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. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On a wildcard. To keep Salah or not?

    My final choice was

    A) Keep. Cancelo, Salah, Brewster.

    B) Sell. Coufal, James Rodriguez, Werner.

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

      Which one would you choose?

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      In A do you have to play Brewster each week? If so B

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

    DCL or Bruno captain?

    First one to three wins

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

      Bruno and no more overthinking

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

      Bruno

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

      Bruno

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

      Bruno

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

        Unanimous.

        Thanks and good luck!

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

    Mendy
    Saiss Chilwell Kilmen
    Salah Jrod Zaha Ziyech
    Bamford Kane DCL

    Nyland Mitchell Klich Justin

    Salah to Rashford for -4? Need a differential

  4. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play:

    A) Lamptey
    B) Bellerin

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

      B

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

    Start Dallas or Mitchell.

    Or Justin

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Dallas, Arsenal create hardly anything (fan)

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

      Dallas

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

        Currently on Dallas yes but second guessed if Mitchell starts.

        Feel Arsenal should get a goal though but Dallas attacking returns.

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

      Mitchell is a bench player, won’t play unless someone gets hurt

      Justin is a bench player, won’t play much anymore

      Dallas is a the only real player on the list. He’s offensive, he’s worthy

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

    So what is current chances Salah plays vs Brighton?

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

      Virtually guaranteed I’d say.

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

        He hasn't produced a negative test yet, so I wouldn't say that.

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

      More than likely

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

      Very Probably

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

    Salah to Mane for free or play Soucek (shu)?

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

      Mane

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

      Mane for sure

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

      Thanks both. Much appreciated.

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

    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

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

      C

    2. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

    How should I find an extra 0.5m currently on WC...

    RMWCT

    McCarthy
    Chilwell Cancelo Coufal
    Mane Son Fernandes Grealish
    DCL Kane Watkins

    Forster Lamptey Bissouma Justin

    A - Justin -> Cheap Def 4.1 or less
    B - Mane to KDB
    C - Kane to Vardy

    An other ideas appreciated 🙂

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

      C

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

      C

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

      Mane to KDB
      SON to Bruno

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

        Already got Bruno fella 🙂

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

    Bench one:

    A) Lamptey

    B) Coufal

    C) Wilson

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

      A

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

      C

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

      A

    4. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      Not B

      C is probably hurt

  11. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Captain

    A) Mane
    B) DCL
    C) Grealish

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

      A

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

      A

    3. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

    Ziyech or DCL captain?

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

      Wondering the same. Leaning towards DCL for the goal threat but it's tight. I think Chelsea will win but not sure I can see them scoring 3 or 4

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

    Bottomed.

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

    Am I G2G? Thanks all!

  14. SalahFingers
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah -> Fernandes (C) for -4?

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

      depends on rest of your team

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

        Rest of the team is ok. With Salah out, I got Lamptey or Podence.

        I can always captain DCL or Son/Kane.

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

          same boat, im benching Salah and playing podence.

          i have DCL, Kane, Son, Rash, Grealish who i can slap C on too.

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

    who to put the C armband on?

    a. Grealish
    b. Rashford
    c. Kane
    d. DCL

    Cheers

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

      A imo although B is a great option with telles letting him come inside more

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

      Leaning towards A

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

      currently on B with A (VC)

    4. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m on B

    5. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm thinking Kane, then DCL from those.

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

      thanks for the replies

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

    Gtg? Anything for a hit

    Martinez
    Chilwell • Semedo • Masuaku
    Bruno(C) • Son • Ziyech • Grealish • Zaha
    Kane • DCL
    (Steer / Brewster / KWP / Dallas)

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Gtg gl

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

      G2G lad

  17. Jared Dunn
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi Folks,

    WC team, 2.1 ITB for Bruno to Salah next week if eligible.

    Fabianski / Forster
    Telles / Zouma / Kilman (Coufal / Cancelo)
    Bruno / Grealish / KdB / Barkley (Bissouma)
    DCL / Vardy / Watkins

    Cheers

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would go chillwell over Telles for now but love the idea. Wouldn’t treble up personally on villa, maybe Barkley>Jota? Nice team tho

    2. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Act just seen you have 2.1 so if get Ziyech over Barkley for sure

      1. Jared Dunn
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks, I was thinking that but just now I will want salah in so have left the money just incase. If I had enough in the bank I would have went Barkley to Jota.

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

    Son > Grealish/Zyiech for -4 or save?

    McCarthy - Nyland
    Zouma - KWP - Justin - Dallas - Mitchell
    Mané - Bruno - Son - Zaha - Stephens
    Vardy - DCL - Jimé

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

      Not for a hit

    2. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save imo

  19. Fantasyamateur
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Finalizing my WC - need some last minute advice:

    Martinez (Forster)
    Chilwell - Cancelo - Telles (Justin, Mitchell)
    KdB - Bruno - Ziyech - Grealish (Soucek)
    Watkins - Vardy - DCL

    Should I go Justin and Mitchell to Lewis and 4.3 (Kilman, Mitchell?)
    Or maybe even downgrade Soucek to someone like Bissouma so I can get Lewis and 4.7? If I go 4.4 for midfielder I can get Lamptey..

    In other words, 13.5M for the last three spots (1 mid and 2 def), what's the best solution?

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d go 4.4 mid and Lamptey

  20. KDB4PREZ
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Help would be appreciated.
    A) Salah+Trossard>KDB+Ziyech -4
    B) Same as above but Bruno(C) instead of KDB and get him next week but no Ziyech
    C) GFY

    Martinez
    Chillwell Semedo Lamptey
    Salah* Trossard* Son Grealish Rashford(C)
    Kane Bamford

    Brewster Dallas 3.9

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

    Richarlison over DCL on a wildcard? Will probably downgrade after 3-4 Gameweeks

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would yeah

  22. Pachi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On WC.. which options looks the best?

    A) chilwell and neco
    B) dias/cancelo and kilman

    Neco and kilman bench fodders

  23. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah out for Mane or Bruno?

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

      Or keep him

    2. Indio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno

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

    How would you fix this mess please?

    1. Salah > KDB; reassess next week
    2. Salah > Ziyech; then Son and Kane > KDB and Vardy next week
    3. Something else, maybe without KDB?

    Martinez
    Chilwell, KWP, Coufal, Cancelo
    Bruno, Salah*, Grealish, Son,
    Kane, DCL
    (Forster, Mitchell, Brewster*, Trossard*)
    No FTs; £0.5M ITB.

    Thanks all.

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

    KDB, Mane or B Fernandes as a Salah replacement?

    Current midfield is:
    Ziyech, Grealish, Rashford, Zaha

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

      I'm thinking Fernandes.

      Liverpool have a ton of people out, so not sure if I'd go Mane... but then again it could mean that Mane gets all the spoils?

    2. Indio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      As you've got Rash, I'd go for KDB.

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

    This Saturday will be epic. Eight players playing and Bruno as captain in the last game.

  27. Dannyb
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to Ziyech or Mane?

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

      Z

  28. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ryan
    Target Konsa Chilwell
    Son Zaha Grealish
    Werner DCL Mitrovic

    Option A-Pick Mahrez

    Option B-Pick Lamptey

    Option C-Pick Mitchell

    Option D- Sell Salah for KDB (4 point hit and pick him)

    Any thoughts appreciated!

  29. VinMar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play 2

    A.) R. James
    B.) Cresswell
    C.) Lamptey

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

      A and B

  30. Thunderbahçe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy

    Chillwell, Cresswell, Lamptey, Dallas

    Bruno (c), KDB, Bowen, Zaha

    Werner, Watkins

    Meslier, Wilson, JWP, Masuaku

    A) GTG
    B) Meslier over McCarthy?
    C) Wilson over Bowen?
    D) B and C?