & Mark need to get a gigabyte connection

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

          they seem to be having some issues gone live twice and then its gone down in less than a min

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

      maybe third time lucky ??

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

      Jeez, how drunk are you??

    5. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It's certainly not "Right on Time" 😀

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

    Bottomed

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

    Nyland - TAA* - Mitchell - Salah*

    Wildcard needed yes??

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

      Yup

  10. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So with Salah out this GW, Would you do either of these moves for a minus 4?
    A. Salah > Bruno (have Rashford)
    B. Salah > Mane (no other pool assets)
    C. Salah > KDB
    D. Salah> Ziyech

    Cheers

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Anyone??

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

      KDB

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

    WC final decision: Logic tells me Chilwell + Bruno. An abundance of caution tells me Mane + Coufal, so I can more easily get Salah back.

    McCarthy
    -----, Cancelo, Targett
    KDB, -----, Ziyech, Grealish
    Vardy, DCL, Watkins
    (Forster; Soucek, KWP, Justin)

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

      Why Watkins instead of Bamford?

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Fixtures

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

          Yep. THis.

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

          Not concerned about doubling up on Grealish AND Watkins? I know they have good form and fixtures but it is Villa we're talking about! (No disrespect intended).
          I'm not brave enough to have 2 Villa attackers

      2. Darnell Nurse
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Better player?

  12. Egyptian Giza
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Should I play ASM or get rich, Dcl or Watkins for a hit instead of Wilson

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

      Keep Wilson imo.

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

      Get Rich or die tryin'

  13. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My strategy is all about one decision.Vardy or Fernandes.Currently i am with Vardy but not so sure because SheUtd and Brighton will sit back and defend.Southampton and West Ham better fixtures for open play.Also is there a descent forward up to 9.1 from gw10 except Dcl?

  14. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Repost soz

    Sterling fit to play?

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He's trained so should be fine

  15. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Go -4 to sell Salah

    Don't take a hit and play Klich/Mitchell

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who would you take the hit for?
      Doubt Mitchell will play

  16. Rover
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I don't recall seeing any Martial updates earlier today. Does anyone know what the latest news regarding his fitness is?

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

      He was on the France bench midweek

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

        Oh thanks cheers!

  17. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    No way I'm playing Guaita over Martinez.

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Agreed

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

      Guaita owner. Would feel exactly the same.

  18. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    T. Silva -> PvA and bench Lamptey worth a hit?

    Martínez
    Lamptey - Cresswell - Chilwell
    KDB - Fernandes - Son - Grealish - Bowen
    Kane - Bamford

    (Steer, T. Silva, Brewster, Mitchell)

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

      Including whatever PvA gets in the next few GWs, could be worth the punt

  19. 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, cheers!
    A: Salah > Bruno (keep 1 ft)
    B: Salah & Brewster > Bruno & Watkins
    C: Salah & Son > Bruno & Ziyech (2.6m in bank after)

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

      C would be tempting if that allows Bruno > Salah when he's back.

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

        Would look at getting Salah back around gwk 12

  20. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I hate the idea of wildcarding and then having DCL, saiss, Wilson score big..

  21. thepirates
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start Coufal or Kilman?

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

      Surely logic says Coufal? Blades are blunt

  22. Mufc202020
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Lamptey Dias Chilwell Kilman
    KDB Grealish Zaha Bruno(C)
    Werner Vardy

    Martin Brewster Bissouma Braithwate

    2.2imb no FY any suggestions pleaseeee

  23. And nothing else Mata'…
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kane out for (-4):

    A) Vardy
    B) DCL
    C) Richa

    Im looking for a differential in Richarlison but the guy cost me a lot of points in the past.
    Should I give him one more chance?

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Going to end in tears.

    2. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wouldn't do any of those for -4. Kane perfectly capable of scoring against City.

    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd keep Kane

  24. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Salah to KdB
    Or
    B) Salah to Rodriguez & Brewster to Werner (-4)

    1. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I have the same problem, but not Brewster and Werner, rather Wilson and Vardy.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Tough one, though with the latter it will be difficult to get City in

  25. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pva anyone?

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

      See below. Have a soft spot for PVA. Always does well when I have him so..

  26. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    First hit of the season taken!!

    Reguilon/Son/Kane ➡️
    PVA/Bruno(c)/Vardy

    Planned for two wks so did wat I wanted to do 🙂

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Good luck

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

        You too sir.

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

      Yeah I am getting all of those on wc

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice

  27. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Son to Ziyech for free?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not for me

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

      No

  28. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    WC

    A) Ziyech Watkins Kilman KWP Martinez
    B) Bruno Brewster Williams Targett McCarthy

  29. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Those who are keeping Salah, what's your reasoning?

    I'm really 50/50 on it.

    1. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably that he will come back next weekend and that there are other problems in the Fantasy team.

  30. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Salah to KdB
    Or
    B) Salah to Rodriguez & Wilson to Vardy (-4)