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. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah > ? for -4 for the next 3 GWs until buying back for GW12
    (A) Bruno
    (B) De Bruyne
    (C) Mane
    (D) Keep and start Justin/Mitchell

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B I guess

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

      Cant plan that far ahead atm...a if capping this week, if not then c or d. Kdb has same points as soucek this season.

  2. Sho-kun
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A
    TAA --> Cresswell
    Salah --> KDB

    B
    TAA --> Cancelo
    Salah --> Bruno (I have rash already...)

    C
    TAA --> Cancelo
    Salah --> KDB

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

    2. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

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

      C

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

      B

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

      B

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

    How's the hit-o-meter looking this week folks.

    I'll be on -4 which doesn't feel too bad all things considered.

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

      Am on zero but expect a hit next GW

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        ^ This

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zero so far this year

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        This.

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

      First 2 posts are not improving my mood 😆

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

      Expecting a good 2.5 to 3 point hit average for active players

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

        Yeah, that's where I was thinking which is quite high.

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

      -4 for me.

  4. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Foden to 8.0 for hit? If yes then who?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hmmm. Already got Grealish?

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Nope

        1. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Then that’s your answer

    2. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Rodriguez not sure if it’s worth a hit though.

      I have foden too.

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes or Grealish of course

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

    My wildcard team, think I'm settled. Thoughts please chaps

    McCarthy Forster
    Chilwell Cancelo Lamptey Coufal Targett
    KDB Bruno Ziyech Grealish Reidewald
    Vardy DCL Watkins

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

      Good team- no changes needed

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

    Foden -> grealish (-4) yay or nay?
    how many minutes will foden get in next 3,4 GWs?

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

      Yay, Foden 2 points points

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would. Nailed on in a team arguably in better form with better fixtures? Compared to the inevitable 1 pointer you'll get from Foden every other match.

      What's not to love?

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

        Yeah, looking from that view. On other view - perhaps foden plays more often especially against weaker sides? Or it's very unlikely?

  7. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    1 ft and .5 itb.

    Save right?

    Martinez
    Chilwell Cresswell Robbo Kilman
    Son Grealish(v) Hames Zaha
    Kane DCL(C)

    Martin Salah* Brewster Mitchell

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

      Salah to Bruno/KDB

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

      Salah wont be ready until GW 12 IMO.

      KDB or Bruno IMO

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

        Gw12??? What? Don't be daft.

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mo or at least Robbo to a City option?

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

    For this week only:
    A) Bruno
    B) KDB
    C) Hames

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

      A

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

      A all day if for 1 week

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

    Who to bench?

    A) Taylor
    B) Brewster?

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

      I would go Brewster but i am biased 🙂

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

    I am sure this has been asked a 100 times so do apologise.

    But is KDB for Son for a -4 worth it.

    Have Kane too but interested in Kane to Vardy for the next 3 game weeks. So will take a -4 next week anyway.

    Cheers

    1. Calculated Risks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Top mid for someone with 27 points playing spurs. Erm no.

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

        But Jesus and Aguero getting fit again. There is an upside?

        1. Calculated Risks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I'm waiting to see if form turns...no rush, especially with son and kane. They could run riot still regardless of fixtures...

  11. Tsssst
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone free hitting?

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

      Seen a few

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

      not me

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

      Contemplated it early on but decided no. Covid disruption or double gw preferable

  12. FPL FAN
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Martinez, Vestergaard, Coufal
    B) McCarthy, Targett, Creswell +0.2M?

  13. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Onto my 8th can and got blackbox on the downstairs plasma

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

      Did you quit FPL yet this week mate?

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

        I quit every day

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

          Pmsl!!!

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

    Any chance Mitchell starts?

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

      Depends how many he’s had down the Queen Vic

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

      I can see him playing both van aanholt and mitchell at some point...but maybe not yet with eze doing okay. 20%

  15. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench Podence or Lookman?

  16. Runaway
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Kane > Vardy this week (-4) and Son > KDB next week (free)

    B) Keep Kane this week so no hit and Kane +Son > Vardy + KDB (-4) next week

    1. Calculated Risks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A is crazy. Dont like b much either

  17. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best option?

    A) Grealish -4

    B) Bowen

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bowen

  18. Ray In Bruges.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which 2 to start?

    ASM, Brewster, Justin, Kilman, KWP

    Am I GTG otherwise?

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Chilwell Zouma KWP (Justin, KWP)
    Fernandes JRod Grealish Son ASM
    Werner DCL (Brewster)

    Thanks all!

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kilman does not appear to be in your team at all

      1. Ray In Bruges.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Whoops I mentioned KWP twice.

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

      All of them will start (maybe not Kilman)

      1. Ray In Bruges.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes but which 2 should I start?

  19. Matsy123
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wc team g2g?
    Martinez
    Chilwell Cancelo Cresswell
    Bruno Kdb Ziyech Grealish
    Vardy Dcl Watkins

    Forster Bissouma Lamptey Dallas

    1. Calculated Risks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Template but fine

  20. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Hamez captain too punty?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No it isn't

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

      Not great away from

  21. Snapes on a Plane
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will Saiss start this week?

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

      Only if Kilman or Coady have to miss out

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

    Diogo Jota is so tempting. If he only started when Salah is back

  23. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Game should still go ahead at OT this weekend, worry over for now

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

      Was never worried.

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

      Why wouldn't it? I'm out the loop here

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What happened?

  24. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start:

    A) Foden (tot)
    B) Adams (wol)?

    1. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Adams

  25. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just been notified FPL Blackbox has gone live on YouTube if you guys need some advice and info. GL

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks. I'd given up.

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

      Thank you so much.

  26. Sotamendi84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    which one?
    1) son -> bruno and play soucek
    2) salah > bruno and play son

    1. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  27. Mo Mané No Problems
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Finally settled on a great WC team. Pretty excited about getting KDB, Bruno, Ziyech before a lot of people.
    The Salah dilemma works out well too, having Mane as a great differential for LEI and then bha, would allow me to get Salah with just one FT while not having to think about him missing bha as I can just keep Mane if Salah situation is still unclear. Thoughts?

    McCarthy
    Chilwell Cancelo Targett
    Bruno(C) Mane KDB Grealish Ziyech
    DCL Watkins

    Subs: Forster, Kilman, Brewster, Ferguson

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      My Vardy Soucek will eat your Mane Brewster alive.

  28. Gymer11
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    1 free transfer

    I want to take salah out but not sure who for

    A - Fernandes so I can captain this week and move son to salah or kdb next week

    B Or go to kdb this gameweek as I want him in the long run but will need take a hit to get salah back

  29. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one

    A) Lamptey
    B) Kilman
    C) Reguilon

  30. Alli
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah, Wilson > Bruno, Werner/Vardy for free?

    McCarthy - Nyland
    Zouma - KWP - Justin - Dallas - Mitchell
    Mané - Salah - Son - Zaha - Stephens
    Wilson - DCL - Jimé

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

      On 2 frees I might do that. But would need to circle back and get Salah back in later..

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

        I still have WC