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. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Keep 1

    1) Kane
    2) Son

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1)

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2

  2. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah and Sterling to which two?

    A) KDB
    B) Bruno
    C) Ziyech

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

      I'd keep Sterling.

      1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Won’t start? And I’ve already got Salah, Wilson, Mitchell, Stephens that won’t play

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

      Surely keep Sterling

      1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He’s not fit is he?

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

        Want everyone to follow Harriers fate ? 😎

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

      A & B

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

    Salah to Bruno (c) and keep Son ?

    2FTs 1.6ITB

    Martinez
    Robo/Kilman/Chilwell
    Salah/Son/Hamez/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Bamford

    Martin/Reguilon/Mitchell/Stephens

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That’s what I’m considering.

      Then Son > KDB the following week.

      Big decision to make the following week regarding who to sell for Salah

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

        Bruno to Salah before Pool play Fulham

  4. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    When is Blackbox

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

      10:27

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

        Who knows? 😀

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

      They have some issues..

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

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

    I'm 50/50 on it at the minute.

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Already done -4 so -8 seems too much to take - but still debating

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

      I'm selling I think. Was 50/50 earlier but the more I think about it the more I think he could be out for more than one week. I would be more frustrated at keeping and him missing out for more than one week than having to buy him back

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

        Plus there's the value changes, having to play a bench player this week etc etc

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

        Same. I have 2FT's as well so should be able to adjust a bit easier.

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

      Think my XI is okay without getting rid

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

        L to the OG!

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

          Salah be the OG

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

            AN he...not playing this game week

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

        Really!? Who are you playing in place of Salah? Someone better than all of De Bruyne, Fernandes or Ziyech?

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

          Obviously not better than Salah

          It's whether playing Cancelo is better value than KDB, a hit and another transfer to get Salah back

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

            I'd be tempted to get KDB now. Don't you want him next GW anyway?

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

              Aye I'm also tempted, might still do it tomorrow we shall see.

    4. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just gunna sell I think. Always a good chance he plays v Brighton and I miss a haul. But with Pool injuries, I’ll take the chance. Then I’ll probably bring him back for Fulham captain.

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

        Quite a good chance you don’t miss a haul as well. A fairly reasonable chance he’s only sub for that one.

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

        Yeah...think I'm gonna sell

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

      I'm selling because on a WC. Easier decision. Much tougher decision if not on a WC
      I don't envy that decision

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

      My team looks ok with him on the bench.

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

    De Bruyne or Ziyech this GW? Thinking I can get Salah back and/or KDB next week for Son or Fernandes.

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Z

    2. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KdB he's capable of getting poitns home and away

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

    How's this WC, 2nd draft, hopefully last:

    Martinez, 4.0
    Chilwell,Justin,Coufal,KWP,Mitchell
    Bruno,Sterling,Jota,Grealish,Bissouma
    Werner,DCL,Vardy

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Dece

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

    Worth getting Bruno in for Salah for a -4 if I have Rashford already ???

    Y or N

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      N

    2. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      N

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

      Cheers lads

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

      Yes

  9. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah > KDB or Bruno?

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

      Bruno imo, attack that WBA fixture, KDB and city looking a bit lacklustre

  10. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Last 2 spots of wildcard remaining:

    A) Grealish and coufal
    B) Cancelo and Watkins

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

      A

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

      B for me

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

      A

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

      Not sure why everyone think Grealish is essential, surely Cancelo will score better than Coufal and Watkins similar to Grealish

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

        Grealish better then Cancelo.

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

      B

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

      B

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

    Who's still buying Salah?

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

      This is a reason why transfers need to be capped for a season. Who knows what kind of teams there are out there doing whatever they're doing - going for lowest score, or lowest TV etc. All fine and good for them but it throws out the pricing movements for 'normal' players

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

        Sorry, disagree, unlimited transfers is part of the fun,

  12. Assisting the assister
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is -8 too much to take to remove Salah? Would prob be to trade for Grealish or KDB. Have Bruno.

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

      No because who you’ll be bringing in will score more points than him with Salah not playing, hopefully for 4 points or more

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

      Yep not for a minus 8

    3. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah... Just captain Bruno and play your bench

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

    On wildcard. A or B?

    A - Chilwell Jota Kane
    B - Zouma Ziyech Vardy

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

      In my opinion B.

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

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

    Thank you!

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

    Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison??

    I’m on Richarlison atm

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

      DCL in my opinion.

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      DCL

  16. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Brewster or Justin?

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

      Justin

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

      Someone else, maybe take -4

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        This

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

      Brewster baby

  17. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah -> Bruno
    Son -> Rodriguez -4

    Worth doing -4 or just do first one?

    would allow me to do Mitrovic -> Vardy/Jesus next GW
    Issues would be getting Salah back and no City for next 2 (at least)

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

    Bottomed

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

    Martin Brewster Bissouma Braithwate

    2.2imb no FY any suggestions pleaseee

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

    Wilson going to drop tonight. I thought he was in contention to start.

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

      Injured innit

  20. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    WC

    McCarthy (Button)
    van Aanholt Coufal Targett (Justin, Cancelo)
    Grealish JRod Bruno Ziyech (Foden)
    Kane DCL Watkins

    a) Foden -> Jota
    b) Kane -> Vardy
    c) all set

    Planning to transfer Kane to Vardy and maybe Bruno to KDB for next two fixtures after that GW.

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

      Just do Kane to vardy now, may save a -4 down the line + keep you ahead of the new trends which emerge and vardy could do well against an attacking Liverpool with a weakened defence

  21. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thinking A, not sure between Bruno and KDB though. Thoughts?

    A) Bruno/KDB, Ziyech, Vardy

    B) Bruno, KDB, Watkins

    Thanks

    1. Ninjaa
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A with Bruno

  22. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Does anyone have any analysis on how long will Salah be out for? If he tests negative then he's back straight away? Where is he right now, in Liverpool or in Egypt? I don't think there's any point in selling him if he's gonna be back after 1 GW. The uncertainty is the worst though.

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

      1 GW, maybe two

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I think I'm keeping him. The captaincy is another problem though...

  23. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On wildcard, is there a better 4 man midfield plus 1 fodder than this???
    KDB Bruno Ziyech Grealish Reidewald

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

      Hames over Ziyech or Grealish imo

  24. Jones Town
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What do you prefer:

    A) Robbo, Maupay -> Cresswell, Werner (-4)
    B) Maupay -> Watkins

    Thanks!

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

      B

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

    Are we expecting Reece James to start for Chelsea?

  26. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mates two questions:

    1) Buy Chilwell, Walker or Digne?

    2) Start Kilman or Bissouma?

    Cheers!

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1Chilwell

  27. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Buy Dias or Cancelo?

  28. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. James rod
    B. Ziyech

    Who scores more this gw do u think?

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

    Best option here. 0FT and 2.7m. Which hit to take

    Martinez
    James Lamptey TAA* --- Saiss Mitchell
    Bruno Son Grealish Barnes -- Burke
    DCL Kane Watkins

    A: TAA >> Chilwell (-4) + 4m....Son + Saiss > KDB + Cancelo (-4) gw10
    B: TAA >> Cancelo (-4) + 4.6m itb for potentially Barnes > KDB gw10

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

    Pick one front 8 please:

    A) Bruno,Sterling,Jota,Grealish,Bissouma
    Werner,DCL,Vardy

    B) Bruno, Sterling, Mane, Grealish, Ziyech
    DCL, Watkins, Brewster