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. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What time are price changes these days?

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

      Always the same time. 1:30 GMT.

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

    Rp Salah to Ziyech or Mane?

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

    Anyone else think Sam Johnstone could be a decent GK pick on WC? WBA have tightened up and they have nice fixtures

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

      Not for me sorry.

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

      Nah

  4. 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!

  5. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Evening wise ones. Your help please? 1FT and 0.4m ITB. Happy to take a -4 too.

    McCarthy
    Justin - Konsa - Chilwell - Kilman
    Podence - Son - Hamez
    DCL - Kane - Vardy

    Salah - Lewis - Stephens

    A) Salah > Bruno
    B) Salah + Lewis > Bruno + Cancelo (-4)
    C) Salah + Podence > Rash + Grealish (-4) - 0.1m out from Bruno + Grealish.
    D) Save
    E) Anything else

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

      I’d go c

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

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

    Foden worth removing for a hit?

    I have 8.1m available. (got priced out by Ziyech rise and Salah drop..)

    A) Zaha
    B) Rodriguez
    C) Keep

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

      I’d keep personally but B looks good also

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

      Not for a hit

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

      B for sure- excellent fixture this week

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

        I don't like Rodriguez longer term though. I feel like he will start to look like a weakness after just a week or two. But certainly huge upside possible for this week.

  7. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which 1 to bench?
    A) Adams
    B) Targett
    C) Coufal

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No wait C just about

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

      B

  8. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Am I good to go?

    Martinez
    Chilwell Cresswell Zouma
    Son Ziyech Grealish Jota
    Kane D(C)L Bamford

    (Steer Salah Ayling Justin) 0FT 0ITB

  9. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench two

    A) Lamptey (avl)
    B) James (new)
    C) Robbo (LEI)
    D) Bellerin (lee)
    E) Mitchell (bur)

    Not easy..

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A D

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

      D E

  10. 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), whats the best solution?

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

      Good team mate!

      With that squad you will likely be playing 3-4-3 most weeks so I wouldn't shell out on a 4th defender above 4.5. Even Justin is slightly too expensive to be bench most weeks, so I would defo go Kilman + Lewis

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

        And Soucek? Not sure about Kilmans playing time all defenders available at Wolves. As of now I am on Riedewald, Lewis and Lamptey.. But not too sure about Riedewalds playing time either... haha

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

          I would plan for how you're going to bring Salah back in for the Fulham game now and how Soucek affects that - if you can do it in 2 transfers with Soucek then keep him, if not Reidewald/Bissouma.

          If Kilman stops playing not the end of the world, he's your 3rd sub. Also Alt Nouri is unavailable for Wolves, and Coady might not feature.

          PS: good luck picking 3 out of those 4 defenders! 😉

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

    Son to Ziyech is not worth a hit right?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No

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

      Nah

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope. Unless you want to Captain Ziyech. Then it might

  12. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Telles or double City defence?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Telles

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Biased.

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Telles

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

      Telles

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

      For this week Telles, long term City defence

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

    Can do Robertson + Son to Chilwell + Fernandes -4.

    Already did Salah to De Bruyne...

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't

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

      I would

    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Only Rob

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

    On wc... is it too risky to go with:

    A - 3 Villa players (Martinez, Grealish and Watkins)
    B - A bench of Kilman, Phillips and Reideweld

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kilman to Lewis and you’re good to go

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

      A - Villa have good fixtures and one extra match in the future so if you can take advantage of Martinez, Grealish and Watkins then go for it. As an owner of Martinez I'm a little concerned that Heaton is regaining fitness.

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

    A) Bruno(C)&Rashford
    B) Rashford(C)&KDB

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

      B

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      C - Bruno(C) and one of Rodriguez, Ziyech and Grealish if you don’t have them

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

        Can’t as own Rashford already Along with Grealish and Ziyech

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

          Ah fair enough. Depends if you’re thinking long term or short term then. A is better for this week but B will score you more long term.

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

            Thanks guys was leaning that way

  16. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A - Rodriguez
    B - Ziyech

    Have DCL but not Werner...

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

      B

  17. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Chances that Salah features in gw10?

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

      Depends on result of next test. If negative then good chance he plays depending on fitness level coming out of isolation

  18. How I met your Mata
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How long is Coleman out for and is kenny nailed for him?

  19. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start one...

    A - Cancelo
    B - Kilman
    C - Phillips

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

      A

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

    Salah on - 99.8

    Looks like he's going to drop tonight,

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably not, a lot of those on WC

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

        WC doesn't affect price movements I've heard

  21. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. Foden to Rashford (bench Salah and start Brewster)
    Or
    B. Salah to Bruno (will be stuck with Foden too)

    Cheers

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

    Mark is tempting me...

    Salah to KDB (-4)?

    Was going to do Salah to Grealish (-4) previously.

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

      Stick to your guns

  23. House Frey Wedding Planner
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one.......

    a) Klich
    b) Brewster

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

      b

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

      100% B

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers guys

  24. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On WC... worried my bench is too weak... how can I improve it?

    Martinez
    Chilwell Cancelo Coufal
    Fernandes(C) Mane(VC) Ziyech Grealish
    Vardy DCL Watkins

    Forster; Kilman Phillips Reideweld

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

    McCarthy
    TAA* Chillwell Dallas
    SALAH* Podence Son Grealish
    Werner Adams Jimi

    Steer Justin Mitchell Bissouma

    Opinions please guys.

    1ft 2.4itb

  26. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Werner or DCL?

    my attack:

    KDB Ziyech Grealish Bruno Riedwald

    Watkins Vardy

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

      DCL for me - I don't think Werner will go nuclear until he starts playing centrally

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

    Mccarthy
    Chilweell taylor justin lamptey
    Bruno son sterling soucek
    Watkins Dcl

    (Salah mitchell, davis)

    1.8 itb 1ft

    1. Son to ziyech
    2. Give son a last chance before rid

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

      2 - son can haul against any team

  28. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Barkley to Grealish worth a hit?

    100% using my FT to get in KDB next week.

    Thanks.

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

      nah too side ways.

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope

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

    Bruno, Grealish, Martinez, Cancelo, Werner all look like rising in an hour.

    Coufal & Kilman both on 99% also.

  30. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How do I use my 2 FT?

    McCarthy - Steer
    Chilwell - Cresswell - Justin - Shaw - Ferguson
    Salah - KDB - Rashford - Podence - Anguissa
    Kane - DCL - Wilson

    0.5 ITB

    Thanks!