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. stefanbkanev
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Currently on WC:

    Martinez/Forster

    Chilwell/Cancelo/Lamptey/Coufal/3.9
    Sterling/Grealish/Ziyech/Mane/Fernandes
    Bamford/Watkins/Brewster

    I have 0.5 ITB any suggestions or advice welcome to improve my team. I take Sterling over KDB, I`m already behind 60 points and will use him as differential.

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

      3.9 to Lewis or Kilman - this season is one where you might need all the players you can get

  2. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Yes or not to the folloiwng:

    Salah + TAA + Son -> Bruno + Chilwell + KDB (-4)

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

      Yes

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

      Nah not The son move

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

      first 2 only imo

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

      100% yes

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

    Time is price changes?

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

      55 mins

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

    Pick one to play:
    A) lamptey
    B) saiss
    C) mitchell

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

      I’d go saiss. With doubts over Coady and Kilman, you’ve got two chances of him playing with potential for defence and attacking points. And when he didn’t play he wasn’t subbed on for a cameo point last time. Lamptey decent too.

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

    For people who haven't played their wildcard this week, when are you planning on playing it?

    I still have mine and am tempted to play next week with some key fixture swings but I know others are keeping because of Gw16 onwards and the prospect of a blank / dgw.

    Interested to hear what others think

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

    Wasted my FT

    The player is no longer in my best XI for my FPL team and player that I took out is healthy again

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

      You live and you learn, usually in that order.

  7. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What would you do here?

    A) Play Justin
    B) Bring KDB for a hit

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

      Depends if you have other City cover or not

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

      A

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

      A

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

      I just took the hit for Salah -> KDB.

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

    repost 🙂

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

    Coufal & Kilman both on 99% also.

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

      Salah on -99.8

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

    No one tempted to (C) Vardy if you have him?

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

      Not the worse choice with the reds back line in disarray

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

      I would if I had him

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

      Good pick

  10. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Super differential defence this GW:
    (% owned)
    6.6
    1.1 0.7 0.9

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

      Alonso, Mendy and Bailly?

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Mendy correct 🙂

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

          Yay! I’m intrigued about the others. I like a intelligent punt

  11. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Gauita
    Semedo Chilwell Lamptey
    Burno Grealish Zaha Ziyech
    Kane DCL Vardy
    Reguilón Bissouma Dunne
    Who To C ?
    What about Team GTG ??

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

      Good to go
      I’ve got DCL C but Fernandes is the popular shout

    2. Sid123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno or grealish

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers

  12. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wildcard done.

    Martinez
    Chilwell Cancelo Telles
    KDB Fernandes(c) Ziyech Grealish
    Vardy DCL Bamford

    Bench: Forster, Soucek, Lamptey, Lewis

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

      The real Arteta probably wishes he could pick these players too.

      1. Sterling Malory
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Not much defensive cover

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

      You are the first one I have seen here picking Telles in WC. I have the exact first team with McCarthy in GK. What's your plan for Salah?

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

    Good to go? 0FT and 0.5itb.

    Fabianski (shu)
    Digne (ful) - PVA (bur) - Targett (BHA) - Masuaku (shu)
    Fernandes (WBA) - Zaha (bur) - Ziyech (new)
    DCL C (ful) - Kane vc (MCI) - Watkins (BHA)

    Steele - Kilman (SOU) - Anguissa - Salah

    ta

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

    On WC... worried my bench is too weak... how can I improve my bench without weakening my starting 11?

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

    Forster; Kilman Phillips Reideweld

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

      Mane to KDB

    2. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks fine imo

  15. Sid123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Front 8, do I go 343 or 352 on wildcard.

    343 would be
    Ziyech, kdb, fernades,grealish (bissouma)
    Dcl, vardy, Watkins

    Or go 352

    Ziyech, kdb, ZAHA, fernandes, grealish
    Dcl, vardy, BREWSTER

    Any advice appreciated. Thanks

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

    Anyone else considering a city triple up from gw10/11 and onwards?

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

      The better question is, what serious FPL manager isn't?

      Those fixtures are insane.

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

      nah only a double at a push.

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

      Dias/Cancelo
      KDB/Sterling
      Sterling/Jesus
      Foden/Torres if going punty

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

      Does Foden count

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

      2 is enough

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

    Anyone? Salah to Mane or Ziyech?

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

    Last 2 spots on wildcard:

    A) Rodriquez and Cresswell
    B) Watkins and Digne

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

      A
      Everton’s defence has have the highest XGC over the last few weeks

    2. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. Sid123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  19. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford to Bruno worth a hit?

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

      No

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

      No

    3. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers

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

    How long until price changes?

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

      45 mins

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

      Are we there yet?

  21. jay01
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    For the next few weeks:

    A) Grealish and Vardy
    B) Bruno and Bamford

    1. Sid123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      B for this week
      But A if it’s next few

  22. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you rather?
    A) Kane
    B) Vardy (-4)

    1. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      Lol

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

        Selling the highest scoring player in the game for a hit.

        1. Sterling Malory
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          This kind of decision is what separates 1st from 2nd my friend.

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

            Exactly.

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

      Well... depends if you’d take a -4 next week anyway for Vardy and City players?
      If so, just do it now

  23. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you get in?

    A) Watkins
    B) Bamford

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

      Any other “cover”

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

      Toss a coin

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

    Last decision
    Play only one....

    Bowen (shu)
    Klich (ARS)
    Konsa (BHA)

    1. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bow

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

    Would you do Salah Foden to KDB Bruno for a hit?

    Can't afford just Foden to Bruno, but can do Foden to Rashford*. Would mean benching Salah and starting Brewster if I end up keeping Salah

    Thoughts?

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

      No
      Just Salah to Bruno

  26. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anything worth a hit guys ?

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Lamptey
    Bruno Ziyech Grealish Son
    Watkins Kane DCL

    Button TAA Bissouma Branwaithe

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

      Kane to Vardy

  27. Tripleh123
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Need advice guys. Have Kane, Salah, Robbo. Which is a pressing issue to address for a hit (-4)

    1. Salah to KDB
    2. Kane to Vardy
    3) Robbo to Chilwel

    1. AppleDunk
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Depends on your bench. If no good bench, then 1.

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

    Already did Salah to Bruno earlier in the week. Would you go Son to Ziyech now for free or save transfer and get Kdb next week?
    Probably an obvious one as I’m typing this but worth a check

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save

  29. AppleDunk
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    GTG? Bench correct?

    Martinez
    Semedo, Chilwell, Mitchell
    Son, Ziyech, Zaha, Grealish, Bruno
    DCL, Kane

    (Steer, Wilson, Lamptey, Dallas)

  30. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anything worth a hit here or good to go? 1.7m itb

    Martinez
    Robbo zouma kilman
    Bruno son ziyech grealish zaha
    Kane dcl

    Forster lamptey Dallas Brewster